So... What's the Deal with Ekadashi?

You know how sometimes people casually mention "Oh, it's Ekadashi today" and you're like... cool, but what does that actually mean? Let me break it down for you.

The word itself is pretty straightforward — "Eka" means one, "Dasha" means ten. Put them together and you get eleven. Basically, it's the eleventh day of the lunar cycle, and it happens twice a month (once in each fortnight).

But here's where it gets interesting.

The Moon, Your Body, and Why You Might Feel... Different

Our ancestors weren't just making stuff up when they marked certain days as special. They noticed something: on Ekadashi, there's this unique balance between Earth, Moon, and Water — like everything just... aligns for a bit.

And since we're literally made of about 60% water (yeah, we're basically walking water balloons), we feel it too. Your mind might feel clearer. Your body lighter. You might naturally want to slow down or turn inward without really knowing why.

That's why fasting or taking it easy on Ekadashi isn't some rigid religious rule — it's more like going with the flow instead of against it. The same way tides respond to the moon, so do we. Pretty cool, right?

Okay, But What Makes This Ekadashi Special?

So there are multiple Ekadashis throughout the year, but the one today, on November 1, 2025, is kind of a big deal. It's called Dev Uthani Ekadashi — literally "the day the gods wake up."

And there's a beautiful story behind it.

The God Who Takes a Nap (Yes, Really)

Imagine this: the world is buzzing non-stop, everyone's exhausted from constant doing-doing-doing. The devas (celestial beings) go to Lord Vishnu and basically say, "Dude, we need a break."

Vishnu, being the chill Preserver of the universe that he is, agrees. He lies down on his cosmic serpent Ananta, floating in the ocean of milk, and enters this deep meditative sleep called Yoga Nidra.

This sleep lasts four months — the period called Chaturmas. And during this time? Nature follows his lead. The monsoons arrive, the earth cools down, everything slows. Even traditionally, big life events like weddings were paused. It's like the universe collectively said, "Let's just... rest for a bit."

And then, on Dev Uthani Ekadashi, Vishnu wakes up.

The lotus blooms. The ocean stirs. Life starts moving again. Weddings resume. New beginnings unfold. It's this beautiful cosmic reset button.

So What Do You Actually Do on Ekadashi?

Here's the thing — it's not about following a strict checklist or feeling guilty if you don't do it "perfectly."

Ekadashi is really just about pause and presence.

Maybe you:

• Light a small diya (oil lamp)
• Offer some tulsi leaves if you have a plant
• Chant Vishnu's name a few times (or just sit quietly)
• Eat lighter than usual
• Simply... be still for a moment

It's not the quantity of what you do. It's the quality of attention you bring to it.

The Awakening

Whether we're talking about Vishnu waking from his cosmic sleep or you waking up to a new phase in your own life — every awakening starts softly.

With intention. With breath. With the simple choice to rise again.

So if you're feeling pulled to observe Ekadashi this year, follow that pull. And if you're just curious? That's beautiful too. Sometimes just knowing the rhythm exists is enough to feel a little more connected to the bigger dance happening all around us.

After all, we're not separate from nature — we're part of it. And Ekadashi is just a gentle reminder of that.