शयनी एकादशी व्रत कथा (आषाढ़ शुक्ल एकादशी) · Shayani Ekadashi Vrat Katha (Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi)

When Yudhishthira asked, Bhagwan Shri Krishna said: O King, the Ekadashi that falls in the Shukla Paksha of the month of Ashadh is called Shayani Ekadashi (also Harishayani Ekadashi). It is a supremely meritorious tithi, granting both heaven and liberation and destroying all sins. Whoever worships lotus-eyed Bhagwan Vishnu with lotus flowers and observes the vow on this day attains, as it were, the merit of worshipping all three worlds and the three principal deities.

From this Harishayani Ekadashi, one form of mine resides at the abode of King Bali, and another form sleeps upon Sheshnag's bed in the Ksheersagar — this sleep continuing until the Shukla Ekadashi of the month of Kartik. During this period, people should conduct themselves righteously. Whoever observes the vow of this Ekadashi attains the supreme state. On the night of Ekadashi, one should keep vigil and devotedly worship Bhagwan Vishnu, who bears the conch, discus, and mace — the merit gained from this cannot be counted even by the four-faced Brahma himself. Whoever observes this vow, which grants both worldly enjoyment and liberation and removes all sin, remains ever dear to me, even if born into the lowliest of families.

Those who offer lamps through Chaturmas, eat their food on palash leaves, and sleep upon the bare ground — since Bhagwan himself sleeps during this period — are especially dear to me. Through these four months, one should in turn give up leafy greens in Sawan, curd in Bhadrapad, milk in Ashwin, and lentils in Kartik, and whoever observes celibacy through the whole of Chaturmas attains the supreme state. By the vow of Ekadashi alone, a person is freed from all sins; therefore it should always be observed and never forgotten. For householders, only the Krishna Paksha Ekadashis falling between Shayani and Devuthani (Prabodhini) Ekadashi are prescribed as vow-days; the Krishna Paksha Ekadashis of other months are not obligatory for householders, but every Shukla Paksha Ekadashi should be observed by all.