RE: [Rajarajeshwari_Kalpataru] EKADASI , KRITHIKAI / SHASTI VRITTAM

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para_anuloma [para_anuloma]Tuesday, August 16, 2005 6:06 PMRajarajeshwari_Kalpataru Subject: [Rajarajeshwari_Kalpataru] Re: EKADASI , KRITHIKAI / SHASTI VRITTAMDear Member,Ekadasi fasting is more relevant for Vishnu and Datta devotees.From time immemorial, Srivaishnavites have been observing fasts twice a month on Ekadasi days. This fasting is, in general, for everyone. Ekadasi is the 11th day in the moon cycle, i.e. from the new moon day and also from the full moon day. It is a proven scientific matter, that the air pressure in the atmosphere rapidly changes in the surroundings on a full moon day or on the new moon day. The sun-moon-earth combination in the orbital path, when distances itselves at every particular interval, (i.e. every 24 Hrs or for every full circle the earth rotates). When it occurs, accordingly pressure in atmosphere too changes and varies. 0ne can observe this from the increasing high tidal waves in the ocean. 0n any given New moon day or Amavasya the pressure increases in the ocean and the tidal waves are very rough and high.But from the next day onwards the pressure recedes gradually thus proving that the atmospheric pressure too reduces. So, practically on the 11th day from new/full moon days, the pressure is somewhat very light or nil. If one has to go with an empty stomach on any other day the atmospheric pressures will put on him or her more strain wherein on the Ekadasi day the problem is minimal or nil. So the body never takes the pain while we cleanse the bowel system and thus refreshing the whole body mechanism, specifically the liver-stomach-bowel and the system movements. But on the immediate next day (called Dwaadasi - i.e. 12th day from full/new moon), to avoid any pressure on the body system, Srivaishnavites used to eat food in the morning as early as possible. Thus avoiding any system collapse. So it is advisable to observe fasting only on the Ekadasi day and to give scope for refreshing the body mechanism. But one must eat food immediately the next morning to avoid any complications. As the atmospheric pressure builds up faster and doubly on the 12th day from Amavasya & Poornima days, it is strongly recommended to consume food on the Dwadasi day in the early morning. Eakadasi Recipes for peace, Devotion and healthEkadasi day for Sri Vaisnava tradition differs from other Sections. (You can view the exact Srivaishnava Ekadasi days at: the Festival & Important days Chart given in another page). Though normally it is on the eleventh day of both the waxing and waning moon, i.e..11th day from Amavasya and Poornima (Amavasai & Pournami) which falls twice in a month. The very purpose of the fast being to minimize bodily activities and increase in activities of devotion, prayer and peace, observers either abstain from food completely but only to intake Milk, fruits, water and some milk product or avoid all grains and beans from their meals on that day of Ekadasi Fasting. Light meals of fruits, milk products, vegetables, nuts and various non-cereal flours, fruits like banana, are eaten by those not undertaking a total fast. On Ekadasi, Srivaishnava meals usually include wide varieties of tasty but without delivering the heavy bog-down feeling experienced after eating the same size meals cooked with grains and pulses. Apart from cleansing one's body bi-monthly, this is an opportunity to become more absorbed in glorifying the Supreme Lord, Sriman Narayana. Ekadasi is also an excellent time to purify the body, mind and thoughts!.In general, no onion & Garlic are consumed by Srivaishnava. In addition, they avoid using cream, and heavy fat items on their fasting days of Eakadasi. Different varieties of tasty items are prepared, depending on their individual taste. But none of the items contain any heavy stuff to make you heavy or bulgy. In case of persons unable to fast whole day, they recommend Idli, Dosa but they take it only half of their quota to avoid heaviness in their body.Following are the items best recommended to consume on the Fasting day of Ekadasi that includes light refreshments, beverage, milk products, vegetables, fruits: Lemon, Banana, Grape, Pineapple, Orange, all varieties of Dry fruits, Buttermilk, Milk, cereals, Broken rice, Rawa, & Yogurt.Krittika viruttam is also along the same lines but more intense and for subramanya swami and devi also. Some people do for other deities also. While fasting one must not talk. This is essential because body loses energy and hence the chanting of mantras mentally is to be done during these fasting periods.Yours yogically,Shreeram BalijepalliRajarajeshwari_Kalpataru , Panimalar a/p Venayagan <panimalar@h...> wrote:> Can anybody explain what is ekadasi, krithikai , shasti. Why do we need to> fast on this particular day ? What are we suppose to do on this particular> day if we fast.> > Thank you. Sorry for asking a lot of question.