Parivartini means ‘change’ or ‘shift in anything.' In ancient Hindu texts, Parivartini Ekadashi refers to when Lord Vishnu takes a turn or shift in his deep cosmic sleep.
Lord Vishnu sleeps, lying on the Sheshnaag (the cosmic serpent) and floating on the Ksheer Sagar (Ocean of Milk). It’s said that during this time, Lord Vishnu takes a break from maintaining the universe and cosmic balance.
This movement causes a big change in the universe, supposed to rectify the whole cosmic space, which affects the world both spiritually and materially.
Why is Parivartini Ekadashi Considered Spiritually Significant?
It’s believed that Lord Vishnu rests and takes a deep sleep for four months called Chaturmas. When Lord Vishnu starts his sleep, then Devashayani Ekadashi is celebrated, and when he takes a turn in his sleep, the day is celebrated as Parivartini Ekadashi.
And when the cosmic sleep is complete and Lord Vishnu wakes up, then that day is divinely observed with the name Prabodhini Ekadashi.
Parivartini Ekadashi is called a spiritually significant day due to the underlying reasons.
- It’s because it’s the best way to level up your spirituality by connecting with Lord Vishnu’s sacred energy by keeping vrats or worshipping Lord Vishnu.
- The day causes a great shift in the spiritual intensity. It can be the right time to embark on your spiritual journey.
- It’s the perfect time to take vows or set new goals that you want to achieve in life, as Lord Vishnu helps you with it.
During the Ekadashi, the Vishnu devotees, by wearing traditional clothes or attire and wearing a Tulsi bracelet on their hands, visit the Vishnu temples and pray to the deity for happiness, prosperity, and good luck.
The Story Behind Parivartini Ekadashi
The story revolves around King Mahabali, also known as Bali. He was a devotee of Lord Vishnu and was an Asura and also Prahlad’s grandson. The king was considered very kind, wise, and generous, and he used to rule Deva Lok, Prithvi Lok, and Pataal Lok. His rule was so just and prosperous that even other gods grew anxious about his power, that it might tilt the whole cosmic balance.
The king, Bali, developed in himself a sense of pride and ego one day, and his intentions became cruel thereafter as he wanted to conquer the heavens and earth by overpowering the Devas.
Devas, fearing it, went to Lord Vishnu and pleaded for help. However, instead of using his force, Lord Vishnu decided to teach Bali a lesson through his compassion and divine play. He incarnated himself and went on earth as a dwarf Brahmin boy named Vamana when King Bali held a yagna at his home.
Vamana reached the yagna and asked for a gift from King Bali: the three paces of land measured by Vamana’s three footsteps. King Bali laughed at this demand of Vamana and agreed to provide him with it. However, Guru Shukracharya recognized the divine energy of the dwarf boy and warned King Bali. But King Bali refused to agree with it.
With the first step only, Vamana covered the whole earth, and with the second step, he grew in size, filling the whole sky and the space, and spanned the heavens. As the whole universe was now covered in two steps, there was no space left for the third step. At this very point, King Bali realized the divine energy behind Vamana and got to know that it’s Lord Vishnu in front of him.
Realizing his mistake, King Bali pleaded with Lord Vishnu to place his third footstep on his head. Lord Vishnu did the same and sent Bali to Patal Lok. However, instead of punishing Bali, Lord Vishnu blessed him with immortality in legend and said that he could return once a year to meet his people, the event that is celebrated with the name Onam in Kerala.
In addition, Lord Vishnu also said that he would become Bali’s gatekeeper as a profound honor granted to the true devotees only. So, this whole event took place on Parivartini Ekadashi, which is also today addressed with the name Vamana Ekadashi.
What’s Particularly Done On This Day?
The Rituals Usually Include
- Fasting on this day: (Nirjala, Falahar, Partial)
- Night Long Vigil (Jagran and mantra chanting)
- Reading or Listening to the Vamana Avatar Katha
- Making Offerings to Lord Vishnu, such as yellow flowers and sweets, during Vishnu Puja
- Charity or Donation to needy people (daan & seva)
In Conclusion
Therefore, Parivartini Ekadashi is a day to start again, refresh, and realign your inner energy with something constructive and uplifting, such as lending a helping hand to those in need. The lesson we learn from this day is that pride or ego can sabotage the positive energy within us, and it can affect a lot of things in our lives, too. So, this emotion should take a backseat in our lives if we want things to flow smoothly on a positive note.
ॐ विष्णवे नमः
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