Hare Krishna,
I am a newbie to Ekadashi Vratham . Before I start this ekadashi vrat I have a few questions.
1. Can I eat anything on ekadashi evening (Satvik food and no grains) .
2. Should I stay awake all the night ?
3. If I eat something on ekadashi evening and break the fast should I still have to break the fasting on dwadashi day ?
Please let me know.
Thank You
Replies
Hare Krsna
There is a dedicated page here that contains all the details about Ekadashi.
1. Can I eat anything on ekadashi evening (Satvik food and no grains) .
Must avoid the following foods on Ekadasi :
Grains (wheat, rice, etc.)
Pulses - dahl, peas, bean type vegetables, mustard seeds, sesame seeds (except on Sat-tila Ekadasi, when sesame [tila] seeds may be offered and eaten),
Derivatives of these foods (wheat flour, mustard oil, soya bean oil etc.), and
food items containing these products. For instance, care should be taken in using powdered spices, which, if mixed with flour, should not be used on Ekadasi.
2. Should I stay awake all the night ?
Although staying awake all night might have been reccommended in previous times, due to modern lifestyle it is not a practical advise for all. Those who have been doing since childhood and are used to it, or those who are so elevated that they have transcended their bodily requirements may do it. In general for practicing devotees it is not recommended in Iskcon for all.
3. If I eat something on ekadashi evening and break the fast should I still have to break the fasting on dwadashi day ?
Whatever fast was observed on ekadashi has to be broken on dwadashi. There are levels of performing ekadashi
1. No food no water
2. Only water
3. Only liquids like milk, butter milk, fruit juices etc
4. Only uncooked solids like fruits & vegetables & liquids
5. Cooked foods excluding grains pulses etc.
Whatever fast was observed on ekadashi needs to be broken at parana time. All the best.
Hare Krsna