In Hindu religion, Ekadashi fast is said to be the best of all fasts for the welfare and salvation of humans in Kalyug. Ekadashi of the Shukla Paksh of the Ashadha month is called Devshayani Ekadashi and it is a very important Ekadashi fast. On this day Lord Vishnu goes into Yognidra for four months. It is also called Padma Ekadashi. It is believed that observing the Devshayani Ekadashi fast is beneficial not only for the one who observes the fast but for the entire world. It averts natural calamities. As per the belief, the one who observes this fast gets a place in Lord Vishnu’s Vaikunth Dham and attains salvation.

Dharmaraj Yudhishthira asked- O Lord! Which Ekadashi occurs in the Shukla Paksha of Ashadh? What is its name and method? Kindly tell me this. Lord Krishna said- King! The name of Ekadashi of Ashadh Shukla Paksha is ‘Shayani’. I will describe it. It is a very pious Ekadashi, which gives heaven and salvation, and also removes all sins. Keeping a fast on this Ekadashi gives very good results. In ancient times, there was a Suryavanshi king named Mandhata. He was a great ascetic, Chakravarti and a king who protected his subjects. Once there was a famine in his kingdom. There was an uproar all around. People started dying of hunger. To find a solution to this problem, King Mandhata took some special people with him and reached the ashram of Angira Rishi, the son of Brahma ji, and asked him that I rule according to Dharma, yet why is there a famine in my kingdom for the last three years?  Sage Angira told that in this era only Brahmins have the right to do penance but in your kingdom a Shudra is doing penance. You kill him. This will end the famine. The king said, I will not kill an innocent person. You suggest some other solution. Sage Angira advised King Mandhata to keep a fast on Ekadashi of the Shukla Paksh of Ashadha month. The king returned to his kingdom’s capital and observed the Padma Ekadashi fast along with the four castes. Due to the effect of the fast, there was torrential rain in his kingdom and the whole kingdom was filled with wealth and grains. This brought back prosperity in his kingdom.

Those who have worshipped Lord Vishnu with lotus-eyes on the day of Shayani Ekadashi in the Ashadh Shukla Paksha and have observed the Ekadashi fast, have received the same result as worshipping the three worlds and the three eternal gods. On the day of Harishayani Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu resides at King Bali’s place and sleeps on the bed of Sheshnag in the Kshirsagar until the next Kartik Ekadashi comes; therefore, from Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi to Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, man should follow the religion properly. The man who performs this fast attains the ultimate salvation, therefore, this Ekadashi fast should be observed according to the rules and with true devotion. One should stay awake on the night of Ekadashi and worship Lord Vishnu who holds the conch, chakra and mace with devotion. Even Chaturmukh Brahmaji is unable to count the merits of a man who does this. By doing this, the merits of a person increase manifold. King!  One who observes the excellent fast of Ekadasi which removes all sins and provides enjoyment and salvation in this way, remains dear to me in this world, even if he is a Chandal by caste. Those people who spend the four months by giving lamps, eating on Palash leaves and fasting, are dear to me. Lord Vishnu remains asleep during the four months, therefore a person should sleep on the ground. Vegetables should be given up in Sawan, curd in Bhadon, milk in Ashwin and pulses in Kartik. The person who observes celibacy in the four months, he attains the ultimate salvation. O King! A person becomes free from all sins by fasting on Ekadasi; therefore, this fast should always be observed. It should never be forgotten intentionally. The Ekadasi tithi of the Krishna Paksha which comes between ‘Shayani’ and ‘Bodhini’ is the only fast suitable for householders. The Krishna Paksha Ekadasi of other months is not suitable for householders to observe.  All householders should observe Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha.