The following informs us as to why we need to avoid grains on Ekadashi days.
It is stated in the Padma Purana:
bhuyo-bhuyo drdha vani sryatam syata janah
na bhoktavyam na bhoktavyam na bhoktavyam harer dine
“O human beings, please listen, I tell you repeatedly with steadfast determination, please never eat any grains on the Day of Lord Hari (Ekadasi day, the Lord’s appearance day like Janmastami day etc.). Please never eat any food grains even by mistake on the Day of Lord Hari. Please do not eat grains on the Day of Lord Hari even if forced or compelled to do so.”
[wp_ad_camp_1]
The reason to not eat food grains on Ekadasi is stated in the Vrihan Naradiya Purana thus:
yani kani ca papani brahma hatyadikani ca
annam asritya tiathanti samprapte hari vasare
“Every type of sin in this world, including the grievous sin of killing a Brahmana, reside in food grains on the Day of Lord Hari (Ekadasi and other fasting days). If grains are eaten on fasting days sins enter the body of that human being.”
The Hari Bhakti Vilasa states:
brahmacari grhastho va vanaprastho ‘thava yatih
ekadasyam hi bhunjano bhukte go-mamsam eva hi
“Whether a person is Brahmachari (unmarried celibate student), Grihastha (householder), Vanaprasthi (retired, elderly), Sanyasi (renounced person) or any other social order, if they eat food grains on Ekadasi, they acquire the same sin as that received by eating cow’s meat.”
The Skanda Purana also states:
matr ha pitr has caiva bhratr ha guru has tatha
ekadasyas tu ya bhunkte visnu-lokac cyuto bhavet
“Those who eat grains on Ekadasi and on the Day of Lord Hari (including Janmastami, Gaura Purnima etc.) obtain the sin equal to killing one’s own mother, own father, own brother and own Guru; and they cannot reach the spiritual world, which is why one should never eat grains on fasting days.”
One may think or say that fasting on Ekadasi days and the Lord’s appearance days are meant only for Vaisnava devotees and not for worshippers of Lord Siva or Durga etc. But the Padma Purana informs such people:
na saiva na ca saurohasaun na sakta gana sevakah
yo bhunkte vasare visnor jneyah pasvadiko hi sah
“Whether one is a follower of Lord Siva, the goddess Durga, Kali, Surya (sungod), Ganesa, Bhairava or any other demigod, they should avoid eating grains on the fasting days of Lord Hari (Ekadasis and other fasting days of Lord Hari). If one does not rigidly follow this rule and eats grains on fasting days they are considered worse than an animal.”
The Brihan Naradiya Purana states:
brahma-hatyadi papanam kathancin niskrtir bhavet
ekadasyat tu yo bhunkte niskrtir nasti kutracit
“By rigidly following religious and ritualistic processes one may become free from grievous sin like killing a Brahmana, but it is impossible to eliminate the sins of those who eat grains on Ekadasi days.”
It is written in the Skanda Purana that Lord Yamaraja (superintendent of hell) told his messengers not even to go near the immediate three generations of those who fast on Ekadasi days, even if they are lowborn and full of sin. But even if a pious person is learned in the four Vedas and performs rituals and is pure, but eats grains on Ekadasi days, they must be taken to hell to suffer. (The correct Ekadasi days are calculated each year and printed as a calendar and can be gotten upon request). If grain filled prasadam is given to a person on a fasting day it should be kept for consumption on the next day, but should not be consumed on the fasting day. Only fruits, roots (such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, tapioca, sago etc.) water, milk products, nuts, rock salt, Singhara flour, Kutu flower, Sama Rice (found in the Indian grocery stores) and prescribed medicines can be consumed on fasting days. Fasting on Ekadasis began in Satyayuga and everyone followed fasting rules then.
In those days scientifically explaining do`s and don’t`s were not possible. Actually they brought them by scripts so that we follow earnestly. Our Kidney and Lever functions at very low level on that day Ekadasi. So food grains were restricted. More in detail if required mail.
B.Sathyanarayan
why is grain considered as bad for ekdasi.. i meant rice ,flour, fruits but why only grains???
Still doesnt reallt tell you why you sjould not take grain. It says like, its like eating beef…but why its like beef. You might as well say just dont eat grains on ekadasi, period.
Hello Bhakti
I not sure id this is complete article. At the end of it I was hoping to some light on this tradition in this scientific age. I am disappointed.
thank you
sudhir
The different purana s are telling us that on that ekadashi day sin (Paap purusha) recites in grains. There is a story behind it that maybe some one can tell.
The reason to not eat food grains on Ekadasi is stated in the Vrihan Naradiya Purana thus:
yani kani ca papani brahma hatyadikani ca
annam asritya tiathanti samprapte hari vasare
“Every type of sin in this world, including the grievous sin of killing a Brahmana, reside in food grains on the Day of Lord Hari (Ekadasi and other fasting days). If grains are eaten on fasting days sins enter the body of that human being.”
It is such articles that circulate the idea that Hinduism is full of superstition. Not only non-hindus, but even Hindus would be tempted to think in those terms.
“Why We Should Never Eat Grains on Ekadashi’. I read the above matter and it is not clear to me, Must scientifically describe the reason why Never to Eat Grains on Ekadashi
Why is anyone asking for a “scientific explanation”? When God (Krishna) decides to arrange things in this way, then it is His sweet will.
While I am at it: From the botanical point of view peanuts are also part of the family of peas. Therefore I believe they should also be avoided on ekadashi.
More details on ekadashi can be found in the Mahabharata. One can type “ekadashi” into a search engine and one will find a lot of information.
Dear Mr. B. Sathyanarayana, I liked your comment, yes , it make sense. As you mentioned to mail you to understand more in detaoling. Can you please send me your email address ? Regards
B.Sathyanarayan on September 17, 2017 at 6:35 am
In those days scientifically explaining do`s and don’t`s were not possible. Actually they brought them by scripts so that we follow earnestly. Our Kidney and Lever functions at very low level on that day Ekadasi. So food grains were restricted. More in detail if required mail.