Introduction to Ekadashi

Ekadashi

Introduction

Ekadasi is a wonderful opportunity for all spiritual practitioners to intensify their devotional service and come closer to Krishna. While the Ekadasi day can be seen as an austerity – not eating grains or not using your favourite spices; it is like the poison which turns out to be nectar. The tongue is the most voracious and difficult to control of all the senses but Krishna sends His Prasad just to help us conquer this fickle friend. Ekadasi is another form of Krishna Prasad and just as a child may in later life develop taste for items previously abhorred, we can perhaps keep an open mind that 'maybe Ekadasi is for me after all.'

This humble offering hopes to inspire you: in your attraction to Sri Ekadasi and perhaps increased understanding of this wonderful day. For those unfamiliar with Ekadasi we will explain the whyfores, wherefores and basic rules of following Ekadasi, and for those already accustomed with Ekadasi practices we offer some inspiring history, background and further techniques for better obeyance of Sri Ekadasi.

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Anukalpa

Ekadashi

Foods That Can be Taken All Days of the Year,

Including Ekadasi and Caturmasya:

All Fruits (Fresh and Dried),  All Nuts and Oils Made from Nuts, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Cucumber, Radish,  Squash (But No Loki), Green Papaya, Lemon, Jackfruit, Avocado, Olives, Coconut, Buckwheat, All Sugars and All Milk Products – though be careful of starches used in sweet preparation

Spices That May Be Used on Ekadasi:

Turmeric, Black Pepper, Ginger, Salt (taken from new or clean package)

Foods Restricted During Ekadasi:

Tomatoes, Eggplants, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Bellpepper, Peas, Chickpeas, All Types of Beans – including products made from beans, (Papadams, Tofu, Tempeh, Grain Beverages, etc.)

Indian Vegetables:
Karela (Bitter Lemon), Loki, Parmal, Toroi, Kunli, Drumsticks, Okra (Lady Fingers), Banana Flower.

All Leafy Vegetables:
Spinach, Salads, Cabbages, Leafy Herbs, Like Parsley, Curry Leaves, Neem Leaves, etc.

Grains:
Millet, Barley, Farina, Dalia, Pasta, Rice, Corn, All Types of Dahl

All Types of Flour Made from Grains and Beans
– Like Rice Flour, Chickpea Flour, Urad Dahl Flour, etc.

Starches from Corn
Grains and Products Made from and Mixed with these Starches
– Like Baking Soda, Baking Powder, Certain Soft Drinks, Custard, Certain Yogurts, Puddings, Cream Cheese, Sweets, Candies and Tapioca.

Oils made from Grains:
Corn Oil Mustard Oil Sesame Oil etc.
And Products Fried in These Oils: – Like Nuts, Potato Chips, and Certain Snack Foods.

Honey

Spices NOT Used on Ekadasi:

Sesame Seeds, Cumin Seeds, Hing, Fenugreek, Mustard Seeds, Tamarind, Fennel, Celery, Poppy Seeds, Kalonji Seeds, Ajwain Seeds, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Cloves, 

The Story of Ekadashi

Ekadashi

(This article was originally written in 1956 by Sri Navincandra Cakravarti, a disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur and in 1979 translated into English by Vyenkata das brahmachari.)

Many devotees are very inquisitive about the appearance of Sri Ekadashi and about her special characteristics. Therefore I am presenting this description from the fourteenth chapter of the Padma Purana, from the section entitled "Kriya-sagara-sara."

Once the great sage Jaimini Rsi said to his spiritual master Srila Vyasadeva, "Oh Gurudeva! Previously, by your mercy, you described to me thehistory of the glories of the Ganga river, the benefits of worshipping Vishnu, the giving of grains in charity, the giving of water in charity, and the magnanimity of drinking the water that has washed the feet of the brahmanas. O best of the sages, Sri Gurudeva, now, with great enthusiasm, I desire to hear the benefits of fasting on Ekadashi and the appearance of Ekadashi.

kasmad ekadashi jata tasyah ko va vidhir dvija
kada va kriyate kim va phalam kim va vadasva me
ka va pujyatama tatra devata sad-gunarnava
akurvatah syat ko dosa etan me vaktum arhasi

"Oh Gurudeva! When did Ekadashi take birth and from whom did she appear? What are the rules of fasting on the Ekadashi? Please describe the benefits of following this vow and when it should be followed. Who is the utmost worshippable presiding deity of Sri Ekadashi? What are the faults in not following Ekadashi properly? Please bestow your mercyupon me and tell about these subjects, as you are the only personality able to do so."

Srila Vyasadeva, upon hearing this enquiry of Jaimini Rsi, became situated in transcendental bliss. "Oh brahmana sage Jaimini! The results of following Ekadashi can only be perfectly described by the Supreme Lord, Narayana, because Sri Narayana is the only personality capable of describing them in full. But I will give a very brief description in answer to your question."

"At the beginning of the material creation, the Supreme Lord created the moving and nonmoving living entities within this world made of five gross material elements. Simultaneously, for the purpose of punishing the humans beings, He created a personality whose form was the embodiment of sin (Papapurusha). The different limbs of this personality were constructed of the various sinful activities. His head was made of the sin of murdering a brahmana, his two eyes were the form of the sin of drinking intoxicants, his mouth was made of the sin of stealing gold, his ears were the form of the sin of having illicit connection with the spiritual master's wife, his nose of the sin of killing one's wife, his arms the form of the sin of killing a cow, his neck made of the sin of stealing accumulated wealth, his chest of the sin of abortion, his lower chest of the sin of having sex with another's wife, his stomach of the sin of killing one's relatives, his navel of the sin of killing those who are dependent on him, his waist of the sin of self appraisal, his thighs of the sin of offending the guru, his genital of the sin of selling one's daughter, his buttocks of the sin of telling confidential matters, his feet of the sin of killing one's father, and his hair the form of lesser, less severe sinful activities. In this way, a horrible personality embodying all the sinful activities and vices was created. His bodily colour is black, and his eyes are yellow. He inflicts extreme misery upon sinful persons."

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Vishnu, upon seeing this personality of sin, began to think to Himself as follows: 'I am the creator of the miseries and happiness for the living entities. I am their master because I have created this personality of sin, who gives distress to all dishonest, deceitful, and sinful persons. Now I must create someone who will control this personality.' At this time Sri Bhagavan created the personality known as Yamaraj and the different hellish planetary systems. Those living entities who are very sinful will be sent after death to Yamaraj, who will in turn, according to their sins, send them to a hellish region to suffer.

"After these adjustments had been made, the Supreme Lord, who is the giver of distress and happiness to the living entities, went to the house of Yamaraj, with the help of Garuda, the king of birds. When Yamaraj saw that Lord Vishnu had arrived, he immediately washed His feet and made an offering unto Him. He then had Him sit upon a golden throne. The Supreme Lord, Vishnu, became seated on the throne, whereupon He heard very loud crying sounds coming from the southern direction. He became surprised by this and thus enquired from Yamaraj, 'From where is this loud crying coming?'

"Yamaraj in reply said, 'Oh Deva! The different living entities of the earthly planetary systems have fallen into the hellish regions. They are suffering extremely for their misdeeds. The horrible crying is because of suffering from the inflictions of their past bad karma (actions).'

"After hearing this the Supreme Lord, Vishnu, went to the hellish region to the south. When the inhabitants saw who had come they began to cry even louder. The heart of the Supreme Lord, Vishnu, became filled with compassion. Lord Vishnu thought to Himself, 'I have created all this progeny, and it is because of Me that they are suffering.'"

Srila Vyasadeva continued: "Oh Jaimini, just listen to what the Supreme Lord did next.

etac canyac ca viprarse
vicintya karunamayah
babhuva sahasa tatra
svayam ekadashi tithih

'After the merciful Supreme Lord thought over what He had previously considered, He suddenly manifested from His own form the deity of the lunar day Ekadashi.' Afterwards the different sinful living entities began to follow the vow of Ekadashi and were then elevated quickly to the abode of Vaikuntha. Oh my child Jaimini, therefore the lunar day of Ekadashi is the selfsame form of the Supreme Lord, Vishnu, and the Supersoul within the heart of the living entities. Sri Ekadashi is the utmost pious activity and is situated as the head among all vows.

"Following the ascension of Sri Ekadashi, that personality who is the form of the sinful activity gradually saw the influence she had. He approached Lord Vishnu with doubts in his heart and began offering many prayers, whereupon Lord Vishnu became very pleased and said, ' I have become very pleased by your nice offerings. What boon is it that you want?'

"The Papapurusha replied, 'I am your created progeny, and it is through me that you wanted distress given to the living entities who are very sinful. But now, by the influence of Sri Ekadashi, I have become all but destroyed. Oh Prabhu! After I die all of Your parts and parcels who have accepted material bodies will become liberated and therefore return to the abode of Vaikuntha. If this liberation of all living entities takes place, then who will carry on Your activities? There will be no one to enact the pastimes in the earthly planetary systems! Oh Keshava! If You want these eternal pastimes to carry on, then You please save me from the fear of Ekadashi. No type of pious activity can bind me. But Ekadashi only, being Your own manifested form, can impede me. Out of fear of Sri Ekadashi I have fled and taken shelter of men; animals; insects; hills; trees; moving and nonmoving living entities; rivers; oceans; forests; heavenly, earthly, and hellish planetary systems; demigods; and the Gandarvas. I cannot find a place where I can be free from fear of Sri Ekadashi. Oh my Master! I am a product of Your creation, so therefore very mercifully direct me to a place where I can reside fearlessly.'"

Srila Vyasadeva then said to Jaimini, "After saying this, the embodiment of all sinful activities (Papapurusha) fell down at the feet of the Supreme Lord, Vishnu, who is the destroyer of all miseries and began to cry.

"After this, Lord Vishnu, observing the condition of the Papapurusha with laughter, began to speak thus: 'Oh Papapurusha! Rise up! Don't lament any longer. Just listen, and I'll tell you where you can stay on the auspicious lunar day of Ekadashi. On the day of Ekadashi, which is the benefactor of the three worlds, you can take shelter of foodstuff in the form of grains. There is no reason to worry about this any more, because My form as Sri Ekadashi Devi will no longer impede you.' After giving direction to the Papapurusha, the Supreme Lord, Vishnu, disappeared and the Papapurusha returned to the performance of his own activities.

"Therefore those persons who are serious about the ultimate benefit for the soul will never eat grains on the Ekadashi tithi. According to the instructions of Lord Vishnu, every kind of sinful activity that can be found in the material world takes its residence in this place of foodstuff (grain). Whoever follows Ekadashi is freed from all sins and never enters into hellish regions. If one doesn't follow Ekadashi because of illusion, he is still considered the utmost sinner. For every mouthful of grain that is eaten by a resident of the earthly region, one receives the effect of kiling millions of brahmanas. It is definately necessary that one give up eating grains on Ekadashi. I very strongly say again and again, 'On Ekadashi, don't eat grains, don't eat grains, don't eat grains!' Whether one be a ksatriya, vaisya, shudra, or of any family, he should follow the lunar day of Ekadashi. From this the perfection of varna and ashram will be attained. Especially since even if one by trickery follows Ekadashi, all of his sin become destroyed and he very easily attains the supreme goal, the abode of Vaikuntha."

Significance Of Ekadashi

Ekadashi

Devotee: On Ekadasi, can we can offer the Deity grains?

Ambarish Maharaja is a devotee, he knows about the benefit of tapasya, so he observes Ekadasi, dvadasi-vrata, krsna-pritye bhoga-tyaga, [Cc. Mad. 22.116] for the pleasure of Krishna, to give enjoyment and happiness to Krishna one should give up ones own enjoyment, krsna-pritye bhoga-tyaga. Give up your own enjoyment. Krishna is to be pleased. Give pleasure and happiness to Krishna, that is the purpose of a vaisnava. Jivera ‘svarupa’ haya, jiva isvaisnava, jivera ‘svarupa’ haya-krsnera ‘nitya-dasa’. [Cc. Mad. 20.108] This is thesvarupa, identification of the jiva. Who are you? What is your identification? Mahaprabhu says, gopi-bhartuh pada-kamalayor dasa-dasanudasah [Cc. Madhya13.80] “I am the servant of the servant of the servant of the husband of thegopis.” This is my identification. Render loving service unto gopi-bhartuh, the husband of the gopis, Gopinatha. Give Him all pleasure and happiness, not for you. Sastra says, mahajana says, sadhu says, Bhaktivinoda Thakuramahajana-sadhu says,

The Unlimited Auspices of Ekadashi

Ekadashi

The Unlimited Auspices of Ekadasi

Every single month there are two days of Ekadasi, one while the moon is waxing and the other while the moon is waning. Altogether there are twenty-six Ekadasi’s a year. It is said in the Garga Samhita & again quoted in the Ekadasi Mahatmya

yatha sukla tatha krsna
dvayos ca sadrsam phalam
dhenuh sveta tatha krsna
ubhayoh sadrsam payah

“As a white cow and a black cow both give the same kind of milk, so the Ekadasi of the bright fortnight and the Ekadasi of the dark fortnight both bring the same result.”
(Garga Samhita 4.8.43)

Although the Ekadasi days are always potential, they are not all homogeneous. Each of the twenty-six days per year has a distinct flavoursome ‘rasa’ (taste) and some such as Sat-Tila Ekadasi, Amalaki Ekadasi, and the diademic Nirjala Ekadasi have specific prescriptive activities accompanying them. When coupling ones own current situation, location and meditation with the Ekadasi’s own multifaceted qualities there arises a superfluity of tasty, ecstatic rasa.

While Ekadasi is generally considered as pancaratrika vidhi it can become bhagavat vidhi by focusing on prema prayojana – the supreme goal of loving Krsna. Nevertheless the fruits that ripen and freely fall into the hands of one who follows Ekadasi are so abundant that there is always more than enough to go around.           

On the auspicious Madhava tithi (another name for Ekadasi) there is auspiciousness for all who follow it’s prescriptions, and those who are sucessful can generously offer percentages of the mammothian results, here, there and everywhere. To be successful is not very difficult, therefore everyone should jump for the good fortune of Ekadasi that descends from the spiritual stratum.

The heaviest stress in following the vrata (vow)  is laid on abstinence from eating grains. This principle was taught at a young age by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu:

prabhu kahe,—ekadasite anna na khaibe

“The Lord said, please do not eat grains on Ekadasi.”

The implicit reason for not eating grains on Ekadasi is that the papapurusha – the personification of sin takes refuge there, and since he is sheltered in the grain anyone who eats grains on that day will absorb incredibly concentrated karmic reaction. We have felt directly the oppressive mood in association of persons who have not followed the Lord’s prescription; where at all possible one should avoid those who have eaten grains on the Ekadasi day. What to speak of other’s activities, we must be very vigilant that we do not even ‘accidentally’ take even a minuscule amount of grain on Ekadasi.

“The five types of grains are:

1. Rice or other products made from rice such as flat rice,puffed rice etc.,
2. Wheat flour and White flour etc.,
3. Barley
4. Pulses such as Moong, Chickpea, Green Peas, Lentil, etc.  
5. Mustard seed oil and sesame oil. 

If one eats any of the above mentioned grains then his vow of Ekadasi will be broken.”

Ekadasi Mahatmya

Whilst avoiding negative reaction on Ekadasi is very necessary, this is by far in a way insignificant to the converse positive effect. For by following the vow of Ekadasi, even the sin of killing a Brahmana can be absolved; what to speak of the reactions of other sinful activities.

In the Ekadasi Mahatmya there are compiled, various conversations between Krishna and His exalted devotees such as Yudhistira Maharaja and Sri Arjuna. In these conversations the Supreme Lord tells many wonderful success stories that arose from observance of Ekadasi. In the conditioned state one may doubt the reality of these fantastical results, but he should know that to doubt the words of the Supreme Person is to doubt the highest authority and will not bring him any good fortune. The faith in Ekadasi can be felt by direct experience if one follows the vow himself.

Especially for those in the Grhasta ashram, those who are weak of body or those performing strenuous work, concession can be made in the harshness of following Ekadasi. Simple food can still be taken to facilitate active service and still achieve the result on the pancaratrika side. The bhagavat side to Ekadasi has less to do with the actual fast and more to do with how one spends his time on that day.

upavrittasya papebhyo 
yastu baso gunaih saha
upavasah sa vijneyah
sarva bhoga vivarjitah’

‘The word upavasa or fasting refers to staying aloof from all kinds of sinful activities and sense gratification.’

The import is to maximise one’s time for Krsna. As previously mentioned Ekadasi is Madhava-tithi, Krsna’s day. Actually Ekadasi devi is one of Krsna’s ananta-rupam – unlimited forms. Twice a month He descends in this form to bless us with the opportunity to get free from the reactions of our sinful reactions. If one is attentive however, they can take advantage of Krsna’s condensed presence to associate directly with him, and share transcendental loving exchanges.

“Another name of Ekadasi is Haribasara.  The main purpose of observing Ekadasi is to totally please Lord Hari with all ones senses.”

Ekadasi Mahatmya – Introduction

The agreement of atmosphere on Ekadasi is extremely conducive for the fast. This is Krsna’s merciful configuration which makes it that much easier for us on this special day. Anyone who has fasted on Ekadasi and attempted to do the same on another less aligned day can perceive the factual difference. Because of the conducive arrangement everyone can take advantage and fast to the best their ability. By successfully completing the fast, at whatever level; one will receive great satisfaction and determination to fast again. Also, one who fails to complete the fast will develop great strength of mind and resolute determination to be successful next time. Ekadasi is all auspicious! Except for those who eat grains on this day; everyone will receive untold, bountiful, salubrious glory in their life.

“You’re all too fat, you all eat too much!”
(Mahanidhi Swami – Art of Chanting Lecture Series)

While maximising sadhana on the day of Ekadasi, its practice will also increase one’s devotion on all the days that follow. Indeed, Ekadasi purifies past, present and future! By eating simply or fasting completely one will reduce his weight & cholesterol and increase the flow of vital energy (prana.) Srila Prabhupada’s quote will enlighten us further in this regard.

We can definitely see that to advance in Krsna consciousness one must control his bodily weight. If one becomes too fat, it is to be assumed that he is not advancing spiritually. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura severely criticized his fat disciples. The idea is that one who intends to advance in Krsna consciousness must not eat very much. Devotees used to go to forests, high hills or mountains on pilgrimages, but such severe austerities are not possible in these days. One should instead eat only prasada and no more than required. According to the Vaisnava calendar, there are many fasts, such as Ekadasi and the appearance and disappearance days of Krsna and His devotees. All of these are meant to decrease the fat within the body so that one will not sleep more than desired and will not become inactive and lazy. Overindulgence in food will cause a man to sleep more than required. This human form of life is meant for austerity, and austerity means controlling sex, food intake, etc. In this way time can be saved for spiritual activity and one can purify himself both externally and internally. Thus both body and mind can be cleansed.
(Srimad Bhagavatam 4.28.35-36, purport)

With a healthy and pure body & mind one will be much more receptive to hear the holy-name. The primary activity of all Gaudiya-Vaishnavas. Srila Prabhupada condoned and authorized increasing ones quota of ‘rounds’ on Ekadasi. Many devotees who are chanting sixteen rounds choose to increase to twenty-five on Ekadasi.

“Why just 25 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.”
(SP Letter to Jadurani Los Angeles 9th July 1971)

“Can we chant 25 rounds on Ekadasi?”
Chant all day, he says. Don’t stop at 25.
(Satsvarupa dasa Goswami – Prabhupada Meditations)

Actually four rounds is called one Granthi, which means knot. Four rounds creates a knot which nicely ties one up in the Maha-Mantra. Therefore twenty-five is an odd number in traditional round counting technique. When counting in Granthi's one can, for example – chant twenty-four rounds on Ekadasi or thirty-two or sixty-four… onwards and upwards.

So the general idea is to increase one’s devotional life, engage in bhajan and come closer to Krsna. Hear & Chant, serve the deities in as many ways you can. Cram in a full schedule and there will be no time for Maya. If Maya comes then follow the example of Haridas Thakura, soon she will become ‘your’ disciple. If your busy working, maybe you can listen to tapes or mp3, kirtan & katha.

An Idle Mind is the devils workshop! If the mind is restless at home, one can go out, organize a mini padayatra with friends, preach or visit holy places. Take bath in holy waters (even the sea is a holy body of water)

In this way there should be no idle time spent, wasted on frivolous activity during the precious time allotted for Ekadasi. If you sleep your fast is broken!

Following the vow of Ekadasi with steadiness, faith and relish will certainly please Lord Krsna. In the Garga Samhita it is authoritatively revealed:

sri-gopya ucuh

vrnabhanu-sute divye
he radhe kanja-locane
sri-krnnasya prasadartham
vada kincid vratam subham

The gopis said: O Radha, O beautiful, lotus-eyed daughter of King Vrnabhanu, please tell us what vow we may follow to attain Lord Krnna's favour.
(Garga Samhita 4.8.7)
 

sri-radhovaca

sri-krnnasya prasadartham
kurutaikadasi-vratam
tena vasyo harih saknad
bhavinyati na samsayah

Sri Radha said: To attain Lord Krnna's mercy you should follow the vow of fasting on ekadasi. In that way You will make Lord Krnna into your submissive servant. Of this there is no doubt.
(Garga Samhita 4.8.9)

It is important to know and follow the correct time for breaking one’s fast. In the morning following Ekadasi, during the Brahma Muhurta one can chant Hare Krsna very attentively, thanking Krsna for Ekadasi, and all the divine, descent days that take place throughout the year.

If one feels very fatigued he can take water before the official breakfast time; this will not break the fast prematurely – only the nirjala element will be broken.

“…water does not break the fast”
(Srila Prabhupada – Krsna Book, Chapter 34)

If you have made it to the time of breaking fast without even a drop of water, you are allowed to be a little proud of the achievement; but you should remember Krsna’s declaration of bhavanti bhava bhutanam matta eva prthag-vidhah, That all the various qualities of living beings are created by Him alone. Then you will actually be humbled in knowing that any prowess displayed is coming ‘only’ by His grace.

“Any fool can go on a fast, but it takes a wise man to break it properly.”
(George Bernard Shaw)

Now comes the real challenge, do you rush to your gullet, stuffing yourself sick with bhoga or do you sensibly and with perfect control of the mind, modestly honor Prasad? Do not be too harsh on yourself if you do over eat on Dvadasi (the day after Ekadasi) When learning to stand on your head you are naturally going to topple a few times, this is OK and no-one can claim to have plonked down in this world fully-formed with all their aptitudes perfectly developed. By regularly practising the vow of Ekadasi one will gradually increase his control over the mind and therefore the stomach also.

A good way to breakfast is to spread it out over a longer period than usual. First you can re-hydrate yourself by drinking water or hot milk thinned with water. Then after some time you can eat a little fruit and maybe some nuts. By taking fibre first, the stomach has something to easily grab hold of. Finally one may take hot food, but again not too much. Spices on Dvadasi, especially in the morning may be inadvisable if one has fasted heavily. The best method may vary from person to person and everyone can cater to some degree, for their own tastes and practicalities. The single best item we have found for near instant recuperation is khir (sweet rice)    

Ekadasi is most certainly a great gift from God and we should not become lax in it’s observance, thinking ‘oh just another Ekadasi’ or that ‘Ekadasi is just another day of the month.’

Each and every time we even ‘try’ to observe Ekadasi, Krsna recognises the effort and is so appreciative. Twice a month we have such a nice opportunity for rapidly becoming: fearless, pure, rich in spiritual knowledge, charitable, self-controlled, generous, erudite, austere, simple, non-violent, truthful, free from anger, renounced, tranquil, praise-giving, compassionate, free from covetousness, gentle, modest, steadily determined, vigorous, forgiving, strong, clean, free from envy and free from the passion for honor.

By regular, determined observance of Ekadasi one will definitely win Krsna’s ever-increasing affection and, ecstatically skipping up the path back to home, back to Godhead cry blissful tears of love for the Lord.     

Bhakta Charles 25/10/08
The Dvadasi Following Rama Ekadasi