Prabodhini Ekadashi, also known as Bodhini Ekadasi, is observed on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi. Prabodhini Ekadashi 2009 date is October 29. It is also called as Dev Utthani Ekadashi. It is believed that on this day, Lord Vishnu wakes up from his Yoga Nidra (cosmic sleep). Lord Vishnu starts Yoganidra on Ashada Ekadashi (Dev Shayana Ekadashi) and ends on this Dev Utthani Ekadashi. This day also marks the ending of Chaturmas vrat.

The importance of Prabodhini Ekadasi narrated to Sage Narada by Brahma. The divine conversation is found in the Skanda Purana. Lord Brahma said to Narada Muni, "Dear son, 0 best of the sages, I shall narrate to you the glories of Haribodhini Ekadasi, which eradicates all kinds of sins and bestows great merit, and ultimately liberation, upon the wise persons who surrender unto the Supreme Lord.

"0 best of the brdhmanas, the merits acquired by bathing in the Ganges remain significant only as long as Haribodhini Ekadasi does not come. This Ekadasi, which occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Kartika, is much more purifying than a bath in the ocean, at a place of pilgrimage, or in a lake. This sacred Ekadasi is more powerful in nullifying sin than one thousand Asvamedha sacrifices and one hundred Rajasuya sacrifices."

Narada Muni, the saint among the demigods, inquired, "0 father, please describe the relative merits of fasting completely on Ekadasi, eating supper [without grains or beans], or eating but once at midday [without grains or beans]."

Lord Brahma replied, "If a person eats once at midday on Ekadasi, the sins of his previous birth are erased, if he eats only supper, the sins acquired during his previous two births are removed, and if he fasts completely, the sins accumulated during his previous seven births are eradicated.

"0 son, whatever is only rarely achieved within the three worlds is obtained by him who strictly observes Haribodhini Ekadasi. A person whose sins equal Mount Meru in volume sees them all reduced to nothing if he simply fasts on Papaharini Ekadasi [another name for Haribodhini Ekadasi]. The sins a person has accumulated over a thousand previous births are burned to ashes if he not only fasts but also remains awake throughout Ekadasi night, just as a mountain of cotton can be burned to ashes if one lights a small fire in it.

"Haribodhini Ekadasi is the best Ekadasi Nothing is unobtainable or rare in this world for one who fasts on this day, for it gives food grains, great wealth, and high merit, as well as eradication of all sin, the terrible obstacle to liberation. Fasting on this Ekadasi is a thousand times better than giving charity on the day of the solar or lunar eclipse. Again I say to you, 0 Naradaji, whatever merit is earned by one who bathes in a place of pilgrimage, gives charity, chants japa, recites Vedic mantras, performs sacrifices, and studies the Vedas is only one ten-millionth the merit earned by the person who fasts but once on Haribodhini Ekadasi. Whatever merit one has acquired in his life by some pious activities becomes completely fruitless if one does not observe the Ekadasi fast and worship Lord Visnu in the month of Kartika. Therefore, 0 Mirada, you should always worship the Supreme Lord, Janardana, and render service to Him. Thus you will attain the desired goal, the highest perfection.

"After offering his obeisances and begging permission, the devotee should eat his meal. On this Ekadasi Caturmasya ends, so whatever one gave up during Caturmasya should now be donated to brahmanas. One who follows this process of Caturmasya receives unlimited merit, 0 king of kings, and goes to the abode of Lord Vasudeva after death. 0 king, anyone who observes the complete Caturmasya without a break attains eternal happiness and does not receive another birth.

"Thus I have narrated to you the complete process for observing Haribodhini Ekadasi. Someone who reads or hears about this Ekadasi achieves the merit earned by donating cows to a qualified brahmana."