Ekadashi belongs to Immortal of Immortals, Lord Vishnu. It is the most pious day to get the liberty of your all sins, no matter what. Devote could be free from the influences of malefic planets, gain happiness & peace of mind. Up above all, devotee can get enlightenment (मोक्ष) as well by having this fast. He will be full of Spiritual feel after having this fast. But devotee must have to be very careful while during this fast. Doing any sort of small mistake during the fast is equivalent to an offence. On the contrary, if someone does it with pure mind and devotion, he could achieve the impossible. He can get whatever he is willing to (including the Enlightenment /Moksha), which is everyone’s wish and objective of every human being. As per my understanding, it is the best Vedic Fast, which is, i am known to.

Who is Ekadashi?

In the golden age, Lord Vishnu was engaged in a battle with demon, known as Mura. While fighting Lord Vishnu started feeling sleepy and decided to rest from the long battle. However, mura wanted to kill the Lord while sleeping. Then a young girl, appeared from the body of the Lord, who killed the demon. This girl was the Mahasakti itself. Since she came on 11th day (ekadashi) of the waning moon, Narayana gave her a name as Ekadashi. He granted her the boon that whosoever will fast on Ekadashi, will be free from all sin and may get rid of birth cycles.

When it Happens?

As per our Vedic Calender (Lunar/Moon), One Lunar month have approx 27 lunar day and each day is known as Tithi i.e. One Lunar day. We have divided the 27 lunar days in two parts. First, in which Moon size grows and light increase on earth day by day. It is known as Waning (Shukla Paksh). Second, in which Moon size decreases and moon light fades day by day. It is known as Waxing (Krishna Paksh). On 11th tithi (lunar day) (ekadashi) of each phase (Krishna and Shukla paksh), we celebrate Ekadashi. We have total 26 Ekadashi in a Year.

We have following 26 Ekadashi, two in each paksha:

Rules of Ekadashi

Ekadashi fast starts from Sunrise to next day sunrise. However, the rule depends on community to community. There are different Brahmin categories that have different constraints. Even though, devotee must brush before sleep (on prior night of Ekadashi), so that even a bit of food piece should not be left in mouth on ekadashi day. As per my knowledge, few of the common rules, which must be followed, are mentioned below. If reader observes any are of improvement, suggestions are always welcome. The devotee should wake up early in the morning and take bath. Clean clothes are to be worn on this day. After this, worship of Lord Vishnu is to be done by incense sticks, flowers, and fruits.

Sleeping in the day/night is not allowed. One should also avoid committing any sinful acts and should not speak lie. Chanting of Lord Vishnu should go on during the day & night as much as possible. On the next day of ekadashi, Do worship of Vishnu and read ekadashi katha. When we enter the 12th lunar day(dwadshi), we will have to wait for Hari Vasara to be over for breaking the fast. Hari Vasara is first one fourth duration of Dwadashi Tithi, in this we are not allowed to break our fast. But once Hari Vasara is over, we must take food after Prayer. The timings of Hari vasara gets changed, so be careful. If we don’t open our fast after Hari vasara, it is as well an Offence/sin.

Foods allowed during the Fast

• Any sort of fruits
• Milk
• Potatoes
• Olives
• Rock Salt (sainda namak)
• Ginger
• Pepper
• Sugar

Foods which are not allowed during the Fast

• Any type of grains, Moong (green grams), wheat, barley, gram, and Urad
• Salt
• Yogurt
• Onion, Rice is strictly prohibited. Even the other family members should avoid having these on this day, no matter if they are on the fast or not.

Mantra

“ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय”

Or

“Vishnu Sahasra-naam”

Ekadashi Schedule (in 2022)

Please click below on the link to know more about specific Ekadashi

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय