About Dev Uthani Ekadashi
Dev Uthani Ekadashi is most commonly known as Prabodhini Ekadashi and also, Devutthana Ekadashi. It is a religious event mainly followed by devotees of Lord Vishnu, who is one of the most popular male Hindu deities. The term closely associated with Prabhodhini Ekadashi is Ekadashi Parana.
The meaning of ‘’Parana’’ is ‘’breaking fast.’’ Thus, the Parana happens on the next day of the Ekadashi fast, after the sunrise.
The fast is a crucial one and so is the Parana (breaking of it), as devotees need to do the Parana the next day within the Dwadashi Tithi, as not doing so, is considered to be a serious religious offense.
Other important aspects of doing Parana are the following:
- One should not be doing Parana during the Hari Vasara. The Hari Vasara is actually the first one-fourth duration that comes during the Dwadashi Tithi, and thus, the devotees must not break their fast till the Hari Vasara is over.
- Ideally, the most appropriate time for the devotees to break their Ekadashi fast is the Pratahkal.
- Another important fact to remember is that one should not break their fast during the Madhyahna. If in any case, a devotee is not able to break their fast during Pratahkal, it is better to wait till Madhyahna is over and only then break the fast.
In many cases, smarthas are suggested to observe the Ekadashi fast for two consecutive days. However, they should nonetheless fast only on the first day.
It is generally the Sanyasis, the widows, and others who want Moksh in their lives, who fast on both the days consecutively.
Smarthas who prefer to observe a double day fast, indicating that they intently want the love and affection of Lord Vishnu in their lives.