The importance of Ekadasi for worshippers of Sriman Narayana cannot be emphasized enough. Ekadasi is also called “Hari-Vasara” (Lord Hari’s day). All our elders have steadfastly observed the Ekadasi-Dwadasi vratam or “Upavasam” on this sacred day. Upa means near and Vasam means stay. Stay close to Hari contemplating on His kalyana gunas. This is the summum bonum of Ekadasi vratam.
1. Do we need to fast on Ekadasi?
Since upavasam does not (directly) connote fasting, a question may be asked as to the need to fast on Ekadasi. Shastras give unequivocal answers. The following quotes from our shastras should clear any doubts in this regard:
ekAdashyAM tu yo bhuN^kte mohenAvR^itachetasaH |
shuklAyAmatha kR^ishhNAyAM nirayaM yAti sa dhruvam.h
One who eats on Ekadasi on account of an intellect clouded by delusion;
be it the shukla- or the kR^ishhNa-paxa, (s) he goes to hell, this is certain.
ashhTavarshhAdhiko yastu ashItirnahi pUryate
yo bhuN^kte mAnavaH pApo vishhNorahani chAgate
One who is greater than eight years of age, but has indeed not completed eighty; the human who eats when Vishnu's day arrives, consumes verily sin itself. In addition, several scientific findings go to prove the benefits of fasting on one’s health. This should further reinforce one’s determination to fast.
ekAdashyAM tu yo bhuN^kte mohenAvR^itachetasaH |
shuklAyAmatha kR^ishhNAyAM nirayaM yAti sa dhruvam.h
One who eats on Ekadasi on account of an intellect clouded by delusion;
be it the shukla- or the kR^ishhNa-paxa, (s) he goes to hell, this is certain.
ashhTavarshhAdhiko yastu ashItirnahi pUryate
yo bhuN^kte mAnavaH pApo vishhNorahani chAgate
One who is greater than eight years of age, but has indeed not completed eighty; the human who eats when Vishnu's day arrives, consumes verily sin itself. In addition, several scientific findings go to prove the benefits of fasting on one’s health. This should further reinforce one’s determination to fast.
2. When should one observe fast – When to observe Ekadasi-Vratam?
Sometimes Ekadasi can be combined with Dasami or Dwadasi. It appears that shastras are strict concerning the observance of vratam. If on a day if both Dasami and Ekadasi are present that day must be avoided and the fasting should be observed the following day. Here is what shastrAs tell us:
kalAvedhe tu viprendra dashamyaikAdashI yadi |
surAyA bindunA spR^ishhTaM gaN^gAMbha iva santyajet.h
If there is even the slightest contact of dashamI with Ekadasi; then as with Ganga-water that has a drop of liquor mixed in it, such is to be rejected. Therefore, the "pollution" of contact with another date is so great that even a small amount of it would render the observance worthless.
ekAdashyA yadA brahman.h dinaxayatithirbhavet.h |
uposhhyA dvAdashI puNyA trayodashyAM tu pAraNam.h
If on the day of Ekadasi a dina-xaya-tithi (incomplete date) occurs; then fasting is to be undertaken on dvAdashI, and pAraNe on the trayodashI.
Therefore, such a situation merely re-schedules the observance, and does not excuse it.
bahvAgamavirodheshhu brAhmaNeshhu vivAdishhu |
uposhhyA dvAdashI puNyA paxayorubhayorapi.
When there is a conflict between different almanacs, and when the brAhmaNa-s disagree [on Ekadasi]; fast then on the pious dvAdashI, in either fortnight (i.e., in the waxing or the waning of the moon). Therefore, when there is conflict among various texts and when one is unable to decide when the correct Ekadasi is, one must fast instead on the dvAdashI day that follows.
kalAvedhe tu viprendra dashamyaikAdashI yadi |
surAyA bindunA spR^ishhTaM gaN^gAMbha iva santyajet.h
If there is even the slightest contact of dashamI with Ekadasi; then as with Ganga-water that has a drop of liquor mixed in it, such is to be rejected. Therefore, the "pollution" of contact with another date is so great that even a small amount of it would render the observance worthless.
ekAdashyA yadA brahman.h dinaxayatithirbhavet.h |
uposhhyA dvAdashI puNyA trayodashyAM tu pAraNam.h
If on the day of Ekadasi a dina-xaya-tithi (incomplete date) occurs; then fasting is to be undertaken on dvAdashI, and pAraNe on the trayodashI.
Therefore, such a situation merely re-schedules the observance, and does not excuse it.
bahvAgamavirodheshhu brAhmaNeshhu vivAdishhu |
uposhhyA dvAdashI puNyA paxayorubhayorapi.
When there is a conflict between different almanacs, and when the brAhmaNa-s disagree [on Ekadasi]; fast then on the pious dvAdashI, in either fortnight (i.e., in the waxing or the waning of the moon). Therefore, when there is conflict among various texts and when one is unable to decide when the correct Ekadasi is, one must fast instead on the dvAdashI day that follows.
3. How to break your fast on Dwadasi?
Timely breaking of the fast on Dwadasi is as important as observing the fast on Ekadasi. Normally, the fast must be broken before trayOdasi arrives. If there is insufficient time, the fasting can be broken with water. From the ShastrAs we find:
pArayitvodakenApi bhuJNjano naiva dushhyati |
ashitAnashitA yasmAdApo vidvadbhirIritAH |
aMbhasA kevalenaiva karishhye vratapAraNam.h
[If there is insufficient time] there is no flaw if water is consumed for pAraNe; for it is stated by the learned that water has the property that when consumed, it is still as if one has not consumed; thus, with only water, do I perform the ceremonial paraNe. If there is not enough time for a proper pAraNe, then the fast may be broken merely by sipping water; there is no flaw of multiple pAraNe-s on this account, as the wise have decreed that such a procedure does not count as multiple pAraNe-s. Having performed the ceremonial pAraNe in this manner, one may have a proper meal later, although the time later may not be appropriate for pAraNe itself.
dvAdashI na pramoktavyA yAvadAyuH pravartate |
archanIyo hR^ishhIkesho vishuddhenAntarAtmanA
The dvAdashI is not to be neglected, as long as life goes on; Hrshikesha is to be worshipped [for so long] with a clean psyche.
Concerning the food for Dwadasi pAranE, one should avoid using anything related to plantains (vazhai kaay, ilai etc.), also avoid chilies and tamarind. One can substitute pepper for chilies and lemon or dry mango powder for tamarind. Include sundaikaay , nellikaay, and akathik keerai.
pArayitvodakenApi bhuJNjano naiva dushhyati |
ashitAnashitA yasmAdApo vidvadbhirIritAH |
aMbhasA kevalenaiva karishhye vratapAraNam.h
[If there is insufficient time] there is no flaw if water is consumed for pAraNe; for it is stated by the learned that water has the property that when consumed, it is still as if one has not consumed; thus, with only water, do I perform the ceremonial paraNe. If there is not enough time for a proper pAraNe, then the fast may be broken merely by sipping water; there is no flaw of multiple pAraNe-s on this account, as the wise have decreed that such a procedure does not count as multiple pAraNe-s. Having performed the ceremonial pAraNe in this manner, one may have a proper meal later, although the time later may not be appropriate for pAraNe itself.
dvAdashI na pramoktavyA yAvadAyuH pravartate |
archanIyo hR^ishhIkesho vishuddhenAntarAtmanA
The dvAdashI is not to be neglected, as long as life goes on; Hrshikesha is to be worshipped [for so long] with a clean psyche.
Concerning the food for Dwadasi pAranE, one should avoid using anything related to plantains (vazhai kaay, ilai etc.), also avoid chilies and tamarind. One can substitute pepper for chilies and lemon or dry mango powder for tamarind. Include sundaikaay , nellikaay, and akathik keerai.
4. Why not other days? Why only on Ekadasi?
From time immemorial, Vaishnavas have been observing fasts twice a month on Ekadasi days. This fasting is, in general, for everyone. Ekadasi is the 11th day in the moon cycle, i.e. from the new moon day and also from the full moon day.
It is a proven scientific matter that the air pressure in the atmosphere rapidly changes in the surroundings on a full moon day or on the new moon day. The sun-moon-earth combination in the orbital path, when distances itselves at every particular interval, (i.e. every 24 Hrs or for every full circle the earth rotates). When it occurs, accordingly pressure in atmosphere too changes and varies.
One can observe this from the increasing high tidal waves in the ocean. On any given New moon day or Amavasya the pressure increases in the ocean and the tidal waves are very rough and high.
But from the next day onwards the pressure recedes gradually thus proving that the atmospheric pressure too reduces. So, practically on the 11th day from new/full moon days, the pressure is somewhat very light or nil. If one has to go with an empty stomach on any other day the atmospheric pressures will put on him or her more strain wherein on the Ekadasi day the problem is minimal or nil. So the body never takes the pain while we cleanse the bowel system and thus refreshing the whole body mechanism, specifically the liver-stomach-bowel and the system movements.
But on the immediate next day (called Dwaadasi or Dvadasi - i.e. 12th day from full/new moon), to avoid any pressure on the body system, Srivaishnavites used to eat food in the morning as early as possible. Thus avoiding any system collapse.
So it is advisable to observe fasting only on the Ekadasi day and to give scope for refreshing the body mechanism. But one must eat food immediately the next morning to avoid any complications. As the atmospheric pressure builds up faster and doubly on the 12th day from Amavasya & Poornima days, it is strongly recommended to consume food on the Dwadasi day in the early morning.
Those who observe on Ekadasi days are keeping fittest health, cleansing their bowel system and mostly free from frequent ailments. Also, those who are the Bhakta's of Lord Krishna, observing fasting on Ekadasi days, have lot more mental peace, by way of self realization and inner soul! That reflects them to more and more devote to the spiritual path! Yes, this sort of penance also give them a more stronger feeling towards spirituality, thus making them pure in body and mind.
It is a proven scientific matter that the air pressure in the atmosphere rapidly changes in the surroundings on a full moon day or on the new moon day. The sun-moon-earth combination in the orbital path, when distances itselves at every particular interval, (i.e. every 24 Hrs or for every full circle the earth rotates). When it occurs, accordingly pressure in atmosphere too changes and varies.
One can observe this from the increasing high tidal waves in the ocean. On any given New moon day or Amavasya the pressure increases in the ocean and the tidal waves are very rough and high.
But from the next day onwards the pressure recedes gradually thus proving that the atmospheric pressure too reduces. So, practically on the 11th day from new/full moon days, the pressure is somewhat very light or nil. If one has to go with an empty stomach on any other day the atmospheric pressures will put on him or her more strain wherein on the Ekadasi day the problem is minimal or nil. So the body never takes the pain while we cleanse the bowel system and thus refreshing the whole body mechanism, specifically the liver-stomach-bowel and the system movements.
But on the immediate next day (called Dwaadasi or Dvadasi - i.e. 12th day from full/new moon), to avoid any pressure on the body system, Srivaishnavites used to eat food in the morning as early as possible. Thus avoiding any system collapse.
So it is advisable to observe fasting only on the Ekadasi day and to give scope for refreshing the body mechanism. But one must eat food immediately the next morning to avoid any complications. As the atmospheric pressure builds up faster and doubly on the 12th day from Amavasya & Poornima days, it is strongly recommended to consume food on the Dwadasi day in the early morning.
Those who observe on Ekadasi days are keeping fittest health, cleansing their bowel system and mostly free from frequent ailments. Also, those who are the Bhakta's of Lord Krishna, observing fasting on Ekadasi days, have lot more mental peace, by way of self realization and inner soul! That reflects them to more and more devote to the spiritual path! Yes, this sort of penance also give them a more stronger feeling towards spirituality, thus making them pure in body and mind.
5. Ekadasi-Dwadasi – Supreme of all Vratas
There is a saying that: “Na DwadasyAt param Vratam”. Therefore observing the Ekadasi-Dwadasi vratam is equivalent to performing many Yagnyas. Most of us are familiar with the story of Ambarisha. What’s more, one becomes dear to our Lord Narayana.
Ekadasisamutthena vahninA pAtakendhanam.h |
bhasmIbhavati rAjendra api janmashatodbhavam.h
With the Ekadasi as fire, and sin as fuel; [the latter] gets incinerated, O King, even if it be obtained of hundreds of lifetimes (From Bhaghavatam).
Therefore, while other actions can bring some benefits, none of them quite matches up to the power of an Ekadasi in terms of removing the accumulation of sins, which brings one misery.
Ekadasisamutthena vahninA pAtakendhanam.h |
bhasmIbhavati rAjendra api janmashatodbhavam.h
With the Ekadasi as fire, and sin as fuel; [the latter] gets incinerated, O King, even if it be obtained of hundreds of lifetimes (From Bhaghavatam).
Therefore, while other actions can bring some benefits, none of them quite matches up to the power of an Ekadasi in terms of removing the accumulation of sins, which brings one misery.
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