Ekadashi Vrat: Significance, Rules and the Right Time to Break It

Ekadashi is the most frequently observed of the Hindu fasts. It falls twice a lunar month, giving twenty four in an ordinary year and twenty six in a year with an intercalary month.

The account

The Padma Purana relates the origin. During a battle with a demon named Mura, a divine maiden emerged from Vishnu's yoga nidra and destroyed him.

Vishnu named her Ekadashi and granted that whoever kept a fast on this tithi would be freed of accumulated wrong and would come to his presence.

Why rice is set aside

This question comes up constantly.

According to the Puranas, the sage Medha gave up his body and entered the earth, and from that substance rice and barley arose. The event is placed on an Ekadashi.

Rice is therefore treated as connected with his body and avoided on that day.

A practical explanation is also offered. Rice is high in water content and increases the water element in the body, which is held to amplify lunar influence and unsettle the mind. Since the purpose of the fast is steadiness, rice is set aside.

Forms of the fast

In the waterless form, not even water is taken. This is the most demanding and is mainly kept on Nirjala Ekadashi.

In the fruit form, fruit, milk and water are taken. This is the most common.

In the single meal form, one simple meal is taken during the day, without grain.

The principal Ekadashis

Nirjala Ekadashi falls in the bright fortnight of Jyeshtha and is the most severe. It is said that keeping this one alone gives the merit of all the Ekadashis of the year.

Devshayani Ekadashi falls in the bright fortnight of Ashadha. Chaturmas begins here and weddings and auspicious undertakings pause for four months.

Devuthani or Prabodhini Ekadashi falls in the bright fortnight of Kartika. Auspicious activity resumes and Tulsi Vivah is performed.

Mokshada, Vaikuntha and Papmochani Ekadashi also carry particular significance.

The method

Preparation begins on the evening of Dashami, with simple food and a light meal at night.

On Ekadashi, bathe in the morning and take the resolve.

Worship Vishnu, offer tulsi leaves and recite the Vishnu Sahasranama or the mantra Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.

Keep a settled frame of mind through the day, avoiding falsehood and anger, and give what time you can to recitation.

A night vigil is customary, particularly on the major Ekadashis.

Breaking the fast

The breaking matters as much as the fast. The texts state that breaking it at the wrong time diminishes the merit of the observance.

It is done during Dwadashi, after sunrise and before that tithi ends.

One rule is specific: it should not be done during Hari Vasar, the first quarter of Dwadashi.

The custom is to take tulsi water first and then a simple meal.

Points of observance

Tulsi leaves are not plucked on Ekadashi. They are gathered the day before.

Speaking ill of others, anger and falsehood are avoided, since the texts state directly that these undo the merit of the fast.

Children, the elderly, the unwell and pregnant women are not held to a strict fast and may keep the observance with fruit.

On timing

The time for breaking the fast varies with location, because both sunrise and the end of the tithi are local.

Families outside India should have it calculated for their own city. The parana time published in an Indian panchang does not apply abroad.