Ekadashi is the eleventh day that comes after the new moon or full moon of each lunar month according to the Vedic calendar. According to the spiritual conviction of most Indians and religious leaders, the adoption of austerities during this period of the lunar cycle is very useful for health and spiritual cleansing. This article will talk about this tradition, which originates in Southeast Asia.
What is a Hindu calendar
The Hindu calendar is a collective term for various lunar-solar calendars traditionally used in India. It is often called punch. The most studied and famous are the following:
- Shalivahana Shaka, found in South India.
- Vikram Samvat, found in the Northern and Central regions.
- Tamil calendar used in Tamil Nadu.
- Bengali used in bengal.
All of them are based on the lunar cycle. Hindu New Year begins in spring. However, in regions such as Kerala, the solar cycle, called the Malayalam calendar, is emphasized, and the New Year begins in the fall.
What is Ekadashi?
Ekadashi - translated from Hindi means "eleven." This term refers to the eleventh lunar day of each of the two lunar phases that occur in the Hindu calendar month - Paksa Sukla (period of the shining moon, also known as the rise phase) and Krishna Paksha (period of the waning moon, also known as the extinction phase).
In Hinduism and Jainism, this period of time is considered a spiritual day and is usually observed in partial fasting. Beans and grains are not consumed by believers at this time, because they are supposed to be contaminated with sin in Hinduism. What can I eat in Ekadashi? According to tradition, only fruits, vegetables and dairy products are allowed. This period of abstinence begins from sunrise to sunset the next day. The Ekadashi calendar is very popular among Hindus.
Hindu rules state that anyone from eight to eighty years of age should fast, including giving up water. What can people with diseases have in Ekadashi? People who are sick, have health problems, and pregnant women are exempted from this rule and can consume light foods, including milk and fruits.
Moon position
The time of each rite of asceticism depends on the position of the Earth's satellite. The Hindu calendar marks the progression from the full moon to the new moon, which is divided into fifteen equal arcs. Each arc measures one lunar day, called tithi. The time it takes a celestial satellite to travel a certain distance is the length of this period. Ekadashi refers to the eleventh tithi. This period corresponds to the exact phase of the waning and waning moon.
Usually there are twenty-four holy days in a year for spiritual cleansing. Sometimes in a leap year, there may be two additional days. Each period of this cycle has special benefits and blessings that are achieved through certain actions. Ekadashi in January are called Shat-tila Ekadashi, as well as Bhaymi-Ekadashi.
Compliance Rules
How to observe the rite? The best austerity during this period is an absolute abstinence from food and water in order to achieve a state of cleansing from sins. For those who find it difficult to keep such a fast, it is recommended to eat food that includes permitted foods once in the afternoon. This is a prerequisite for this rite of spiritual purification.
What you can eat in Ekadashi: product list
Diet during fasting may consist of:
- any vegetables;
- fruit
- water;
- dairy products,
- Sahara.
Under the ban during this period are:
- mushrooms;
- cereals;
- legumes;
- spinach;
- honey;
- eggplant;
- sea salt.
Other types of salt, such as plain white salt, are acceptable. It is also forbidden to eat in other people's homes. On these days, you should try to drink and eat no more than once. In one of the texts of Hinduism, the great deity Krishna says that one who fully observes this rite will receive full reward, and one who partially observes fasting will receive only part of the benefits. These are general rules on how to observe the Ekadashi post.
How to get the best result from austerities
In order to receive a complete spiritual blessing while observing this tradition, one should not sleep during the day, do not shave, do not rub oil, do not eat dishes from plates and cups made of bronze, do not touch the female sex during menstruation, and avoid gatherings with alcohol.
What is the essence of Ekadashi? In ancient teachings, the main result of fasting is spiritual purification. That is, a person through the rejection of the pleasure of eating becomes closer to the divine, and also becomes more enlightened. It is believed that heavenly forces are becoming closer to an enlightened person in the spiritual plane, subject to this ancient tradition.
Who must observe penance
According to Hindu sacred texts, everyone over the age of five is required to fast during this time period. Anyone who is unable to observe it due to a serious illness or old age is obliged to find a spiritually developed person and donate something to him. He can also simply study the meaning of each Ekadashi. This action is recommended as one of the methods to achieve the best result of sacred austerities.
Ekadashi time varies by time zone.
The start and end times of this Indian fast are of tremendous importance and depend on the time zone of a particular region. Thus, the period of observance of austerities in India, America and in Russia can differ by a whole day. In order to calculate the exact time of entry and exit from austerities, specialists calculate the calendar for specific time zones. There are even specialized devices for calculating its timing.
How to interrupt and restore Ekadashi
After observing the rite of asceticism, you should end the fasting at a certain period of the day after a sunrise on the next day. If it stops after a given time, it is considered not complied with. If the Hindu austerity was not observed by chance, then it can be carried out on the next day - dvadashi, in this case, you can end the fast on the third day - traiodashi. To finish it, you can simply use any grain, that is, eat what is forbidden during this period.
If it coincides with the dasas - the tenth day of the lunar cycle, then there is no need to fast. However, if it coincides with dvadasi - the twelfth day, then such Ekadashi is called “pure fasting” or mahadvadashi, and it is recommended that it be strictly performed.
However, it is important to remember that living in fairness and being in harmony with nature should be not only two days a month, observing a strict or easy fast. To become a spiritually enlightened person, this life principle must be adhered to constantly. So, the article provides information about the essence of this phenomenon and about what you can eat in Ekadashi.