Ekadashi and why we fast
The significance of the eleventh day of the moon
Fasts are important in all religions since they curb the human tendency to be greedy. The stomach is the most overworked organ in our system since we keep eating, sometimes late into the night so the poor stomach has no rest even when the rest of our body is sleeping. So it’s absolutely necessary to give it an “off” day at least twice a month!
The Hindu calendar follows the lunar cycle so there are only twenty-eight days in a month. These are divided into two fortnights – the dark fortnight when the moon is waning and the bright fortnight when the moon is waxing. Each day of the fortnight corresponds to one phase of the moon, starting from “pradhama” – first, “dwiteeya” – second and so on. The eleventh day of each fortnight is known as ekadashi. Ekadashi fasts are specially recommended for the votaries of Vishnu whereas Pradosham fasts are observed by followers of Shiva. Of course anyone can observe any of these fasts. There are no hard and fast rules in Hinduism.
There are many fasts observed by people who want specific benefits. But ekadashi is meant for everyone since it enhances the spiritual and physical health of people. Thus, we find that there will be twenty-four ekadashi fasts in one year. Each one of these has a particular name which will be given in a different blog. Of these the most important is known as the Vaikunta Ekadashi which falls in the waxing period of the month of Margashirsha (December/January). This is also celebrated as Gita Jayanti since the Srimad Bhagavad Gita was advised to Arjuna by Lord Krishna on this day. In this Age of Kali it is said that if people observe at least this one ekadashi fast in a year they will gain the merit of having fasted for all the other ekadashis! Of course this is just an incentive to those who just cannot bear to fast at all!
Fasting gives the system a rest. The physiological system becomes overworked due to overeating and mindless consumption of food.
Thus, the fortnightly ekadashi fast gives the system a chance to catch up. We know that the digestive system draws the blood circulation towards the digestive organs. Therefore, blood circulation to the head is decreased once food is consumed and that is why we feel sleepy after a full meal. Thus, observance of ekadashi helps us recharge our brain and mind thereby keeping us more alert, sharp, focused and aware.
Nowadays people have begun to understand the health benefits of fasting on a regular basis. But in the Sanatana Dharma, the rishis who were well aware of these benefits, also knew that the people of that age would not have followed their advice if they were told that it would benefit them physically. Hence, they put particular names on all ekadashis and said that those who observed these fasts would get a lot of spiritual benefits and would go to Vaikunta which is the celestial abode of Lord Vishnu.
Of course our next question will be, “what is so particular about the eleventh day of the lunar fortnight?” If it is just for health benefits we might as well fast on any day, why choose the eleventh day? As mentioned, all our rituals and festivals have a scientific foundation and are based on the movement of the planets, especially the moon. Let us see what these are.
Astrologically the moon revolves around the earth at the rate of 12 degrees per 24 hours. This period of the travel of the moon is called a tithi in Sanskrit. When the moon is 180 degrees away from the sun it will be full moon, and when it conjoins with the sun it will be new moon.
During these two cycles we observe many instances where the new moon and full moon show their impact on the gravitational and magnetic pull of sea tides as well as on human minds. This is because of the lunar attraction on the liquid portion of the earth. The earth and the moon attract each other but on certain days the attraction is enhanced because of their nearness. It is this attraction that causes tides in the ocean and it is certain that there will be biological high tide and low tide in our bodies as well. This is because the human body consists of 72% water. This is the reason why the moon is treated as the controller of the mind in Indian astrology and why many of our rituals and festivals follow the digits of the moon. Based on this fact, the significance of the ekadashi fast can be explained in two ways – scientific and spiritual.
Studies on the influence of celestial bodies upon ours have shown an imbalance of hormones occur on certain days of the lunar fortnights and that these influences can play a great part on our pathological diseases and psychological behaviour. The physiological glands and hormones concerned relate to the physio-psychic reasons for the various psychic expressions known as vrittis (propensities) – e.g. fear, greed, hatred, passion, anger etc. There are fifty such expressions and if these hormones get imbalanced, the secretions become abnormal, i.e. hypo or hyper, resulting in abnormalities in these expressions (vrittis).
Scientific experiments have proved the truth of what our scriptures say about the vrittis. It has been experimentally seen that manic-depressive patients can get cured by systematic fasts and many abnormalities of the mind which the modern world suffers from, will get reduced. Excessive sexual excitement, anger, irritation, fear, greed, passion etc. also gets sublimated by these fasts. Even hyper-tension can be controlled efficiently with the help of fasts.
If functioning is normal and balanced, there will hardly be any health problems and life expectancy will get enhanced. Therefore, it is good to fast on both ekadashi days and full moon and new moon days.
If someone asks you, “Where is your mind?” You would vaguely point at your head. But our ancients found out that the unseen entity or bundle of thoughts, called the mind actually travels up and down the spine and halts occasionally at the chakras which are psycho-physical whorls of energy mainly found along the spine.
As we have seen in Hinduism, the moon is the deity of the mind because of the great effect it has on our mind. During its transit as the moon passes from one tithi to another, it also passes along the six main chakras (spiritual nerve centres on our spine). In the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) Ekadashi, the moon’s position relates to the Ajna Chakra or the “third eye” situated between the brows and in the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) Ekadashi, it relates to the Anahata Chakra (heart chakra). The mind which is closely connected with the transitions of the moon follows the same track and is based in the Ajna Chakra on the ekadashi day of the bright fortnight and in the Anahata Chakra on the ekadashi day of the dark fortnight. During these two periods the mind is in an auspicious position and comparatively easy to control. Hence, our meditation will be much easier on these two days. Vedic astrology brands ekadashi as a nanda tithi which is one that bestows happiness and peace.
According to modern science, it is known that the air pressure on our planet varies to extreme limits on both the new moon (amavasya) and the full moon (purnima) days. This is because of the orbital path of the combination of the sun, moon and earth.
This can be observed by the change in the nature of the tidal waves on the new moon and full moon days. The waves are very high and rough, but from the next day onwards, the waves become calm, an indication that the pressure has also reduced.
Experiments have shown that it takes about three to four days for the food that we eat to reach our brain. Now, if we eat light/fast on ekadashi days, that intake will reach the brain correspondingly on the new moon/full moon day.
As has been said on both of these days, the earth’s pressure is at its maximum, thus leading to imbalance in everything, including our thought processes.
Compared to any other day of the moon cycle, the atmospheric pressure is the lowest on ekadashi days. So, if the input to the brain is at a minimum, the chances of the brain indulging in any wayward activity due to the high pressure imbalance also becomes minimised. Hence, this is the best time to fast and cleanse the bowel system. If we fast on any other day, the high pressure may damage our system. Thus, it is advised that after fasting on ekadashi, we get up early the next day and eat something light as soon as possible. According to both the above theories, the fasting practice on ekadashi days has a strong scientific base.
The fortnightly ekadashi fast accompanied with healthy eating improves insulin responsiveness, lowers blood cholesterol and prolongs life span. It helps improve the mental stability of people suffering from anxiety and depression. It also detoxifies the body, cleanses the blood and improves the functioning of kidneys and liver. It is amazing how the ancient Vedic rishis devised this method to keep the people of the country fit and free from any harmful influences!
Of course as with all Hindu rituals there is a spiritual element attached to this, apart from the health benefits. The Sanskrit word for fast is “upavasa” which literally means “staying close.” Staying close to what? We are supposed to make use of the ekadashi fast to come closer to God. If we don’t spend so much of time in cooking and eating, we will have more time to meditate, read holy books etc. and thus stay “close” to God. This can be done only by shunning the activities of the sensory and motor organs (indriyas) and dwelling instead on the various aspects of the Supreme Consciousness or the Supreme Lord. We are not meant to be whiling away extra time by watching TV or playing games. The sincere aspirant who has observed the ekadashi vow by not eating and drinking too much and has kept close to the divine by chanting or meditating, will be able to keep herself perfect, physiologically and psychologically and thereby attain the ultimate spiritual purpose of life.
Mostly people fear that by fasting they will become weak. Such a fear is not genuine. A day’s fast gives rest to the functioning of the stomach and thereby helps it to function better. The undigested food gets an opportunity to get digested and better assimilation of food takes place helping in the production of more blood and other necessary chemicals. It also helps with better functioning of the liver, pancreas, intestines and kidney etc.
The fast on ekadashi also helps the transmutation of chemicals in the body into subtler realms like the ectoplasmic stuff of the mind (i.e. chitta or mindstuff) so that the mind can come into contact with higher spheres.
How to observe the fast
The ekadashi fast is a must for all people except children below the age of 12 years and pregnant women.
The best way to observe the fast is to have only fruits and milk but if this is too difficult for children, they can have some light food at night. Parents and teachers must explain the benefits of fasting to children. Just as all children need a holiday from continuous studies so also the stomach which is the most overworked organ of the body needs a break once every fortnight.
People who observe the fast are asked to stay away from all types of grains, and to have a light diet of nuts, milk, fruits, alkaline vegetables etc. to maintain the acid-alkaline balance in the body. For breakfast, one can have fruits and milk. For lunch, one can eat a bowl of fruit salad and for dinner, any alkaline soup like bottle gourd, ash gourd etc. It is important to not binge eat the previous day and the following day.
For those who can’t observe the fast for any reason (in case you’re temple trekking, unwell or in an emergency), you can eat alkaline foods and fruits and simply avoid rice.
Puranic stories on ekadashi
In Hinduism, all scientific knowledge is carefully camouflaged with delightful stories about saints and gods. The ekadashi fast also has its full quota of such stories.
The Padma Purana describes the following story about ekadashi:
Jaimini Rishi, a renowned sage, once became inquisitive about the ekadashi vow, so he inquired from the great sage Vyasa about the same. Vyasa said that initially, when the world was manifested, Lord Vishnu created a demonic creature (Paapa-Purusha) that was the embodiment of all types of sins. In fact he got his sustenance from the sins committed by people. Subsequently, Vishnu also created Yamaloka – the cosmic penitentiary, so that anyone who sinned would be sent there.
Once upon a visit to Yamaloka, Lord Vishnu noticed the miserable state of the inhabitants who were undergoing “corrections.” He took pity on them and created the vow called ekadashi from his own being and declared that anyone undertaking this vow would be cleansed of their sins and would not have to go to Yamaloka.
The Paapa-Purusha became most alarmed when he heard this. He immediately went to Lord Vishnu and said that because of the ekadashi vow he would not get any sustenance. So Vishnu gave him a benediction that he could prey upon people who ate dals, grains and cereals on ekadashi days. Thus, the Paapa-Purusha was satisfied. This is why we are forbidden to eat these things during the ekadashi fast.
Once there was a demon called Mura who was harassing the gods. The devas or gods approached Vishnu and begged him to punish Mura. The Lord sent his Yoga Maya to kill the demon. She completed the task and returned to him. Vishnu blessed her and said, “Henceforth, you will be known as “Ekadashi” and anyone who observes the ekadashi fast will be free from all sins.”
Another popular ekadashi story concerns the noble king, Ambarisha who was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. He used to observe the ekadashi fast regularly. He would break his fast only on the next day which was the twelfth day of the lunar fortnight called “dwadashi” after having performed the pujas and given food to a Brahmin. On dwadashi day before he could break his fast, the great sage Durvasa came to him and demanded to be fed. The king was happy to do so but the sage said he had to go to the river for his ablutions before he could eat. Many hours passed and there was no sign of the sage. The time for breaking the fast would soon be over so the king was desperate. His priest told him that he could break the fast with a sip of water. As soon as he did this, the irate sage arrived and cursed the king who had dared to eat before serving his honoured guest. He sent a malefic spirit to kill the king who stood unmoved since he was sure Vishnu would protect him. Sure enough the Lord sent his discus – the Sudarshana Chakra who chased the rishi all over the three worlds. At last the sage went and begged Lord Vishnu to save him from his discus which was threatening to sizzle him up. Vishnu replied, “I’m only a servant of my devotees. I cannot protect you. Go back to Ambarisha and ask him to forgive you. Only he has the power to deflect the discus!” The chastened rishi returned and begged Ambarisha to protect him. The devotees of Vishnu are always humble and the king immediately told the discus not to harm the sage.
Once a huge gathering of holy people had congregated at a place called Naimisharanya. The sage or speaker was known as “Suta” and everyone put many questions to him.
One such question was “In the coming Age of Kali what would you recommend for people in order to get rid of all sorrows? We are all eager to hear from you.”
The Suta answered the question in full.
He said that the only remedy for the removal of sorrows in the Age of Kali was for people to observe the ekadashi vow.
There are twenty-four ekadashis in one year. In the Adhik Maas or leap year there is one extra month so in that year there will be two additional ekadashis. So we have a total of twenty-six ekadashis. The Suta told them that even by listening to the names of the ekadashis, most of their sins would be washed away!
A list of the names of each ekadashi along with the puranic story relating to them will be given in a different blog.
Apara Ekadashi
The ekadashi which is falling on the 26th of May is known as the Apara Ekadashi. This is the story pertaining to this.
Once the Pandava King Yudhishthira asked Krishna, “Oh Lord, please describe to me the benefits to be attained from observing the ekadashi fast that occurs during the krishna paksha of the month of Jyeshta (May/June).”
Lord Krishna said, “Oh great King! The name of this meritorious ekadashi is Apara Ekadashi. Whoever fasts on this holy day becomes famous all over the universe. Even such sins as killing a Brahmin, a cow, or an embryo, or having sex with another man’s wife are completely eradicated by observing this ekadashi.
People who bear false witness, people who falsely or sarcastically glorify another, those who cheat while weighing on a scale, who invent their own scriptures, who are false astrologers, cheating accountants, or false Ayurvedic doctors are all destined for hellish punishments.
But simply by observing Apara Ekadashi, all such sinners become completely free of their karmic reactions. Warriors who fall from their kshatriya-dharma and flee from the battlefield go to a fiendish hell. Even such a fallen kshatriya, if he observes a fast on the Apara Ekadashi, is freed of that great sin. That disciple is the greatest sinner who, after receiving proper spiritual education from his spiritual master, turns around and blasphemes him. Such a selfish disciple will suffer unlimited sorrows. But even he can attain to the spiritual world if he observes the Apara Ekadashi.”
The merit attained by one who performs all of the following acts of piety is equal to the merit achieved by one who observes Apara Ekadashi:
Bathing three times daily in the Pushkara Kshetra during the month of Kartika;
Bathing at the time of a solar eclipse at Kurukshetra;
Bathing at Prayag Raj in the month of Magha when the sun is in the zodiac of Capricorn;
Rendering service to Lord Shiva during Shivaratri;
Offering oblations to one’s forefathers;
Bathing in the sacred Gomti River when Jupiter transits Leo;
Giving cows, elephants, and gold in charity;
Donating a pregnant cow, along with gold and fertile land.
All the merit one gets from performing these pious acts is gained by a person who observes the Apara Ekadashi fast. This ekadashi is like a forest fire that burns sins as if they were kindling firewood.
Therefore, one who faithfully observes the Apara Ekadashi and worships Lord Vishnu is freed of all his sins and taken to the abode of Lord Vishnu.
“Oh King! For the benefit of all humanity I have thus described to you the importance of the Apara Ekadashi. Anyone who hears or reads this description is freed from all kinds of sins.”
Hari Aum Tat Sat!
Thanks Vanamali Mataji for such insights into Ekadashi. Ram Ram
Thank you Vanamali Mataji. This is so beautiful and full of wisdom. 🙏🙏🙏