Significance of Ekadashi fast

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Posted by: " Rohit Iyer " c_rohit_iyer

 

Significance of Ekadashi fast

 

It is a common practice in most hindu households to observe fast on ekadashi.

What is special about this day?

 

Ekadasi in Sanskrit means eleven. `Eka' means " one " and `dasi' is the feminine

form of the word " dasa " , which means " ten " . Ekadasi is thus the eleventh day of

both the dark and light fortnight of each month. On these special days, devotees

fast from grains and beans and make an extra effort to be in service to the

Divine.

 

There is a beautiful story about the origin of Ekadasi fasting. Once, in the

Satya-yuga (the golden age) Lord Narayana was enagaged in battle with a demon

called Mura. Feeling tired, the Lord decided to rest from the long battle.

However, mura wanted to kill the Lord while he was sleeping. Suddenly from the

body of the Lord manifested a young girl, who slayed the demon, Mura. This girl

was the Mahasakti…. Pleased, Narayana gave her the name Ekadasi( as she appeared

on the eleventh day of the waning moon). He also granted her the boon that

anyone who fasts on Ekadasi will become free from sin and attain His

transcendental abode.

 

There are certain rules regarding fasting on this day. For eg., one must

strictly avoid eating grains and beans on Ekadasi. Fasting generally means

completely abstaining from both food and drink. If this is difficult, one may

eat a single nongrain meal once in the afternoon or in the evening.

 

According to scriptures, one who observes fasting on Ekadasi is freed from all

kinds of reactions to sinful activities and advances in spiritual life. These

sacred fasting days greatly help any sincere soul achieve, even within this

present lifetime, liberation from the cycle of birth and death, it is said…

therefore, Ekadasi gives one a real taste of renunciation, thus helping one give

up trying to enjoy illusory sense gratification of this material world.

 

Both western and ayurvedic medicine recommend fasting to maintain and improve

health. Indeed modern medial experts and ancient sages agree that fasting

benefits one, both physically and mentally. Even from the economic point of

view, two such fasting days in a month will save tons of food.

 

The basic principle is not just to fast, but to increase one's faith and love

for the Divine. The real reason for observing fasting on ekadasi is to minimize

the demands of the body and to engage our time in the service of the Divine.

 

Reference(s) - Midas Babu (Mr. & Mrs), geocities.. com