Guest guest Posted March 8, 2001 Report Share Posted March 8, 2001 Dear List member: Here is some more info about the history and benefits of following this Vrata or Jajna. MEANING OF EKADASHI and FASTING Ekadashi is very important for Every one who follows a Vedic tradition as the observance of rituals connected with this occasion is said to take away any sin that the person may have accumulated during the fortnight. . Even if one does not keep the fast, it is a day for doing charitable deeds. Help any body without need of recognition, or expecting remunaration for your work. If Ekadashi is observed as a Vrat, it can be Nitya" (compulsory) or "kamya" (motivated by desires). In the first case only Shukla Paksha need to be observed. As a kamya- vrat, it can be observed on the both Ekadashi. Whenever it is undertaken as Vrat, apart form fasting, and Sankalpa (resolve) worship of Lord Vishnu and jagarana (worshipping in the night). Fasting as a spiritual discipline whether as an expiation for sins committed or for gaining self-control has been an age-old practice. The eleventh day after a new Moon or full Moon the Vrat observed on this day is called the Ekadashi. In all 24 Ekadashi fasts are observed in a year. It is believed that Lord Vishnu transformed himself into Ekadashi to alleviate the mankind from sins. It is the day - looked upon Lord Hari himself. History from the Puranas Once upon a time there was a demon named called Mura, who had 7,000 sons, harassed the Devas ( Demigods ) . The Devas asked Vishnu for protection against Mura; Vishnu sent his Yog Maya (Indriyas) to kill the demon and his sons, which was done successfully. Lord Hari granted Yoga Maya a boon, and said "Those who observe Ekadashi will be freed from all sins, and you will be called by the name Ekadashi." Since the demon was created from the sweat that fell down from the head of Brahma it assumed the from of a demon and said to the Lord, "O Lord! Now give me an abode to dwell". Brahma replied, "O demon! Go and dwell in the rice particles and cereals eaten by men on Ekadashi day and become worms in their stomach." This is a short story as narrated in our Holy Scriptures. For the above reason those who believe in a Vedic wisdom , the starting age to follow Ekadahsi is between eight and eighty years . On Ekadashi day, one must not let anger; lust and enjoyment come in the way of this fast. Those who observe the Ekadashi fast should avoid sexual acts on the dasami day, the day proceeding Ekadashi. In this Kali Yuga, even if one Ekadashi is observed with dispassion, faith and devotion, and if the mind is wholly fixed on Hari, one is freed from the rounds of birth and death. The Puranas and dharmasastras, though prohibit the par taking of cooked meals on Ekadashi days, have made many concessions to the general people towards their weakness towards food. If one eats only once in the day around noon, it is called "ekabhukta", if only in the night it is called "nakta", when food is taken once a day, it is called "ayacita". Devotees fast on this day, do Japa, Hari kirtan and meditation. Some even, do not take even a drop of water. Those who are unable to fast completely can take some light fruits and milk. Fasting controls passion. It checks the emotions and controls the senses. If one eats only once in the day around noon, it is called "ekabhukta", if only in the night it is called "nakta", when food is taken once a day, it is called "ayacita". Devotees fast on this day, do Japa, Hari kirtan and meditation. Some even, do not take even a drop of water. Those who are unable to fast completely can take some light fruits and milk. Fasting controls Raja Guna ( passion) and Tama Guna ( lethargy , darkness ) . It checks the emotions and controls the senses. It is a great penance and purifies the mind (Manas) and the heart (Hrda) . Fasting overhauls the respiratory,( Prana, Vyana , Udana Samana and Apana Vayu )circulatory, digestive and urinary systems , Increase Ojas and improve the Dhatu or tissues. If one can not fast for the full 24hrs, at least fast for 10-12 hrs and then take some milk and fruit. And the gradually increase the fast to 15 hrs and then to 24hrs. Fasting makes a person strong, both mentally and spiritually. For those who are ill and are not able bodied certain foods known as the farari foods are allowed. These include tubers (potatoes, cassava, carrots, turnips, dairy products, fruits, nuts, and semolina. Foods made from cereals are forbidden. to be continue. hope that helps your in the service of Ekadashi chaitanya S. das Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 9, 2001 Report Share Posted March 9, 2001 Thank you, Chaitanya, for your posting on Ekadashi. Both you and Natabara have given excellent information on this important event. Dany - <joshnitai <gjlist> Thursday, March 08, 2001 9:23 PM [gjlist] More on Ekadashi and Benefits > Dear List member: > > Here is some more info about the history and benefits of following > this Vrata or Jajna. > > > MEANING OF EKADASHI and FASTING > Ekadashi is very important for Every one who follows a Vedic > tradition as the observance of rituals connected with this occasion > is said to take away any sin that the person may have accumulated > during the fortnight. . Even if one does not keep the fast, it is a > day for doing charitable deeds. Help any body without need of > recognition, or expecting remunaration for your work. > If Ekadashi is observed as a Vrat, it can be Nitya" (compulsory) > or "kamya" (motivated by desires). In the first case only Shukla > Paksha need to be observed. As a kamya- vrat, it can be observed on > the both Ekadashi. > Whenever it is undertaken as Vrat, apart form fasting, and Sankalpa > (resolve) worship of Lord Vishnu and jagarana (worshipping in the > night). > Fasting as a spiritual discipline whether as an expiation for sins > committed or for gaining self-control has been an age-old practice. > The eleventh day after a new Moon or full Moon the Vrat observed on > this day is called the Ekadashi. > In all 24 Ekadashi fasts are observed in a year. It is believed that > Lord Vishnu transformed himself into Ekadashi to alleviate the > mankind from sins. It is the day - looked upon Lord Hari himself. > > History from the Puranas > Once upon a time there was a demon named called Mura, who had 7,000 > sons, harassed the Devas ( Demigods ) . The Devas asked Vishnu for > protection against Mura; Vishnu sent his Yog Maya (Indriyas) to kill > the demon and his sons, which was done successfully. > Lord Hari granted Yoga Maya a boon, and said "Those who observe > Ekadashi will be freed from all sins, and you will be called by the > name Ekadashi." > Since the demon was created from the sweat that fell down from the > head of Brahma it assumed the from of a demon and said to the > Lord, "O Lord! Now give me an abode to dwell". > Brahma replied, "O demon! Go and dwell in the rice particles and > cereals eaten by men on Ekadashi day and become worms in their > stomach." This is a short story as narrated in our Holy Scriptures. > For the above reason those who believe in a Vedic wisdom , the > starting age to follow Ekadahsi is between eight and eighty years . > On Ekadashi day, one must not let anger; lust and enjoyment come in > the way of this fast. Those who observe the Ekadashi fast should > avoid sexual acts on the dasami day, the day proceeding Ekadashi. In > this Kali Yuga, even if one Ekadashi is observed with dispassion, > faith and devotion, and if the mind is wholly fixed on Hari, one is > freed from the rounds of birth and death. > The Puranas and dharmasastras, though prohibit the par taking of > cooked meals on Ekadashi days, have made many concessions to the > general people towards their weakness towards food. > If one eats only once in the day around noon, it is > called "ekabhukta", if only in the night it is called "nakta", when > food is taken once a day, it is called "ayacita". > Devotees fast on this day, do Japa, Hari kirtan and meditation. Some > even, do not take even a drop of water. Those who are unable to fast > completely can take some light fruits and milk. Fasting controls > passion. It checks the emotions and controls the senses. > If one eats only once in the day around noon, it is > called "ekabhukta", if only in the night it is called "nakta", when > food is taken once a day, it is called "ayacita". Devotees fast on > this day, do Japa, Hari kirtan and meditation. Some even, do not take > even a drop of water. Those who are unable to fast completely can > take some light fruits and milk. > Fasting controls Raja Guna ( passion) and Tama Guna ( lethargy , > darkness ) . It checks the emotions and controls the senses. It is a > great penance and purifies the mind (Manas) and the heart (Hrda) . > Fasting overhauls the respiratory,( Prana, Vyana , Udana Samana and > Apana Vayu )circulatory, digestive and urinary systems , Increase > Ojas and improve the Dhatu or tissues. If one can not fast for the > full 24hrs, at least fast for 10-12 hrs and then take some milk and > fruit. And the gradually increase the fast to 15 hrs and then to > 24hrs. > Fasting makes a person strong, both mentally and spiritually. For > those who are ill and are not able bodied certain foods known as the > farari foods are allowed. These include tubers (potatoes, cassava, > carrots, turnips, dairy products, fruits, nuts, and semolina. Foods > made from cereals are forbidden. to be continue. > > hope that helps > > your in the service of Ekadashi > > chaitanya S. das > gjlist- > > > > Your use of is subject to > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2001 Report Share Posted March 10, 2001 Hello! Yes that's hard to find info. People often ask why I'm fasting & I can't remember all the details. Now I have saved the info posted to a file & can just print out hard copies. Bravo & Pranams! With Regards manvantara - "danielle-rose" <danielle-rose <gjlist> Friday, March 09, 2001 10:34 AM Re: [gjlist] More on Ekadashi and Benefits > > Thank you, Chaitanya, for your posting on Ekadashi. Both you and Natabara > have given excellent information on this important event. > > Dany > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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