Glories of Dev Utthan (Haribodhini) Ekadasi

Date and Time of Dev Utthani Ekadasi in Mumbai

This year Dev Utthani ekadasi tithi begins on 1 November 2025 at 09:13 AM and ends on 2 November 2025, 07:33 AM. Thus this Dev Utthani ekadasi is merging with dasami tithi on 1 November 2025 till 9:12AM and also merging with Dvadashi tithi from 2 November 2025, 7:34AM onwards. 

So Vaishnavas will observe the Dev Utthani Ekadasi fast from 2 November 2025, 06:39 AM to 3 November, 6:40AM, which is Dvadasi Pradhan Ekadasi and Ekadasi fast needs to be broken on 3 November 2025 from 06:40 AM to 10:28AM.

Again the most auspicious thing is ekadasi tithi begins from 1 November  9:13Am and ends on 2 November 2025 07:33AM. Dvadasi tithi begins from 2 November 2025, 7:34 AM and ends on 3 November  2025, 05:08 AM and Trayodasi begins from 3 November 2025, 05:09 AM and ends on 4 November 2025, 02:08AM. And as per Vedic calendar day is counted from sunrise to next day sunrise. So there is very auspicious conjunction of ekadasi, dvadasi, trayodasi from sunrise time on 2 November 2025, 6:39 AM to sunrise time on 3 November 2025, 6:40AM. 

Different Names and Timing of the Holy Ekādaśī

It has four names — Haribodhini, Prabodhini, Devotthani, and Uṭthāna Ekādaśī — and falls on the second Ekādaśī (Śukla Pakṣa) of the sacred month of Kārttika (October–November). On this day, Lord Viṣṇu awakens from His four-month rest (Cāturmāsya) in the ocean of milk.

Conversation Between Lord Brahmā and Nārada Muni

Once, Śrī Nārada Muni inquired from his father Lord Brahmā about the glories of this most sacred Ekādaśī, and Lord Brahmā replied:

“Dear son, O best of sages, I shall narrate to you the glories of Haribodhini Ekādaśī, which eradicates all sins, bestows great merit, and grants liberation to those who surrender unto the Supreme Lord.”

The Supreme Purifying Power of Haribodhini Ekādaśī

Lord Brahmā said:

“The merits of bathing in the Ganges or any holy river remain significant only until Haribodhini Ekādaśī arrives. This Ekādaśī of the bright fortnight of Kārttika is more purifying than a bath in all tīrthas, oceans, and lakes.

It is a thousand times more powerful than performing a thousand Aśvamedha sacrifices or a hundred Rājasūya sacrifices.”

The Power of Different Types of Fasting

Nārada Muni then asked about the results of different ways of fasting on Ekādaśī.

Lord Brahmā explained:

• Eating once at midday (without grains or beans) destroys the sins of one birth.
• Eating only at night destroys sins from two births.
• Completely fasting destroys sins from seven previous births.

“A person whose sins equal Mount Sumeru in volume sees them destroyed simply by fasting on Haribodhini Ekādaśī.”

The Glory of Remaining Awake All Night

“If one fasts and remains awake the entire night glorifying the Lord, the sins of a thousand lifetimes are burned to ashes, just as a small spark burns a mountain of cotton.

Even a small act of devotion on this day brings immense merit, but one who disregards scriptural injunctions gains nothing even if performing great pious acts.”

Condemnation of Irreligious Conduct

Lord Brahmā cautioned that those who are immoral, faithless, or offensive toward saintly persons cannot benefit spiritually.

“Anyone who insults saintly devotees loses all religiosity, wealth, and happiness, and his dynasty is destroyed before his very eyes.”

Thus, true merit arises only from purity of conduct and devotion to Lord Hari.

The Unmatched Merit of Observing Haribodhini Ekādaśī

“O Nārada, the sins of a hundred previous lives are destroyed by fasting on Haribodhini Ekādaśī.

If one fasts and remains awake, thousands of one’s forefathers, relatives, and descendants also attain Lord Viṣṇu’s abode.

Even a brahmaṇa-killer is purified by sincerely observing this Ekādaśī.”

Superiority Over All Other Pious Acts

“The merit obtained by bathing in holy rivers, giving gold or cows in charity, or performing sacrifices cannot equal the merit earned by fasting and remaining awake on this day.

The house of one who fasts becomes a place of pilgrimage, and he attains the perfection of yoga and ultimate liberation.”

Freedom from Rebirth

“O Nārada, whoever fasts on this Ekādaśī will not enter a womb again. The Lord personally destroys the sinful reactions of such a soul, earned through mind, body, and words.”

Excellence of Devotional Activities on this Day

“Bathing, charity, chanting the Holy Name, austerities, and sacrifices performed on Haribodhini Ekādaśī become imperishable.

Worshipping Lord Mādhava on this day frees one from great sins and dangers.”

Listening to Hari-kathā in Kārttika Month

“Hearing and chanting about Lord Viṣṇu during Kārttika, especially on Ekādaśī, gives the same result as donating hundreds of cows in charity.

Whoever glorifies the Lord’s pastimes burns all sins and delivers hundreds of generations of forefathers.”

Procedure for Observance

Nārada then asked, “How should one observe this sacred Ekādaśī?”

Lord Brahmā replied:

• Rise during Brahma-muhūrta (1½ hours before sunrise).
• Bathe and worship Lord Keśava with devotion.
• Offer prayers:
  “O Keśava, I shall fast on this Ekādaśī so dear to You. Kindly protect me and bless me with devotion.”
  
• Remain cheerful, chant the Holy Names, and stay awake at night singing kīrtan, playing instruments, and discussing Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes.

Items for Worship

“One should worship Lord Kṛṣṇa with fragrant flowers, camphor, fruits, and conch water. Offering Tulasi leaves, bel leaves, or Agastya flowers to Lord Hari on this day grants immense merit.

Whoever worships Lord Janārdana with devotion during Kārttika attains liberation, and his sins from thousands of births are burnt to ashes.”

Glories of Serving Śrīmatī Tulasī-devī

“Whoever sees, touches, plants, worships, or waters Tulasī-devī attains residence in Vaikuṇṭha.

The forefathers of one who serves Tulasī in these nine ways live in the abode of Lord Hari for countless ages.”

Breaking the Fast and Completing Cāturmāsya

“On the next morning (Dvādāśī), after bathing and chanting the Holy Names, one should offer prasādam to qualified brāhmaṇas, then honour prasādam oneself.

One should offer charity—gold, cloth, or cows—according to one’s capacity and worship the spiritual master.

Since Cāturmāsya ends on this day, whatever was given up during those months should now be donated to brāhmaṇas.”

The Supreme Result

“Anyone who observes Haribodhini Ekādaśī faithfully, hearing and glorifying its glories, attains the merit of donating thousands of cows and ultimately returns to the eternal abode of Lord Vāsudeva.”

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Kārttika-śukla Ekādaśī, also known as Haribodhini Ekādaśī, Prabodhini Ekādaśī, or Devotthānī Ekādaśī, from the Skanda Purāṇa.