The goal of the Ekadashi Fasting is to purify your soul and get ready for Moksha (salvation). By engaging in this ceremonial activity, people can overcome negative planetary effects and find happiness.
All Hindus are permitted to observe this fast, which is observed on the Ekadashi date, that is, the eleventh lunar day of a Hindu calendar month, and is especially well-liked by followers of Lord Vishnu.
What is Ekadashi Vrat?
The purpose of the Ekadashi fast is to purify the soul. It is devoted to Lord Vishnu, the domain‘s protector god. Hinduism holds that the lunar phase has two different phases: the new moon, or Krishna Paksha, and the full moon, or Shukla Paksha and each phase comprises 14 days.
The name of the eleventh day is Ekadashi (literally meaning eleventh). Millions of Hindus around the world participate in the Ekadashi Vrat, a traditional fast, which is performed on this day.
Why do we fast on Ekadashi?
The devotees of Lord Vishnu are quite capable of answering this question. For individuals who have faith and revere Lord Vishnu, the blessings of the Ekadashi fast are intended. It is regarded as one of Hinduism’s most fruitful fasts. The advantages of the Ekadashi fast might offer you harmony, prosperity, and peace.
Vishnu explained the meaning of Ekadashi’s fast to Yudhishthira. Those who are genuinely faithful, he continued, must observe this day in order to purify their souls and achieve Moksha (salvation).
This fast is supposed to be very beneficial for everyone because salvation is said to be the main goal of human existence. Devotees who participate in this auspicious Hindu ceremony find happiness and prosperity.
Benefits of Ekadashi Fasting
Fasting is a technique for Hindus to make their bodies the focus of rituals that are necessary and integral to worshipping God. Ekadashi is one such fast. Numerous rituals are carried out during the worship of God, depending on the king and deity being worshipped. Among its components is fasting.
Well, the phenomenon of purifying one’s mind, body, and soul is not just limited to the realm of the supernatural soul, but also finds application in the study of metabolism and other biological processes.
Since ancient times, people have been practising this skill of worshipping and appeasing the deity, and it is still common in today’s society. You can go spiritually and cleanse your conscious soul by fasting.
In addition to restricting one’s whole food, fasting calls for following basic hygiene procedures. A person who is fasting is allowed to consume fruits and milk. The ancient and holy writings of Hinduism have a large number of short stories that are related to fasting.
There are many scientific factors that influence fastening.
The biological consequences of fastening on the human body have been discovered by researchers. Many people are unaware of this fact, yet those who keep such fast do so because of their beliefs.
On the day of Ekadashi, fasting is equivalent to making a pilgrimage to any holy site. This fast is seen to have virtue because of the well-known Aswamedha sacrifice.
The entire month of Ekadashi is devoted to individuals seeking mental stability and peace. These Ekadashi fasting advantages are perfect for you if you wish to purify your body, mind, and soul and get rid of all your sins.
Ekadashi fast not only purifies the soul but also detoxifies the body and improves metabolism. Lord Vishnu devotees are aware of the Ekadashi fast. The advantages of the Ekadashi fast include ultimate salvation, wealth, and religious faith.
How to do Ekadashi fast?
To achieve the desired outcomes, the Ekadashi fast contains a number of guidelines that must be correctly followed:
- Pregnant women, the elderly, and those who are ill should not observe this fast.
- Only those who are determined and profoundly spiritual may keep this fast according to the regulations.
- During the hours of fasting, food and liquids must not be touched. Milk and fruit can be consumed by people who are unable to observe Nirjala Ekadashi (Ekadashi without water).
- Food grains, meat, and fish consumption are severely forbidden.
- The fast must begin at dawn and end at dusk. It is encouraged that those who observe this fast rise early, take a cleansing bath, and say the Vishnu mantra “Om Namo Bhagvate Vasudevaya.”
- Those who observe this fast are advised to engage in benevolent endeavours and abstain from acts of violence, dishonesty, and lying.
What can we eat during Ekadashi fast?
Fish, cereals, and meat are not permitted during the Ekadashi fast. Fruits, milk and milk-based products, and non-grain goods should be consumed in their place. Try to avoid eating foods like flour, rice, wheat, lentils, onions, and garlic. Contrarily, it is possible to eat a variety of fruits, paneer, ghee, makhana, singhare ke atta, kuttu ka atta, and rajgira ka atta. Nirjala Ekadashi, the most stringent version of this fast, forbids water consumption. Alcohol consumption and smoking are strictly forbidden during the fast.
Story of Ekadashi
Ekadashi is the name of a Goddess who was one of Lord Vishnu’s creations. According to the tail Demon, Mura had to be defeated in order to bring about peace, and Ekadashi date succeeded in doing so.
One of the benefits of the Ekadashi fast is that a person who observes it will be able to purify himself of all sins and mental impurities and will certainly attain Moksha. After being satisfied with her deed of destroying the monster, Lord Vishnu bestowed this talent upon her. Ekadashi is one of the most noteworthy and outstanding fasts to date as a result.