Ekadasi fasting

Hare Krsna,

His Divine Grace, A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, has given quotes in books, lectures and especially in conversations with other devotees. The quotes below come from his Divine Grace.

"On Ekädasi, everything is cooked for Vishnu, including regular grains and dhal, but it is enjoined that a Vaishnava should not even take vishnu-prasädam on Ekädasi. It is said that a Vaishnava does not accept anything eatable that is not offered to Lord Vishnu, but on Ekädasi a Vaishñava should not touch even mahä-prasädam offered to Vishñu, although such prasädam may be kept for being eaten the next day. It is strictly forbidden for one to accept any kind of grain on Ekädasi, even if it is offered to Lord Vishñu".

"Since the living entities of Kali yuga are short lived and lusty, they are unable to perform severe austerity. The living entities of Kali yuga subsist on food grains and cannot survive without eating these grains. People of Satya, Treta and Dvapara yugas were capable of undergoing severe austerity and tolerate physical distresses. This is why a minimum austerity in the form of fasting twice a month on the days of Ekadasi has been prescribed for the people of Kali yuga. If they are able they should eat only once the day before Ekadasi, fast totally on the day of Ekadasi and eat only once the day after Ekadasi. If one is unable to follow even this, in other words if one is unable to eat only once on the day before and after Ekadasi, than he must observe complete fast on the day of Ekadasi. If one is still unable to follow this then he should give up eating five types of grains and observe the vow of Ekadasi simply by partaking some fruits and roots. The five types of grains are:

rice or other products made from rice such as flat rice, puffed rice etc.;
wheat flour and white flour etc.;
barley etc.;
pulses such as moong, chickpea, green peas, lentil, etc.;
mustard oil and sesame oil.

(Comment: The way Srila Prabhupada asked us to follow Ekadasi was to fast from grains and beans. Full fasting was never encouraged by His Divine Grace. Rather than emphasize various dry austerities, he put greater emphasis on service (which is sometimes hampered by fasting, and perhaps further hampered for many days by staying up all night). Therefore Srila Prabhupada only insisted on 4 full fast days a year for certain Appearance Days and eating very simply on Ekadasis. Full fasting (and optionally for every Ekadasi) is an optional vrata and good if it inspires a deeper feeling of love for Krsna."

Hari Bol,

Replies

Volunteer

Gopal das May 1, 2012 at 10:23pm

http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
Man July 25, 2011 at 9:03pm

Jai Shri Krishna..

For next day breaking of fast..send me some MahaPrasada..ok?
Volunteer
Jay Krishnan Ramasawmy July 24, 2011 at 9:48pm
Hare Krsna,

His Divine Grace, A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, has given quotes in books, lectures and especially in conversations with other devotees. The quotes below come from his Divine Grace.

"On Ekädasi, everything is cooked for Vishnu, including regular grains and dhal, but it is enjoined that a Vaishnava should not even take vishnu-prasädam on Ekädasi. It is said that a Vaishnava does not accept anything eatable that is not offered to Lord Vishnu, but on Ekädasi a Vaishñava should not touch even mahä-prasädam offered to Vishñu, although such prasädam may be kept for being eaten the next day. It is strictly forbidden for one to accept any kind of grain on Ekädasi, even if it is offered to Lord Vishñu".

"Since the living entities of Kali yuga are short lived and lusty, they are unable to perform severe austerity. The living entities of Kali yuga subsist on food grains and cannot survive without eating these grains. People of Satya, Treta and Dvapara yugas were capable of undergoing severe austerity and tolerate physical distresses. This is why a minimum austerity in the form of fasting twice a month on the days of Ekadasi has been prescribed for the people of Kali yuga. If they are able they should eat only once the day before Ekadasi, fast totally on the day of Ekadasi and eat only once the day after Ekadasi. If one is unable to follow even this, in other words if one is unable to eat only once on the day before and after Ekadasi, than he must observe complete fast on the day of Ekadasi. If one is still unable to follow this then he should give up eating five types of grains and observe the vow of Ekadasi simply by partaking some fruits and roots. 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 etc.;
4. pulses such as moong, chickpea, green peas, lentil, etc.;
5. mustard oil and sesame oil.
(Comment: The way Srila Prabhupada asked us to follow Ekadasi was to fast from grains and beans. Full fasting was never encouraged by His Divine Grace. Rather than emphasize various dry austerities, he put greater emphasis on service (which is sometimes hampered by fasting, and perhaps further hampered for many days by staying up all night). Therefore Srila Prabhupada only insisted on 4 full fast days a year for certain Appearance Days and eating very simply on Ekadasis. Full fasting (and optionally for every Ekadasi) is an optional vrata and good if it inspires a deeper feeling of love for Krsna."

Hari Bol,
- Volunteer
  
  Jagadatma das > Jay Krishnan Ramasawmy July 25, 2011 at 7:25pm
  
  Hare Krsna Romit prabhu. The sabudana with tomato sauce are real good any time. All the items on that page are good. I'm sure they will love it. Just put a tulasi leaf on each item and and offer them all to Goura Nitai. Close your eyes and meditate on Them blissfully eating together. Oh what about some sweets like srikand. Yes and mangoes. They will need some water to wash Their mouths and hands after all that oily food. Then They can have a little rest. And if there is any left over we can share that.
Ravi Pati Damodar Das July 13, 2011 at 11:42pm

Mataji ,

Concentrate on Krishna and eat lightly and chant more and more , Krishna will bless you
Madhumita Ghosh April 4, 2011 at 10:06pm

Yes, I surely did. Thank you.
Madhumita Ghosh April 1, 2011 at 3:53am

Hare Krishna,
Thank you Prabhuji for the information.

This reply was deleted.