Ekadashi Help in Weight Loss
Ekadashi is an important Hindu festival that is celebrated on the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight. In Sanskrit, 'Eka' means eleven, and 'Dashi' means the eleventh day. It is considered auspicious by many Hindus as it is believed that during this period, the Gods and Goddesses are in a state of bliss.
This implies that this festival can be observed two times in a single calendar month. Ekadashi holds a special significance, as on this day Hindus observe fasts to please their favourite deities.
Hindu months of Shukla Paksha (bright half) and Krishna Paksha (dark half), so there are two Ekadashi every month, one in each half. The Krishna Paksha version is known as Jaya Ekadashi and the Shukla Paksha version is known as Vijaya Ekadashi.
Usually, Hindus do not eat grains on Ekadashi but the menu depends from region to region and sect to sect. Some only drink milk, some include fruits and some even abstain from drinking water. In Hinduism, fasting on Ekadashi is considered to be of great religious importance.
Fasting on Ekadashi helps in purification. It also gives a boost to one’s spiritual progress, while helping mankind attain liberation from the cycle of births and deaths. According to Hindu Scriptures, the eleventh day of any given fortnight is considered auspicious for spiritual devotion.
The eleventh day of the Indian calendar month Kartik is known as Dev Shayana Ekadashi and is especially significant for Vaishnavites who believe that fasting on this day liberates them from the cycle of births and deaths.
History Behind Ekadashi
In the period of Satyug, there was a demon named Murdanav. He used to scare all the people and even all the devas, and they left their heaven and gave it over to Lord Vishnu. So, Lord Vishnu came with his vehicle called ‘Garuda.’
He fought for 1000year with all his strength, but later he decided to change his strategy. He went into a huge cave and took a nap. Where the Murdanav came to find Lord Vishnu. There he found Lord Vishnu and removed his sword to kill him, but as soon as he removed one beautiful lady came out of Vishnu’s body.
Looking at the beautiful lady, Murdanav directly asked her to marry him. She had one condition with it, she said i'll marry you if you defeat me in the fight. Murdanav agreed to it and that’s how the beautiful lady killed him and everyone was free from the demon.
After listening to the noise Lord Vishnu woke up, he saw a lady came within him as the name of Ekadashi. So, it was the eleventh day. So the lady told Lord Vishnu that she came from his Ekadash Indriya (the eleventh sense of Lord Vishnu’s body). So that’s how Ekadashi started prevailing wherein people follow Ekadashi Vrat by fasting.
Importance Of Ekadashi
● When someone observed their own system, three days every 48 days where you don’t have to eat popped up. This became crucial for the system and that is why people fixed these three days as Ekadashi.
● In the year there are twelve Ekadashi. Every 48 days there is a third Ekadashi. These 48 days have three phases. These are called “Chatur Trayi '' or four conditions.
● The first 16-day period after any Ekadashi is called Ashaucha, or impurity. In this period of time the system starts digesting what it has eaten already and clears out its impurities; hence it is called ashaucha.
● For those who have no awareness or cannot see their inner system the three-day cycle is the process of digestion. The body’s system digests all that it has taken in over the last four days and then releases it. Depending upon what capacity one has of seeing one’s inner system, they will be able to understand their inner process.
● At the time of Ekadashi, Food such as beans and rice are not eaten, spices can be used while cooking but mustard seeds should be avoided.
● Foods such as Fruits, Milk, Nuts can be eaten at the time of Fasting.
● The Fasting of Ekadashi has more positive effects on body and brain which helps to give you effectiveness towards your regular life.
● Fasting of Ekadashi is considered to be as many as crores of baths done in Ganga, crores of cow donation. These two donations are considered because both give the pleasing sense of God.
● Ekadashi Fasting is considered as the ‘Maha Vrat.’
● Fasting also helps in detoxifying our body and improving our body circulation, respiration and digestion.
● Some of the devotees also opt for the complete strict fasting that is without food and water.
● The Importance of Ekadashi is linked to bodily functions and improvements in health.
● It cleanses the blood and improves the functioning of the kidneys and liver.
● Observing Ekadashi fasting is also very beneficial for people who have a problem with overeating. Since the entire process of fasting helps to cleanse the body and remove all toxins, it is also extremely beneficial for people suffering from various types of skin diseases, liver problems and kidney problems.