The Importance and Rules of Ekadashi Vrat (Fasting): Effects on the Body

According to the Hindu calendar, the 11th lunar day of both the waxing moon (Shukla Paksha) and waning moon (Krishna Paksha) phases is called Ekadashi. This day is wholly dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Preserver of the Universe.

Spiritually, we have ten senses (5 of perception and 5 of action), and the eleventh is our 'Mind'. The true meaning of Ekadashi is redirecting all eleven of these away from worldly objects and aiming them towards the One (Supreme Being).

It is not merely giving up food, but true 'Upvas'. Up-vas literally translates to 'sitting near the Divine'. Simply starving oneself while remaining angry, watching television, or lying all day is not a fast, it is merely starvation.

Apart from the mythological tales, there is very deep science hidden behind this. Rice holds an exceptionally high amount of the water element. Our body is made of nearly 70% water. Just as the moon's gravity powerfully affects the ocean tides on the 11th lunar day, it identically affects the fluids within our human body.

Consuming grains and massive amounts of fluids on Ekadashi makes the water element within the body highly unstable, causing restlessness and rapidly increasing negative thoughts in the mind.

Grains are heavy to digest, forcing all the body's energy toward digestion. By totally forsaking grains, that surplus energy can be consciously redirected toward meditation, penance, and chanting God's name. This is why lighter fruit-based diets (Phalahar) which digest quickly are highly recommended.

Japanese scientist Yoshinori Ohsumi won the 2016 Nobel Prize for his groundbreaking research on 'Autophagy'. He conclusively proved that when the body is deprived of food for 15-16 hours or more, cells begin cannibalizing their own accumulated waste, dead cells, and toxic matter.

In Sanatan Dharma, this exact mechanism has been rigorously practiced for thousands of years as 'Ekadashi' and 'Langhanam Param Aushadham' (Fasting is the ultimate medicine). Giving the digestive system complete rest for two days a month empowers the body to destroy potentially catastrophic cells, including deeply hidden pre-cancerous ones.

It impeccably resets the entire metabolism, noticeably slows down the aging process, and remarkably sharpens overall brain efficiency.

Rule 1: Avoid heavy meals after sunset on Dashami (the day before). The Ekadashi fast officially begins at sunrise and is correctly broken (Parana) only after sunrise on the following day (Dvadashi).

Rule 2: Strictly observe celibacy (Brahmacharya), refrain from any anger, and absolutely avoid meat, alcohol, onions, and garlic (Tamasic foods). Avoiding gossip and backbiting (Ninda) is considered the most critical psychological rule.

Rule 3: Staying awake at night singing hymns (Ratri Jagaran) holds enormous significance on Ekadashi. However, if fragile health does not permit it, you can simply fall asleep while silently chanting God's name. The fast should always be broken exclusively by consuming a Tulsi leaf and a sip of water.