Ekaadasi is a Sanskrit word and it means 11. Hindu Lunar Month is divided into 2 phases of the Moon. The first 15 days are ascending phase till the Full Moon Day (Pournima) and next is the descending Phase of the Moon till New Moon Day (Amavaasya). Ekaadasi Day comes twice in a month on 11th Day of both the phases of the Moon. Fasting on Ekaadasi Day is a very old and common tradition which is followed in many Hindu families. During my childhood I have seen elders in the family like Grand Father, Grand Mother observe rigorous Ekaadasi fasts without Food and Water on this day. Others in the family like teenagers and children differ in the rigidity and with dilution of fast ie They have fruits and snacks instead of cooked food citing they need strength to travel and they need to attend work school, college, office Work etc. Now let us see what are the questions and try to answer them
- What is Fasting?
- What is the need of Fasting? Why only Fast on Ekaadasi Day.
- Are there any Benefits of Fasting?
- Is Fasting Religious?
- Which is correct method of Fasting
- Is there any scientific reason for Fasting?
In General, short-term fasting can offer excellent health benefits. As research shows in this area of health, fasting is becoming more widely accepted as a legitimate means of managing weight and preventing disease. At the same time, it is important that fasting is done in proper and healthy ways.
Essentially, fasting cleanses our body of toxins and forces cells into processes that are not usually stimulated when a steady stream of fuel from food is always present.
When we fast, the body does not have its usual access to glucose, forcing the cells to resort to other means and materials to produce energy. As a result, the body begins a natural process of producing its own sugar. The liver helps by converting non-carbohydrate materials like lactate, amino acids, and fats into glucose energy. Because our bodies conserve energy during fasting, our basal metabolic rate (the amount of energy our bodies burn while resting) becomes more efficient, thereby lowering our heart rate and blood pressure.
Ketosis, another process that occurs later into the fast cycle, happens when the body burns stored fat as its primary power source. This is the ideal mode for weight loss and balancing blood sugar levels.
Fasting puts the body under mild stress, which makes our cells adapt by enhancing their ability to cope. In other words, they become strong. That’s why short-term fasting is recommended.
In general, food takes 48 to 72 hours to move through digestive tract. The exact time depends on the amount and types of foods eaten.
The rate is also based on factors like your gender, metabolism, and whether you have any digestive issues that could slow down or speed up the process.
At first, food travels relatively quickly through your digestive system. Within 6 to 8 hours, the food has moved its way through your stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.
Once in your large intestine, the partially digested contents of your meal can sit for more than a day while it’s broken down even more.
Digestion rate is also based on what is consumed. The proteins and fats they contain are complex molecules that take longer for your body to pull apart.
By contrast, fruits and vegetables, which are high in fiber, can move through your system in less than a day. In fact, these high fiber foods help your digestive track run more efficiently in general.
The quickest to digest are processed, sugary junk foods. Body tears through them in a matter of hours, quickly leaving hungry again.
Importance of Fast on Ekaadasi Day.
Ekaadasi Fasting is the willing abstinence or reduction of all food, Water etc for a Day.
This can be observed by the change in the nature of the tidal waves on the new moon and full moon days. Now, based on this fact, the significance of Ekaadasi fasting can be explained in 2 ways[ts1] :
1)It takes about 3-4 days for the food that we eat today to reach our brain. Now, if we eat light/fast on Ekaadasi days, that intake will reach the brain correspondingly on the New moon/full moon day. On both of these days, the earth pressure is at its maximum, thus leading to imbalance in everything, including ones thought process. The input to brain has to be minimum for these days.
2) Another explanation for Ekaadasi fasting is that compared to any other day of the moon cycle, atmospheric pressure is lowest on Ekaadasi days. Thus, this is the best time to fast and cleanse the bowel system. If we fast on any other day, the high pressure/strain may damage our system. Immediate next day (Dwadasi), we should get up early and eat as soon as possible.
Observance of Ekaadasi cleanses the mind and paves the way for jnana (right knowledge). It is an established fact that when one does not take food even though there is a desire for it, there will be an increase in self-control and it develops a strong will power. One who controls hunger will be away from sin because hunger is the root cause of many a sins. Sri Madhvacharya says in “Krishnamruta maharnava” that the fire of merit of observing Ekaadasi fast burns the sins
Some exception for Ekaadasi fasting:
People taking medicines for Heart Problems, Blood Sugar etc
Pregnant Ladies
Feeding Mothers
People under medical prescription
SRI KRISHNAARPANAMASTHU