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Ekadashi - basic understanding
Ekadasi is a sanskrit word and it literally means “the eleventh day.”
It refers to the eleventh day of the fortnight belonging to a lunar month
(there are two fortnights in a lunar month – the bright and dark fortnight) - the period
between New Moon Day and Full Moon Day is called Shukla Paksha and the second
fortnight of the month is called Krishna-Paksha, or the period of the fading moon.
Calendars count integer days, so months may be 29 or 30 days in length, in some
regular or irregular sequence. But all lunar months approximate the mean length of
the synodic month of approximately 29.53059 days (29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes
and 3 seconds).
There are two Ekadasis in a month: on the eleventh daya after the new moon, and
on the eleventh day after the full moon. Those interested in advancing in pushtimarg must
observe Ekadasi regularly.
Ekadasi fast in the simplest manner prescribed in scripture, by refraining from eating
grains, beans, peas and dahl – however complete fasting is recommended.
Not only food, but also sleep is supposed to be given up or minimized on Ekadasi
and one may stay awake all night on Ekadasi, chanting the glories of the Lord.
Full fasting on Ekadasi is good for health and good practice in restraining the senses,
yet the main purpose of observing Ekadasi is to increase remembrance of Lord Krishna.
One who thinks of food instead of Lord Krishna gets little benefit from fasting.
“Upvas” in Sanskrit means to be near or to be closer. One should have no food or simple
food and spend more time remembering Lord Krishna.
Fasting will also help one to control his own senses and mind through self discipline.
As people do not see any philosophical significance, in the modern world it has been noted
that the number of people observing Ekadashi has been decreasing and most of them
follow mechanically or blindly.
Period of fast observance
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.
The calculation is that when the sun rises, Ekadasi tithi (date) must be there or else we
accept that day as prior to Ekadasi.
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.
The basic principle is not just to fast, but to increase one's faith and love for Lord 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.
Who is Ekadashi
There are few versions explaining the reasoning for Ekadashi, below mentioned are two of them:
In the Satya-yuga there once lived an amazing fearsome demon called Mura.
Always very angry, he terrified all the demigods, defeating even Indra, the king of heaven;
Vivasvan, the sun-god; the eight Vasus; Lord Brahma; Vayu, and Agni.
Then the demigods approached Lord Visnu, and prayed to Him for help. Hearing the prayers
and request from Indra, Lord Visnu and other demigods, advanced to combat Mura at
his capital city of Candravati.“
Then there was a big fight between the soldiers of Mura and the demigods. Many
hundreds of demons were killed by the Lord's hand. At last the chief demon, Mura, began
fighting with the Lord, first with weapons, then with bare hands. The Lord wrested with
Mura for one thousand celestial years and then, apparently fatigued, left for Badarika-asrama.
There He entered a very beautiful cave, named Himavati, to rest.
The demon followed Him into the cave, and, seeing Him asleep, started thinking within
his heart: “Today I will kill this slayer of all demons, Hari”.
While the wicked demon Mura was making plans in this way, from Lord Visnu's body there
manifested a young girl who had a very bright complexion. Mura saw that she was equipped with
various brilliant weapons and was ready to fight. Challenged by that female to do battle, Mura
prepared himself and then fought with her, but he became very astonished when he saw that she
fought with him without cessation.
The king of demons then said: "Who has created this angry, fearsome girl who is fighting me
so powerfully, just like a thunderbolt falling upon me?" After saying this, the demon continued
to fight with the girl.
Suddenly that effulgent goddess shattered all of Mura's weapons and in a moment deprived him
of his chariot. He ran toward her to attack her with his bare hands, but when she saw him coming
she angrily cut off his head. Thus the demon at once fell to the ground and went to the abode
of Yamaraja.
Then the Supreme Lord woke up and saw the dead demon before Him, as well as the maiden
bowing down to Him with joined palms. The Lord, being pleased with the girl, offered to give
her a boon.
The maiden said: "O Lord, if You are pleased with me and wish to give me a boon,
then give me the power to deliver from the greatest sins that person who fasts on this day.
O Lord, whether a person observes complete fasting, eats only in the evening, or eats only
at midday, please grant him a religious attitude, wealth, and at last liberation."
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said:
"O most pious lady, what you have requested is granted. All My devotees in this world will
surely fast on your day, and thus they will become famous throughout the three worlds and
finally come and stay with Me in My abode.
Because you, My transcendental potency, have appeared on the eleventh day of the waning
moon, let your name be Ekadasi. If a person fasts on Ekadasi, I will burn up all his sins
and bestow upon him My transcendental abode.“
The second version believes that as human being has five senses – eyes, ears, nose, tongue and
skin. We also have five what we call motor organs – hands, feet, mouth, reproductive and
excretory organs. The eleventh being the MIND.
Mind makes the decision by directing the motor organs to perform certain deeds, utilising
the sense organs to enjoy the fruits of the deeds.
Ekadashi – An astrological phenomenon
The planetary / solar system is inter-related and we form part of this system (By a system we
mean an organism or organisation which is methodically arranged).
When we know that we belong to the system of planetary motions, we understand thereby
that we are an inseparable part of the system. The gravitational pull of planets has an influence
on us.
We belong to the solar system—a huge family of which the sun is the head and the planets
are the members. The sun guides the activities of this family and we, being contents of this
system, cannot be out of the influence of the sun.
We are involved in the laws operating in this system. This has led to the discovery of
astrology. Astronomy studies the movements of planets and stars, and astrology the effects
they produce on the contents of the system.
The entire personality of ours is tremendously influenced by the movement of planets.
There is no use imagining that the planets are above our heads. They are everywhere. There is
a relative movement of planets among which the earth is one.
There is no planet which is static. Even the sun is not ultimately static. The whole solar system
is moving and rushing towards some huge star, which is eighty million times larger and brighter
than the sun, whose light has not yet reached us, as astronomers tell us.
The sun is said to influence the centre of our personality; hence the sun is called Atmakaraka.
He is the soul-influencer of the human body. In the Rig-veda, the sun is identified with the soul
of the universe as well as the soul of the individual.
The different limbs of our body and different parts of our system are supposed to be influenced
by different planets. The sun is capable of influencing the entire being. He is, thus, the
Atmakaraka. Karaka is doer, manipulator, director. If there is no sun, we know what difference
it makes for us; our digestion becomes sluggish on days when there is no sun. The moon is
supposed to influence the mind.
Planets are not spiritual bodies, and yet they influence the mind. The mind's presiding deity
is moon. Ekadasi is particularly relevant to this relation of moon and mind.
How, is Ekadasi related to the movement of moon and mind?
We have certain centres called Chakras in the body. The Chakras are nothing but energy-centres
which whirl in some direction as water whirls in a river.
Chakra is a wheel or circular motion. They move in a spiral shape. They are not physical;
but psycho-physical and psychological. These Chakras are neither in the mind nor in the body;
they are in the astral body. (Astral body is a spiritual counterpart of the physical body. It is an
intermediate between intelligent soul and physical body).
The moon's influence physically on the body has an influence on the Chakras, which tells
upon the mind ultimately. The mind moves through these Chakras. The passage of the mind is
through these Chakras, up and down. When this operation takes place consciously, it is called
Yoga; when done unconsciously by the mind, it is just influence.
When the moon waxes or wanes, the mind is vehemently influenced. So people who are not
normal in their minds become very bad on the full-moon and new-moon days. You cannot
see the moon's influence on the earth because it is solid, but it can be seen on the ocean
which is liquid.
This happens due to the twofold pressure of the relation of the earth and moon. The sun
influences the moon and the moon influences the earth. When the influence occurs
automatically, we are instruments in the hands of Nature. When it is done consciously, we are
said to practise Yoga.
We can be involuntarily dragged from place to place, or we can walk voluntarily. The difference
is obvious. The moon's movement tells upon the movement of the mind through the Chakras.
Another important aspect is the seat of the mind which is also twofold. You may be living in
many houses, of which one or two are your own. Svasthana means 'One's own place.' The
mind has several abodes or centres of energy called Chakras, of which two are its own.
The seats of the mind in this personality of ours are: 1. the subtle spot in the astral body
corresponding to the centre of the two eye-brows, in waking, and 2. the heart, in the state of deep
sleep. If it is in the brain, it is active and you, then, do not get sleep, because it refuses to go down
If the mind is midway between the centre of the eye-brows and the heart, it is dream state. So,
there is a twofold centre of the mind,—the Ajna-Chakra, or the centre between the eye-brows,
and the Anahata Chakra, or the heart. In both these centres, the mind feels at home and is at
ease, because it is nearer to itself. In other centres it is extrovert.
In the two fortnights, in its movement, it finds itself at the Ajna Chakra and the Anahata Chakra
on the eleventh day. Since these two Chakras are its own abode, the mind is at home here, i.e.,
it gets concentrated and collected easily.
You are capable of concentration when the mind is naturally in its home. The mind cannot be
concentrated when it is out of tune, but when it is in its location it is easy of contemplation.
so, the Ekadasi day in both fortnights is the occasion when the mind finds itself in its
place - in the bright fortnight in the Ajna Chakra, and in dark fortnight in the Anahata Chakra.
Yogis take advantage of these two days and try to practise deep meditation. Vaishnavas treat
Ekadasi as a very holy day and also observe a fast on that day.
The seven chakras – Details
First chakra – Muladhara
Second chakra – Svadhisthana
Third chakra – Manipura
Fourth chakra – Anahata
Fifth chakra – Vishudda
Sixth chakra – Ajna
Seventh Chakra – Sahasrara chakra
Relation between fast and meditation
There is really no intrinsic connection between fast and meditation, but there is some advantage
in keeping the body light and the stomach free from excessive metabolic function.
Hence, there is no advantage in giving the physical system work on days you want to do Yogic
practice. Thus, Ekadasi has also a spiritual significance.
Thus the observance of Ekadasi has many advantages—physical, astral, spiritual—and because
this day has connection with the relation of the mind with its abode together with the moon,
you feel mysteriously helped in your meditation and contemplation - mysteriously because you
cannot know this consciously. But you can feel this for yourself by observing it.
Tithi
Pratipat: The presiding deity of the first lunar day in Brahma and is good for all types of
auspicious and religious ceremonies
Dvitiya: Vidhatr rules this lunar day and is good for the laying of foundations for buildings and
other things of a permanent nature.
Tritiya: Visnu is the lord of this day and is good for the cuttings of one's hair and nails and
shaving.
Chaturthi: Yama is lord of the 4th lunar day, which is good for the destruction of one's enemies,
the removal of obstacles, and acts of combat.
Panchami: The Moon rules this day, which is favourable for administering medicine, the purging
of poisons, and surgery.
Shashti: Karttikeya presides over this day and is favourable for coronations, meeting new friends,
festivities, and enjoyment.
Saptami: The 7th lunar day is ruled by Indra; one may begin a journey, buy conveyances, and
deal with other such things as a movable nature.
Ashtami: The Vasus rule this day, which is good for taking up arms, building of one's defenses,
and fortification.
Navami: The Serpent rules this day, with is suitable for killing enemies, acts of destruction, and
violence.
Dasami: The day is ruled by Dharma and is auspicious for acts of virtue, religious functions,
spiritual practices, and other pious activities.
Ekadasi: Rudra rules this day; fasting, devotional activities, and remembrance of the Supreme
Lord are very favourable.This day has special religious significance in Hinduism and Jainism
usually observed by fasting
Dvadasi: The Sun rules this day, which is auspicious for religious ceremonies the lighting of the
sacred fire, and the performance of one's duties.
Trayodasi: The day is ruled by Cupid and is good for forming friendships, sensual pleasures,
and festivities.
Chaturdashi: Kali rules this day suitable for administering poison and calling of elementals
and spirits.
Amavasya (new moon) or Purnima (full moon): The Vasve-devas rule the New Moon suitable
for the propitiation of the Manes and performance of austerities.
Ekadashi
Month Vedic
Month English
Saphala Ekadashi
Putrada Ekadashi
Sat Tila Ekadashi
Bhaimi Ekadashi
Vaikunta Ekadasi
Amalaki Ekadashi
Papamochani Ekadashi
Kamada Ekadashi
Varuthini Ekadashi
Mohini Ekadashi
Apara Ekadashi
Pandava Ekadashi
Yogini Ekadashi
Shayani Ekadashi
Kamika Ekadashi
Pavitropana Ekadashi
Annada Ekadashi
Parsva Ekadashi
Indira Ekadashi
Pasankusha Ekadashi
Pausha Krishna Paksh
Pausha Shukla Paksh
Magha Krishna Paksh
Magha Shukla Paksh
Phalgun Krishna Paksh
Phalgun Shukla Paksh
Chaitra Krishna Paksh
Chaitra Shukla Paksh
Vaisakh Krishna Paksh
Vaisakh Shukla Paksh
Jyeshtha Krishna Paksh
Jyeshtha Shukla Paksh
Ashaad Krishna Paksh
Ashaad Shukla Paksh
Shravan Krishna Paksh
Shravan Shukla Paksh
Bhadrapad Krishna Paksh
Bhadrapad Shukla Paksh
Ashwin Krishna Paksh
Ashwin Shukla Paksh
Dec - Jan
Dec - Jan
Jan - Feb
Jan - Feb
Feb - Mar
Feb - Mar
Mar - Apr
Mar - Apr
Apr - May
Apr - May
May - Jun
May - Jun
Jun - Jul
Jun - Jul
Jul - Aug
Jul - Aug
Aug - Sep
Aug - Sep
Sep - Oct
Sep - Oct
Ekadashi
Month Vedic
Month English
Rama Ekadashi
Prabodhini Ekadashi
Utpanna Ekadashi
Mokshada Ekadashi
Padmini Ekadashi
Parama Ekadashi
Kartik Krishna Paksh
Kartik Shukla Paksh
Margasirsha Krishna Paksh
Margasirsha Shukla Paksh
Purushottam Shukla Paksh
Purushottam Krishna Paksh
Oct - Nov
Oct - Nov
Nov - Dec
Nov – Dec