Devshayani Ekadashi 2025: Does Lord Vishnu really sleep, what is the story behind it:

News Topical, Digital Desk : On the Ekadashi of Shukla Paksha of Ashadh month, Lord Vishnu, the savior of the universe, will go into Yog Nidra for four months. This year Devshayani Ekadashi is on 6th July. So does this mean that God also sleeps? Where does he go to sleep and why does he do this?

If you also have this question in your mind, then today we tell you the whole story behind it. The astrological reason is that at this time the Sun starts moving towards the south, during which no auspicious work is done. Due to the rainy season during these four months, it was difficult to travel from one place to another in earlier times.

Due to the spread of seasonal diseases, people used to eat satvik food and drink during this time. Due to this, auspicious works were stopped during this time. The religious reason is believed to be due to a promise made by King Bali in the mythological tale.

The boon was given in the Vamana avatar

After saving King Bali in the form of Vaman, Lord Vishnu made him the king of Patala Lok and also asked him to ask for a boon. Bali then asked for the boon of Lord Vishnu to reside with him in Patala Lok. Bound by his word, Lord Vishnu went to Patala Lok.

Seeing this, all the gods and goddesses including Goddess Lakshmi became worried. Goddess Lakshmi took the form of a poor woman and reached King Bali. She tied a Rakhi to him and made him her brother and in return asked him to free Lord Vishnu from his promise and take him to Vaikunth Dham.

Bali freed Lord Vishnu from his promise. Then the Lord blessed Bali that he would remain in Yog Nidra in Patal Lok from Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi to Kartik Shukla Ekadashi every year. During this time, Chaturmas is observed on earth, when religious activities are performed.

So does god really sleep?

Lord Vishnu is said to be in Yog Nidra at this time, which is a type of deep Samadhi, not ordinary sleep. In the Gita, Lord Krishna has said, 'Ya Nisha Sarvabhutanam Tasyaam Jagarti Sanyami'. This means that when it is night for everyone, the Yogi remains awake even then. That is, the Yogi sleeps physically at night, but even while sleeping, he remains awake at the level of consciousness.