My mom has always been keen on observing the Ekadasi fast and I always pondered on why this was observed. So here is my quest.
Lets get into the etymology of it first. The word Ekadasi means "Eleven" in sanskrit. It generally falls on the 11th day after the full moon day or the 11th day after the new moon day. There are 24 Ekadasis in a year. Each of the Ekadasi has a story behind it.
Ekadasi is a time allotted to perform our sadhana to grow spiritually. The physical fasting just facilitates the detoxification process of the mind and body. Thus enabling us to have a clear and calm mind to contemplate and grow intellectually.
In this post we will just look though the basic concepts and what the rules are while observing the fast. Then I will discuss about each Ekadasi in detail in a series of blogposts in future. In this post, we will just look through the basic concepts.
How is the fasting done?
All Vedic scriptures strongly recommend observing complete fast on the day of Ekadasi (Nirjala Upavasa - Complete fast thereby not even consuming water ). Every one from the age of eight to eighty, irrespective of varna-ashram, gender, or any material consideration is recommended to fast on this day to make spiritual progress.
For those who cannot undertake the austerity of complete fasting, it is recommended that one can follow Ekadasi by eating once a day at midday, or eating once a day in the evening. However it is recommended that under no conditions should one eat grains in any form on this day. Our scriptures always instructs us to treat the body as a temple. So people who are challenged medically, are precluded from complete fasting and are just advised to indulge in activities promoting spiritual growth and to consume sattvik food.
Also Aandal in Thiruppavai quotes the same
"...vaayinaal paadi manaththinaal sindhikkap.0 *
pOya pizhaiyum pukutharuvaan ninRanavum *
thIyinil thUcaakum ceppu ElOr empaavaay."
Meaning :- sing HIS glory while thinking about one's Redemption, just love HIM with all your heart and mind. Never let any ill thought cross your mind . Let it be burnt by Devotion unto HIM.
"...vaayinaal paadi manaththinaal sindhikkap.0 *
pOya pizhaiyum pukutharuvaan ninRanavum *
thIyinil thUcaakum ceppu ElOr empaavaay."
Meaning :- sing HIS glory while thinking about one's Redemption, just love HIM with all your heart and mind. Never let any ill thought cross your mind . Let it be burnt by Devotion unto HIM.
What can I eat?
Consuming Sattvic food is advocated. Sattvic food includes fresh fruit and vegetables and freshly cooked food. I.e; Food prepared with natural ingredients in such a way that the natural nutrients are not lost. Basically this kind of diet detoxifies our body and thus the body is rejuvenated.
According to your health, there are 4 ways of Upvasa one can undertake.
1. Health permitting, the strictest means is not to consume anything including water.
2. That not being the case, one can restrict to the intake of water
3. If one cannot keep up with just water, phal aahara (fresh fruit diet) can be taken.
4. The least you can do is to stick to one light meal for the day which can include only the following: Water, milk products, cooked vegetables (no onions or garlic), nuts, sugar. Restrictions include all grains, spinach, eggplant, asafetida, and sea salt.
The 1st step to contemplation is cleansing of the body which shall be achieved through this diet. Then follows the cleansing of the mind and then the intellect eventually.
Anything consumed is a prasad from HIM. So offer it to HIM and then consume.
Also as I understand, it also gives the women folk, time off from the household to devote time for their spiritual growth.
When does Ekadasi come ?
The basic understanding is thus. The actual calculation is quite complicated for me. So I will not get into more deeper than i've explained.
The lunar months are split into two pakshas of 15 days each. The waxing paksha is called shukla paksha, light half, and the waning paksha the krishna paksha, dark half. A month has a Krishna and Sukla Paksha.
Shukla paksha is first half of the month,
it starts with a new moon (Ammavasya) and ends with a full moon (Pournami)
Krishna paksha is the second half of the month, it starts with a full moon (Pournami) and ends with a new moon (Ammavasya)
With this I end this post. But I shall post the story and significance of each of the Ekadasis in more posts to come.
Lets dwell In Krishna Smriti.
