Significance and legend
Devshayani, also called Padma, Harishayani or Ashadhi Ekadashi, is the day Lord Vishnu lies down on the serpent Shesha in the ocean of milk to begin his four-month yoga nidra, the cosmic sleep that lasts until Prabodhini Ekadashi in Kartika. The Bhavishyottara Purana tells of King Mandhata, a virtuous emperor in whose kingdom no rain fell for three years. Famine spread and his subjects suffered. Searching for the cause, the king travelled to the forest and met the sage Angiras, the son of Brahma.
Angiras explained the karmic cause of the drought and advised the king to observe the Padma Ekadashi of the bright half of Ashadha along with all his subjects. Mandhata returned and did so, and soon abundant rain fell, crops grew and the kingdom prospered once more. Another account says that Vishnu agreed to rest in the netherworld with King Bali during these four months, as part of the boon he gave Bali after the Vamana avatara.
How Devshayani Ekadashi is observed
Devotees fast and worship Vishnu, placing his image on a decorated bed for his sleep and singing lullabies in some temples. In Maharashtra, lakhs of varkaris complete their pilgrimage on foot to Pandharpur to see Lord Vitthala on this day, singing the abhangas of Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram. Many begin the vows of Chaturmasa, giving up certain foods such as leafy vegetables, curd, milk or lentils in successive months, and sannyasis settle in one place. In the Telugu states the day is called Toli Ekadashi. The fast is broken on Dwadashi after sunrise within the parana period.