From time immemorial, devotees have been observing fasts twice a month on the Ekadashi days. This fasting is, in general, for everyone. Ekadashi ('Eka' is 1, 'Dasha' is 10) is the 11th day in the lunar calendar, i.e. counting from the new moon day and also from the full moon day.
According to research, the air pressure in the earth’s atmosphere rapidly changes on both the new moon (Amavasya) and the full moon (Poornima) days. This is because of the orbital paths - combination of the sun, moon and the earth and their varying distances at particular intervals (i.e. every 24 hours for one entire rotation of the Earth). Accordingly the pressure in the atmosphere too changes drastically and varies from day to day.
This can be observed by the change in the nature of the tidal waves on the new moon and full moon days. On an Amavasya, the waves are very high and rough due to the increase in atmospheric pressure in the oceans. But from the next day onwards, the waves become calm - an indication that the pressure has also receded. Particularly on the 11th day from new moon or full moon days, the pressure is very light or nil.
Now, based on this fact, the significance of Ekadashi fasting can be explained in this way -
1. Compared to any other day of the moon cycle, atmospheric pressure is lowest on Ekadashi days. Thus, this is the best time to fast and cleanse our bodies. If we fast on any other day, the high pressure/strain may damage our system. On this day, the body never experiences the pain while we cleanse our systems, thus refreshing the entire body mechanism - specifically the liver/stomach/bowel.
As the atmospheric pressure builds up faster and doubles on the 12th day from Amavasya / Poornima days (called as Dwadashi), to avoid any complications in the body, people fasting are advised to consume food as early in the morning as possible, the next day.
2. It is noted that fasting on this day is also very conducive to concentrate on meditation and prayers. According to science, it takes about 3-4 days for the brain to understand our food intake after we have eaten. It is said that if we eat light/fast on Ekadashi days, that intake will reach the brain correspondingly on the new moon/full moon day.
Health Benefits
Nowadays, people also fast for health reasons; fasting helps in the detoxification of the body. Everyone wants to look good by staying fit in the current times. As such, you may find many youngsters across India fasting. In the medical context, fasting refers to the state achieved after digestion of a meal. A number of metabolic adjustments occur during fasting and many medical diagnostic tests for blood sugar, cholesterol levels are standardized to fasting conditions. Thus fasting has medical reasons coated with religious significance in India.
1. Cleansing of the bowels - Those who observe Fasting on Ekadashi days stay in good health, cleanse their bowel systems and are mostly free from frequent ailments. Also, it is said that for those on the spiritual/religious path, observing a fast on Ekadashi days, provides a mental peace, by way of self-realization. This sort of penance is believed to aid them in their spiritual path, thus making them pure in body and mind.
2. Enforcing a better way of life - Fasting improves blood flow or circulation and the body's capacity to eliminate toxins, resulting in a better overall health. One feels more energetic and alert and is more resistant to all forms of disease or illness. It even slows down the aging process, which is a little more due to the accumulated effects of our bad habits or wrong ways of living. A day of fasting teaches one, self-control and discipline. It greatly helps to break those addictions that are destroying us and helps us start to acquire new and positive habits.
Now, let us look at the other scientific facts concerning the 11th day from the full moon & new Moon.
In the Indian Vedic system, there are different methods to calculate a month. One such is counting from the new moon day (Amavasya). From the new moon day till the full moon day it is called as Shukla Paksha (waxing/growing moon). From the full moon day till the next Amavasya, it is known as Krishna Paksha (waning/shrinking moon).
In the celestial phenomena, the Earth as well as moon rise and settle at the same time on Amavasya. From the next day up till Amavasya, the moon moves about a distance of 12 degrees from the solar path. On the Ekadashi day (11th day from full moon) the Moon stays at a distance of about 135 degrees in the solar path – this causes lesser gravitation force and thus resulting in lesser atmospheric pressure. Therefore fasting on an Ekadashi day will not affect the body system as also hunger is said to be minimum at this time.
ನ ಗಾಯಾತ್ರ್ಯಾ ಪರ ಮಂತ್ರಃ ನ ಮಾತೃ ಪರದೇವತಾ |
ನ
ಗಂಗಾನ್ಯಃ ಪರಮಂ ತೀರ್ಥಂ ನ ಏಕಾದಶ್ಯಾಃ
ಸಮಂ ವ್ರತಂ ||
lÉ aÉÉrɧrÉÉ mÉU qÉǧÉÈ lÉ qÉÉiÉ× mÉU
SæuÉiÉÉqÉ |
lÉ
aÉ…¡ûÉlrÉÈ mÉUqÉqÉç iÉÏjÉïqÉç lÉ LãMüÉSzrÉÉÈ xÉqÉqÉç uÉëiÉqÉç ||
Na GaayatryA para mantrah Na MAthru para dEvatA
Na GangAnyAh paramam theertham Na EkAdashyAh samam
vratam
The rough translation: There is no mantra superior to the Gayatri mantra, There is no god superior to the Mother, There is no water more purifying or superior than River Ganges. And finally, there is no fast/ austerities (Vratha) more sacred or superior than the Ekadashi.
What can be consumed during Ekadashi?
Since the very purpose of the fast is to minimize bodily activities and to increase activities of devotion, prayer and peace, observers either abstain from completely or, at least, minimize the intake of food. Light meals of comprising of fruits, milk, milk products, vegetables, nuts, water and various non-cereal flours, fruits like banana, are eaten by those not undertaking a total fast. Grains and beans are avoided generally on the day of Ekadashi. These meals usually do not deliver the heavy bog-down feeling experienced after eating the same size meals cooked with grains and pulses. In general, onion and garlic are not consumed. In addition, cream, and heavy fat items are avoided on Ekadashi.
Apart from cleansing one's body bi-monthly, Ekadashi is also an excellent time to purify one’s mind and thoughts! Learning the scientific perspective of why Ekadashi is observed, can be an enriching experience. It is amazing how the ancient Vedic Indians devised this method to keep ourselves fit and free from any negative influences!
Reference:
Legend has it that once a Brahmin couple decided to travel to Kashi to pray to Lord Shiva. But they had a daughter, a young girl, and the couple was not ready to take her with them as they did not want to risk her life. The journey was long and they were not sure whether they will make it safely.
