Yogurt for Ekadashi

[Guest guest]

This is in response to a quiry on whether it is appropriate to

have yogurt/butter milk for Ekadashi phalahaaram.

This subject is very dear to my heart for heart's sake of course! My quick

response is No for men over 28. Yogurt, butter milk and other milk products

are rich in fat (bad), cholesterol (bad), protein (good), calcium and other

minerals (good), vitamins (good) and lactose (good if you can digest, bad if

not).

 

Ideal ekadashi would be not to have anything other than water followed by a

prompt fast break on Dwadashi. This has profound health benefits. This would

be like cleaning the plumbing (blood vessels) system of our bopdy twice a

month. We clean our bathrooms more often and I think our health is more

precious than that. In the absence of aerobic activity on a daily basis, a

total fast on ekadashi is a good alternative. If we can do this, it i

sreally great. I have been planning to do this for over past 10 years, when

I found out that most South Asians, including me have high triglycerides,

high cholesterol and low HDL!!!

 

We should avoid wholemilk products as much as possible at all other times as

well. I suggest using non-fat yogurt, milk etc. Ten years ago non-fat had no

taste. Thanks to R&D efforts, today's non-fat products taste lot better.

 

 

Perhaps, a more practical Ekadashi phalahaaram is:

 

Plain water or water spiked with freshly squeezed lemon or lime and ice (no

sugar or carbonation): This is my standard soft cold drink.

One cup of coffee with sugar and milk. For consumption of multiple cups, upto

5: Black coffee with no sugar.

Kosambari (cucumbur prepration with moong dal- saly and lemon with other

garnishings-coriander leaf to taste)

Fruits: oanges, apples, grapes, or any seasonal fruit in moderation.

vegetable salad with no fatty or cheesy dressing.

 

I have found that the non-alcoholic beer (Sharp or odouls), which has a small

amount of alcohol (0. 5%) to be the best party drink (next to lime or lemon

water).

 

Sincerely,

 

K. Sreekrishna (Tatachar)

tatachar

[Guest guest]

I would like to add the following to Sri K. Sreekrishna Tatachar's

suggestions about foods to consume on Ekadasi days.

 

I checked the "Ahnikagrantham" written by Srimad Azhgaiyasingar in HH's

poorvaasramam, for possible references to what sort of foods are

permissible for Ekadasi. I did not find any direct reference. This, IMHO,

is to be expected as the only intake allowed on Ekadasi days is water.

 

However, I was able to find an indirect reference to this subject in a

section that deals with Sravana Dvadasi. In fact the Dvadasi two weeks ago

was a Sravana Dvadasi. At that time Sri Sadagopan clarified that those who

are not capable of a two-day fast must observe complete fast on the Sravana

Dvadasi day in stead of the Ekadasi day. The Ahnikagrantham confirms this.

In such instances, the text adds, the intake on the preceding Ekadasi day

must not be inconsistent with Ekadasi vratham. Only foods such as milk,

roots, and fruits should be consumed on the Ekadasi day and a complete fast

must be observed on the following Sravana Dvadasi day.

>From the above it can be construed that those who are unable to observe a

complete fast on Ekadasi days in general, may consume foods that fall under

the three categories mentioned above.

 

Anyway, I think most people just avoid rice on Ekadasi days, thats all.

 

As far as benefits of Ekadasi vradham, I like to think the spiritual

benefits far out weigh any physical benefits.

 

Personally, I find week-day Ekadasis easier to observe since work takes my

mind off my belly. On the other hand, it is the pang of hunger that

reminds me of the spiritual nature of the fast.

 

 

 

-- adiyEn