594. Prabhodini Ekadashi: The day Lord wakes up from Yoga Nidra, Cosmic Sleep.

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In Hinduism there is a concept of Maha Pralaya (Cosmic Deluge) that happens when the cosmos goes beyond redemption due to destruction of Dharma (downfall of moral and ethical values). Maha Pralaya is not the end but a positive change just like death before rebirth and the cycle repeats.

After Maha Pralaya there is a silence and at this period Maha Vshnu reclines over Ananta, the serpent bed over the still cosmic waters. Matter and Energy that pulsated with mutual conjure before the Maha Pralaya lies dormant around Him in the still primordial waters. This is the period He is in Yoga Nidra (Cosmic Sleep) and is focusing on the Infinite Reality of His own identity.

Vaishnavas consider Chaturmasya (four months pertaining to rainy season) as auspicious and observed from Ashada Shukla Ekadashi to Kartika Shukla Ekadashi (yesterday). This is the period when Maha Vishnu is in Yoga Nidra annually that is known as Ayana Nidra. He is in Cosmic Sleep and is the threshold of Samadhi state. It is not the regular sleep which gives relaxation to mind and body, but it is Blissful relaxation for the inner Self.

During this period scriptures prescribe giving up certain types of food items like vegetables, curds, milk and grains. In the first month all vegetables are given up to please Sri Sridhara, the 

niyamaka (controller) for Ashada-Sravana month and in second month all items of curd are given up to get blessings from Sri Hrishikesha, the 

niyamaka of Sravana-Badrapada month. Milk and milk products are forbidden on the Badrapada-Ashvija month when Sri Padmanabha is the niyamaka deva. In the fourth month Ashvija-Kartika grains are shunned to get the grace of Sri Damodhara. This is also the reason why in Hindu household a set of lamps are lit in the month of Karthika and adore Damodhara by chanting “Om Kartika Damodaraya Mangalam”

Uttana Dwadashi (Today) is the day Maha Vishnu wakes up from Yoga Nidra and it is joyfully celebrated. On this day Vaishnavas perform Tulasi Vivaha. Tulasi (Holy Basil) and Vusirika (Gooseberry) are together worshiped and a marriage ceremony is performed for these two holy plants as per tradition of South India.

Tulasi is considered as an incarnation of Maha Lakshmi and provider of prosperity. It is believed that no evil forces or negative energy dare to enter the places where Tulasi is adored. Its leaves are used in curing cold, cough and many illnesses. Vusirika or Amla (Gooseberry) is considered to incarnation of Maha Vishnu. 

There is a mythological story which highlights the benefits of consuming Amla. There was a hunter who was not just killing animals for food but was committing mass massacre of animal life just for the sake of proving his valour and incurred sin. One day he saw a huge tree in a forest with some fruits hanging from it out of curiosity he climbed the tree and ate the fruits. He felt satisfied with the taste and cut some for his family and as he was climbing down the tree he unfortunately slipped and fell down dead. Yama Kinkaras (Attendants of Yama) came to the spot to take him to Naraka (Hell). They failed in the venture and were surprised considering the inhuman acts of the hunter. Just then a Sadhu passed that way and the Kinkaras asked him the reason. The Sadhu clarified, “this person has consumed GOOSEBERRIES just before dying as this is incarnation of Maha Vishnu you cannot touch the body of this person, he is now the property of Vishnu Doothas (Servants of Vishnu)”.

The story is to bring awareness among people about the greatness of Amla which has got many medicinal values; especially the Alma can prevent cardiac and digestion problems.