question on ekadashi

February 15, 2006

when is it, is it on 24th? should one start fasting from 23rd night? When to conclude? Must one abandon all types of food, including water? Or is water ok considering the heat, bodily strength etc.?

February 15, 2006

The calendar I go by says the 24th, at least for my location. Here is the link: http://www.purebhakti.com/calendar/calendar.php

Water is fine. Although "sunrise to sunrise" is the general rule of thumb for observing the Ekadasi fast, usually the exact times vary in regards to breaking the fast, and are listed on this calendar based upon your location. Usually one begins the fast upon taking rest the night before Ekadasi. Grains and beans are forbidden. Generally, devotees eat very simply on these holy days=== baked potatoes, cucumber raitas, and fresh fruit are quite common. Be careful about soft drinks and many brands of ice cream, which may contain corn syrup. Buckwheat flour is okay, if you need to eat something that "feels" like a grain. If you need to fry something, use ghee or peanut oil. Olive oil is okay as well, (not very good for frying though), and you can use this on salads.

Hope this helps some.

Jahnava Nitai Das · February 15, 2006

Please go to this link to calculate your yearly callendar for your particular city. Then you will have a list for when all the holy days fall.

http://vcal.iskcongbc.org/

February 16, 2006

but i can't find the time it starts. It says 24th, but does it mean one shoudl start fasting from the night of 23rd? When to concldue?

Jahnava Nitai Das · February 16, 2006

Some people follow from previous night till next day sunrise. Others follow sunrise to sunrise (but I wouldn't get up early on ekadasi morning before sunrise to eat grains; perhaps if you had stayed up late in the night then you could eat something late in the previous night.)

One devotee told me that once in Berkeley Prabhupada was visiting, and around 12:00 am the night before ekadashi Prabhupada called this devotee and asked him to make puris and subji to eat. This would suggest sunrise to sunrise fasting.