How to fast on Ekadashi?
How to observe ‘Ekadashi’ is clearly mentioned in ‘Harivasara.’ In modern day, many people will find it difficult to observe it in its entire strictness. But there are a large number of people who observe it. And there are numerous observations on what food one can have? There are also regional variations to the way in which the Ekadasi is observed.
The preparation starts on Dasami day – a day before Ekadashi. The person observing Ekadashi should wake up early in the morning on Dasami day and should take bath and perform other daily routines. The person should mentally prepare for the Ekadashi. He/She should only have one meal on the Dasami day and should avoid salt. Alcohol, non-vegetarian food and sex should be avoided. Some Puranas say ‘dal’ and ‘honey’ should be avoided on Dasami day.
The next day, that is the Ekadashi day, is meant for total fasting. Praying to Vishnu is the order of the day. Some people avoid sleep during Ekadashi night and they hear religious discourses and perform ‘Aarati.’ But many people today will not be able to stay awake the entire night due to work pressure etc.
The next day on Dwadasi – that is the day after Ekadashi – the same routine done on Dashami is followed. Overeating should be avoided on Dwadasi day. Puranas state that one should not take pride in observing Ekadashi. The food on Dwadasi should be cooked in one’s house.
It is good to go on fast once in a while as it recuperates the body. Ekadashi observance cleans our body and the digestive organs get much needed rest.
Those people suffering from ailments and on medications should take the advice of a doctor before fasting. Never torture your body in the name of religion. There is nothing wrong in having fruits or milk. And you can bring a certain amount of flexibility in the way it is observed.
Sahasra Sai
Om Namo Narayanaya
Yogini Ekadashi fast is a highly popular observance falling in the month of Ashada (June-July) on the Ekadashi (eleventh day) of Krishnapaksha (the dark half of the lunar month). The principal deity to be worshipped and propitiated through the rituals on this day is Lord Vishnu. Also, worshipping the pipal tree is considered highly auspicious on this day. Endowed with a deep spiritual and religious significance, Yogini Ekadasi is one of the most beneficial kind of Vrats observed by the Hindus.
There is an interesting story in the Puranas that attest the importance of Yogini Ekadashi Vrat.*
Kuber is the Lord of wealth ruling over the empire called Alkapuri. Kuber was highly devoted to Lord Shiva and performed Shiv Puja diligently every day. He had appointed a gardener named Hemamali who was given the duty of collecting fresh garden flowers in the morning and bring for the puja. This went on for quite some time.
Hemamali had a beautiful wife named Visalakshi.
Once when he had finished collecting the flowers in the garden, he started making merry with his wife forgetting his duty. Kuber was waiting for so long till mid0-day for the flowers which never turned up. Kuber was anxious to find out what had happened and summoned his soldiers to discover the reason for the delay.
The soldiers reported what had happened which made Kuber shoot up into an uncontrollable anger. He ordered that Hemamali was dragged inside the court and cursed that Hemamali would contact leprosy and suffer separation from his beloved wife as a punishment for neglecting his duty.
Hemamali immediately became a leper and got separated from his wife. He wandered in agony here and there and finally reached the Himalayas. In one of the caves, he found a Sadhu engaged in penance and a spiritual life. He approached the Sadhu and prayed to show him a way out of his miserable state. The Sadhu enjoined him to perform the Yogini Ekadashi Vrat to get back his lost health and wife.
Hemamali observed the vrat so diligently that Lord Vishnu was so much pleased with him. He was blessed with a sound and healthy body and his wife joined him once again. Thereafter Hemamali lived a long and happy life duly supported by the merits he earned out of performing the Yogini Ekadashi fast.
Yogini Ekadashi fast is to be observed from the night of the Dashami (tenth day) of Krishnapaksha (dark half of the lunar month) in the Ashada month). Thus the fasting starts from the previous night of Ekadashi. Stretching over the Ekadashi day, the fast concludes on the Dwadashi (twelfth day), or the day following Ekadashi. Thus, the total time span of the vrat or fasting is approximately 36 hours.
The ritual is accompanied by prayers and puja to Lord Vishnu, donations, feeding Brahmins and giving away gifts to Brahmins. Donating cow to Brahmans is also very popular during this observance. This vrat is believed to remove all the sins of the observer and lead to a blissful state of health and prosperity.
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