On the rising and falling moon - the 11th lunar day after the new moon and the 26th after the new moon - the Vedic Ekadashi fast is observed. This is the most auspicious time for spiritual development, which is the goal for most yoga practitioners.

I will make a reservation that any fast goes beyond simple physical abstinence in food or exercises in righteous deeds. It has a sacred meaning, so it is difficult to explain all the subtleties without being an adherent of a particular religion and operating only with a three-dimensional vision of reality.

According to ancient scriptures, God gave humanity the days of Ekadashi so that the souls of people burdened with earthly karma and material attachments could achieve elusive benefits, which in our difficult time are spiritual knowledge and the advancement of spiritual seekers to the higher worlds. Ekadashi does not contradict any religion. You can stick to it in many ways, depending on your health, willpower and goals, which is partly the reason for its popularity around the world.

Any post is only at first glance simple. Ekadashi days are so saturated with energy that knowledgeable people cannot but use them for self-improvement. For example, at this time, many requests are quickly satisfied, at the same time, the severity of the sin committed increases tenfold.

Is it possible to do yoga during this period? Everyone decides for himself. It is recommended not to perform active physical activities. A gentle practice that does not awaken the rajas guna, but promotes a sattvic frame of mind, is quite suitable.

The mood is very important. How you entered the fast, what mood you kept, and especially how you left Ekadashi - everything matters. We will talk about this in this article.

Seven steps of Ekadashi

Leaving a fast is difficult for many practitioners, because in this age of consumption, any abstinence is a test. People “break down” and attack food, negating all the transformations in the body and on the subtle plane, so it makes sense to start with light abstinence. In total there are seven levels of Ekadashi according to the number of the main human chakras:

• the first level on Muladhara is abstinence from meat, fish, mushroom food, alcohol and smoking;
• the second on Swadhisthana - the exclusion of legumes from the diet;
• the third on Manipur - not to use all tamas products that contribute to clouding and heavy mind;
• the fourth on Anahata - one meal a day. Dinner (nakta) after 4 p.m. with fruit or a handful of nuts, dairy products to get rid of the feeling of hunger, which prevents you from concentrating on the goodness of what is happening;
• the fifth level, and very severe, on Vishuddha - only water is taken inside when necessary;
• the sixth on Ajna is a complete renunciation of food and drink. Dry fasting;
• seventh on Sahasrara - night vigil. In addition to all the above austerities, prayers, mantra chanting and other spiritual practices.

Your well-being is decisive in preparing, finding and exiting the Ekadashi fast. The day before, change the diet in favor of easily digestible food. Cleanse the internal environment: take an enema and drink more water. The day before the fast, do not overdo it in daily activities and work. Eliminate communication with difficult people. Gradually put yourself into energy-saving mode and mentally tune in to cleansing. The main thing here is gradualness and faith in what you are doing.

How to get out of Ekadashi

Same as they entered. See the seven-level table of fasting. If you have abstained from meat, then after 24 hours after sunrise following the new moon / full moon day, you can afford this type of food. Or you can try to gradually think and.

Did not use grains and legumes - go out with them. If you have withstood the highest level of fasting and fasted dry, start with 0.5 liters of water with a pinch of salt dissolved in it to taste. You can add a few drops of lemon juice.

After a while, taste fruits or vegetables, juice from them. Do not rush to throw food into the stomach. In a good way, he will not ask her ... You need to give the digestive tract time to wake up from physiological rest. Overeating, which many fasting people fall into, can harm the physical and subtle bodies.

The day after leaving Ekadashi, you should not immediately switch to the usual mode of eating, it is better to stick to light sattvic food whenever you want... Watch yourself, your emotions, so as not to confuse physiological hunger with emotional hunger, which modern people are used to eating.

You will see, as soon as you eat, the nature of thinking immediately changes. The mind will come out of a self-immersed and calm state and will start thinking about everyday affairs ... It is very useful to analyze the past post on an empty stomach: what, in your opinion, was successful. What would you like to do differently.

The exit from Ekadashi for beginners is usually accompanied by unpleasant, but tolerable physical sensations: headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, aching joints. The body gets rid of toxins, unloading "reserves" and healing the entire system, which is accompanied by an uncomfortable emotional state. If you have not sustained some level of fasting, next time it is better to start with it. Total Ekadashi - less than 50 days a year. A special calendar allows them to plan and prepare better, taking into account all previous mistakes.

Fasting has various concessions for children, the elderly, pregnant women, sick people. If it is difficult not to eat, you can limit yourself to reading spiritual literature, communicating with preachers, donating to good works, or reducing the number of meals.

Yet the spiritual component of fasting for many of us is completely incomprehensible. It is known that as you go through it regularly, it becomes easier physically and mentally, and, perhaps, the doors of the unknown for someone open slightly ...

What is the connection of fasting with the Moon? But it symbolizes our subconscious, which is distinguished by mystery and unsteadiness. When this satellite is very close to the earth, it strongly affects any biostructure - just on the 11/26th day. Being in an overexcited and weakened state at this time is a common thing, pulling cursing, offending others ...

All the negative emotional components that distort reality come out. Ekadashi is meant to stabilize the changing subconscious mind. Indeed, there is no time for a violent expression of emotions when the stomach is empty. There is no food and especially water, on which the moon has an even greater and not always positive effect.

During this period, there is energy to look deeper into the essence of what is happening and correctly interpret it. Some insights are possible. Obsession with ideas, selfish goals, desires - everything should go by the wayside and, as a result, all kinds of manifestations of negative karma. A fasting person receives additional subtle energy from above, does not spend it on gross digestion of food, but sublimates it into personal power, which he then uses for worthy purposes.

It is far from impartiality of the mind at this time, but it is very useful to pacify oneself. This will keep in balance on the rest of the critical lunar days. It is only important not to overdo it. If it’s too hard, thoughts revolve around food, and a consistently bad mood, and you continue to fast, then perhaps the manifestation of dictatorship in relation to yourself is commendable for your ego, but a rollback will inevitably follow after severe austerity. Thoughts will be far from spiritual service, and passions will attack you with renewed vigor after leaving Ekadashi. Then consider that the post failed - there is a very fine line here. Avoid extremes. Look for the middle. Good luck on your spiritual path!

Ekadashi - the eleventh lunar day after the full moon and new moon (Sanskrit "eka" - one, "dashi" - ten), occur twice a month. This is a special day of the lunar calendar, the best time for spiritual practice: prayer, fasting (at least for grains and legumes), austerities and donations these days gain unprecedented power. All the followers of the Vedas honor Ekadashi in their own way. In this article, we will talk about how to properly observe Ekadashi and fast.

The moon easily moves huge masses of water during the tides of the ocean. It also strongly affects the human body and psyche, the life of plants and animals. That's why ekadashi- not a fantasy of the ancient Brahmins, but an accurate fixation of the real processes taking place in the universe. If we follow correctly ekadashi, after the exit, we will be able to feel all their beneficialness: a clear mind, enthusiasm, concentration, spiritual uplift, a surge of strength, cleansing of the body. You can experiment and see if ekadashi work. And the more advanced a person is spiritually, the more clearly the result is felt.

What does observance of Ekadashi bring?

Physical level (body)

In Ashtanga Hridaya Samhita 1.8, a treatise on ayurveda, it is said that “during fasting, unbalanced doshas come into balance, the digestive fire flares up, the state of the body and mind normalizes. In addition, physical ease, healthy appetite and thirst, good mood and digestion, as well as strength and energy are achieved. That is, fasting allows you to burn the toxins accumulated in our body.

“Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever gifts you bring, whatever you give and whatever tapasya do it, do it, O son of Kunti, as an offering to Me.”
Bhagavad Gita, 9.27

“Once Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu fell at the feet of His mother and asked her to give Him one gift. The mother replied, "My son, I will give you whatever you want." Then the Lord said, “Dear mother, please do not eat grain food on Ekadashi days.”
Chaitanya-charitamrta, Adi-lila, 15.8-9

“The Vaishnavas have great reverence for the day of Ekadashi, Sri Hari Vasara. By proper observance of Ekadashi, bhaktas observe all the additional principles of devotional service. Giving up certain physical pleasures and engaging in devotional service regularly, once every two weeks, makes the practice of service uninterrupted and systematic.
Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Bhaktya Loka

“On Ekadashi and the days of the appearance of the Lord, one should forget about food and enjoyment and chant the holy name around the clock in the company of devotees.”
"Sri Harinama Chintamani"

Names of Ekadashi

We don't know how this will help you, but everyone ekadashi has its own name.

4. Trisprisha

7. Papavimochani

   Damanakaropani

   Varuthini

8. Pandava-nirjala

9. Devashayani

10. Pavitraropani

13. Papankusha

    Devotthani

    Vishuddha

Sources

Ekadashi is the day of Lord Hari. Translation of selected parts from the Puranas

Guide to Deity Worship in ISKCON. Pancaratra-pradipa. Volume 2

Srimad-Bhagavatam. Canto 3

The Appearance of Sri Ekadashi (1956). Shri Navina Chandra Chakravarty

Bhagavad Gita As It Is

Hari-bhakti-vilasa

Chaitanya-charitamrta. Adi-lila

Bhakti Vigyan Gosvami, answers from the forum

Ekadashi and other aspects of the practice of Gaudiya Vaishnavas / Comp. Varadeshwara d.

Vaishnava path. Daily Practice of Krishna Consciousness / Comp. Varadeshwara d.

Krishna Consciousness: A Beginner's Guide. Bhakti Vikasha Swami

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HOW TO OBSERVE EKADASHI.

Generally speaking, fasting means total abstinence from food and drink, although one can drink acamana water and charanamrita (only three drops). Whoever finds this impossible should only eat grain-free food once in the afternoon. This food, called nakta, i.e. dinner, should consist of root vegetables (except beets), fruits, water, dairy products, nuts, sugar and vegetables (except mushrooms). On Ekadasi one should try not to drink or eat more than once. As Lord Krishna tells Arjuna in the first chapter of this book, one who fasts completely on Ekadashi will receive the entire reward, and one who eats only pact - half. Of course, for every devotee in the Krishna Consciousness movement, preaching is the most important duty, and if a full Ekadashi fast prevents this duty, it should not be observed. But if a devotee can follow the rules of full fasting and continue to perform his duties, he should by all means do so. In any case, grains should be strictly avoided on Ekadashi. You should also avoid: sleeping during the day; rub with oil; chew betel nuts; touch a menstruating woman, chandalas, drunkards, weavers or laundresses; to shave; eat from bronze utensils. The eater should avoid the following in addition to grains and legumes: spinach, honey, eggplant, eating in other people's houses, asafoetida, and sea salt (other types of salt, such as table salt, are acceptable). Only those who are sick can take homeopathic medicines on this holy day. Although now the Vedic calendar starts with a month teatra(March-April), in ancient times the new year began with the month Marga-Shirsha, i.e. November-December. This is a very auspicious month. As Lord Sri Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita: "Among the months I am November and December." Ekadashi beginners usually start from this month. There are two Ekadashis in each month, one in the dark half of the month and one in the light half. They have the same power of spiritual advancement.

In order to start fasting, a devotee must first make up his mind to strictly adhere to this vow. Then he should find a learned, twice-born devotee of the Supreme Lord, and learn directly from him the sacred process of fasting on Ekadashi. One who is completely unable to fast due to a serious illness or old age should find a highly advanced soul and sacrifice something to her on Ekadashi. However, for Vaishnavas, the injunction to donate on Ekadashi means that on this day they must make special efforts to spread Krishna consciousness, the greatest treasure. This is true donation. fugue an important practice is to listen and read about each Ekadashi. Lord Shri Krishna Himself highly recommended this practice as an aid in achieving the results of fasting. If an Ekadashi is missed by chance, one can observe it on the next day, Dvadasi, and break the fast on Triyodashi, the third day. As stated in the Vedic scriptures: “If a sparkling aspirant to attain the abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead has forgotten Ekadashi, he can observe it on Dvadasi, because Ekadashi is extended to the next day.”

During the Ekadashi of the bright half of the month, one should meditate on the 12 holy names of Lord Vishnu, chanting the mantra he is keshavaya namah and other mantras regularly recited by the devotees of the Lord when applied to the body tilaki, sacred clay. During the Ekadashi of the dark fortnight, the devotee should meditate on the 16 holy names of the fourfold expansion of the Supreme Lord and their subsequent plenary parts. The devotee should chant om sankarshanaya namah, om govindaya namah, etc. [cm. Caitanya-caritamrtu, Madhya-lila, 20.195-97].

During each Ekadasi, one should constantly meditate on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, paying due respect to the yoke of full expansions. One can also meditate on the recognized appearances of the Lord in the form murti, of which there are eight varieties. In the Srimad Bhagavatam, Lord Krishna tells Uddhava: “There are eight varieties of the appearance of the murti of the Lord: stone, wooden, metal, clay, pictorial, sandy, mental and precious stones.” If Ekadashi astronomically coincides with the dates, the tenth day of the moon, one should not limit oneself to fasting, but if it coincides with Dvadasi, the twelfth day, then this is called pure Ekadashi, or Mahadvadashi, and it must be observed. In the Vedic civilization, mehadvadasi is also commonly referred to as Ekadashi.

After strict observance of Ekadashi according to the rules and regulations, one should break the fast within 2.5 hours after sunrise on Dvadasi. According to the scriptures, everyone over the age of five must fast on Ekadashi. Also, each acharya advises all four social and spiritual orders of life to sincerely and strictly observe Ekadashi in order to reach the supreme abode of Sri Krishna. However, there is an admonition to married women: “A wife with a living husband must ask his permission to fast. By neglecting this, she reduces life fly and sends him to hell. Therefore, a married woman must obtain permission from her fly to fast on Ekadashi.

On Ekadasi in the morning, the devotee should appear before the Murti of the Supreme Personality of Godhead - Lord Sri Krishna or Lord Rama - chant prayers Purusha-sukta, beginning with words sahasra-sirsa purusah. Next, the devotee should offer the Lord his humble obeisances and meditate on His lotus feet, chanting om damodaraya namah; at His feet, singing om madhavaya namah; on His intimate parts - om kamapataye namah; on the hips om vamanaya namah; on the navel - om padmanabhaya namah; on the stomach - om visvamurtaye namah; on the heart - om gyanagamiya namah; on His throat om srikanthaya namah; into His hands om sahasrabahave namah; on lotus eyes om paramyogine namah: on the forehead om urugayai namah; on the nose - om narakesavaraya namah; on His hair om sarvakamadaya namah; and on His head, singing om sahasrashirshaya namah.

In this way, a sincere devotee should meditate on the beautiful spiritual form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, and offer him his humble obeisances. The devotee should chant His holy names—Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare—by playing various musical instruments: one should also calmly chant the rosary with full reverence and love . If possible, the devotee should stay awake all night glorifying the Lord. A devotee who follows the orders of his spiritual master and observes Ekadashi (perfect fasting and glorifying the Lord all day and all night with loving devotion) will certainly become completely absorbed in pure Krishna consciousness.

On dvadasi, the devotee should first purify his body by bathing and his heart by chanting maha-mantra. Then he should prepare sumptuous food for the enjoyment of the Lord and offer it to Him with great devotion and sincere prayers. After distributing food to other devotees and brahmins, he can break his fast and enjoy feasting.

ABOUT THIS BOOK

This book should complement Srila Prabhupada's books. It consists of translations of passages from various Puranas written by Srila Vyasadeva, the literary incarnation of the Lord. Srila Suta Gosvami delivers a speech to 88,000 saints gathered in the Naimisaranya forest. Saunaka, who is the head of all saints, asks Suta Gosvami how to become free from all reactions of sinful activities. One who is not free from all sins cannot offer pure devotional service. As Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita, Yesam tvanta-gatam papam jananam punyakarmanam. bhajante mom drdha-vratah - who acted piously in previous lives and in the one whose sinful actions are completely eradicated, serves Me with determination.” In response to Saunaka, Suta Goswami narrates various historical events and conversations that took place in ancient times. Some may think that the strict rules for observing Ekadashi given in these narrations are a section of the scriptures devoted to karma-kanda, but all these rules are to help the devotee who aspires to achieve the highest purification. If these stories weren't pure. Lord Krishna, Arjuna, Yudhishthira, Lord Brahma, Narada Muni, Suta Goswami and Saunaka Rishi would not waste their precious time presenting the texts so exhaustively. Moreover, Sri Dvaipayana Vyasa, the literary incarnation of the Lord, would not describe these facts in the Puranas meant for those in the mode of goodness. Therefore, one who is inclined towards spirituality should fully take these instructions to heart. They are all designed to lift us up.

As Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said, the whole process of Krishna consciousness is based on vairachya-vidya, "renunciation and knowledge." Strict observance of Ekadashi is an authoritative, valid renunciation process that increases the devotee's purity and love for Krishna. As Srila Prabhupada writes in The Nectar of Devotion [p. 63], it is stated in the Brahma-vaivarta Purana that a person who fasts on Ekadasi is freed from the reactions of all kinds of sinful activities and advanced in a pious life. The main principle is not just to fast, but to increase faith and love for Govinda, Krishna. The real meaning of fasting on Ekadashi is to minimize the requirements of the Body and spend time in the service of the Lord by chanting and performing such service. It is best to remember the pastimes of Govinda on fasting days and constantly hear His holy name.” Thus one should fast on Ekadashi with great devotion to Krishna and not for material reasons. As Narada Muni Vyasadeva says in the First Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, we should strive to obtain that which is not achieved by wandering through the higher and lower planetary systems of this universe in countless births in many species of life. That goal is pure Krishna consciousness, which will take us back to the abode of Lord Krishna in the spiritual sky.

Therefore, we request everyone to take advantage of the great benefit of the civilized human form of life by adopting the practice of pure devotional service to Krishna, achieve liberation from birth, old age, disease and death, and return home, back to Godhead. Proper observance of Sri Ekadashi will greatly strengthen pure devotional service. Thus, everyone is invited to take part in the fasting festival on Ekadashi.

APPEAL

Suta Gosvami said, “There are twelve months in a year and there are two Ekadashis in each month. Thus, there are 24 Ekadashis in a year and two more Ekadashis in a leap year. O great saints, please listen carefully as I pronounce the names to you
these auspicious days: Utpanna, Mokshada, Saphala, Putrada, Sat-tila, Jaya, Vijaya, Amalaki, Papamochani, Kamada, Varuthini, Mohini, Apara, Nirjala, Yogini, Padma (Devashayani), Kamika, Putrada, Aja, Parivartini, Indira , Papankusha, Rama and Haribodhini (Devotthani). The two extra Ekadashis in a leap year are called Padmini and Parama. O saints, one who hears about these Ekadashis will learn how to properly observe them. Each Ekadashi brings a special boon to the one who strictly observes them.

The one to whom physically it is impossible to fast on Ekadashi, he can read about the greatness of these days and repeat the names of Ekadashi, so he will achieve the same goal as a fully observant Ekadashi vow.

The material is taken from the book "Ekadashi - the Day of Lord Hari".

How to observe Ekadashi.

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's still to use a certain amount of pure 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 are preparing 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 we 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.

About what Ekadashi is and what it is eaten with (more precisely, on the contrary, what is better to exclude from food these days), we have already written in detail in our materials: and. But someone else's experience is always inspiring, which can be a good motivation for fasting.

Therefore, today we will move from theory to practice - the heroes of our interviews will share their experience of observing Ekadashi.

Ilya Kostyuchenko, VEGAFOOD

I observe Ekadashi according to the condition. I rarely drink only water. It usually happens at festivals when I have a lot of contact with people. Then I forget about everything else: I only have enough attention and communication.

In general, I always try to eat less than I want. Leave the table when you still want to talk. This is my rule. So life becomes an interesting series.

On Ekadashi I feel very good. More energy appears, and it is important to know where to give it, or rather, to whom.

My principle is to give everything without a trace, then even more comes to you. This process is hilarious.

There was one incident that I remember forever. This happened on a big Vedic holiday - the day of the appearance of Krishna. I didn't eat until 21:00, then I ate until I dropped. The main celebration started at 22:00. Everyone sang, danced, and I sat and felt sick. I have since filled in forever how to prioritize.

For Ekadashi I have one piece of advice: engage yourself, all your feelings and thoughts with positive activity. It is important to forget about yourself and serve people, God.

My favorite dishes: halva, buckwheat cutlets. From fruits - watermelon and grapes. I also love ekadash cakes. Sometimes we have Ekadash feasts.

Anna Dukhnovskaya, VEGAFOOD

Anna Dukhnovskaya - How did I become a vegetarian?

Ekadashi I try to keep always. These days I refrain from eating pulses. I keep a full fast on Janmashtami, as far as the condition of the body allows. I feel differently during fasting days.

Sometimes it is neutral, but more often there is an aggravation of feelings and irritability appears, although physically everything is fine.

The most annoying thing is when, for example, you remember Ekadashi all day, and on the way home from work you go to the nearest shop to buy a chocolate bar. The chocolate is eaten - Ekadashi is interrupted, and you are sad. Or when you live in an ashram, you cook for everyone (10 and 15 people) and various disputes begin on the topic of what is allowed and not allowed on Ekadashi.

My personal advice on Ekadashi is this: if you are afraid to make a mistake with the types of foods that you can eat on this day, then cook only vegetables. As spices, add the simplest ones: salt, ginger, black pepper.

As it turned out, buckwheat is not a leguminous crop, so we were lucky in our latitudes with its use. In Asian countries, it is found, but rarely. Although, of course, not everyone likes buckwheat. Yes, and the majority is tired of eating only it on the days of fasting.

At this stage of my life, I observe Ekadashi, but this was not always the case. During my two pregnancies and while breastfeeding, I did not fast.

There is nothing difficult in the post for me. The main thing is to realize and understand what this day is for, then it is already easier to control the mind and tongue.

The attitude is very important. It is advisable to remember Ekadashi the day before, prepare your mind and prepare Ekadashi products. It is also necessary to remember what kind of day it is and what it is for. And you need to remember: whatever happens on Ekadasi, it is the grace of the Lord.

My favorite Ekadash dish is roasted vegetables., especially baked potatoes, and a fresh salad. Rinse the potatoes well, cut into slices and season with spices (except asafoetida, as it is not Ekadash). Add some olive oil, mix well and place in the oven on the grill. The main thing is to add salt at the very end of cooking, then the potatoes will turn out juicy and tasty.

Natasha Uma, vocalist of Shanti People

Natasha Uma ("Shanti People"): Became a Vegetarian Thanks to Music

I try to observe Ekadashi, but I don’t always succeed, I can forget. I always fast in different ways, but I stopped choosing strict asceticism for myself. Although I had experimented with dry fasts before, but then my head began to hurt.

It is believed that karma is distributed on this day by legumes. I do not feel this philosophical component, so I just accepted that this is the case and follow this rule. Now on Ekadashi I eat everything without pulses, it is a very simple meal.

It is worth starting to observe Ekadashi in order to find out what these days are and when they occur. It is necessary for a person to determine the importance of asceticism for himself, because this is, first of all, not a diet, but a spiritual practice.

They fast on this day to devote more time to chanting mantras, reading scriptures.

Each person must understand why he performs austerity: for show, because everyone does it? Or for yourself - looking for something important.

The answers to this question will serve as motivation: to fast dry or choose another option. But if a person works hard, how can he fast on this day? It won't give him strength.

I usually eat potatoes twice a month. These days usually fall on Ekadashi. I have a very simple recipe that requires a minimum of physical effort.

Butter is placed on a baking sheet, melted, lumpy asafoetida, black pepper and Provence herbs are added. Wash the potatoes well, cut them in half right in the skin and lay them cut side down on a baking sheet and leave to bake. It turns out very tasty.

Konstantin Borovsky, KBDM group

Konstantin Borovsky: “To change the world, you need to start with yourself”

Unfortunately, I do not always observe Ekadashi. Most of all I like dry fasting or with water. But it all depends on the circumstances. Sometimes I fast only excluding legumes. Singing or recording vocals on an empty stomach is not a good idea. Following Ekadashi is a rather delicate process. On this day, it is preferable to stay in one place and reduce material activities. On tour, this is not possible. On the contrary, you have to work hard and generally do everything that is not recommended to do on Ekadashi. So you have to make the most out of a bad deal.

Fasting is not at all difficult, especially if the mind is constantly busy. Sometimes on the most ordinary day, I catch myself not having breakfast yet, because I was doing something important and completely immersed myself in this process. With this attitude one should observe Ekadashi.

But it also happens the other way around: from the very morning you know that Ekadashi, but the first thing you do is brew yourself chicory.

It is important not to miss this day. And since I forget everything, I subscribed to several Ekadashi reminders at once, which remind me: Ekadashi tomorrow, Ekadashi today, etc. The most important thing is not the material, but the spiritual component of these days and, accordingly, the right frame of mind. If it is there, then it is real austerity. If not, then it's just a health promotion.

My favorite thing to eat on Ekadashi is pineapple. Favorite dish is alu gauranga. These are potatoes baked with cheese, sour cream, herbs and spices. It is thinly sliced ​​and layered with paneer and seasonings. His best recipe, in my opinion, is given in the VKI book (by Adiraja Das).

Daniil Matseychuk, KBDM group

There are different Ekadashis and I try to comply at least minimally with their settings. On Panda Ekadashi I fast dry, without food or water. There are less strict Ekadashis where I just exclude pulses. If I don’t have enough energy and strength, or when I’m sick, then I choose a lightweight version of fasting.

Sometimes in the morning I wake up with the thought of whether today is Ekadashi? I go to the phone, where I have a special program installed that informs about the days of Ekadashi, and, as a rule, I turn out to be right. Or this happens on the eve of the post. In the worst case scenario, the next day after it. Or, it happens, you eat cookies with the thought of how delicious they are! And then you understand: oops, today is Ekadashi. And for those who have gone wrong, there is the next day, dvadashi, on which it is also safe to fast.

On Ekadashi, I want to give one advice that I found from the American spiritual writer John Favors (aka Bhakti Tirtha Swami) and which I tested on my own experience. So, in the most difficult dry fasts, it is best to distract your mind, take on a little more business, immerse yourself in activities. Then the fast goes more easily and smoothly, because the mind is busy and you do not dwell on the feeling of hunger. And by myself, I noticed that when you fast, the mind starts to disturb too much. It is on Ekadashi that for some reason you want to eat flour, even if you don’t really like it. You have to do what you normally do and divert your mind by adding extra activities. Meditate more, do yoga, listen to lectures, read. This is favorably deposited in the mind.

In general, Ekadash cuisine is my number one priority. Along with VKI (Vedic Culinary Arts, by Adiraja Das), my favorite cookbook is the little pamphlet 108 Ekadash Dishes (by Leela Avatara d.d.). It contains simple and very tasty recipes. I noticed that Ekadash food is easier to digest. You can eat a lot if you are hungry, but also quickly feel light again.

Let's Observe Ekadashi Together

We suggest that everyone who wants to try to observe Ekadashi or is already doing it, to fast together. To do this, follow two simple steps (right below the picture).

By the way, last time more than 100 people participated with us.

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