Ekadashi Fasting Explained and 7 Ekadashi Recipes
Ekadashi is an auspicious day for people belonging to the Hindu and Jain communities. It occurs on the eleventh day of the lunar cycle twice a month on the Shukla and Krishan Paksha. There are 24 types of Ekadashi’s in a year. These are all various manifestations of Lord Vishnu. Among them, the Vaikunta Ekadasi is the most auspicious. Hence devotees observe a fast on this day, if not all Ekadashi days. Spiritually, there are eleven senses; five action organs, five sense organs, and the mind. Fasting helps control these senses by refraining from some foods and consuming others. In every Ekadashi, there are certain rules which help to guide your mental energy to the right path.
Why is a Fast Observed during Vaikunta Ekadashi?
The Ekadashi fasting done by devotees of Lord Vishnu is to show their immense faith. Many believe that fasting on these days helps them get rid of their sins and is a path to attain Moksha. Lord Vishnu narrated the importance of fasting during Ekadashi. He said that those who are true worshippers of HIM must perform prayers on this day. That will help them purify their soil and also get Moksha or salvation. The primary purpose of life is Moksha, and thus, observing this day is beneficial to one and all. By gaining Moksha, people are out of the vicious cycle of birth, rebirth, and death. Also, worshippers of Lord Vishnu believe that fasting on these days, especially on Vaikuntha Ekadashi, brings prosperity, peace, and harmony.
Ekadashi Vrat and the Science Behind It
Every traditional ritual followed by Indian ancestors had a scientific basis, but they were lost due to lack of propagation. But, as per modern science, there is variation in air pressure on the earth on the new moon and full moon. That is because of the alignment and the orbital path of the earth, moon, and sun. The same happens in the tidal waves on these days. The waves are rough and high and become calm the next day, indicating a reduction in air pressure. Using these facts, the science behind it is as follows:
As per research, it takes about 3 to 4 days for the body to assimilate food and reach the brain. So if you fast or at the least consume light food, that will reach your brain on the new moon/full moon day correspondingly. On these days, the pressure is greatest, and thus there is an imbalance. Since the brain gets the least input, there are fewer chances of having wayward thoughts due to high pressure.
The other reason for Ekadashi fasting is that the atmospheric pressure is low on these days. This is the ideal time to cleanse the bowels and the digestive system. Thus a fast is observed as there is less pressure on the internal organs. Any other day if you fast, it may strain and damage the system. So, you should fast on Ekadashi and eat early the next day.
Apart from that above, there are many reasons to do Ekadashi fast. The digestive system works continuously without a break due to constant eating or even following a wrong diet. Fasting every fortnight gives the system a chance to rest. Also, the digestive system consumes less blood, and more are sent to the brain. Thus fasting helps to keep the brain alert and the mind sharp and focused.
Additionally, Ekadashi fasting along with healthy eating reduces blood cholesterol, boosts insulin response, and increases life span. It detoxes the body, cleanses the blood, and boosts the functioning of the liver and kidneys. People suffering from depression and anxiety also see an improvement in mental stability.
Ekadashi Recipes
If you cannot fast for the whole day, here are some recipes to try:
- Ash gourd juice: Cut the white pumpkin, remove the seeds and the skin. Use a blender and make a puree. Strain the pulp, add salt, black pepper, and lemon juice.
- Porridge: For this recipe, use a multi-grain health mix. To a bowl, add the health mix, and add water. Boil water and add jaggery; when it dissolves, add it to the health mix bowl. Stir so that there are no lumps. Cook for a few minutes and serve.
- Black Chana Fry: Soak chana overnight. Pressure cook the soaked chana with salt and water. Make tempering add cooked chana and freshly grated coconut, and serve hot.
- Vegetable stir fry: Cut vegetables of your choice. The best choices are cabbage, carrots, and beans. Cook the vegetables in a cooker for 1 whistle or directly on a stove. Make tempering, add cooked vegetables, salt, and grated coconut.
- Sabudhana Vada: Soak Sabudana overnight. Drain the water, check if it is soaked well. Roast peanuts, remove the skin and blend to make a coarse powder. Boil and mash potatoes and add to the Sabudana. Add the peanut powder, jeera, green chillies, salt, ginger, coriander leaves, and lemon juice. Mix well so that everything binds completely. Make small balls and fry until golden brown. Serve hot.
- Fresh cut fruits: Banana, papaya, and other cut fruits.
- Brown rice porridge: Add moong dal, brown rice, salt, and water to a rice cooker. Cook until the rice is soft and is of a lighter consistency. Serve hot.
If you want to keep yourself physically and mentally fit and attain your spiritual goals, observe Ekadashi fasting. Vaikunta Ekadasi is the most auspicious day for Vishnu’s prosperity blessings to be showered upon you. According to scriptures, it is the only day when Vishnu, Supreme Preserver of the Universe and Supreme Archetype of Wealth, opens the gateway to his celestial abode, Vaikuntam, his inner sanctum. He resides there with his consort, Supreme Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi, the very symbol of auspiciousness and abundance. This symbolizes that Vishnu is giving access to powerful prosperity energy that can change your financial mindset and help you receive boons of abundance.
On Vaikunta Ekadasi, AstroVed will be performing a powerful suite of services inclusive of a Grand Fire Lab invoking the boon-bestowing form of Vishnu as Vaikuntanathar along with 12 Poojas at Vishnu Powerspots and AstroVed Remedy Center, 2 chanting sessions, feeding Vedic boys, and a sacred offering to help you receive the ultimate blessings of prosperity, longevity and enlightenment.
