2021-09-16 21:05:37
Hare Krishna
For all those who are willing to advance further in Krishna Consciousness, this is some information on how to observe Ekadasi fasting :-
Ekadasi is observed for increasing the strength of devotion. (Srila Prabhupada’s Letter to Madhusudana - 01/02/68)
In the Brahma-vaivarta Purana it is said that one who observes fasting on Ekadasi day is freed from all kinds of reactions to sinful activities and advances in pious life. The basic principle is not just to fast, but to increase one’s faith and love for Govinda, or Krishna. The real reason for observing fasting on Ekadasi is to minimize the demands of the body and to engage our time in the service of the Lord by chanting or performing similar service. The best thing to do on fasting days is to remember the pastimes of Govinda and to hear His holy names constantly. (NOD Ch.7)
Things to remember :-
1- What not to eat on Ekadashi:-
All grains, pulses and beans either whole or ground into flour: rice, wheat, chick-peas (besan), soya, barley, millet, rye, all dhals and dried beans, and anything that contains these ingredients: papadams, tofu, pasta, grain beverages. Vegetables such as green beans, corn, peas & Oils
made from grains: corn oil, soya oil, and products that may have been fried in these are prohibited to be used.
2- *What can we eat on Ekadashi* :-
To observe nirjala fasting is considered the best but it may not be possible
for many of us to do so in the beginning stage. So it is recommended that one can take water if he cannot fast nirjala, one can take fruits if he cannot observe only on water, one can take non grain prasadam if he cannot observe fast only on fruits.
3- Grains can be offered to Deities: Ekadasi is observed by jiva-tattva, not by Vishnu., Caitanya Mahaprabhu also may not be offered grains because He is playing the part of a devotee. Only Radha-Krsna, Jagannatha can be offered grains. Otherwise, the grain prasadam should not be taken by anyone. It should be kept for the next day.
4- More Devotional Services and Activities: 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)
5- Timings to begin and to end: The Ekadasi vrata starts at sunrise and lasts until the next day sunrise.. Our calculation is like this: when the sunrise is there, Ekadasi tithi (date) must be there. If the tithi begins a few minutes after the sunrise, then we accept that day as prior to Ekadasi. (i.e fasting will be considered on Dwadashi day) (Letter to: Madhudvisa, 30 September, 1969)
6- If one fails to observe Ekadashi or breaks it unconsciously: If one eats grains during the period from sunrise to sunrise, one breaks the vrata. He will not get the results of the fasting, and he will get impious reactions as well. Srila Prabhupad recommends to such a person that, vrata should be continued entire Dwadashi day as well.
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