Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

listen to your body, except when it imagines or craves for food. Do a normal day, taking extra rest if you need and practice detachment when the mind goes to food bring it back to work. Day after, I survived.

Rameshvara: On the calendar it says it is Bhima-ekadasi.
Prabhupada: Bhima-ekadasi, yes.
Ramesvara: So I'92ve been told that if one fasts on Bhima-ekadasi, that it is like fasting on all the ekadasis. Is that true?
Prabhupada: Yes. Ekadasi is meant for fasting, either Bhima or Arjuna. But we cannot fast, therefore we have to take little fruits and.... Otherwise, ekadasi means fasting.
Tamala Krishna: If it is possible, should we go without eating at all?
Prabhupada: Yes. But don'92t lie down and sleep.
Mahendra: Eating maha-prasadam is also fasting.
Prabhupada: Who says?
Mahendra: You said that to Paramahamsa Swami once.
Prabhupada: And you heard from Paramahamsa.
Mahendra: No, I was in the room. It was when he was trying to observe Caturmasya.
Prabhupada: I never said that.
Mahendra: Oh, okay, I must have heard wrong.
Prabhupada: 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.

( ACBSP. Morning Walk. June 7th 1976. Los Angeles)

"One who is physically unable to fast on Ekadasi may read the glories of each Ekadasi when it occurs and recite all the names of the Ekadasis; thus he will achieve the same goal as the person who observes the full Ekadasi vow."

I find if three days before I drink twice as much water as normal it makes a big difference

Dear Afflelou Prabhu

Can you please mention the source of your post on reading about EKadashi being equal as observing.
Also could you mention where one should read these glories from also, since most of what we get is abridged.

I could probably use this for aged people who are unable to fast.

ys
mpcd

This quote doesnt seem to appear in HBV, at least in my e-versions.

Dear Prabhus,
Ekadasis means extra austerities. Austerity is wealth of a brahman. So as devotees, we practice austerity for furgthering our spiritual advancement. Ekadasi is supposed to be for more hearing and chanting. That does not mean one gives up ones service rather increases service because any spiritual activity performed on Ekadasi or special occassion multiplies the spiritual merrits.
Some people increase the Japa Rounds, some people do extra parikrama rounds the temple, some people read extra Bhagavat Gita Chapters, some people hold Kirtan or bhajans in their homes. some temples have all night kirtan, or uptill midnight therefore decresing the sleep (which is extra auterity) The whole idea is to increase hearing and chanting. Give in Charity, etc.
Now the question is how to survive the fast.
One can experience for oneself, if they chant more rounds, then the hunger goes away. Focus the mind on the Lords Name, Form, Lila (activities) and Guna (qualities).
But the real secret is that one should Do a Sankalpa (make a decision on the previous day, how one is going to perform the fast). This is very scientific because ayurvedically, it prepares the body for the next day that it will not receive any regular nourishment, so it is prepared and does not have expectations, hanker or craving, Instead what is decided by the mind previously, it expects to follow. E.g. one can decide to fast in following various ways like, just drinking water, or juices or only fruit, or milk and fruits, or nuts, milk and fruits including how many times, or just once a day or refrain from salt etc. So this Sankalp is required. (One should not change their mind doing the Ekadasi after the decision). If one is firm on their decision, then they can gain more determinination, strengten the mind. and the mind will not be thinking of sense gratification. The body will fill light and Krsna will help the person who is fasting by reducing the hunger, especially if the hearing and chanting is increased and the mind is on the Holy name.
It also helps to read the story of Ekadasi and how previously devotees had received the benefits of fasting so it will increase our faith in fasting.
In future, I may post scienfic reasons for fasting on Ekadasis.
good luck on fasting on Ekadasi
Mataji

So if for example you find out late that the next day is nirjala, that makes it more difficult to follow isnt it?

VEDA, you can ask Jaya Tirtha Caran from NZ where did he got the quote

im not sure if i read this in one of srila prabhupadas books or not; it might have been from another devotee. but i do remember reading that sleeping on ekadasi would break the fast as well as eating grains. (kashiram_c suggested to take extra rest.)

as far as surviving is concerned, make sure you dont brake the fast the next morning with a heavy feast - your stomach wont appreciate it. start very light, with buttermilk or something.

ys phani.

.." practice makes perfect "

Chapter 18
Sri Ekadasi

ONE DAY, LORD GAURAHARI went from Gundica mandira to the Jagannatha-vallabha gardens and sat amongst the flowers. The day was ekadasi. He celebrated this auspicious occasion by chanting the holy name incessantly, day and night. Present with Him were Svarupa Damodara, Ramananda Raya, Vakresvara Pandita and the other resident Vaisnavas of Sri Purusottama-ksetra, Puri.
The Lord said, "Today, all of you should refrain from eating and sleeping, and constantly chant Krsnas name. Some of you should chant japa, some of you should circumambulate the temple with prostrated obeisances and others should discuss the pastimes of Lord Balarama and Lord Krsna." Everyone became spiritually surcharged by the Lord instructions and busied themselves with different activities, chanting, "Govinda, Govinda!" They felt intoxicated with prema.
Suddenly, Sri Gopinatha arrived from Gundica, accompanied by Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya. They were laden with Lord Jagannathas maha-prasadam! They placed the prasadam of cooked rice, a variety of vegetables, pitha, pana, sweet rice, curd and yoghurt before the Lord. At the Lords bidding, devotees offered respectful obeisances to the prasadam and then continued chanting the Lords name deep into the night in an ecstatic mood of devotion , free from all material desires.
Early next morning, the devotees, begged permission from Sri Gaurahari and, went to take bath. On returning, they sat down and respectfully honoured maha-prasadam, breaking their ekadasi fast. They experienced ineffable bliss, and falling to the ground they offered obeisances to the Lord and spoke to Him in great earnestness with folded hands:
Ekadasi in Puri
"Sri Harivasara (ekadasi), is considered to be the most important vrata (vow of fasting). It is to be observed by maintaining complete fast and without sleeping at night. We also know that Lord Jagannathas maha-prasadam must be respected at all times in Purusottama-ksetra. It should be honoured by eating it immediately upon receiving it. Therefore, we find ourselves in a dilemma as to how to honour prasadam on ekadasi. Please tell us unequivocally the conclusions of the scriptures on this subject in a manner that would convince even spiritual stalwarts like Lord Siva and Lord Brahma. This will dispel our disquietude."
Lord Caitanyas conclusion
Lord Caitanya replied, "To not observe complete fasting on ekadasi will greatly endanger ones spiritual life. Honour prasadam on ekadasi only by offering it obeisances and eating it the next day. In this way, one can easily cross this material ocean. The fast is any way over on the following day.
"All Vaisnavas, beloved associates of the Supreme Lord, are very pleased when ekadasi is properly observed by simply relishing the nectar of Lord Krsnas holy name. One should not taste anything nor should any mundane topics be discussed on Ekadasi. All physical pleasures should be proscribed. It is a Vaisnavas duty to daily honour and eat only prasadam, for he never consumes unoffered food. On ekadasi he observes complete fasting, and the next day he breaks his fast with maha-prasadam. and if, for some reason, one has to eat on ekadasi, then let the Vaisnavas take anukalpa, a light meal consisting of merely fruits, roots and milk, without grains or beans or other prohibited vegetables.
"The non-Vaisnavas gormandise without control, offering only lame excuses that they are honouring maha-prasadam. They do this on ekadasi, because they are engrossed day and night in sense enjoyment. They enjoy grains and rice on ekadasi and thereby eat the sins that enter grains on such days, disregarding the sanctity of ekadasi-vrata. You must diligently execute devotional service and respect the process of devotion. You will then surely receive the blessings of Bhakti-devi Herself. Avoid the association of non-devotees and properly observe the ekadasi-vrata by constantly chanting the holy name.
"Try to realise in your heart that there is no offence or contradiction in refusing maha-prasadam on ekadasi or any other important fast day. It is inane to observe certain spiritual disciplines and vows while neglecting others. Earnestly observe prescribed vows on designated days and timings and in an appropriate devotional manner. Sri Vrajendra-nandana, Krsna, is the Lord and ultimate goal of all vows and devotional activities, so observe all spiritual vows for His pleasure and satisfaction alone. Therefore, remember to abstain from eating, drinking and sleeping on ekadasi, and so the next day honour prasadam with full relish." (Jagadananda Pandita, Prema Vivarta, 18)

Wonderful story! Is here somebody who is not sleeping on ekadasi? We had one devotee in temple, who organised whole-night kirtans sometimes. Then came to mangala arati, gave dandavat...........but didn'b4t stand up:))

here is a menu for nirjala ekadashi,

Feast Ingredients:
...a little japa
...a little chanting in kirtan and sankirtan
...a smidgen of hearing
...prayers to suit taste
...a relish of remembering the pastimes of the Lord and His devotees
...a pinch of reading
...a healthy amount of associating with the Lords devotees
...a good amount of practical service to the Lord and His devotees
...both eyes full with the darshan of the Deities
...filled with the essence of full surrender in pleasing the Lord and His devotees

Hari bol Well , taking the question literally , while it would be auspicious in my opinion to actually leave this body while observing a nirjala Ekadasi , I presume that eze is looking for tips on how to properly execute this day without violating the prescribed principles. I was personally introduced to doing all Ekadasis in the Nirjal fashion, in the early 1990s. Since then , I would guess that I have done this at least 80% of the time , perhaps 90%. The body becomes used to this and can, I believe, sense when this time is coming ( so it doesnt "complain"). Since the Pandava Nirjal is in the summer, try to stay in a cool place, definitely out of direct sun. While we cant drink water, we can bathe and keep cool with a wet washcloth, etc. We should do regular duties but if we have some choice of optional activities , we can choose those which require less physical exertion so as to not perspire excessively. Breaking fast on Dvadasi morning is always exceptionally wonderful.