Namaste friends,
After a long gap of 3 yrs, I restarted my strict Ekadashi fast about 4 months ago. These 4 months, I refrain from eating anything and fast strictly. But initially I was consuming plenty of water.
Then I browsed the net to find how much water is actually permissible on Ekadashi fast and found out that even water consumption is prohibited in a strict fast.
After that past 4 times, I fasted without water on Ekadashi day and broke my fast on Dwadashi with water.
But then, during the last Pandava nirjala Ekadashi alone, by night 9 PM, I came down with a really bad headache and had to consume water to take some medicines and then actually broke the fast by drinking milk to bring down the headache.
Therefore I am apprehensive if I will be able to resume or observe a water-free strict fast going forth. If my head aches badly again, I will have to consume water in the evening.
But I have a question at this juncture, those who observe strict fast, do you consume any water on Ekadashi day? By strict fast, I mean those who do not eat any food, including fruits and milk. Do you consume any water during Ekadashi? Please let me know.
Many thanks,
Jayashree
Replies
Hare Krsna Mataji,
PAMHO.
Thank you for your continous questions on how to better your sadhana. It shows your sincerity. Mataji, ekadasi fast can be at different levels.
Level 1 : Fast from water and all eatables
Level 2: Drink only water, milk, buttermilk.
Level 3: Eat fruits additionally.
Level 4: Eat permitted non grains
So dont beat yourself that you ended up drinking milk on nirjal ekadasi. In fact, if one wants to fast without drinking even water, then the preparation starts a day before itself.. Otherwise things like headache are sure to happen.
The principle of fasting on ekadasi is that we have more time for devotional activities like chanting, reading,hearing lectures etc. So I know many devotees who eat all meals, but anukalpa. You see what suits your body the best and do accordingly. Do not fast at the cost of health. Fasting is supposed to improve health, not spoil it further.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Radha Rasamayi DD
Hare Krishna Mataji,
I have two questions; it would be highly appreciable if you could please clarify the following:
1. I have heard that the perfect Ekadashi fasting is done when one doesn't eat or even drink water for 36 hours. Can you please shed some light on this?
2. What are the benefits of Level 1 Ekadashi over Level 4? Is it our goal to slowly reach Level 1, or have they got the same benefits?
Dandavat Pranam Mataji,
Please accept my humble obeisances, I am trying to be a devotee of Lord Sri Krishna, and I don't know many things.
Hare Krsna Prabhuji,
PAMHO.
Level 1 being most austere, is definitely better than level 4. However, one has to keep inmind health, age, occupation into consideration. For example, for the old and ailing, level 4 is as good as Level 1 is ofr a young fit enthusiastic devotee. The idea is to get closer/ feel closer to Krsna on this day. Do some austerity so that there is more time for devotion. If the austerity becomes a hindrance in devotion, then better to follow level 4 and do devotion.
To do Level 1 properly, the naturopathy way means atleast 36 hours without eating and atleast 24 hours without drinking. I have personally followed this way and found it better than eating the previous night. The way to do this is - suppose tomorrow is ekadasi. So today lunch time eat properly whatever you want and then do not eat any cooked food. Rest of evening and night - can have juice/ fruit/ milk. Morning wake up (at 4 am) and drink water as much as you can - even more than a litre. Then no eating drinking the whole day and night. Next day, as per parana timing, break fast with water/ panakkam (jaggery water with lemon, little salt, black pepper powder and ginger) to break the fast. Drink a lot of this panakkam. Then 1/2 an hour later, some watery fruit juice like watermelon or pineapple or orange. Then 1/2 hour later, some milk shake. Then 1 hour later some boiled vegetables. Can eat light soft easy to digest breakfast that day (like idli/ upma) Then eat light lunch that day - no chola or rajma kind of hard to digest food for lunch. Then normal routine starts.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Radha Rasamayi DD
Hare Krishna Mataji,
You explained to me a proper step-by-step process on how to do level 1 Ekadashi, this is way more than I expected. I am so glad, your reply is highly appreciated. I will try my best to do level 1 Ekadashi from July onwards.
Dandavat Pranam Mataji,
Warm Regards
Thank you ji for your kind and helpful reply. So informative!