Significance of Ekadashi Fasting: FAQs and Benefits
Last updated on February 24th, 2024 at 04:53 pm
According to Sadhguru, every 14 days, there is a day when the body can easily go without food, or that fasting will cause the least discomfort on that day. Sadhguru also says that eating forcibly on those days is bad for health. As people did not know much about the scientific aspect of this, on a spiritual level, they fixed this day as Ekadashi. Ekadashi fasting is beneficial for your physical health and it also helps in your spiritual growth. Here we look at the importance and FAQs of Ekadashi fasting.
Ekadashi is the 11th day after the full moon and the new moon, respectively. If you go without food on this day and stay alert, your awareness will turn inward. ~ Sadhguru
Importance of Ekadashi Fasting
Ekadashi is the 11th day after the full moon and the new moon. Sadhguru says that if you fast on this day and stay alert, your awareness will turn inward.
Spiritually, Ekadashi is said to signify the 11 senses, namely the five sensory organs, the five organs of action and the mind. Fasting on Ekadashi is about gaining control over these senses and the mind. Ekadashi is the name given to the Goddess who is believed to be one of the creations of Lord Vishnu.
According to legend, a demon called Mura was wreaking havoc and had to be defeated to achieve peace and safety for everyone. Ekadashi achieved this difficult feat by defeating Mura. Pleased by this act, Lord Vishnu declared that whoever would observe fast on Ekadashi would be able to free himself/herself from sins and be able to attain moksha. This is one reason why fasting on Ekadashi has a special importance.
Devotees of Vishnu believe that fasting on Ekadashi is equivalent to going on a pilgrimage. There are 24 Ekadashis in a year, and each Ekadashi is linked with a particular avatar of Vishnu and known to have a specific importance.
Ekadashi can be observed in 3 different ways, namely nirjala which means without consuming water or food, sajala, which means consuming only liquids, and farali which means consuming only milk and fruits. Ekadashi vrat, or fasting on Ekadashi is believed to increase your spiritual strength, boost your immunity, detoxify your body and rid yourself of sins.
FAQs about Ekadashi Fasting
What is the ideal way to fast on Ekadashi?
You should have dinner on the day prior to Ekadashi and the next meal should be dinner on the day following Ekadashi. This way, it will be a 24-hour fast. Devotees avoid foods prepared from grains on the previous night, so that no residual food is left when the fast begins at sunrise on the Ekadashi day.
When to start the Ekadashi fasting and how long to fast?
Ekadashi fast spans 24 hours. It is observed from that day’s sunrise to the next sunrise.
How to break the Ekadashi fast?
Have light foods like fruits or soup.
Who can fast on Ekadashi?
Anyone who is healthy can keep the Ekadashi fast. There are no criteria about age or gender for fasting on Ekadashi.
What all can you eat on Ekadashi fast?
Preferably, you should have only water during the fast. However, if you cannot go without food, you can have fruits.
Is there a good way to control hunger on the day of Ekadashi fasting?
Sadhguru says that any healthy individual can go without food for a day, which is to say fasting is not difficult for a healthy person. However, fasting for a long time requires mental strength to resist the temptation of food. To control your cravings, Sadhguru advises you to have Indian gooseberry (amla) on the fasting day. Chewing on amla can help you avoid hunger. According to Sadhguru, doing Sadhana can help you keep up the fast.
What are the rules for Ekadashi fasting?
- Preferably, Ekadashi fasting should span 24 hours.
- Foods like meats, fish and grains should be avoided for consumption.
- Foods prepared using flour, rice, wheat and pulses should be avoided.
- Foods containing onion and garlic should also be avoided on Ekadashi.
- Fruits, milk and grain-based foods can be consumed during the fast.
Is there a scientific reason for Ekadashi fasting?
The atmospheric pressure is the lowest on the day of Ekadashi, which is why it is the best time for fasting.
What are the health benefits of Ekadashi fasting?
The benefits of Ekadashi fasting on physical health and mental well-being are:
- Fasting cleanses your system by helping remove toxins from the body. Due to the detoxification, the blood is purified.
- Fasting gives some rest to the digestive system.
- It helps improve liver function.
- Fasting encourages cell repair and rejuvenation.
- During the fasting time, the body utilizes stored fat for energy, thus achieving weight loss.
- It is said that fasting on Ekadashi helps build the immune system, thus providing protection against illnesses and enhancing overall wellness.
- Fasting on Ekadashi also leads to greater focus and clarity, strengthening of will power, and raising of self-awareness.
- It facilitates emotional healing, gives you resilience, and helps create a sense of peace and harmony within yourself.
What are the spiritual benefits of Ekadashi fasting?
- In Hinduism, the main purpose of fasting is to achieve control over the mind and bodily senses and pursue spiritual growth.
- A primary benefit of Ekadashi fasting is believed to be the purification of your mind and spirit.
- By abstaining from food and focusing on spiritual practices, people learn to sacrifice worldly pleasures and purify their soul. Purification of the mind and soul helps you reflect on yourself and release negative emotions.
- It is believed that fasting on Ekadashi and giving time for worship, prayer and meditation can help you build a strong bond with the divine.
- Fasting is an act of surrender and commitment. It is said that Ekadashi fasting can help you seek the blessings of God.
- Fasting is symbolic of controlling your desires and impulses, through which you can achieve greater willpower, restraint, and self-discipline.
At Isha Yoga Center, individuals are encouraged to fast for 24 hours on Ekadashi. Preferably, they should fast on water only, but those who cannot can follow a fruit diet. Sadhguru says that on Ekadashi, the planet is in a certain state, which is conducive to raising awareness of the self. Perhaps, this is why Ekadashi is considered to be a powerful day. So, keep a fast on that day, take up spiritual practices like sadhana or meditation, and open yourself up, to receive the divine energy that will purify your body, mind and soul.