The Sanskrit word Ekadasi literally means eleven. Ekadasi is the eleventh day of the fifteen day lunar month. Therefore in one solar month (30 days) it comes twice. How should it be done? One should not overdo fasting. It is supposed to cause buoyancy of feeling and not fatigue. One should only practice as much fasting as one's capacity allows and not try to artificially impress others. What are the benefits? It gives one a taste for renunciation, and thus helps one to give up sense gratification. Fasting gives the system a rest: The physiological system may become overworked due to a little overeating or indiscrimination in diet. Fasting gives the system a chance to catch up. Fasting helps us practice self-discipline in eating and concentrate more on pleasing God. Fasting helps keep the body light and the stomach free so that one can meditate better. The digestive system draws the blood circulation towards the digestive organs. Therefore blood circulation to the head is decreased once food is taken: so we feel sleepy. Observing Ekadasi increases spiritual advancement. Science: Moon seems to have considerable influence and seems to create some imbalance in our body. So the chances are that, if our body is not pure and balanced with any unwanted stuff, it might surface as a disease, sooner or later. On the days of ekadasis, the effect of the moon can be felt on the stomach. Avoiding eating grains etc, helps reduce this effect. Hence fasting is recommended. On Ekadasi day by fasting, body doesn't have its regular food crunching job. So it can concentrate in cleaning the body system. Whatever impurities the body acquired, KNOWINGLY AND UNKNOWINGLY, (by eating and other means) it can remove it. Spirituality: In Brahma-vaivarta Purana it is said that one who observes fasting on Ekadasi is freed from all kinds of reactions to sinful activities and advances in spiritual life. The basic principle is not just to fast, but to increase one's faith and love for Govinda,<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1lace w:st="on">Krishna</st1lace>. The real reason of observing fast is to minimize the demands of the body and to engage our time in the service of the Lord by chanting His holy name etc. The best thing to do on Ekadasis is to remember the pastimes of the Lord and hear His holy name constantly. The Brahma Vaivarta Purana states, "In this world there are only two concrete procedures for attaining liberation and atoning for one's sins. These two things are-- fasting on the Ekadasi days and chanting of the names of Supreme Lord Sri Hari." Fasting + any other devotional service done on Ekadasi is like 6th gear = overdrive = quicker advancement. It’s interesting to note that every religion has some period of fasting. We spend a lot of time eating. On ekadasis, if some of this time is used for spiritual advancement, it will be to our advantage. So, scientifically and spiritually there are benefits from fasting on ekadasis and thinking of the Lord. :2thumbsup:
