Devuthani Ekadashi

Long ago there was a mighty demon named Jalandhar. His wife Vrinda was utterly devoted to him and a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. By the power of her faithfulness Jalandhar became invincible; no god could defeat him in battle.

Proud of his power, Jalandhar began to torment the gods and seized heaven. One day he challenged Lord Shiva. The battle went on and on, but because of Vrinda’s virtue, Jalandhar would not die.

To protect the gods, Lord Vishnu took Jalandhar’s form and went to Vrinda. Thinking him her husband, she touched him, and her vow was broken. At that very moment, on the battlefield, Shiva slew Jalandhar.

When Vrinda learned the truth, she was filled with grief and anger. She cursed Vishnu: “You broke my vow by deceit; may you turn to stone.” The Lord accepted the curse and became the Shaligram stone. Then Vrinda gave up her life with her husband.

Where Vrinda’s ashes fell, a sacred plant grew — the tulsi. Vishnu said, “Vrinda, your virtue is immortal. You will be worshipped forever as tulsi, and in my Shaligram form I will marry you. No worship of mine will be complete without tulsi.”

On Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi (Devshayani), Lord Vishnu goes into a four-month sleep on the serpent Shesha in the ocean of milk. During these four months — Chaturmas — auspicious events like weddings are not held. On Kartik Shukla Ekadashi the Lord wakes, so it is called Devuthani or Prabodhini Ekadashi.

On this day or the next, in the joy of the Lord’s waking, Shaligram and tulsi are married with great celebration — a canopy of sugarcane is raised, tulsi is draped in a red chunri, and the wedding rounds are taken. Only then does the season of weddings begin.

While waking the Lord, people sing, “Utho dev, baitho dev…” — “Rise, O Lord, sit up, O Lord.” O Lord Vishnu and Mother Tulsi, bring blessings to every home. Jai Tulsi Mata!