Utthana Ekadasi, or Prabodhini Ekadashi, is observed during the waxing phase of moon in the month of Kartik (October – November). In 2015, the date of Utthana Ekadasi or Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi is November 22. The importance of Dev Prabodhini Ekadasi narrated to Sage Narada by Brahma. The divine conversation is found in the Skanda Purana. Observing this Ekadasi is believed to help in getting rid of the guilt associated with sins committed and is also a path to liberation (Moksha). Ekadasi is an important fast dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Importance of Utthana Ekadasi

Lord Vishnu goes into sleep on the Ashada Shudha Ekadasi (July – August). He remains in deep slumber during the period and this is known as the Chaturmasa period. He wakes up on the Kartik Shukla Ekadasi and this day is also observed as Dev Uthani Ekadasi.

Utthana Ekadasi is thus when the gods (devtas) wake up after a four-month slumber. During the four-month period some Hindu communities avoid performing auspicious ceremonies. Marriages, house warming, construction of new houses are only performed after the four month period.

On Utthana Ekadasi day, an image of Lord Vishnu is drawn on the ground. Lamps are lit around it and fruits and vegetables are offered to this fresh image.

In some regions the image is covered with a big brass plate symbolizing that He is sleeping. Bhajans dedicated to Lord Vishnu is sung and he is asked to shed his sleep and wake up and bless people.

To wake the Lord, children light mustard torches at night and make lot of noise.

Other Rituals on the Day

The famous Tulsi Vivah festival is performed on the day by some communities and also on the day after Ekadasi in some regions.

The Chatur Mas period also ends with Prabodhini Ekadashi.

The famous Kartik Month Pandarpur Yatra is observed on the day.

All the normal rules associated with Ekadasi fasting are observed on the day.

Staunch Vishnu devotees observe a rigid fast on the day by skipping food and staying awake during night. Majority of the people take one meal mostly in the evening and visit shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

source – http://www.hindu-blog.com/2008/11/utthana-ekadasi-dev-prabodhini-ekadashi.html

Give birth to new possibilities through your ability to reach into the future and let go of the past.

SB 10.40.17-18 — I offer my obeisances to You, the cause of the creation, Lord Matsya, who swam about in the ocean of dissolution, to Lord Hayagrīva, the killer of Madhu and Kaiṭabha, to the immense tortoise [Lord Kūrma], who supported Mandara Mountain, and to the boar incarnation [Lord Varāha], who enjoyed lifting the earth.

SB 10.40.19 — Obeisances to You, the amazing lion [Lord Nṛsiṁha], who remove Your saintly devotees’ fear, and to the dwarf Vāmana, who stepped over the three worlds.

SB 10.40.20 — Obeisances to You, Lord of the Bhṛgus, who cut down the forest of the conceited royal order, and to Lord Rāma, the best of the Raghu dynasty, who put an end to the demon Rāvaṇa.

SB 10.40.21 — Obeisances to You, Lord of the Sātvatas, and to Your forms of Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna and Aniruddha.

SB 10.40.22 — Obeisances to Your form as the faultless Lord Buddha, who will bewilder the Daityas and Dānavas, and to Lord Kalki, the annihilator of the meat-eaters posing as kings.

The habits of guessing and assumption can be like ferocious lions. So do not allow them to run wild.

SB 10.40.27 — My intelligence is so crippled that I cannot find the strength to curb my mind, which is disturbed by material desires and activities and constantly dragged here and there by my obstinate senses.

SB 10.40.28 — Being thus fallen, I am approaching Your feet for shelter, O Lord, because although the impure can never attain Your feet, I think it is nevertheless possible by Your mercy. Only when one’s material life has ceased, O lotus-naveled Lord, can one develop consciousness of You by serving Your pure devotees.

SB 10.40.29 — Obeisances to the Supreme Absolute Truth, the possessor of unlimited energies. He is the embodiment of pure, transcendental knowledge, the source of all kinds of awareness, and the predominator of the forces of nature that rule over the living being.

SB 10.40.30 — O son of Vasudeva, obeisances to You, within whom all living beings reside. O Lord of the mind and senses, again I offer You my obeisances. O master, please protect me, who am surrendered unto You.

Imbibe the virtues of humility and patience and the fire of anger will become cool.

SB 10.24.13 — Lord Kṛṣṇa said: It is by the force of karma that a living entity takes birth, and it is by karma alone that he meets his destruction. His happiness, distress, fear and sense of security all arise as the effects of karma.

SB 10.24.14 — Even if there is some supreme controller who awards all others the results of their activities, He must also depend upon a performer’s engaging in activity. After all, there is no question of being the bestower of fruitive results unless fruitive activities have actually been performed.

SB 10.24.15 — Living beings in this world are forced to experience the consequences of their own particular previous work. Since Lord Indra cannot in any way change the destiny of human beings, which is born of their own nature, why should people worship him?

SB 10.24.16 — Every individual is under the control of his own conditioned nature, and thus he must follow that nature. This entire universe, with all its demigods, demons and human beings, is based on the conditioned nature of the living entities.

SB 10.24.17 — Because it is karma that causes the conditioned living entity to accept and then give up different high- and low-grade material bodies, this karma is his enemy, friend and neutral witness, his spiritual master and controlling lord.

SB 10.24.18 — Therefore one should seriously worship work itself. A person should remain in the position corresponding to his nature and should perform his own duty. Indeed, that by which we may live nicely is really our worshipable deity.

By finding at least one wonderful quality in everyone, your life will become a dance.

SB 10.23.32 — For you to remain in My bodily association would certainly not please people in this world, nor would it be the best way for you to increase your love for Me. Rather, you should fix your minds on Me, and very soon you will achieve Me.

SB 10.23.33 — It is by hearing about Me, seeing My Deity form, meditating upon Me and chanting My names and glories that love for Me develops, not by physical proximity. Therefore please go back to your homes.

SB 10.23.34 — Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus instructed, the wives of the brāhmaṇas returned to the place of sacrifice. The brāhmaṇas did not find any fault with their wives, and together with them they finished the sacrifice.

SB 10.23.35 — One of the ladies had been forcibly kept back by her husband. When she heard the others describe the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa, she embraced Him within her heart and gave up her material body, the basis of bondage to material activity.

Each one of us is a walking radiator. Mostly we radiate thoughts and attitudes. From deep within we radiate our state of being, and the essential, original and eternal state of every being is peaceful and loving. But we block and distort this energy with our attachments. Attachments turn love into fear, peace into anger and then distort our attitudes and actions towards others. This is neither relaxing for ourselves, or for those around us. Which is why detachment is the secret to living lightly and lovingly.