Devshayani Ekadashi 2026: Does Lord Vishnu really sleep on Devshayani Ekadashi?

Devshayani Ekadashi 2026: Devshayani Ekadashi is on 25th July 2026. You must have often heard from elders or people around you that Gods sleep after Devshayani Ekadashi, auspicious work should not be done, but have you ever thought that the Gods who follow the creation sleep in Chaturmas, why Lord Vishnu goes to Kshirsagar to sleep. Let us understand in detail what is the meaning of sleep of Gods here.

Devshayani Ekadashi: Do Gods really sleep?

The gods sleep on Devshayani Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of Ashadha month and wake up after four months on Devuthani Ekadashi of Kartik Shukla Paksha. According to Skanda Purana, sleeping of the gods here does not literally mean going into sleep but is related to Yoga Nidra.

Yoga Nidra means giving up the external activities of the world and going into a state of meditation, chanting and penance. Lord Vishnu is said to be in Yoga Nidra at this time, which is a type of deep samadhi and not ordinary sleep. According to the scriptures of Sanatan Dharma, God is omnipresent, omniscient and conscious, hence it is not considered appropriate for Him to sleep like humans.

Lord Krishna says in Geeta ‘Ya Nisha Sarvabhutanaam Tasyan Jagarti Sanyami’ That is, even when it is night for everyone, the Yogi still remains awake. In such a situation, think how the God who wakes up a person from sleep can sleep. If seen from a spiritual perspective, Devashayan never happens.

Why does Lord Vishnu go into Yoga Nidra?

Yoganidra of Lord Vishnu indicates that now a special period of creation is starting. At this time the rainy season has started. Normal life becomes a bit disrupted due to rain. Therefore, instead of external festivals and auspicious activities, a person should pay more attention to introspection, penance, chanting, fasting, restraint and devotion. For this reason, after Devshayani Ekadashi, marriages, housewarmings and other auspicious functions are banned.

In Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran, Yoganidra of Lord Vishnu has been described as a state related to his divine power and Yogamaya.

Why does Lord Vishnu observe Yoganidra only in Kshirsagar?

In the scriptures, Kshirsagar i.e. the sea of ​​milk is considered the most sacred and divine among the seven seas. Kshir i.e. milk is a symbol of purity and nectar. Lord Vishnu is the sustainer of the universe, hence his residence is also said to be at a place which is a symbol of purity and life-giving. Lord Vishnu observes Yoganidra on the bed of Sheshnag in Kshirsagar for four months. This period is called Chaturmas.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to Devshayani Ekadashi

Q1. Do the gods really sleep on Devshayani Ekadashi?
Answer. No, according to the scriptures, sleeping here means Yoga Nidra, not normal sleep.

Q2. When is Devshayani Ekadashi in 2026?
Answer. Devshayani Ekadashi is on 25th July 2026.

Q3. Why are auspicious works not done after Devshayani Ekadashi?
Answer. Chaturmas is considered a period of meditation and devotion, hence there is a tradition of postponing auspicious functions like marriage, housewarming etc. during this period.

Q4. Why don’t marriages take place in Chaturmas?
Answer. Seasons change in Chaturmas. Due to the rainy season, people’s life gets disturbed, from the classical point of view, the reason for non-marriage is the spiritual significance of Chaturmas and auspicious times are not taken during this period.

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