Ekadasi

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Ekadasi is regarded as one of the most significant vrats. Ekadasi is a Sanskrit word, which means ‘the eleventh’. It refers to the eleventh day of a fortnight belonging to a lunar month. There are two fortnights in a lunar month—the bright (Sukla Paksha) and the dark (Krishna Paksha) fortnight. So Ekadasi occurs twice in a month. Bhagavata Purana notes the observation of Ekadasi by Ambarisha, a devotee of Vishnu.

The Ekadasi tithi which comes in Krishna Paksha is Krishna Ekadasi and which comes in Sukla Paksha is Sukla Ekadasi.

History of Ekadasi

It has also been told in Padma Purana that, Ekadasi is the name of the female Shakti of Lord Shiva, which killed the demon “Muran” to save the Devas. Since this happened on the eleventh day of the Lunar month, Lord Vishnu gives the name Ekadasi to the female Shakti. Further Lord Vishnu was pleased with this act and gave a boon that whoever worships Her and observes fasting on this day, would reach Vaikunth.

Spiritual Significance of Ekadasi

Mentioned in numerous Puranas, Ekadasi is also known as Harivasara and Hari din. Ekadasi is a time for us to step back from our normal routine and take stock of our spiritual lives. Ekadasi has been set aside for us to observe a fast to please Krishna and is a special day for devotees. The significance of Ekadasi fasting has been listed even in the Padma Purana and Skanda Purana. According to scriptures, one who observes fasting on Ekadasi is freed from all kinds of reactions to sinful activities and advances in spiritual life. We fast on Ekadasi in order to minimize the demands of the body so we can engage more of our time in the service of the Lord by chanting or performing some other devotional service. The best thing to do on these fasting days is to remember the pastimes of Krishna and to hear His Holy name being sung and chanted. These sacred fasting days greatly help any sincere soul achieve, even within this present lifetime, liberation from the cycle of birth and death. 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 Ayurveda medicine recommend fasting to maintain and improve health. Indeed modern medical experts and ancient sages agree that fasting benefits one, both physically and mentally. The basic principle is to not just 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.