EKADASI OBSERVANCE
From the very beginning of His childhood life Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu introduced the system of observing a fast on the Ekadasi
day. In the Bhakti-sandarbha, by Srila Jiva Goswami, there is a
quotation from the Skanda Puran admonishing that a person who eats
grains on Ekadasi becomes a murderer of his mother, father, brother
and spiritual master, and even if he is elevated to a Vaikuntha
planet, he falls down. On Ekadasi, everything is cooked for Vishnu,
including regular grains and dhal, but it is enjoined that a
Vaisnava should not even take visnu-prasadam on Ekadasi. It is said
that a Vaisnava does not accept anything eatable that is not
offered to Lord Visnu, but on Ekadasi a Vaisnava should not touch
even maha-prasadam offered to Visnu, although such prasadam may be
kept for being eaten the next day. It is strictly forbidden for one
to accept any kind of grain on Ekadasi, even if it is offered to
Lord Visnu. = REF. Adi 15.10 Ekadasi literally means "the eleventh
day." There are two Ekadasis in a month : on the eleventh day after
the new moon, and on the eleventh day after the full moon. Of all
vratas (vows of austerity), Visnu is most pleased with those who
observe the Ekadasi vrata. Therefore anyone who does not observe
the vrata and eats grains on Ekadasi is said to eat sin, for he
disobeys the Lord's order and thus displeases Him. Thus, although
Ekadasi fasting is good for health, it should be undertaken
principally for the sake of pleasing Krsna. To observe Ekadasi
vrata and Dvadasi vrata means to please the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. Those interested in advancing in Krsna consciousness must
observe Ekadasi regularly.(SB 9.4.29) Hari Bhakti Vilasa quotes
from many scriptures to establish the necessity of observing the
Ekadasi vrata, to glorify the vrata, to establish the proper day on
which to observe the vrata, and to give the proper mode of
observance. Observing the Ekadasi vrata (vow of austerity) is one
of the principal duties of Vaisnavas. To fail to do so is a serious
offence. Bhaktivinoda Thakura has sung, madhava-tithi bhakti-janane
jatane palana kari (Suddha-bhakata, from Saranagati): "I observe
with great care the holy days like Ekadasi and Janmashtami, for
they are the mother of devotion." All people, male and female, of
all castes and ages, from eight to eighty, should observe the
Ekadasi vrata in all circumstances. This applies to the Ekadasis of
both the waxing (gaura or sukla) and waning (krsna paksa) phases of
the moon.
FASTING
All devotees must avoid the following foods on Ekadasi : grains
(wheat, rice, etc.), 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. Particularly, commercially prepared powdered asafatoeda
(hing) is always mixed with flour and is not to be used on Ekadasi.
If even a slight piece of grain is ingested, even accidentally, the
Ekadasi fast is broken. Devotees should not even think of
neglecting the Ekadasi fast, unless its observance would severely
strain their health. Only in rare cases, those who are physically
unable to fast may take grains on Ekadasi, but then only with the
explicit permission of their guru. Those who, in the course of the
year, break the Ekadasi fast even once, should observe the yearly
Bhima Nirjala Ekadasi (see below). Pancaratra Pradipa states: "One
who is very strictly observing Ekadasi should avoid all spices
except pepper, rock salt and cumin. He should also eschew certain
vegetables, such as tomatoes, cauliflower, eggplant, and leafy
vegetables." Simpler than this and even more strict is to fast
completely. Srila Prabhupada usually observed the Ekadasi fast in
the simplest manner prescribed in scripture, by refraining from
eating grains, beans, peas and dahl. Sometimes he observed a
half-day fast. Some devotees eat only fruit on Ekadasi, some take
only water, and some fully fast, even from water (this latter is
called nirjala vrata). Non-grain high carbohydrate foods are often
prepared on Ekadasi. Sago (tapioca) is a common example. But sago
is sometimes mixed with rice flour, and apparently sometimes even
with crushed insects. So unless one is sure about the source, sago
should be avoided. In India, preparations resembling capatis and
rice are made on Ekadasi from non-grain ingredients. Srila
Prabhupada was pleased if his disciples strictly observed ekadasi,
but he did not emphasize it. (Tamal Krsna Goswami): I told Srila
Prabhupada we were strictly observing Ekadasi, no eating or
drinking. He said, "Very good." (TKG'S Diary, page 70) Actually on
the Ekadasi days we should not take any food, or even drink water.
But in our society we are not doing so strictly. We say, "On
Ekadsi, you don't take food grains. Take a little fruit, milk."
Ekadasi day, there is no eating sumptuously. Simply you take a
little fruit and flower. Try to avoid that also. You don't take
even water. That is really Ekadasi. But because we cannot do it in
the Kali-yuga the time is different therefore we are allowed to
take a little fruit and milk, which is called anukalpa. For those
who are accustomed to full fasting from a young age and have the
physical strength for it, refraining from food and water on Ekadasi
is an excellent practice. Not only food, but also sleep is supposed
to be given up or minimized on Ekadasi. Those who are so practised
may also stay awake all night on Ekadasi, chanting the glories of
the Lord. Yet, due to so many discrepancies of modern life, the
physical strength of the average person is much less than when this
type of fasting was commonly practiced. Therefore many devotees who
try to follow this vow become physically devastated. Even if they
force themselves to stay awake throughout the night, they cannot
properly chant because of hunger, weakness and tiredness. In such
cases, is better to follow the process of devotional service
according to one's physical ability, rather than attempt something
one cannot properly do. Fasting means if you don't feel weak, then
you fast--not that you imitate Raghunatha dasa Gosvami. That is not
possible in the beginning. But it is possible if you practice. It
is not unusual to feel a little weak when fasting, although with
practice one can fast without being disturbed by weakness. However,
if a devotee feels too weak to properly perform his standard
services, it is better that he take a little non-grain prasada on
Ekadasi and continue with his regular activities. If there is
service and on my fasting, service will be stopped, then I can
take. First consideration: service. Now if somebody feels weak, he
can take maha-prasada, render service. ( Morning Walk Los Angeles,
June 7, 1976) Full fasting on Ekadasi is good for health and good
practice in restraining the senses, yet the main purpose of
observing Ekadasi-vrata is to increase remembrance of Krsna. One
who thinks of food instead of Krsna gets little benefit from
fasting. It is therefore better, both for health considerations and
to help the mind from being diverted, to break fast with a simple
rather than elaborate meal. One of the limbs of a vrata is to
diminish the devotee's propensity for enjoyment. If one thinks,
"Today somehow or other I will renounce, but tomorrow I will enjoy
profusely," then the purpose of the vow will not be successful. If
a devotee who is fasting sleeps more due to weakness (real or
imagined), cannot rise the next morning, or makes elaborate
arrangements to enjoy breaking the fast the next morning, he will
derive little benefit. When Tamal Krsna Gosvami asked Srila
Prabhupada if devotees could fast fully on Ekadasi, Prabhupada
replied "Yes, but don't lie down and sleep." Artificial observance
is merely a superficial austerity. Indeed, the disturbance to a
devotee's regular routine and service may even be a hindrance to
his spiritual advancement. Nor should devotees do strict fasting to
impress others, or think themselves superior for doing so, or put
pressure on others to also do so. Full Ekadasi fasting is optional,
and should not be forced onto anyone.
TIMING OF THE FAST :
Observance of Ekadasi vrata is calculated to begin at sunrise. The
period before sunrise is considered to be part of the previous day.
So the Ekadasi vrata starts at sunrise and lasts until the next
sunrise. We observe Ekadasi from sunrise to sunrise. Twelve
midnight is the western astronomical calculation, but the Vedic
astronomical calculation begins either from the sunrise or the
moonrise. Generally it is sunrise. Our calculation is like this:
when the sunrise is there, Ekadasi tithi (date) must be there. If
the tithi begins a few minutes after the sunrise, then we accept
that day as prior to Ekadasi. ( Letter to: Madhudvisa, 30
September, 1969 ) If one eats grains during the period from sunrise
to sunrise, one breaks the vrata. He will not get the results of
the fasting, and he will get impious reactions as well. In Vedic
culture the day begins at sunrise no matter when the lunar tithi
begins (The Vedic system differs from the Gregorian calendar in as
much as the days are named are deemed to begin at sunrise, rather
than midnight). Therefore, technically speaking, since ekadasi or
any other day does not begin until sunrise, one could eat grains
before sunrise. However, one should generally not eat in the
pre-dawn hours, and especially not on ekadasi. Hence, ekadasi
fasting and other observances should be followed from the time of
waking up on the ekadasi vrata day. Some Vaisnavas are particular
not to eat anything after sunset the night before, to make sure
there is no undigested food left in the stomach on ekadasi day.
BRAKING THE FAST
Ekadasi fasting ends with parana, i.e., breaking the fast the next
day (Dvadasi) by taking grain prasada. Parana must be performed
within a specific time, calculated separately for each Dvadasi. For
the dates of Ekadasi and the times for breaking fast, one can
consult the Vaisnava calendar (available from ISKCON centers). The
specific calendar used by ISKCON should be used, as the prescribed
dates for Ekadasi and important festivals may vary according to the
system of calculation used by the panditas in each sampradaya. If
devotees accidentally break the fast on Ekadasi, they should
observe fasting on the following day. Hari Sauri Prabhu recalls an
occasion when: The devotees inadvertently broke the Ekadasi vow
because the cook accidentally put peas in the vegetable
preparations. Srila Prabhupada told us we were all nonsense. He
angrily rebuked us, "Now you have to fast for three days!" This
shocked everyone. "Yes, that is the procedure," he confirmed.
Seeing the stunned look on our faces he relented, but said that we
should observe Ekadasi for the rest of the day and then again
tomorrow on Dvadasi. ( Transcendental Diary, 1.258 ) Similarly, if
the morning fast to be observed on an appearance or disappearance
day of an acarya or avatara is inadvertently broken, it should be
followed the next day. (c.f. TD4 p.42)
BHIMA EKADASI :
It is said that the Pandava Bhima could not observe fasting on
ekadasi and so Krsna told him to fully fast, even from water, only
once a year. This comes annually in the month of Trivikrama, at the
hottest time of the year in India, which makes it a great austerity
to observe. This day is also known as Pandava nirjala ekadasi or
simply nirjala ekadasi. Srila Prabhupada did not emphasize strict
following of nirjala ekadasi without taking water. Hari Sauri
Prabhu recounts that "When I was with Srila Prabhupada in 1976
nirjala ekadasi was observed while we were in America. Prabhupada
never mentioned that we should strictly observe it by fasting from
water."
REMEMBERING KRISHNA :
For many devotees, Ekadasi simply means a change of diet. Many
hardly even notice Ekadasi coming and going. But Ekadsi observance
means more than refraining from eating grains. The traditional
system of following the Ekadsi vrata is to fast and stay awake all
night chanting the Lord's glories. It is a three day austerity that
entails taking only one simple meal before nightfall on Dasami (the
day before Ekadasi), and a similar simple meal on Dvadasi (the day
after Ekadasi). Although this strict observance may not be
practicable for most devotees, everyone should try to take
advantage of the auspicious time of Ekadasi to advance in Krsna
consciousness. In the Brahma-vaivarta Purana it is said that one
who observes fasting on Ekadasi day is freed from all kinds of
reactions to sinful activities and advances in pious life. The
basic principle is not just to fast, but to increase one's faith
and love for Govinda, or Krishna. The real reason for observing
fasting on Ekadasi is to minimize the demands of the body and to
engage our time in the service of the Lord by chanting or
performing similar service. The best thing to do on fasting days is
to remember the pastimes of Govinda and to hear His holy name
constantly. ( NOD Ch.7 ) Srila Prabhupada recommended that devotees
with sufficient time chant twenty five or more rounds of japa on
Ekadasi. Why just twenty-five 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. ( Letter to: Jadurani, 9
July, 1971 ) However, although Srila Prabhupada told a few devotees
to chant twenty-five rounds on Ekadasi, he did not make it
compulsory for all. He particularly exempted devotees busy in
preaching from the necessity to chant extra rounds. Tamala Krishna:
We should always chant twenty-five rounds on ekadasi if initiated.
Prabhupada: Initiated? Everyone. Why initiated? Tamala Krishna: So
that should be standard for our movement on ekadasi day?
Prabhupada: Standard is sixteen, but if one can chant more, then he
is welcome. Tamala Krishna: It's not mandatory for ekadasi.
Jayapataka : Recommended. Prabhupada: No. Ekadasi means that,
fasting and chanting. Tamala Krishna: Sometimes I'm wondering,
because our men have to go out on book distribution. Prabhupada:
No, no. That is also preaching work. For that purpose you can stop
this, but generally, one who has no preaching work, he can chant
extra. And even preachers sometimes need to wind down and get
recharged with an extra dose of hearing and chanting, for which
enhanced Ekadasi performance provides the ideal opportunity.
