Just as Chaturmaas Vrata is considered great, Ekadashi Vrata is also famed:
Ekadaashinaam Sarvasaam Kartavyam Vratamaadarat |
All Ekadashis - of both halves of the month - Sukla Paksha and Krushna Paksha (bright and dark halves of the month) are equally great and so should be observed with due respect. Shatanand explains: Ekadashinaam Vratam Upavaaspoojajagaranadilakshano Niyamaha - Ekadashi Vrata observing Niyams (practices) of Upavaas (fasting), Pooja (worship) and Jagrana (renouncing sleep) should be practised.
Such Vrata should never be stopped through fear of effect to the physical body. That is, sometimes we fear that a full day fast may somehow cause the body to deteriorate, when it is completely untrue. Sure, if a person is truly ill, it would be advised not to perform extensive Vratas, but many use excuses like these when really, they don’t wish to perform such Vrata through their difficulty.
In Nirnyasindhu, Narad explains, ‘Those who are daily devoted to Vishnu should fortnightly observe the Ekadashi Upavaas (Fast).’ Katyayan in Kalamadhava says, ‘All between the ages of eight and eighty should observe Ekadashi Upavaas of both halves.’ Hemadri and Lagunaradiya explain, ‘Those who eat Ana (food containing pulses, lentils, beans etc) on Ekadashi are sinners and will undoubtedly suffer the consequences of Hell.’
It is imperative that both Ekadashis are observed. Only such people can truly be called Vaishnavas. Deval Rishi explains ways which the Vrata can be broken, ‘By drinking water too often, chewing a paan even once, sleeping during the day and by indulging in sexual intercourse, one destroys the Vrata. Vrata observed without faith, with anger or without Brahmcharya (absolute celibacy) derive no fruits of action.’
‘Brahmcharya is defined, as absolute celibacy involving not looking at women, touching women or talking to them. Even the company of one’s wife dissolves Brahmcharya Vrata. The Vrata is also destroyed when a tear is shed, if one becomes angered or if one quarrels with somebody.’
Similarly - devotion, Vrata, knowledge, meditation, sacrifice and chanting, all bear no fruits if anger is present. Katyayan and Vashista fully explain ‘Upavaas’:
Upavrutasya Papebhyo Yastu Vaso Gunoha Suha |
Upavasaha Sa Vigneyaha Sarvabhogvivarjitaha |
Upavaskrutabhete Gunashranye Dayadayaha ||
‘To turn back from sin (Papa), to renounce objects of enjoyment (Bhoga) and to dwell in virtuosity (Guna) is Upavaas.’
Guna or virtuous-meritous acts are Japa, Dhyana, Katha Shravana, Daya etc. In this Shloka, Upavaas is meant to include Nirahaar or fasting. On such day, performance of ‘Datana’ or brushing of the teeth with a wooden object is also forbidden (as explained earlier). The tongue should be cleansed using a leaf on such day and the mouth should be cleansed twelve times with water, as explained by Narad.
Vratakarma forbids even looking at cooked food on such day, ‘Looking at food, smelling food, dwelling upon food, and preparation of food for others is forbidden for those who perform Upavaas.’
Those who are less spiritually developed and are unable to keep a full proper Upavaas may partake in Faradi Ahaar - eating of fruit and other such thing (nuts etc.), explains Nirnyasindhu’s Naradiya Purana, ‘Those who are not fully developed may partake in vegetables, fruits, milk and water even though on such days, eating is forbidden.’
Three Ekadashis in the year are so special that on these days, one should strictly refrain from consumption of all foods. Naradiya Purana explains, ‘Shayani (Asadh-Sud-11), Prabhohini (Kartik-Sud-11) and Parivartini (Shravana-Sud-11); those that eat on these Ekadashis cause me (God) the great pain of piercing an arrow through my heart.’ Those that are ill and therefore eat fruit on such days do not commit sin. Those that are very young or very old are similarly blameless.
Langurnadiya Purana explains further about Ekadashi Vrata, ’From the tenth day of the half (Dashmi) and for a subsequent three days one should refrain from chewing betel leaf, association with one’s wife, and sleeping during the day. Vrata without Jagarana (staying awake during the day/night) and without Vishnu Puja deserves only half the fruits of action.’ Therefore Ekadashi Vrata should be kept such that it obeys the said commands.
Shatanand Muni in his Bhashya does not explain why we should observe the Vrata - the history behind it, which I feel is important and so have added:
Once, long ago, Vishnu engaged in a long battle with the Asura Murdanava, son of Nadijang. Murdanava, fearless, strong and mighty had become invincible. During the battle, Lord Vishnu became tiresome and ran for shelter in Badrikashram. He entered a hidden cave - Sinhavti, and rested there. Falling fast asleep, a woman, with immense beauty emerged from the body of the Lord. At this time, the Asura Murdanava came to the cave, intending to kill Vishnu. The woman emerged from the caves with a hidden sword in hand. Seeing the beauty of the woman, he became overwhelmed and strived to make her his mate. The woman, listening to Murdanava’s plight decided to grant his wish on the condition that they have a battle, if Murdanava wins then she will surrender herself to him. So deciding, just as Murdanava was getting ready, the woman raised her concealed sword and severed Murdanava’s head, killing him. She was able to do with her charm which all had failed to do.
Vishnu awoke at that point and emerged from the cave. Seeing Murdanava dead and a woman beside the body, he enquired as to who she was. She explained, ‘I was born from your eleven Indriyas (parts of the body), and hence my name is Ekadashi, my Lord.’ Realising what service Ekadashi had done, Vishnu became overjoyed and granted Ekadashi a boon. She replied, ‘With this sword in my hand, I am now ready to destroy the innumerable sins of all of mankind.’ Vishnu replied, ‘From today, all my devotees shall observe the Ekadashi Vrata whose sins you may destroy.’
For this reason all should readily observe the Ekadashi Vrata, not only to wash away sin but also to fulfil the boon given to Ekadashi by Vishnu.
It amazes me, what sorts of Vrata people keep these days. Obviously we should strive to observe a full day fast. Those who cannot should modify their Vrata accordingly. For example they should eat fruit once a day or abstain from cooked food for the day or eat once Falahar such as Samo, Shaka etc. But eat as less as possible on such day. This it seems is totally ignored. Many on Ekadashi prepare huge feasts making a great variety of foods - Samos, Shakas, chips, Fahrari Bhajya, Fahrari Chevdo etc.
Ekadashi is a day of control of senses. It is a special day in the fortnight to desist from eating with pleasure.
An Upavaas is the best way to observe the Vrata, and is also good for the body as it will burn out all impure residual substances in the body accrued over the two weeks and so there is also a physical advantage.
Finally:
Krushnajanmadinanagacha Shivratrescha Sotsavam ||
One should observe the birthdays of Krishna, Rama etc. that are famed in Puranas, as well as the Vrata day of Shivratri. Such occasions should be celebrated with great festivity with the sonorous sounds of instruments bellowing.
One should perform Mahapuja, Pooja of Brahmins and Sadhus, songs and praise of Shree Krishna and Jagran (staying awake for the whole day and night). One should not engage themselves in work on such day (but observe devotional praise).
It is imperative that Upavaas is observed if possible on such days. These make believe Vratas such as eating after Arti at seven ‘o’ clock in the evening are all fallacies, especially the belief that eating non-Farari (such as Rotli and Shaka) foods after seven o’clock is acceptable.
Katyayan in Parashar Madhava explains, ‘Those who eat on Ekadashi days should perform the Vrata of Chandrayana (as Prayaschit).’ Chandraya Vrata lasts for a whole month and involves intensive fasting. Bhavishya Purana says, ‘Those who do not observe the Vrata days of the Lord’s birthdays are banished to Hell, enduring great torture.’ Skanda Purana says further about Shivratri Vrata: ‘Those who do not observe the greatest of all Vratas - Shivratri, endure a further thousand lifetimes.’
Narad Pancharatra explains the Birthday Vrata days as follows:
Vratani Vishnubhaktanaam Nitganimani Sanjaguha |
Ekadashyoakhilaha Sudha Dvadashi Vamanashya Cha ||
Shriramdevsajanmanavmi Divyasidhida |
Krushnajanamashtmi Chatha Nrusinhasya Chaturdashi ||
Shivaratricheti Mukhyavratanuktani Tatvataha |
‘All faithful devotees of Vishnu should always observe the following Vratas: All Ekadashis, Vaman Dvadashi, Ramanavmi, Krishna Janmashtmi, Nrusinha Chaturdashi and Shivratri.’
All such Vratas are important and should be observed. Narsinha Jayanti, Shivratri and Vaman Jayanti should be observed with care as these are often not observed. On these Jayanti days a full day fast must be observed if possible. If not then Falahar should be observed. Never should ‘Ana’ or normal food be eaten on these days, as it will surely destroy the Vrata.
Shivratri Vrata, as we have heard, is considered the greatest of all Vratas and so bears immense fruits. It is kept in praise of Lord Shiva the greatest Vaishnav. Those who do not observe such Vrata, disobeying Lord Swaminarayan’s command, cannot be called true Vaishnavas. In essence we insult Lord Shiva, the devotee of God which in turn leads to hurting our own Ishtadeva.