Ekadashi

[Srikrishna Ghadiyaram]

Hari Om !!

The information you provided is useful. Can you address the issue of timing.

For example, based on SFO timing, the Livermore temple calendar says 29 th
Nov Dashami 14:22 and 30 th Nov Ekadasi 11:36 (I understand these are the
Tithi ending timings)

So, when does this Vrata start and when does it end ? Do we have to have
sunrise for the Tithi duration or not ? As the Ekadasi ends by 11:36, is it
correct to observe the Vrata for a duration stretching beyond that ? Or
should we have to observe the Vrata for the exact Tithi timings of
Ekadasi ? I also remember from Bhagavatam, the description of observing the
Ekadasi Vratam covering Dwadasi.

Also, I was under the impression that it is a 24 hour fast i.e from dawn to
dawn. In the present example I would have observed fast from the morning of
30 th till early morning of 1 st Dec. I normally take water on these days.
But, what is approved ? Is milk and fruits acceptable for the efficacy and
prescribed observance of the vrata ?

Om Namo Narayanaya !!

Srikrishna




On Wed, 27 Nov 2002 23:47:43 -0500, Jaldhar H. Vyas
<jaldhar at BRAINCELLS.COM> wrote:

>On Wed, 27 Nov 2002, Srikrishna Ghadiyaram wrote:
>
>> 1. Ekadasi Vratam: I have some doubts on this subject. What is the
>> prescribed method of observing this Vratam. There is so much of confusion
>> about the actial times of Ekadasi thithi timings. How is it reckoned for
>> the observance of this Vratam. Is it to be observed from dawn, even
though
>> the tithi starts later ? or should it be observed strictly as per the
tithi
>> timings. Any other important practical guidelines that should be kept in
>> mind while observing this Vratam in the present times.
>>
>
>Who can observe Ekadashi?
>
>This vrata may be observed by people of any gender, caste, age or ashram
>in life.
>
>When is it observed?
>
>As the name suggests on the 11th tithi of the bright and dark halves of
>each month. There is some difference between Smartas and Vaishnavas as to
>what to do if the 11th is omitted (kshaya) or stretches over two days
>(Vriddha.)  The Smarta practice is to perform the vrata on the preceding
>tithi (or first day) while the Vaishnavas do it on the next tithi (or
>second day.)
>
>How is it performed?
>
>Before dawn or when one wakes up, one should do ones nityakarma and then
>make the samkalpa to observe Ekadashi vrata in honor of Vishnu Bhagavan.
>Then one should fast until nighttime.
>
>Fasting is of three types.  The lowest is to eat normally but refrain from
>eating grains.  The medium is to eat only once (again refraining from
>grains.)  The highest is to not eat at all.  Bhagawan has given us these
>options in order to cater to our differnt circumstances.  It is better to
>do at a lower level but be meticulous than to try and go beyond your
>abilities and end up breaking the fast.  Having said that, I find that
>after a while one can get used to not eating quite easily.  Pregnant women
>or people whose health may be endangered by not eating are excused from
>fasting.  Another thing is if you are eating you should be careful about
>that your food doesn't contain grains.  for instance Cola is made with
>corn syrup so it is not suitable for this day.  It is traditional to break
>the fast at night with something sweet.
>
>One should also read the kathas and mahatmyas of the Lord, bhajan and
>kirtan of His name, and dana and other Dharmic works.
>
>
>
>--
>Jaldhar H. Vyas <jaldhar at braincells.com>
>It's a girl! See the pictures - http://www.braincells.com/shailaja/