Hindu: Why is Ekadashi treated as sacred and pious day?

Question

Hindu: Why is Ekadashi treated as sacred and pious day?

Answer 1

friend,



normally 99.9?% i do not copy paste my answer.But for this I am pasting here ma answer as copied as shown in answer itself.Hope this is usefel to some at least.



''' The Inner Meaning of Ekadasi

Submitted by Harmonist staff on June 3, 2009 – 8:54 pm13 Comments

By Swami B. V. Tripurari



I was walking with Srila Prabhupada once and one of my Godbrothers asked, “Prabhupada, is Ekadasi auspicious or inauspicious?” In other words, do we observe certain practices on Ekadasi because the stellar arrangement is inauspicious and we seek to counteract that influence, or is it simply auspicious to observe Ekadasi? And if it is auspicious, why do we do things like fasting and so forth? Prabhupada replied, “Ekadasi is most auspicious, and it is not about fasting; it’s about feasting.”



Upavasa (fasting) also means to “reside” (vasa) “nearby” (upa), and thus the real principle of Ekadasi is to reside near Bhagavan. It’s not about fasting; it is about coming closer to the Godhead. Although everyday is God’s day, two days have been singled out as “Hari’s day” to emphasize the point. The hope is that we will then spend these days moving nearer to Bhagavan through Hari-bhakti, and upon finding how relishable these experiences are, we will end up doing them everyday into eternity. This is the idea that our Ekadasi observance should revolve around. If fasting is only making me sleepy or proud, what is the value of it?



When I was residing in the Caitanya Saraswat Math, we would take Ekadasi prasadam on the day of Ekadasi, but there was one devotee from another math residing there who would always observe Nirjala Ekadasi, fasting from all food and water. When the rest of the devotees would sit and take lunch, he would walk near them and chant Harinama very loudly. And although he was chanting Harinama, if you listened carefully you could hear, “Just see my standard, you are eating, but I’m observing Nirjala Ekadasi!” His fasting was only fostering his pride, which has no ability to bring us closer to Hari and thereby fulfill the purpose underlying the Ekadasi-vrata.



In the same math on another occasion, there was one sannyasi Godbrother of mine visiting, and during the arati he led the kirtan while leaping and dancing in abandon. After the arati he came to take the darshan of Pujyapada Sridhara Maharaja, and in the end of the discussion that ensued, Sridhara Maharaja asked him to please honor Ekadasi prasada. However, the sannyasi replied that for many years he had maintained a vow of fasting from food and drink on Ekadasi. In surprise Sridhara Maharaja said “Leaping high in the air and dancing while leading the kirtan, and observing nirjala at the same time?” Although impressed with his vow, Pujyapada Sridhara Deva asked him again “You will not take anything—no Ekadasi prasada from our math?” To this the sannyasi replied that although this had been his vow for many years, if it would please Sridhara Maharaja then he would break it and honor Mahaprabhu’s prasada. Sridhara Maharaja was very pleased with his response, and whenever he would tell this story he would conclude that “This sannyasi has understood Vaishnavism.” To come closer to the Vaishnava, closer to Bhagavan, this is the purpose of the Ekadasi-vrata. In some instances breaking the law is necessary to observe its spirit. For every law there is a higher law on the way to love, where all law finds its fulfillment.



Ekadasi is a particular phase of the moon, which is said to have some influence on fluids—the tides being the prime example. The human body is constituted of water more than any other element, and during Ekadasi it is said that the water in the body shifts in such a way that it puts pressure on the senses, making them more prone to enjoy. Because of this, Ekadasi would seem inauspicious, pressuring our senses to enjoy and thereby impeding our upavasa, or moving closer to Hari. According to this thinking, we fast to counteract the influence of the moon and focus our energy on Bhagavan.



Still, Prabhupada said that Ekadasi is “most auspicious,” “it is not about fasting,” and furthermore, “it is about feasting.” But how so? For the siddha, who lives in the aprakrta (transcendent yet humanlike) conception of the Absolute, Krishna is just like us. Yasoda is not thinking that Krishna is the supreme Godhead, and neither are the cowherds or the young gopis. “My son,” “my friend,” “my lover”—they are thinking along these lines. Thinking that Krishna is human, they also think that on Ekadasi there is the same pressure on Krishna’s senses to enjoy more, so they can offer him more on this day. “We can offer more prasadam, we can satisfy his senses more and although we are already giving everything, by the grace of this phase of the moon, he can take even more!” So they increase all their service, and in this way it is a most auspicious day. Of course, they also observe Ekadasi in consideration of the lower perspective in relation to their ser

Answer 2

Ekadashi (Sanskrit for eleven; also spelled as Ekadasi) or Agyaars is the eleventh lunar day (Tithi) of the shukla (bright) or krishna (dark) paksha (fortnight) of every lunar month in the Hindu calendar (Panchang). In Hinduism and Jainism, it is considered a spiritually beneficial day. Scriptures recommend observing an (ideally waterless) fast from sunset on the day prior to ekadashi to 48 minutes after sunrise on the day following ekadashi.[citation needed]



Ekadashi is a bimonthly occasion that is mainly observed by Vaishnavas, although its observance is also open to followers of non-Vaishnava traditions. On the Ekadashi day strict fasting is observed, abstainance from all grains, beans, cereals and certain vegetables and spices.



Ekadashi also coincides with the times when the moon is the closes to Earth ( Perigee) and the time when moon is farthest from the Earth ( Apogee ) . These are also the times of high tide and low tide respectively. During Ekadashis in the Krishna paksha, the moon is the closest to the earth and during Ekadashis in the Shukla paksha the moon is farthest from the earth.



Bhagavata Purana (sk. IX, adhy. 4) notes the observation of Ekadashi by Ambarisha, a devotee of Vishnu.

for more details go to the source

Answer 3

It is the eleventh day in both the halves of the lunar month - shuklapaksha and krishnapaksha - and is associated with spiritual discipline such as upavasa/fasting and other vrata done either to expiate sins and/or gain self control.The meanings are explained well by earlier answers that I do not want to repeat.

Answer 4

Nice answer from, Sir Sri Vidya, Sir Radhakrishna and abhi!!



The ritual of performance of puja differs according to one’s sampradaya. Even further divisions like shat-karmis and tri-karmis also exist. The calendars followed by the various Brahmin sects are also different. Some follow the lunar calendar while others follow the solar calendar. There are 24 Ekadashi's observed by Hindus during the year, one each during each half of every hindu month on the hindu date of eleventh. Vaikunth Ekadashi is observed in December/January. This festival marks the famous event narrated in the Bhagavatham when Lord Vishnu incarnated as the Tortoise for facilitating the churning of the ocean of milk by the gods and the demons, to obtain the nectar of immortality. On this day the gates of Vaikunth are kept open for spiritual aspirants to enter. Vaikunth means a place where Lord Sri Narayana resides and dwar means door. Vaikunth dwar means door which leads to Lord Narayana's abode. This door opens once in a year on the day of Vaikunth Ekadashi. Passing through this door on this day allows the devotees to attain Vaikunth.



From time immemorial, Sri Vaishnavites have been observing fasts twice a month on Ekadasi days. This fasting is, in general, for everyone. Ekadasi is the 11th day in the moon cycle, i.e. from the new moon day and also from the full moon day. Sri Vaishnavites used to eat food in the morning as early as possible. In our Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya every Ekadasi (the 11th day of bright & black fortnight) has a special name. Accordingly during the Krittika month, the Ekadasi during the bright fortnight is called Kaishika Ekadasi (today some use the term Koushika Ekadasi, which is wrong; Sage Vishwamitra has nothing to do with this Ekadasi). Kaishika is a raga in music.



According to the Vishnu Purana, observing the Ekadasi Vrata (or fast) on Vaikuntha Ekadasi day confers the benefit equivalent to observing all the other eleven Ekadasis during the year. Fasting (according to one’s capacity), chanting the names of the Lord, visiting Vishnu temples are some of the ways this festival is observed. In some temples, this festival is celebrated over five days with special Pujas on all days. Devotees also get a chance to go through a sanctified entrance called “Vaikuntha Dwaaram” (doorway to “heaven”) on the Vaikunta Ekadasi day and participate in the continuous chanting of the Vishnu Sahasranamam (one thousand names of Lord Vishnu).



The day is observed as a very sacred day by all the Vishnu bhaktas and many people fast on that day. It is believed that by observing a fast on that day and spending the day in poojas and prayers to Lord Vishnu, one will be absolved of all sins and will attain Moksha and the doors of Vaikunta will be kept open for the soul after it leaves this physical body. The soul does not have a rebirth anymore and attains the feet of the Supreme Lord.



Na GaayathryA para manthra: Na MAthu para dhaivatham

Na GangAsyA: paramam theertham Na EkAdasyA : samam vratham.



There is no mantra superior to the Gayatri mantra, There is no god superior to the Mother, There is no water more purifying or superior than River Ganges. And finally, there is

no fast/ austerities (vradham) more sacred or superior than the Ekadasi.



In general, no onion & Garlic are consumed by Sri Vaishnavas. In addition, they avoid using cream, and heavy fat items on their fasting days of Eakadasi. Different varieties of tasty items are prepared, depending on their individual taste. But none of the items contain any heavy stuff to make you heavy or bulgy. In case of persons unable to fast whole day, they recommend Idli, Dosa but they take it only half of their quota to avoid heaviness in their body. Following are the items best recommended to consume on the Fasting day of Ekadasi that includes light refreshments, beverage, milk products, vegetables, fruits: Lemon, Banana, Grape, Pineapple, Orange, all varieties of Dry fruits, Buttermilk, Milk, cereals, Broken rice, Rawa, & Yogurt

Answer 5

1) Ekadashi as sacred and pious day:



The literal meaning of the word Ekaadasi is one plus ten. The main ten avatars of Lord Vishnu plus as PARABRAHMAM is eleven!



ONE stands for the Lord Vishnu Sashasra Nama Sthothram (Slokam 78, Nama 730) calls HIM "Ekahya Namah" or "Ekasmai Namah" meaning salutations to the ONE. So in the very name of Ekaadasi Shri Hari is present and so it is auspicious day. Since Shri Hari is the presiding deity for Ekaadasi it is called 'Haridina' meaning a day to be dedicated entirely for worshipping HIM, meditating upon Him, listening to HIS glory and studying the scriptures. In short, anything we do on this day should please the Lord.



Mokshada Ekadashi, Margasirsha Shukla Paksha Ekadashi (November – December):



According to prominent Hindu scriptures, on this day, Lord Sri Krishna made the glorious teachings of Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna.



2) Upavas or Fasting:



उपवास, upavasa, masculine gender, meaning fast [ abstinence from all sensual gratification.



Fasting generally means completely abstaining from both food and water (nirjalam). If this is difficult, one may eat a single nongrain meal once in the afternoon or in the evening.



According to scriptures, one who observes fasting is freed from all kinds of reactions to sinful activities and advances in spiritual life. These sacred fasting days greatly help any sincere soul achieve, even within this present lifetime, liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Fasting 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 ayurvedic medicine recommend fasting to maintain and improve health. Indeed modern medial experts and ancient sages agree that fasting benefits one, both physically and mentally. Even from the economic point of view, two such fasting days in a month will save tons of food.



The basic principle is not just to fast, but to increase one’s faith and love for the Divine. The real reason for observing fasting is to minimize the demands of the body and to engage our time in the service of the Divine.



3) Ekadasi Upavas:



"Suddham Bhagavatasyannam Suddham Bhagirathi Jalam

Suddham Visnu Param Cittam Suddham Ekadasi Vratam"



(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/283 from Skanda Purana, conversation between Markandeya and Bhagiratha)



'Food from the devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Ganges water, the mind engaged in the lotus feet of Lord Visnu and fasting on the day of Lord Hari, named Ekadasi, these are all pure and great.'



Ambhareesha Charithram:



The greatness Ekadasi vratham is illustrated by the story of the king Ambarisha. For full charithram see;



http://www.ahobilavalli.org/ekadashi.pdf



4) Rules for keeping Ekadashi Upvaas:



One should not eat any cereals ("Ann" in hindi) like rice, pulses, wheat etc. & salt.If possible, one should stay on water. Drinking luke warm water or lemon-mishri (crystalized sugar) water is very good as it cleanses the hidden undigested food in the body.If one feels hungry, then one can take milk or fruit. Fruit should not be eaten with milk (therefore no strawberry shake, mango shake, chickoo shake etc.). One should not eat food like "sabudana", potato chips, fried food, etc. Also Banana is not recommended on this day since it is heavy to digest.



One should think that he/she is keeping this vrat to please God & to progress further in "sadhana".One should observe self-control.One should do more of maun-japa (repeating the name of God in mind) in the day time.One should do more of Dhyan & Bhajan by keeping awake for a longer time in the night.