Āṣāḍhī Ekādaśī | Nivṛtti, Pravṛtti of Prabhu Viṣṇu through His Supreme Amśa of Viṭṭhala
Āṣāḍhī Ekādaśī (आषाढ एकादशी) signifies a time-space in which Prabhu Viṣṇuji enters a state of Nivṛtti (in which he appears to sleep) in Kṣīrasāgara (the cosmic ocean of milk) on the cosmic serpent Śeṣanāga . It falls on the 11th lunar day (Ekādaśī) of the bright fortnight (Śukla Pakśa) of the Vedic month of Āśadha (June – July). It is additionally known as Śayani Ekādaśī, Mahā Ekādaśī, Prathama Ekādaśī, or Padma Ekādaśī. This holy day is of significance to Vaiṣṇavites. Through this day and night, they oblate ritualistically the Murti of Prabhu Viṣṇuji and Mā Lakṣmī. The saṅkalpa of Caturm ā sa, or 4-month ritualistic fasting priorly undertaken, is imbibed on this day. Post Caturmāsa, Prabhu Viṣṇuji becomes pravṛtta (appears to wake up) on Prabodhinī Ekādaśī, the 11th day of bright fortnight in the Vedic month of Kārtika (October-November). This day is of great importance in Mahārāṣṭra. The taditional yātrā to Śrī Viṭṭhala (the supreme aṃśa of Prabhu Viṣṇuji) Temple in Pan ḍhar...