“Whatever happens in Bharatha Desam we need to ensure the King of all Vrattas Ekadasi has to be revived and practiced by all; This Vrattam is a Maha Dharma that was practiced very sincerely until two or three generations ago but has been robbed since then. We need to realize because of a couple Maadhwa elderly women observing Ekadasi Shuddha Upavasam sincerely today we get rains.” – Pujya Shri HH Kanchi Maha Periyava
“We do not become weak or lose our health if we observe upavasam, in fact it is the other way around. ‘Langanam Parama Oushadham’ (Fasting is the best cure or medicine) is what the Ayurveda Sastras say. It may be tough to start but with practice we can overcome it. With Bhagawath Bakthi and Sankalpam we will realize the fruits we get out of fasting which will strengthen our resolve to observe upavasams.” – Pujya Shri HH Kanchi Maha Periyava
Jaya Jaya Shankara Hara Hara Shankara,
Ekadasi, the mother of all Vrattams comes in the next day or two depending on where we live. Please check your Panchangam or Calendar for Thithi as it is based on sun rise. Sri Periyava’s strong message on observing this Vrattam is listed in the link below. The goal is to restrain ourselves from worldly activities as much as we can and spend time in Eswara Dhyanam, Purana Shravanam, and Bhagawan Nama Japam which is very important.
Here is a summary of the levels of fasting prescribed by Sri Periyava. Let’s start at level 4 and with Periyava’s grace we will progress over a period of time. All we need to do is put in our sincere effort and Periyava will show us the way. Bare minimum, ‘Avoid Rice’ on this day and be in Periyava Smaranam. If possible, have an early dinner before sunset on Dasami (the day before Ekadasi) as Sastras prescribes that way. Spread this message to like-minded people as well.
- Nirjalam – Withour water (very noble)
- Sathvik Liquids – Water, Milk
- Fruits and Sathvik Liquids
- Satthuma, Poori (without any Patthu)
- Light Tiffin, Fruits – Upma/Idly/Dosa/Chapatti for one session and fruits or Sathvik liquids for another session.
Please ‘AVOID’ taking rice on this day as Sri Periyava has warned about ‘No atonement’ if rice is consumed on this day. It is an equivalent sin to consuming dog’s excreta in every handful we take. Also try to avoid salt, spice, sour as much as we can.Exemptions – People who are sick, weak, elderly can consume rice without Kanji water without salt, tamarind, and spice. People are who are below 8 and above 80 are exempted though they can also fast if they can. North Indian’s especially Bengali’s, Maharashtrian’s observe this fast Nirjalam (No Water) including infants and toddlers.
Sathvik Liquids – Water, Milk, Buttermilk (no salt), Wheat Porridge (no salt). Coffee, Tea, Choco drinks, cool drinks, alcohol, are NOT ‘Sathvik’ Liquids.Let’s ensure whatever we consume does not contain ‘Gelatin’ as it will be terrible to have it on this day or rather any day
Ekadasi Timings – Fasting is observed based on the existence of Ekadasi Thithi at the time of sunrise.Ekadasi may exist only for a partial day but if the Thithi on sunrise is Ekadasi consider fasting on that day.Check http://www.mypanchang.com/, http://www.drikpanchang.com/ for details on sunrise and thithi or your local calendars.
Breaking Fast on Dwadasi Morning – Check the Panchagam when the Dwadasi Thithi ends the next morning and do Paaranai (have full meal) before that time. If it is too early and food cannot be prepared offer ‘Thulasi’ Theertham or Milk to Bhagawan and break the fast by consuming it. Agathikeerai, Nellikai Pachadi (Gooseberry/Amla), Sundakaai are items included in Dwadasi menu to bring the body back to equilibrium after the fasting day.
We all have a duty to feed Gho Matha every day but it is very auspicious and parama punniyam to feed Gho Matha with Agathikeerai on Dwadasi.|Ekadasi Deepam is also considered auspicious as well.
Source and Original Posting from Deivathin Kural on Ekadasi – Click Here
Why fasting? Spiritual and Scientific rationale behind fasting – Please read the following chapters from Deivathin Kural: Click Here-1, Here-2“People are interested in doing Utsavam, Bikshavandanam, Kanakabhishekam, Peetarohanam, etc. for me and sing my praises. The same gets published in the media. Is there any point in this? Our goal should be to execute what is told in the Sastras. That is the real Utsavam, Bikshavandanam, Peetarohanam, and Kanakabhishekam for me.” – Pujya Shri HH Kanchi Maha Periyava
Categories: Announcements
Sir, when I decide to fast and if I go to the temple and I am Offered prasadam, should I have it or not.. Does consuming the prasadam break the fast?
If it is a rice item better to take it home and partake it the next day. This is the practice I follow based on my interpretation of Maha Periyava upadesams. Some may disagree but observing the Vrattam and being in Bhagawath Smaranam is the key for which the stomach needs to be empty as per Sri Periyava. Rama Rama
Thank you for replying..
Sri Vaishnavas who follow Ekadasi strictly use this rule:
Mahaprasadam on Ekadasi:
On Ekadasi, strict followers of Vaishnava regulations avoid eating any mahaprasada from an offering that includes grains. The shastra explains that the papa-purusha (sin personified) takes shelter in grains on Ekadasi, and therefore we avoid grains at all cost on that day, not even risking taking non-grain preparations of mahaprasada from an offering plate containing grains. Ekadasi mahaprasada should be stored until the next day; if that is not possible it can be distributed to persons not strictly following Vaishnava regulations or to animals. In fact, mahaprasada maintains its purity on Ekadasi despite the presence of the papa-purusha, and therefore it will purify anyone who eats it. Nevertheless, the followers of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, being strict followers of Vaishnava regulations, avoid mahaprasada on that day because their strict sadhana will be hampered by the presence of the papa-purusha.