Ekadashi Fasting: Importance and Significance

      It must of course be borne in mind that fasting is practised by Indian devotees, not as penitential exercise, but as a means of accumulating religious merit. Moreover; severe self-mortification is always connected with the fancied attainment of extraordinary sanctity or superhuman powers. Amongst other objects aimed at, is the acquirement of a kind of preternatural or ethereal lightness of body. By long fasting, a man is believed to achieve what is called Laghima; that is to say his frame becomes so buoyant and sublimated by abstinence, that the force of gravitation loses its power of binding him to the earth, and he is able to sit or float in the air. It may seem the very height of superstitious credulity to give credence to an emaciated Hindu claiming to triumph in this way over the laws of matter: yet cool-headed and sceptical Englishmen of unimpeachable sincerity have been invited to witness the achievements of these so-called Yogis, and have come away convinced of their genuineness and ready to testify to the absence of all fraud.

Ekadashi Fasting

      Nevertheless, it must be noted that the rules of fasting, as practised by natives of India in the present day; are by no means so stringent as they were in ancient times. Several severe forms of abstinence are specified by Manu. For example the fast called "very painful" consisted in eating only a singly mouthful every day for nine days, and then abstaining from all food for the three following days.

      Another notable fast was that called "the lunar vow" (chandrayana-vrata). It consisted in diminishing the consumption of food every day by one mouthful for the waning half of the lunar month, beginning with fifteen mouthfuls at the full moon, until the quantity was reduced to nil at the new moon, and then increasing it in like manner during the fortnight of the moon's increase.

      Every religious Hindu, Fasting twice in every lunar month on eleventh (Ekadashi) day in each fortnight. These fasts are reverence toward God Vishnu. Madhava-Charya emphasized the importance of the fast on the 11th day of every fortnight (Ekadashi). Fruits and milk is allowed to be taken by the devotees. Shiva devotees fast on 13th or 14th day of the dark half of every month, on the day and night called "Shiva Ratri" (Shiva's night). The evening before is called Pradosha, 4th lunar day (chaturthi) of every month is in honour of Ganesha.

      In every fortnight, there is an Ekadashi. Out of 24 Ekadashi in the year, the one in Jyeshtha Shukla called Nirjala Ekadashi is more auspicious and fruitful. Good health, longevity, social comfort and salvation are the fruits of the fast, during which even drinking water is forbidden. God Vishnu in his reclining form amidst the sea is worshipped. During the training period of the Pandavas under Nishi Vyasa, the teacher laid stress on Ekadashi fast every fortnight. Bhima, who ate much and could not remain without food, requested Vyasa that the latter should tell him one fast, the fruit of which should be equal to that of 24 Ekadashi fasts. So Vyasa explained the importance of Ekadashi fast in Jyeshtha Shukla and asked him to undertake that one only.

      Jyeshtha Month Ekadashi (June): Brahma in Brahma Purana has explained the importance of a fast in the month of Jyeshtha on Ekadasi as: all streams, tanks, step wells, pumps, rivers and sea in existence, in the month of Jyeshtha Shukla fortnight from tenth day adopt a visible form. That is why the bath, charity and worship done on this day are most fruitful and perennial.

Ekadashi Fasting Importance

      Devuthani Ekadashi (Kartik): In the month of Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, very popular in Avadh (U.P.), is because of the fact that on this day; God Vishnu awakened after his fourth month sleep in the sea. During four months of sleep (August-November) marriages and such other auspicious ceremonies are not arranged. God Vishnu is worshipped and the fast ends with consuming fruits and vegetables; but no corn.

      Utpanna Ekadashi (Margashirsha Krishna Ekadashi: November-December): Agrahayana or Margashirsha, Ekadashi is important because this is the very birth day of Ekadashi deity. The fast on this day awards comfort, peace and happiness in life and one finds a place in Vishnu lok after death.

      In Satya yuga, a demon Moor was very powerful and he dethroned Indra (the king of gods). When gods and deities approached Shiva, he directed them to Vishnu. Vishnu battled with Moor for a long time, killed his followers, but failed to subdue Moor. Moor was about to kill Vishnu, when instantaneously like a dazzling light, a Goddess appeared out of the tissue of Vishnu, who killed Moor, Vishnu was

pleased and gave a boon that those who invoke you Ekadashi will find a place in Vishnu lok.

      Ekadashi festival is celebrated in Guruvayur (Kerala) in November-December. Concerts of famous classical musicians are held at Guruvayur temple.

      Ekadashi festival in Thiruvilwamala temple (Kerala) is celebrated in February-March. In this temple, there are two shrines, one dedicated to Shri Rama and the other to his brother Lakshmana.