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| Ekadasi in a Nutshell |
| Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, Chapter 15 Text 8 eka dina matara pade kariya pranama prabhu kahe, mata, more deha eka dana Translation |
One day Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu fell down at the feet of His mother and requested her to give Him one thing in
charity.
charity.
| Text 9 mata bale,tai diba, ya tumi magibe prabhu kahe, ekadasite anna na khaibe Translation |
His mother replied, "My dear son, I will give You whatever You ask." Then the Lord said, "My dear mother, please
do not eat grains on the Ekadasi day."
do not eat grains on the Ekadasi day."
| Text 10 saci kahe, na khaiba, bhala-i kahila sei haite ekadasi karite lagila Translation |
Mother Saci said, "You have spoken very nicely. I shall not eat grains on Ekadasi." From that day, she began to
observe fasting on Ekadasi.
observe fasting on Ekadasi.
What is Ekadasi?
The Sanskrit word Ekadasi literally means eleven. Ekadasi is the eleventh of the fifteen-day lunar month. In one
of the lunar months (called the light month) the moon grows from new moon to full moon and in the following
lunar month (called dark month) it diminishes from full moon to no-moon. Thus every calendar (solar) month
there are two Ekadasis, the light Ekadasi that occurs on the eleventh day of the waxing moon, and the dark
Ekadasi that occurs on the eleventh day of the waning moon. It is recommended that all Vaisnavas should fast
on this day of Ekadasi. Such austerity will be greatly beneficial for their devotional life.
Origin of Ekadasi
In the fourteenth chapter of Padma Purana, in the section named Kriya-sagara-sara, Srila Vyasadeva explains
the origin of Ekadasi to Sage Jaimini as follows:
At the beginning of the material creation, the Supreme Lord, for the purpose of punishing the sinful human
beings, created a personality whose form was the embodiment of sin (Papapurusha). The different limbs of this
personality were constructed of the various sinful activities. In order to control Papapurusha, the personality
known as Yamaraja came into existence along with the different hellish planetary systems. Those living entities
that are very sinful are sent after death to Yamaraja, who will in turn, according to their sins, send them to a
hellish region to suffer.
The living entities, according to their karmic activities thus began to enjoy or suffer. Seeing so many souls suffer
in hellish condition, the compassionate Lord began to feel sorry for them. In order to help them He manifested
from His own form the deity of the lunar day Ekadasi. Thus, Ekadasi is the personification of the vow to fast on
the eleventh day of the lunar month. Therefore Ekadasi is the selfsame form of the Supreme Lord Vishnu. Sri
Ekadasi is the utmost pious activity and is situated at the head among all vows.
Afterwards the different sinful living entities began to follow the vow of Ekadasi and were then elevated quickly
to the abode of Vaikuntha. Following the ascension of Sri Ekadasi, Papapurusha (sin personified) gradually saw
that his own existence was being threatened. He approached Lord Vishnu praying that, 'O Lord, I am your
created progeny, and it is through me that you wanted distress given to the living entities who are very sinful.
But now, by the influence of Sri Ekadasi, I have become all but destroyed. You please save me from the fear of
Ekadasi. No type of pious activity can bind me. But Ekadasi only, being Your own manifested form, can impede
me. I cannot find a place where I can be free from fear of Sri Ekadasi. Oh my Master! I am a product of Your
creation, so therefore very mercifully direct me to a place where I can reside
fearlessly.'
After this, Lord Vishnu, observing the condition of the Papapurusha began to speak thus: 'Oh Papapurusha! Rise
up! Don't lament any longer. Just listen, and I'll tell you where you can stay on the auspicious lunar day of
Ekadasi. On the day of Ekadasi, which is the benefactor of the three worlds, you can take shelter of foodstuff in
the form of grains. There is no reason to worry about this any more, because My form as Sri Ekadasi Devi will no
longer impede you.' After giving direction to the Papapurusha, the Supreme Lord Vishnu disappeared and the
Papapurusha returned to the performance of his own activities. According to the instructions of Lord Vishnu,
every kind of sinful activity that can be found in the material world takes its residence in this place of foodstuff
(grains). Therefore those persons who are serious about the ultimate benefit for the soul will never eat grains
on the Ekadasi day.
Observing Ekadasi
All Vedic scriptures thus strongly recommend observing complete fast on the day of Ekadasi (without drinking
water). Every one from the age of eight to eighty, irrespective of varna-ashram, gender, or any material
consideration is recommended to fast on this day to make spiritual progress.
For those who cannot perform the austerity of complete fasting, it is recommended that one can follow Ekadasi
by eating once a day at midday, or eating once a day in the evening. However under no conditions should one
eat grains in any form on this day.
Devotional service on Ekadasi
Ekadasi with all its benefits should be understood as some thing that is there to support the ultimate goal of
every living entity, devotional service to the Lord. By the mercy of the Lord, this day has become extremely
auspicious for the performance of devotional service. Freed from so many sinful desires a devotee can execute
unalloyed devotional service and receive the mercy of the Lord.
So, for devotees, fasting on Ekadasi is a means to progress on their path of sadhana-bhakti. The process of
fasting is purifying to the consciousness and it frees up the devotee from so many material considerations. Since
devotional service performed on this day is several times more effective, devotees like to engage themselves as
much as possible in chanting, kirtan, discussing the pastimes of the Lord and performing other forms of
devotional service.
Srila Prabhupada recommended that devotees should try and chant at least twenty-five rounds on this day,
read about the Lord pastimes and minimize material affairs. However, understanding that devotees who are
already fully engaged in active service of the Lord (like book distribution, preaching etc.) he made some
concessions, like eating and drinking liquids in the day as long as there is no grains in them.
Glories of Ekadasi
In the Bhakti-sandarbha, by Srila Jiva Gosvami, there is a quotation from the Skanda Purana 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. It is strictly forbidden for one to accept any kind of
grain on Ekadasi, even if it is offered to Lord Vishnu.
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 fast 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.
TOP
The Sanskrit word Ekadasi literally means eleven. Ekadasi is the eleventh of the fifteen-day lunar month. In one
of the lunar months (called the light month) the moon grows from new moon to full moon and in the following
lunar month (called dark month) it diminishes from full moon to no-moon. Thus every calendar (solar) month
there are two Ekadasis, the light Ekadasi that occurs on the eleventh day of the waxing moon, and the dark
Ekadasi that occurs on the eleventh day of the waning moon. It is recommended that all Vaisnavas should fast
on this day of Ekadasi. Such austerity will be greatly beneficial for their devotional life.
Origin of Ekadasi
In the fourteenth chapter of Padma Purana, in the section named Kriya-sagara-sara, Srila Vyasadeva explains
the origin of Ekadasi to Sage Jaimini as follows:
At the beginning of the material creation, the Supreme Lord, for the purpose of punishing the sinful human
beings, created a personality whose form was the embodiment of sin (Papapurusha). The different limbs of this
personality were constructed of the various sinful activities. In order to control Papapurusha, the personality
known as Yamaraja came into existence along with the different hellish planetary systems. Those living entities
that are very sinful are sent after death to Yamaraja, who will in turn, according to their sins, send them to a
hellish region to suffer.
The living entities, according to their karmic activities thus began to enjoy or suffer. Seeing so many souls suffer
in hellish condition, the compassionate Lord began to feel sorry for them. In order to help them He manifested
from His own form the deity of the lunar day Ekadasi. Thus, Ekadasi is the personification of the vow to fast on
the eleventh day of the lunar month. Therefore Ekadasi is the selfsame form of the Supreme Lord Vishnu. Sri
Ekadasi is the utmost pious activity and is situated at the head among all vows.
Afterwards the different sinful living entities began to follow the vow of Ekadasi and were then elevated quickly
to the abode of Vaikuntha. Following the ascension of Sri Ekadasi, Papapurusha (sin personified) gradually saw
that his own existence was being threatened. He approached Lord Vishnu praying that, 'O Lord, I am your
created progeny, and it is through me that you wanted distress given to the living entities who are very sinful.
But now, by the influence of Sri Ekadasi, I have become all but destroyed. You please save me from the fear of
Ekadasi. No type of pious activity can bind me. But Ekadasi only, being Your own manifested form, can impede
me. I cannot find a place where I can be free from fear of Sri Ekadasi. Oh my Master! I am a product of Your
creation, so therefore very mercifully direct me to a place where I can reside
fearlessly.'
After this, Lord Vishnu, observing the condition of the Papapurusha began to speak thus: 'Oh Papapurusha! Rise
up! Don't lament any longer. Just listen, and I'll tell you where you can stay on the auspicious lunar day of
Ekadasi. On the day of Ekadasi, which is the benefactor of the three worlds, you can take shelter of foodstuff in
the form of grains. There is no reason to worry about this any more, because My form as Sri Ekadasi Devi will no
longer impede you.' After giving direction to the Papapurusha, the Supreme Lord Vishnu disappeared and the
Papapurusha returned to the performance of his own activities. According to the instructions of Lord Vishnu,
every kind of sinful activity that can be found in the material world takes its residence in this place of foodstuff
(grains). Therefore those persons who are serious about the ultimate benefit for the soul will never eat grains
on the Ekadasi day.
Observing Ekadasi
All Vedic scriptures thus strongly recommend observing complete fast on the day of Ekadasi (without drinking
water). Every one from the age of eight to eighty, irrespective of varna-ashram, gender, or any material
consideration is recommended to fast on this day to make spiritual progress.
For those who cannot perform the austerity of complete fasting, it is recommended that one can follow Ekadasi
by eating once a day at midday, or eating once a day in the evening. However under no conditions should one
eat grains in any form on this day.
Devotional service on Ekadasi
Ekadasi with all its benefits should be understood as some thing that is there to support the ultimate goal of
every living entity, devotional service to the Lord. By the mercy of the Lord, this day has become extremely
auspicious for the performance of devotional service. Freed from so many sinful desires a devotee can execute
unalloyed devotional service and receive the mercy of the Lord.
So, for devotees, fasting on Ekadasi is a means to progress on their path of sadhana-bhakti. The process of
fasting is purifying to the consciousness and it frees up the devotee from so many material considerations. Since
devotional service performed on this day is several times more effective, devotees like to engage themselves as
much as possible in chanting, kirtan, discussing the pastimes of the Lord and performing other forms of
devotional service.
Srila Prabhupada recommended that devotees should try and chant at least twenty-five rounds on this day,
read about the Lord pastimes and minimize material affairs. However, understanding that devotees who are
already fully engaged in active service of the Lord (like book distribution, preaching etc.) he made some
concessions, like eating and drinking liquids in the day as long as there is no grains in them.
Glories of Ekadasi
In the Bhakti-sandarbha, by Srila Jiva Gosvami, there is a quotation from the Skanda Purana 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. It is strictly forbidden for one to accept any kind of
grain on Ekadasi, even if it is offered to Lord Vishnu.
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 fast 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.
TOP
