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Ekadasi refers to the eleventh day after the full moon and the
new moon (once a fortnight). On these special days devotees fast
and make an extra effort to render devotional service. Observing
Ekadasi increases spiritual advancement.
One has to perform devotional service in full tapasya,
austerity. One should fast on the two Ekadasi days, which fall
on the eleventh day of the waxing and waning moon, and on the
birthdays of Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, and Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.27.22 purport)
How To Follow Ekadasi
- Fast from grains and pulses (legumes).
- Chant extra rounds.
- Try to do more reading.
- Try to become more absorbed in hearing, chanting, and devotion
to Krishna.
- Bhaktivinoda Thakura said it is a time to step back, get a little
out of the normal routine, and take stock of one's spiritual life.
- Try to rise above the bodily concept; avoid as much as possible
any activities relating to the body (shaving, laundry, going to
a doctor, shopping, sleeping)
- Avoid strenuous physical labour. Don’t travel long distances.
Why just twenty-five rounds? You should chant as many as possible.
Real Ekadasi means fasting and chanting and no other business. When
one observes fasting, the chanting becomes easier. So on Ekadasi
other business can be suspended as far as possible, unless there
is some urgent business.” (Letter to Jadurani, 9 July 1971)
).
Fasting
One should not overdo fasting. It is supposed to cause buoyancy
of feeling and not fatigue. One should only practice as much fasting
as one's capacity allows.
The Benefits of Fasting
- It gives one a taste for renunciation, and thus helps one to
give up sense gratification.
- Fasting gives the system a rest: The physiological system may
become overworked due to a little overeating or indiscrimination
in diet. Fasting gives the system a chance to catch up.
- Fasting helps us practice self-discipline in eating and concentrate
more on pleasing God.
- Fasting helps keep the body light and the stomach free so that
one can meditate better. The digestive system draws the blood
circulation towards the digestive organs. Therefore blood circulation
to the head is decreased once food is taken: so we feel sleepy.
Types of Fasts
Different practitioners observe the Ekadasi fast on different levels:
- Completely fasting from food and water ( although acamana
water and caranamrita are still allowed).
- Taking water while fasting from all food.
- Taking water and a little fruit.
- Taking water and one meal in the afternoon.
- Drinking and eating as usual but without any grains or pulses.
Other Points About Fasting
- Ideally, one abstains from eating after the midday meal on the
day before Ekadasi.
- One following the stricter type of fast may only drink milk
on Dvadasi.
- Completely fasting from food and drink on Bhima-nirjala Ekadasi
atones for any mistakes one has made on all the other Ekadasis
for the previous year.
- One should not overdo fasting. It is supposed to cause buoyancy
of feeling and not fatigue. One should only practice as much fasting
as one's capacity allows and not try to artifically impress others.
- If one cannot do service because of fasting, he is better off
eating.
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