"Ekadasi" Bhajans and their Significance

Ekadasi is the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight. Ekadasi is a Sanskrit word, which means 'the eleventh' day. Ekadasi occurs twice in a month, in the Valarpirai and Theipirai (the moon's starting and diminishing periods). Based on this moon calculation and taking into account Pournami (Full Moon) and Amavasya (New Moon) on these periods, Ekadasi falls on the 11th day. On this day we have to be without eating.

This day is a day dear to Lord Vishnu and is to be spent on meditation and Dhyanam of Sriman Naarayana. This day is specially meant for Bhajans, harinamasankeerthanam, hearing religious discourses and performing pujas. Ekadasi Vratham is the observance of suddha Upavasam (total fast ) on Ekaadasi tithi. We can experience this in the Vaidya Sashtra reethi as well.This is why a minimum austerity in the form of fasting twice a month on the days of Ekadasi has been told in the sastras. We have food for nearly 15 days in a month. Monthly twice Ekadasi comes. So these two days are meant to give a rest to our stomach basically been prescribed for the people of Kali yuga, the indriyaas and to keep us healthy. So thats why there are 2 days of Ekadasi in a month. What if we can’t fast on that day, well, our forefathers have thought of that too. Although our forefathers laid our procedures in the sastras, they have been careful to let us know what we can do if we cannot follow the procedures as well. if we cannot do a full fast, options have been given. Whole rice is not to be eaten on the Ekadasi day. Instead rava, sojji, some have kanji, some have fruits, Cut Fruits, Milk, Butter milk, Juice and nuts once only on that day. But on no account on Ekadasi day, whole rice has to be consumed. For old people, Children below 14 years, pregnant ladies and those who have health problems have been given procedural exceptions by the sastras. Every aspect such as this has already been thought out by our progenitors and suggestions are provided. For those who can maintain strength in their body should fully fast. For those who cannot fast fully, they can have Kanji, small eatables, but the main idea being not to fill the whole stomach on this day. Once again importantly Whole rice should not be eaten. All this is for our good and has been dictated by forefathers and on Ekadasi day we need to observe this. The same sastra which told us not to eat on the 11th day, the following day 12th day, Dvadasi on the correct time we can start eating stomach full.

Dvadasi vratham is the start of the fast on the night of Dasami tithi on both sukla and Krishna paksham ( waxing and waning moon fortnights ) , observance of the full fast on Ekadasi day and breaking of the fast on Dvadasi day BEFORE the end of the Dvadasi tithi is the correct procedure.

One is fortunate to be in the Udipi Sri Krishna temple on a Ekadasi day.

Ekadasi Calculator : at http://www.ahobilamutt.org/us/services/ekadasi/ekadasi01.asp