breaking Ekadasi

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Dear Akrura ji, PAMHO AGTSP

 

On May 18, 2006, at 5:50 AM, Akrura (dasa) (Bhaktivedanta Coaching)

wrote:

 

> What happens when we break Ekadasi?

 

I'm not sure I understand the question. Different Vaisnava and Hindu

sampradayas have differing standards for following Ekadasi Vratam. In

ISKCON Srila Prabhupada clearly defined these as "Fasting Grains or

Beans". Gaudiya Math may have some more restrictive prescriptions and

Hari Bhakti Vilasa outlines even more elaborate methods of

observance. According to Gaudiya Vaisnava sastras "breaking" or non-

observance of Ekadasi Vratam is a sin equal to killing one's Guru.

Therefore it is considered very sinful.

 

Different sampradayas have different ways of dealing with sin that

are committed. Some advocate prayascitta. In general though Gaudiya

Vaisnava tend towards not performing specific prayascittas but simply

continuing with their main form of sadhana i.e. chanting the Holy

Name of the Lord. Of course one also has to remember not to committed

sins on the strength of chanting. Therefore no one should think that

"because I am chanting therefore I will be forgiven for breaking

Ekadasi, etc."

 

The proper attitude if or when one commits a sin like "breaking"

Ekadasi, it to think of oneself as a sinner.

 

> How do we make up for it properly?

 

I have never seen anything in sastra that states that "if one breaks

Ekadasi one can do, such and such, and be relieved of that sin".

However in Deity Worship we often advise people to do some form of

atonement for offenses. Normally I have seen that devotee will fast

for one day in atonement. That fasting should not be done on the

Dvadasi (12th) day (the next day to Ekadasi when one is supposed to

break the fast) but usually people do it on the next day to that

(usually the Trayodasi, 13th day).

 

Hope this helps.

 

ys

 

Gaura Keshava das