శయన ఏకాదశి
Today's observance of Shayana Ekadasi marks the auspicious commencement of Chaturmas, and the popular understanding that "the protective forces in the universe are ready to take rest for four months" is indeed a profound metaphorical statement.
ఆషాడ శుద్ధ ఏకాదశి నుండి కార్తీక శుద్ధ ఏకాదశి వరకు ,నాలుగు నెలల పాటు గురు శిష్యులు సత్సంగం , సద్గ్రంథ పఠనం , సత్సాంగత్యం ,సత్కార్యాచరణ , నియత కర్మ చేయడం మన సనాతన భారతీయ ఆచారం.
It doesn't signify a literal slumber or withdrawal of the Divine, as the all-pervading consciousness is eternally active and never ceases its functions. Instead, the inner meaning points to a subtle shift in the cosmic energies and the way divine grace operates during this period. The "rest" implies that the overt manifestation of immediate, external divine intervention or protection might be less prominent or readily available.
Consequently, the onus shifts to the individual seeker: it's a call for amplified personal responsibility and spiritual vigilance. During Chaturmas, we are encouraged to cultivate our inner protective shield through heightened spiritual practices (sadhana), self-discipline (tapasya), introspection, and strict adherence to dharma.
The protection,
therefore, is not withdrawn, but rather becomes more reliant on our own
accumulated spiritual merit and conscious effort, encouraging deeper
self-reliance and an internalization of divine principles.
