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Ekadashi Vrat (fast) is one of the most significant fast observed among all the Hindu festivals. The word ‘Ekadashi’ has its roots in Sanskrit language, which means ‘Eleven’ and corresponds to the 11th day of every fortnight in Hindu Lunar Calendar. There are a total of 24 Ekadashi Vrat observed every year, 12 for Shukla Paksh and 12 for Krishna Paksh. There are two extra Ekadashi’s occur in a leap year.

For every fast there is a different Ekadashi Vrat Katha.

Ekadashi is observed by both Vaishnavas and the Non-Vaishnava community. This day is dedicated to worshipping Lord Vishnu. Prayers and mantras are chanted, and puja offered in praise of Lord Vishnu to invoke his blessings for all-round prosperity. Tulsi is worshipped and it is also offered to lord Vishnu.

What Is Allowed in Ekadashi Food?

If you’re keeping Ekadashi fast, here are a few things you must keep in mind:

You can consume only one meal in the whole day. Avoid salt in the meal. Fresh fruits, dry fruits, vegetables, nuts and milk products are among the most preferred edibles consumed on this day. Sabudana Khichdi made from sabudana, groundnuts and garnished or mixed with potatoes is consumed as an alternative to cereals. You cannot have any form of cereals. Even dal (pulses) and honey is also avoided on the day of Dashami. Consumption of Rice is especially prohibited on this day.

Consumption of alcohol and non-vegetarian food are to be thoroughly avoided before one day of Ekadashi.

Ekadashi, complete fasting is to be observed. There are some devotees who do not even consume water. This fasting is known as Nirjala Ekadashi which is Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi.

Parana Of Ekadashi:

On Dwadashi (twelfth day), the day after Ekadashi, the routine of Dashami is to be followed. Have your bath early in the morning and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu by lighting a diya (earthen lamp). The fast can be broken by eating food. Parana means breaking the fast. Ekadashi Parana is done after sunrise on next day of Ekadashi fast. It is necessary to do Parana within Dwadashi Tithi unless Dwadashi is over before sunrise. Not doing Parana within Dwadashi is similar to an offence.

Parana should not be done during Hari Vasara. One should wait for Hari Vasara to get over before breaking the fast. Hari Vasara is first one fourth duration of Dwadashi Tithi. The most preferred time to break the fast is Pratahkal. One should avoid breaking the fast during Madhyahna. If due to some reasons one is not able to break the fast during Pratahkal then one should do it after Madhyahna.

History of Ekadashi:

In the 14 th chapter of the Padma Purana Jaimini Rishi asks Vyasadev about the importance and significance of Ekadashi. Vyasadev enlightens his disciple by narrating the following. Vyasadev tells Jaimini Rishi how at the time of creation sin personified (Papa purusha) was created to punish the sinful humans and inflict extreme misery on them. To control Papa purusha, Yamaraja and the different hellish planetary systems were also created. Sinful humans are sent to the hellish planets to suffer. The Lord and Srimati Radha Rani happened to hear the heart-rendering cries of the souls suffering in these planets, the Lord to alleviate the suffering of those in the hellish planets, visited Patal Lok (hellish planets). There He was told about the cause of the crying, yelling, and shrieking, the merciful Lord took the form of Ekadashi. He then declared whoever keeps this fast will be elevated to Vaikuntha as all their sins will be forgiven. Hearing about the importance of Ekadashi and its potency, Papa purusha feared for his life and approached the Supreme Lord, fell at His feet and said “O! Lord I am your creation and I have no place to reside. Ekadashi is the cause of my woes. By keeping Ekadashi fast, souls are being liberated. I tried to reside in different places but to no avail so powerful is she. No pious activity, vow or fast can bind me as can Ekadashi”. The Lord relented and said “you can reside in grains on Ekadashi. You need not fear there will be many who would like to rebel against my orders and will consume grains on this day. I am Ekadashi, and my orders will be carried out, so you need not worry”. According to the instructions of Lord Vishnu, every kind of sinful activity that can be found in the material world takes its residence in grains and food made of grains; therefore, one must abstain from grains, especially on Ekadashi.

The advent of Ekadashi:

The demon Mura was a source of terror to the demigods, who were vanquished from their heavenly abode and were dwelling on the earth. To lighten their plight, they approached Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu immediately approached Mura, and a fierce fight ensued. The other demons who were present with Mura were defeated. But the fight between the Lord and Mura continued for 1000 celestial years. Lord Vishnu to give his devotee the honor of killing Mura retired into a cave in the Himalayas to rest. Mura seeing the Lord sleeping wanted to attack the Lord. As he picked up his weapon to kill the Lord, a young girl appeared from within the Lord and cut off his head with a roar. The Lord woke up and saw the girl and the dead Mura and asked who she was and how was Mura killed. The girl said she was Maha Shakti the internal potency of the Lord, born of Eleven (Ekadashi) Indriyas (senses) of Lord Vishnu. She proclaimed that she was his eternal servitor and that she had beheaded Mura. The Lord was pleased and asked her to ask for any boon. The boons she asked for were that she always be the chosen and loved one of the Lord and she be the topmost of all the tithi’s. That she be capable of destroying all sins and grant people a happier life.

Since Ekadashi appeared from Lord Vishnu, she is non-different from him and like Lord Vishnu, she is the benefactor of the three planetary systems.

Lord Shiva, in the Padma Purana, declares that out of all kinds of worships, the reverence and worship of the Supreme Lord Vishnu is the topmost. Even greater is the worship of the devotees of Sri Vishnu. Ekadashi is one of the dear most devotees of the Lord Sri Krishna. It is because of these devotees’ compassion and mercy the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna becomes accessible to us.

Why do we observe Ekadashi fast?

The real and only goal of this human life is to re-establish our lost eternal loving relationship which we as spirit souls have with the Supreme Being Lord Sri Krishna. In the present conditioned state of material life, we have forgotten that eternal loving relationship because of false identification with matter (the body and mind). To control our restless and stubborn mind who rebels against regulations which help us in reviving our loving relationship with the Supreme is to curb and focus it onto the lotus feet of Sri Krishna. The way to control the mind is by performing Tapasya (austerities) and vairagya (detachment). Ekadashi fast is a step in that direction. One of the procedures for surrender is to observe Ekadashi fast. This upvasa is so vital that Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, whom Sri Krishna himself requested even his mother to keep this Upvasa and never to give it up.

Benefits of observing Ekadashi:

Lord Vishnu says that if a person fasts on Ekadashi, He will burn up all his sins and thus the gates to His transcendental abode will be opened to such a soul. Ekadashi fast is greater than observing any other fast, and it is greater than going to a place of pilgrimage and even greater than giving charity to Brahmanas.

How to observe Ekadashi?

On this day of Ekadashi, devotees reduce the basic demands of the body, and especially eating delicious and palatable dishes; instead, one absorbs oneself in engaging in Sri Krishna’s loving devotional service. On this Ekadashi day devotees intensify their devotional activities by chanting the holy names of Krishna (twenty -four rounds), discussing his transcendental pastimes and by performing other devotional activities.

On Ekadashi, the devotees are so absorbed in discussing the Lord’s pastimes (lilas) or reading Srila Prabhupada books (to understand the philosophy), chanting etc. fasting becomes a mission joyfully performed and is a celebration for them. Fasting, in reality, is a sacrifice performed out of love for Lord Sri Krishna. Srila Prabhupada used to say that “when we fast on Ekadasi or Hari Vasar days we should take it to be as a part of our loving devotional service to the Lord”.

Dos and don’ts on Ekadashi

One should stop all mundane activities (those connected with the body) like starting a new business, marriage ceremonies, cremating dead bodies etc. Lord Hari is easily pleased when He hears the Maha-mantra chanted, and one should, therefore, chant more on Ekadashi (24 rounds or more one can increase the rounds, preferably by sets of four). For those who do not know the Maha-mantra, it is as follows – “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare”.

How to chant and why?

It is imperative to listen to every word while chanting to obtain maximum benefit. Among the all of mantras in the Vedas, the Mahamantra (16 worded names of the Supreme Lord) is the most powerful for kali yuga. It removes all negativity, and sins. This mantra is so powerful that it bestows upon one, everything that is auspicious, like happiness, prosperity, and it even opens the gates of Vaikuntha. Activities recommended during Ekadashi are– reading spiritual books like Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam and other Vaishnava literature, Vishnu Puran,Vishnu Sahashtranama, engaging in devotional activities and of course, fasting and chanting.

How to fast on Ekadashi?

Ekadashi fasting is a type of sacrifice which is observed in three ways. 1. By not consuming any food and water (nirjala vrata). 2. By drinking only water. 3 By taking milk or juices (liquids). 4. By not consuming grains, pulses, lentils etc. or any food containing the items mentioned above as they are contaminated by sin on this day but having food stuff allowed on Ekadashi day. Most devotees prefer to keep the fourth type of fast.

Food to be avoided on Ekadashi:

Grains (e.g., rice, wheat etc. all types of flour made from grains), honey and normal salt.

Food allowed on Ekadashi:

Potatoes, groundnuts, fox nuts (makhane), Kutu flour, savank.

Fruits allowed on Ekadashi:

Banana, apple, mango etc. (fruit salad banana in fresh cream)

Cooking medium allowed on Ekadashi:

Ghee or groundnut oil

Milk items like cottage cheese, condensed milk or khoya if they are freshly made at home they are allowed.

Spices used on Ekadashi:

Black pepper, fresh ginger, rock salt (sendha namak) and fresh turmeric, all these spices allowed should be ground at home.

Spices not allowed on Ekadashi: