Ekadashi what to eat. Fasting Ekadashi: what it is and how it is useful. Ekadashi rules

Have you ever heard of Ekadashi fasting? For those who have learned about this name for the first time, I would like to clarify that Ekadashi is a special lunar day of the calendar, which usually occurs on the eleventh day from the new moon and full moon. During this period, a person who wants to cleanse himself spiritually and get closer to the divine essence, at some of the levels of self-development, can refuse food and go headlong into the implementation of spiritual practices. It is believed that these days are especially fertile for self-development and knowledge acquisition.

Ekadashi is a unique opportunity to become sublime, to gain inner purity.

What is fasting Ekadashi

Let's try to figure out what Ekadashi is and where the tradition of fasting during a certain period of the lunar calendar came from.

In Sanskrit, "eka" means "one". "Dasha" is the usual form of the number ten, i.e. "ekadashi" means nothing more than "eleven". In fact, Ekadashi is the 11th lunar day, which falls twice in one solar month. In the lunar month, Ekadashi shifts. But for experienced devotees of the Vedic culture, it is not a problem to calculate the onset of this period.

People enlightened with special knowledge say that Ekadashi are days deeply loved by the gods. These lunar days are especially valuable for those who seek their path not in satisfying their own whims, but see it in serving high goals. For those who want to devote themselves to the spiritual and seek the healing of their own souls, Ekadashi is a blissful opportunity to approach these goals. In order to observe the Ekadashi fast, one will have to indulge in austerities. Fasting people refuse not only physical food, but also observe spiritual asceticism. This is the best time to practice. It is believed that higher powers become closer to a spiritually enlightened person precisely when observing the Ekadashi fast.

However, it is important to remember that you need to live in good conscience and be in harmony with nature not only for a couple of days in a month, observing a strict or light fast. To become a spiritually pure person, this principle of life should always be adhered to.

What gives Ekadashi

Wise men who know the deep secrets of the subtle matters of the world say that the lunar phases influence the human psyche. It is the eleventh lunar day that carries a special load on the inner world of the individual. A weak, weak-willed person can succumb to passions, commit rash acts, offend loved ones and create problems for himself. A strong personality protects itself from possible troubles and, on the recommendation of the wise, refuses high-energy food on this day. But fasting on Ekadashi is not only about not eating. It's not just a diet. In order to spend blissful time for the benefit of the soul and body, fasting people renounce worldly thoughts and desires, devote themselves to meditative practices. It is believed that during the Ekadashi period, God sees better, hears the words and actions that call to him. Some, through practice and fasting, seek to recover from physical ailments and at the same time rise spiritually. Someone uses this opportunity in order to become more perfect and get closer to discovering themselves better.

An organism without food is weak for negative achievements. In this state, the spirit is open to the exchange and attraction of positive energies. During the period of asceticism, knowledge and new practical developments are best given. Observance of Ekadashi is a great opportunity to "touch" the subtlest matters of this world and declare one's obedience to the Universe.

By observing Ekadashi, karmic “tails” are burned, the sattvic level of being improves, peace is gained, spiritual wisdom and humility increase.

How to observe Ekadashi

Ekadashi fasting involves not only physical austerity, but also spiritual submission. During this period, it is necessary to refuse food, water, any daily activities. It is worth devoting this short period to meditation and gymnastic practices. But it is important to understand that strict observance of fasting is not always possible and not for everyone. And if so, it is worth accepting for yourself a simplified version of following the rules of observing Ekadashi. It is also important to take into account that fasting and giving up worldly needs is a rather serious test for an unprepared person. If you plan to observe Ekadashi for the first time, you should approach this matter gradually.

So, for the first time joining the observance of a special Ekadashi fast or choosing its lighter version for yourself, you should refuse food gradually or not completely. To do this, you need to take into account the list of conditionally acceptable and completely non-recommended products.

legumes,
cereals,
all cereals and rice,
honey and any other sweets,
vegetable oils,
spices and herbs,
onions, garlic, cabbage (any), tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers,
beets and other root crops.

Conditionally eligible products include:

pure water,
herbal teas,
nuts,
dried fruits,
fresh juices.

For those who practice blissful fasting not for the first time and tolerate this process perfectly, there are almost no acceptable foods throughout the entire Ekadashi.

Strict observance of Ekadashi is also called dry fasting. In this case, it is not recommended to drink even the water over which the mantras are read.

The main condition for observing a dry fast is good health. If a person feels a serious physical ailment during a strict or light fast, it is better to stop observing it and pay attention to physical health. It is permissible to observe a strict fast with good health and the absence of psychological disorders (hallucinations, deep depressions, impaired adequate thinking).

Strict adherence to asceticism and the implementation of meditative practice will help not to break the rules and get the maximum of positive energies and knowledge from fasting. A person busy reading mantras, singing prayers and immersing himself in subtle matters is unlikely to somehow spoil the special atmosphere of peace and goodness of this day.

It is important to remember that the entry and exit from the Ekadashi fast should be smooth (especially the exit). After all, severe or incomplete starvation is a burden for the physical body. You should not sharply lean on food after the end of the fasting period. It is worth starting with a light breakfast and drinking healthy fluids (fresh water, herbal tea, refreshing smoothie). You should not load the body with heavy physical exertion. It is important to give a little time to enter the phase of everyday life for your body and soul, only then pick up your usual pace of life.

Some Vedic sources say that women are not allowed to observe a full Ekadashi fast. With the permission of her husband, a woman can observe only a light fast. This means that she should not adhere to dry fasting, but can drink water, light vegetable, fruit juice or herbal tea. According to some reports, nuts and dried fruits are not prohibited for light fasting. The spiritual rules for fasting for a woman remain the same as for a male ascetic.

What is the principle of Ekadashi

Having decided to observe a strict (full) fast, one must understand the following. Refusing food, water, everyday affairs and troubles, a person should strive for a sublime, deep perception of the subtle world. The meaning of strict fasting is not to withstand the refusal of sleep, food, the realization of physical desires. The essence of Ekadashi is self-knowledge, service to the Universe. In no case should you keep a dry post, not fully realizing why this is being done. It is better to spend time studying the information and understanding the essence of this important step towards achieving a new stage of self-improvement. And only after making sure that everything is understood correctly and there is knowledge of the principles of fasting, you can gradually try to observe it.

The Physical Side of Ekadashi

Medicine does not deny the benefits of one-day dry fasting, provided that a person does not have serious contraindications to them.

Strict fasting can be harmful in a number of the following situations:

acute period of chronic diseases of the digestive system,
oncology, diabetes mellitus of any type,
period of immunosuppression
pregnancy, lactation in women,
children's age up to 12 years,
old age after 65 years (there may be exceptions),
the presence of psychological disorders and a period of deep depression.

In other cases, fasting is considered a useful measure for cleansing the body of toxins, removing the accumulated load. After all, modern products, ecology load the body with a negative impact. A short-term refusal to drink and eat will help restore physical lightness, get rid of excess and take the necessary vitality.

However, it is important to remember that observing Ekadashi is not a diet to lose weight or restore health. Compliance with this post involves spiritual practice aimed at achieving inner heights and self-development. For other purposes, this post should not be used.

And it should also be remembered that observing the special rules of Ekadashi fasting helps to double the positive energies accumulated and formed during the practice, blissful knowledge and wisdom. However, in order to know the maximum of the positive aspects of life in this world and deserve the best option for the subsequent reincarnation, one should always live according to the principle of harmony with nature, without violating this mood even for a moment.

From Sanskrit they are translated as the eleventh. It is the 11th and 26th lunar day according to the Vedic calendar. These days are especially favorable for performing austerities and spiritual enlightenment.

It is said that just as there is no purer water than the water of the Ganges River, there is no Lord higher than Lord Vishnu, so there is no fast more sacred than fasting on Ekadashi.

“Of all plants, tulasi is dearer to me, of all months, kartika,
of all places of pilgrimage - My beloved Dvaraka
and of all the days of Ekadasi, the most dear to Me.
Padma Purana, Utgara Khanda

The meaning of fasting on Ekadashi

Ekadashi promotes purification on the physical, mental and spiritual plane, gaining the grace of God and liberation from the illusion of material existence.

Why is it recommended to fast on Ekadashi? Everyone knows that the Moon has a strong influence on the human psyche. And on the eleventh lunar day, we are especially dependent on our feelings, the desire to enjoy and exploit our environment for our own purposes reaches its maximum. Cereals and legumes are the main source of energy, so they are recommended to be abandoned in the first place - so as not to energize your selfish desires.

Ekadashi is called the mother of devotion - if we think of Krishna or serve Him on this day, we get more benefit than usual. Accordingly, by sinning on this day, we bear great sinful reactions.

Lord Krishna himself in the Bhagavad Gita told Arjuna about the meaning of Ekadashi:

“O Arjuna, the best of the Kuru, even the demigods cannot appreciate the power of this boon, and half of it is achieved by those who eat only “nakta” on Ekadashi.”

Post types. Rules for fasting on Ekadashi days

Fasting takes place on two levels - spiritual and physical.

On a spiritual level Ekadashi is the day of Vishnu. On this day, it is better to pray, read mantras, do pujas and just live for the Lord, remember him constantly. The day should be filled with serenity and service.

If possible, you should avoid worldly affairs and unnecessary troubles on this day as much as possible, freeing up time for spiritual communication and improvement.

On the physical level – it is abstaining from food. Posting can be done in two ways:

Full post- this is a very high standard for advanced devotees - it implies complete abstinence from food and water, the so-called "dry fast". If you want to fully observe this type of fast, then you can not even brush your teeth, and you can not take achaman (cleansing before / after japa / puja rituals). It is necessary to stay awake all night, chanting the Holy Names.

* According to some Vedic sources, women are forbidden to keep a full fast: only with the permission of her husband can a woman observe half a strict fast.

* Also, do not fall into strong austerities and keep them at all costs (this is the mode of passion), because if you experience any discomfort on this day due to well-being, then your thoughts will be very far from service.

Minimum post – it is refraining from eating legumes such as rice, corn, peas, soybeans, etc. It is said that if someone eats grain on this day, it is equivalent to eating beef.

You should try to drink and eat no more than once, in the afternoon. This food is called nakta(dinner).

When eating, in addition to grains and legumes, the following should also be avoided: spinach, honey, eggplant, asafoetida and sea salt (other types of salt such as table salt are acceptable), as well as eating in other people's homes.

You should be careful with the intake of spices these days - many spices (especially Indian ones) contain flour additives, such as asafoetida. And there may also be soy inclusions in dairy products, although this is not even indicated on the label. Some sources state that it is also necessary to refrain from oils (any - animal and non-animal origin) and honey.

As for sugar, it is generally recommended to avoid sweets. The reason is that sweet nourishes voluptuousness. Since on Ekadashi the desire to enjoy already reaches its peak, and warming up voluptuousness will be clearly superfluous.

In fact, on this day you need to limit yourself from any food and gastronomic addictions. Food should be very simple, with a minimum of spices and in no case should you overeat.

There is quite conflicting information about the products that are allowed on Ekadashi or, conversely, prohibited. Therefore, it is better to check how authoritative sources provide this information.

7 types of foods that do not break the fast (according to Hari Bhakti Vilasa:
- fruits and vegetables;
- sesame;
- milk;
- water;
- ghee;
- pancha-gavya (5 types of cow products);
- air.

According to the Mahabharata, fasting is not interrupted. :
- water;
- roots;
- fruit;
- milk;
- ghee;
- the desire of a brahmin;
- the order of the spiritual teacher;
- medicine.

Foods not to be consumed on Ekadashi:

Legumes: peas, chickpeas (chickpeas), beans, beans, and any foods made from beans or grains (tofu, coffee drinks);
Grain and products from it: oats, pasta, semolina, rice, corn, rice, corn, as well as grain and legume flour (rice, chickpea, lentil);
Eggplants, beets, tomatoes, onions, garlic, cauliflower and white cabbage, broccoli, corn, coconut, sunflower seeds;
The following spices are not recommended on Ekadashi:sesame, cumin, asafoetida, shamballa, mustard, curry, tamarind, fennel, kalinji, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg etc.
Oils: corn, mustard, sesame and sunflower.

What else can not be done on Ekadashi, and what to do is mandatory / desirable

It is forbidden:

To shave;
- eat unclean food;
- to have sex;
- engage in other activities that increase the energies of the guna of rajas (passion) and tamas (ignorance) - for example, watching films with elements of violence, or reading tabloid literature; quarrel, sort things out.

Spend as much time as possible in prayers, reading spiritual literature or discussing it, meditation;
- stay awake all night;
- dance for the Lord;
- to give alms - the benefit from what is given on Ekadashi as alms increases thousands of times compared to other days (naturally, it is necessary to give from a pure heart and not for the sake of obtaining a benefit for oneself).

It is important to follow the calendar, and not try to independently calculate the 11th day after the new moon or full moon. It also indicates the time of exit from the post.

After observing Ekadashi, it is necessary to break the fast within 2.5 hours after sunrise the next day, on Dvadasi. To exit Ekadashi, you must accept what you fasted on. If you fasted on legumes, then, accordingly, eat something from these products. If you have kept a full fast with water, then you should eat something light, such as fruit. If you kept a dry fast, then you can break the fast with water, juice or also fruits.

According to the scriptures, Ekadashi should be observed from the age of 5. One who is unable to fast due to a serious illness or old age should find a particularly spiritual person and donate something to him. He can also simply listen or read about the meaning of each Ekadashi. This practice is recommended as one of the methods to achieve the full result of fasting.

If Ekadashi was not observed by chance, you can spend it on the next day - dvadashi, and break the fast on the third day - triodashi.

But the most important thing is the meaning of Ekadasi is not to starve and not to break the fast at a strictly defined period of time. The most important thing is the state of mind in which you spend this day. Ekadashi is, first of all, a spiritual phenomenon. So the most important thing is not that you could go all day without food (or could not) or did not sleep all night (and then the question is how you will fulfill your duties the next day), but how much you improved spiritually .

I wrote that vegetarianism is the first very small step towards spirituality and personal growth. In any undertaking, the first step is very difficult, but if you are reading these lines, it means that we have already begun to move along this path and it is time to move on, to take the next steps ...

Today I will tell you about Ekadashi. Observance of Ekadashi is one of the purification ceremonies established by the Vedic scriptures, designed so that a person can spiritually rise. In short, Ekadashi is a fast, but special attention on this day should first of all be given to spiritual practices! Ekadashi is held on the 11th lunar day from the full moon and on the 11th lunar day from the new moon, i.e. 2 Ekadashi per month.

I think it will be interesting for everyone to listen to the story of the emergence of Ekadashi:

So, according to the ancient scriptures, the Supreme God created the goddess of the lunar day Ekadashi. He endowed living beings with the opportunity to be freed from sins and material existence, to reach the spiritual world by honoring the goddess Ekadashi. Personified sin or the so-called man of sin had nowhere to live and he turned to God with a request to shelter him. God gave him the opportunity to hide in the legumes on the days of Ekadashi. Since then, it has been considered that those who fast on Ekadashi are freed from all sins, and those who consume legumes on Ekadashi accept sin.

So why exactly 11 lunar days were chosen as the day of asceticism?! It turns out that everything is not just like that: Ekadashi is also called dry fasting, i.e. On this day, you can not only eat, but also drink water. This is explained as follows, on the 11th and 26th lunar days, the effect of the moon on a person is maximum, because. it is closest to the Earth, therefore, acting on the internal fluids of the human body, it creates excess pressure in the head and chest of a person, Ekadashi is aimed at limiting the amount of fluid in the body (I remind you that in addition to water in its original form, all food contains water, and some, such as vegetables and fruits, are practically water) and thereby minimize excess pressure.

How and why Ekadashi is observed in our family you can read in the article "". Also, I am of the following opinion that for some (if you do not know your constitution, you can determine it with , or write to us by mail [email protected] and we will help you determine it) observing a strict Ekadashi can be very difficult, so I recommend starting Ekadashi in a form that is more tolerant of food and liquids.

Now I will tell you how to eat properly on Ekadashi. The rules are as follows:

1. Naturally only vegetarian food!

2. Complete rejection of grains and legumes, including any of their derivatives.

3. Any oils are prohibited, the ban does not apply only to ghee.

5. You can not use any leaves.

6. Sweets are strictly prohibited.

7. Also do not eat eggplant, beetroot, tomato, onion, garlic, any cabbage, mushrooms, sesame seeds, coconut.

In addition to these restrictions, for a gentle version of Ekadashi (it is relevant especially for beginners!) There are several more rules:

The first rule of how to eat properly on Ekadashi- it is still to use a certain amount of clean water, say 2 glasses a day, you can replace one glass of water with a glass of fresh juice - apple, orange, grapefruit, but only freshly squeezed!

The second rule is how to eat properly on Ekadashi- Meals should be reduced to two or one, based on your capabilities.

With the basic prohibitions and rules on how to eat properly on Ekadashi, that’s all, it’s time to reinforce the theory with practice :), so in the end I will share with you a couple of my favorite and very simple dishes for Ekadashi:

1. Green Buckwheat with Avocado Hummus:

I recommend not even boiling green buckwheat, but simply soaking it in advance. Ready-to-eat buckwheat is slightly fried with the addition of ghee and turmeric. Personally, I really love Ghee, so I add it almost everywhere and quite generously :) Now we prepare hummus: we take a ripe but not overripe avocado, peel it and cut it in random order. Grind a few walnuts in a blender to a mushy state, then add the avocado there and punch it again. That's it, hummus is ready. It is very important to prepare it immediately before use and not to reserve.

2. Potatoes with apples, baked in the oven:

A somewhat spicy combination, but I personally like it. So, cut the potatoes and apples into thin slices, put the potatoes on a baking sheet, pour over Ghee, mix and send to the oven for 15 minutes, during this time the potatoes are slightly fried, then take the potatoes out of the oven, add the apples and mix with sour cream, again send to oven for 15 minutes at a lower temperature. 5 minutes before the end of cooking, sprinkle with grated cheese.

According to the Vedas, there are two kinds of human beings in the world. The consciousness of the first is spiritual, they live according to the Vedic scriptures, while the other materialistic people are full of ignorance and do not follow the scriptures. Despite this, God established such cleansing processes as Ekadashi, which are the same for everyone and enable everyone to spiritually rise.

E Kadashi is a traditional fasting day in Vedic culture that falls on the eleventh day after the full moon and the eleventh day after the new moon of each lunar month. Fasting on Ekadashi is not just a religious tradition. The vital rhythms of our body are very much connected with the movement of the moon. Many people know, for example, that during the full moon, people can experience problems with sleep.

Since ancient times, people have determined that fasting on the 11th day after the new moon and after the full moon has the most beneficial effect on the body. Therefore, fasting (or dieting) is recommended to be done on the day of Ekadashi.

The most favorable is the complete abstinence from water and food on the day of Ekadashi. twice a month it has a cleansing, rejuvenating and healing effect on the body. Our digestive tract is tuned to work in one of two modes - it either digests food or cleanses itself and the entire body. And if there is a process of digestion of food, the process of purification is impossible. And if we refuse water and food, the processes of cleansing the body are launched. For those who have kidney problems, dry fasting is not recommended - this can lead to unpredictable consequences.

If health or any other reasons do not allow fasting on the water, then on the day of Ekadashi you can simply follow a diet, this is also very good for health.

What can you eat on Ekadashi

Traditionally, on the day of Ekadashi, either fasting (dry or water) is observed, or a diet that excludes grains and legumes. It is also worth considering that in Vedic culture, in principle, such food as meat, fish, eggs, onions, garlic and mushrooms are considered unfavorable, so abstaining from it on the day of Ekadashi occurs by default.

Why should one abstain from grains and legumes on Ekadashi? Cereals and legumes are very heavy food for our body, and if we want to cleanse the body (and this is the very day when the lunar rhythms will help cleanse), then we should refrain from it. The fact is that any protein that enters our body is foreign (including vegetable), therefore, the process of digestion and assimilation of a foreign protein, firstly, is very energy-consuming (and the body needs energy on the day of Ekadashi for cleansing), and secondly, the process of digestion of a foreign protein is toxic to the body. Therefore, it is not recommended to load the body with toxins on the day of cleansing.

There is also an esoteric reason for avoiding grains and legumes. According to legend, in order to help living beings free themselves from negative karma, he created the opportunity to fast on Ekadashi day. And, according to beliefs, by regularly observing Ekadashi, one can break out of the cycle of rebirth and gain a state called moksha (liberation). And, according to legend, some dark forces that do not want living beings to be freed from their influence found refuge in cereals and legumes that day, filling them with their dark energy. And the one who consumes grains and legumes on this day will consume this dark negative energy.

Ekadashi Do's and Don'ts

There are no specific prohibitions. Everyone observes the day of Ekadashi, based on their abilities and their health. Those who can observe dry fasting on this day will undoubtedly fast on Ekadashi most effectively. However, simply abstaining from heavy And meat food will have a positive effect on health. Traditionally, fasting involves abstaining from all types of legumes: beans, peas, chickpeas, lentils, etc. Also from all types of grains: rice, oats, barley, weed, corn, rye, wheat, millet, payza, dagussa, chumiza, mogar, amaranth and others. On the day of Ekadashi, it is recommended to abstain from all kinds of seeds: to sesame, poppy, sunflower seeds, etc. All representatives of the plant world from the family of cereals, legumes and legumes are recommended to be excluded from the diet on the day of Ekadashi. We are also talking about the exclusion of all derivatives of cereals and legumes, that is, from bakery products it is also recommended to abstain on Ekadashi day. The food on Ekadashi day should mainly consist of vegetables and fruits.

What you can eat on Ekadashi: a list of products

What foods can be eaten on Ekadashi? All fruits and vegetables are considered blessed food on this day, with a few exceptions. However, it is recommended to avoid beets, and other root vegetables are acceptable for consumption. Dairy products are also auspicious to consume on this day. Although nuts also contain highly concentrated protein, their consumption is permissible on Ekadashi, but if you want to achieve a greater cleansing effect, it is better to refrain from any high molecular weight protein such as nuts and dairy products on this day. In addition to grains and legumes, it is also not recommended to consume honey, spinach, eggplant, etc. on this day.

The most blissful food on the day of Ekadashi will be fresh fruits and vegetable salads. On the day of fasting, a powerful cleansing process takes place, and it is not recommended to overload the body with heavy food. Fruits are the easiest food to nourish our body, and vegetables have a cleansing function, and eating them will help the body cleanse the body of toxins and toxins. Vegetable salads can be seasoned with cold-pressed oils. There is an opinion that vegetable oils are not absorbed by themselves, but break down mucus in the body and contribute to its excretion. Therefore, if there is an intention to get the maximum cleansing effect, it is recommended to consume vegetable salads on this day. In any case, everything is purely individual and everyone should choose a diet for Ekadashi for himself, taking into account general recommendations, but making adjustments for his health, daily routine, lifestyle and taste preferences.