Scientific details of ekadashi

back here with scientific details ;)

By system we mean an organism or organisation which is methodically arranged.
Since we belong to d system of planetary motions, we r inseparable part of d system. We belon to
d Solar System -a huge family of which d Sun is d Head n planets r d members.The Sun guides d activities
of dis family n we, bein contents of dis system,cannot b out of d influence of d sun!!!!
We r involved in d laws operating in dis system.

The Ekadashi observance is an astrological phenomenon. The entire personality of ours is tremenduosly influenced by d movement of d planets.Each planet tells upon our system n d gravitational pull of planets has an influence on us.!

The Sun is called Atmakaraka (Karaka - doer, manipulator, director)since he influences d centre of our personality. He is d soul influencer of Human Body!
In Rig-Veda, the sun is identified with d soul of d universe as well as d soul of d individual.
different part of our body r supposed to b influenced by different planets.
If thr is no sun our digestion becomes sluggish! Hence sun is important.

The moon is supposed to influence the mind. Mind is d subtle portion of d material substance of our food.
D subtle essence of food which is not only taken throu d mouth bt also through all our senses, contribute to d make up of mind or d mind stuff.
Mind is material in a subtle sense, like d mirror which is made of earth-material..only d mirror is capable of reflectin lite n not d brick, though it is made
of earth material. Mind can b said as a material in this sense. It is very subtle n is made up of evrythin tht we take!!
Planets r not spiritual bodies , n yet thy influence d mind.

The mind's presiding deity is Moon. Ekadashi is particulary relevant to dis relation of motion n mind.
We have nothin in our body except fo planetary influences! -says d study of astronomy.
One part belongs to one planet n another part to another planet.!
The moon influences mind in its orbital relative movement with reference to other planets n us.

So, how is ekadashi related to motion of moon n mind.?
I think many of u will agree dat we have certain cntres called chakras in d body.
Chakras r nothing bt d energy-centres which whril in sm direction in a spiral shape.
thy r not physical bt pcycho-physical n psychological.these chakras r neither in d body nor in d mind, thy r in d astral body.The moon's influence physically on d body has influence on
d chakras, which tells upon d mind ultimately.Mind moves throu these chakras. d passage of d mind is through these chakras, up n down.
whn dis operation takes place conciously, it is called yoga, whn done unconciously by d mind, its just a influence.
The moon's movement tells upon d movement of d mind throu chakras.

The mind has several centres of energy called chakras(twofold centre of d mind ), of which 2 r its own -
1) the subtle spot in d astral body corresponding to d centre of d two eye-brows, in waking(Ajna Chakra- d brow chakra)
2) the heart in d state of deep sleep.(Anahata chakra- the heart chakra)

in both these centres ,mind finds itself at home in d 2 fortnights on d 11th day.In d bright fortnite its in Ajna Chakra n in d dark fortnight its in Anahata chakra.
Hence it gets concentrated n collected easily.
By d experience given by ancients, u r capable of concentration whn d mind is naturally in its home.

How are Fast n meditation related??
Thr is no intrinsic connection bt thr is sm advantage in keepin body light n d stomach free frm excessive metabolic function.
Practically if u think......whn stomach is given d duty of digestion, d blood circulation is accelerated towards d digestive organs, on account of which circulation of blood to d head
gets decreased ...after d food is taken u feel sleepy n d thinkin faculty practically ceases to function

the energy of d whole system gets distributed equally if a particular organ is not given any inordinate work.If any part is given heavy work, thr is a dislocation of d workin of d body.
So, in fastin energy is equally distributed as a digestive fn isnt thr. Bt thr shud b no ovrloadin in fast.
Fast is supposed to cause buoyancy of feelin n not fatigue.
So pple who r sick n cannot observe a total fast take milk n fruits n pple who r completely healthy observe a complete fast. this helps in control of mind n will!!!!

apart frm all these thr is a necessity to give d physiological system sm rest once in a while. It may b ovr-worked due to a little ovr-eatin or indiscrimination in diet. these irregularities
unconciously done durin d 14 days get rectified in one day.

Thus d observance of ekadashi has many advcantages-physical, astral n spiritual n because this day has connection with d relation of mind with its abode together with moon, u feel mysteriously(coz u wnt knw this consciously ;)) helped in ur
meditation n contemplation. Bt can feel this for urself by observing it.. :)

Happy Fasting :)

--Tanu :)

Ekadashi

Eka - one
Dashi - ten
Ekadashi = one + ten = 11th day

ekadashi comes once in evry fortnite. ie the 11th day after the fullmoon(shukla paksha) or d newmoon(krsna paksha).

Ekadashi is the King of all the Fasts!!

Ekadashi is when one withdraws the Ten Indriyas - 5 Karmendriyas(motor/executive organs) - Mouth, Hands, Legs, Excretory organ and reproductory organ. and the 5 Gnanendriyas - Ears, Skin, Eyes, Tongue n Nose and the Eleventh - The mind frm their worldly Food n focus them on God n devotional activities.
Ekadashi is abt controlling ones senses n d mind.

Story of Ekadashi -

Once in Satya-yuga, Lord Vishnu was engaged in a battle with demon - Mur Danav. Feelin tired Lord was resting by drawing inward his 10 indriyas n d mind. Mur Danav came there n challenged d Lord to enter into a combat with him. In d meantym, a young lady(Mahasakthi) evolved out of d ekadash indriyas of d Lord Vishnu.
Seeing d charms of d lady, d demon Mur danav was drawn to her n proposed to her..with a prompt gesture. D young lady said tht she had taken a vow tht who so evr shal defeat her in straight fight shal marry her.
The Demon Mur danav, therefore accepted d challenge n entered into a fight with her. D lady killed d demon with a dagger. Lord Vishnu pleased at d destruction of d demon by d young lady told her to ask a boon.
The young lady thn said,"since i'm evolved out of ur ekadash indriyas,let my name be ekadashi. I'm wedded to Tapa. I therefore desire tht pple shud observe a fast n shud restrain their ekadash indriyas frm indulging in thier respective sense objects."
Hearin to these words..Lord granted her d boon n suggested her tht she does not need a dagger anymore. Bt Ekadashi proposed tht she wud use tht dagger to cut d sins of satsangis who observe Ekadashi Vrata. Lord Vishnu agreed n offered her to reside in his eyes. Dis is d story narrated in d Purana.


Spiritual significance -

Those who observe self-discipline on these days suffer no pain in their lives. By performing Ekadashi Vrat, one can cleanse d body n d soul. By allowing d body to rest on these days , we can make it work better.

Those who observe ekadashi will b freed frm all sins.

In this Kali Yuga, even if one Ekadashi is observed with dispassion, faith and devotion, and if the mind is wholly fixed on Lord Vishnu, one is freed from the rounds of birth and death.

Fasting controls passion. It checks the emotions and controls the senses. It is a great penance and purifies the mind and the heart.

Fasting makes a person strong, both mentally and spiritually.

It is said the people will acquire good children and wealth in this world and attain Vishnuloka upon death. ;)

Sankalpa Mantras -

dashamee divase parapte vrathastoham janaardana
thridinam devadevesha nirvigham kuru keshava | (Brahmavaivartha puraanam)

Janaardhana! Today being Dasami, I am ready for the three day vow. Oh, Lord! Deva Deva! Keshava! ss that no obstacles come in the way of my vow.

ekaadashyam niraharaha sthithvahani parehyaham
bhookshyaami pundareekaaksha saranam me bhavaachyutha
(Brihannaaradeeya puraanama XXI-15)

After fasting on Ekadhashi, I will eat on Dwadaashi, Please be my refuge, Oh, Achyutha!
adhyashvasheha niraahaaro bhoothvaaham dwaadashee dine


vidhaasye paaranam dheva preetho bhava ma maanisham (Varaaha puraanam)

I will be on a fast tonight & tomorrow & break the fast on Dwaadashi. Lord! may you be pleased.


ajnaana thimiraandhasya vratenaanena keshava
Praseeda sumukho natha jnaanadristi prado bhava
(Brihannaradeeya puraanam, XXI- 20)

Oh Lord! Keshava! I am blinded by the darkness of ignorance. By my undertaking this fast on Ekadashi, may it please you to bless me with the light of knowledge.


ekaadasyupavaasena dwaadashee paaranenacha
yadaarijitham mayaa punyam thena preenathu keshavah
(Brahmavaivartha Puraanam)

May Lord Keshava be pleased with the merit that accrued to me by fasting on Ekaadashi & breaking the fast on Dwaadashi.

Certain rules regardin Fastin on dis day! -

One must strictly avoid taking grains n beans.
Fasting generally means completely abstaining from both food and drink. If this is difficult, one may eat a single nongrain meal once in the afternoon or in the evening.
headback to knw scientific benefits of fasting on ekadashi..wht significance does d planets have on our body!!!! n many more... :)