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EKKADASI
(VICHAARA & AACHAARA)

PREFACE
Collected Material Courtesy Madhwa Sangha

While appreciating the work done by our Sangha, Dr.V.Prabhanjanacharya, in his

Presidential address, during 1996 Sri Teekacharya Aradhana, suggested that our
Sangha should undertake in future the job of publishing Madhwa literature. The
outcome of his suggesstion is this booklet on Ekaadasi. Sri Madhwacharya extolled
the greatness of Ekaadasi and asked everyone to observe it strictly so that the fire of
merit that accrues from observing an Ekaadasi reduces to ashes the sins of
hundreds of births. Due to lack of pooled knowledge about it, a vast majority of
Madhwas are not in the know of its fuller details. It is for the benefit of those, to
enlighten them on finer points, this booklet is brought out by the Sangha as its
maiden attempt. Our fervent appeal to all Madhwas, is to read this and tell others
about Ekaadasi and be the worthy recipients of His Grace. Nothing gives more joy
to the Sangha than to become instrumental in spreading the precepts of Sri
Madhwacharya and enlarging their scope for propagation.

CONTENTS
1. Introduction

2. Dasami

3. Ekaadasi

4. Why Ekaadasi fasting?

5. Ekaadasi Vichaara

6. Ekaadasi Achaara (Dos & Dont's)

7. Dwaadasi

8. Sankalpa Mantras

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9. List of Ekaadasis in the year

INTRODUCTION

The Vedic religion presupposes that Dharma is maintained by the observance of truth,
prayer and ritual. If religion is compared to the human body, its ritualism would be the
legs and its philosophy the head. It means no religion can stand without ritualism. Since
moral and spiritual discipline have a special place in the Vedic religion, rituals like
Vrathas form and integral part of it. Some Vaishnava Vrathas are obligatory and some
others are optional. The Ekaadasi fast on the eleventh day of each fortnight in a month
and the Pithru-Tharpana or libations of water to the spirits of one's ancestors on the new
moon day are mandatory rites. The observer has the satisfaction that he has done
something sacred which is different from the secular. This psychological function of
ritualism provides an outlet for religious emotion. Ekaadasi fasts and vigils without
eating and drinking are not without their disciplinary value. It is a lesson in selfcontrol.
The central theme of Ekkadasi fast is to feel a profound mystical experience in
which the soul feels the nearness of God by various ritual acts. Sri Madhwacharya in
his work 'Krishnamrutha Mahaarnava' established beyond doubt that only after the
practice of such a Vratha that our other activities bear fruit. God's infinite grace is
possible only to a pure heart; and a pure heart in turn is attained only through right living.

A true Vaishava does not take even a single morsel of food or a drop of water to allay
hunger or thirst. The whole day and night are spent in devotion, prayer and religious
study. Since, Sri Madhwacharya has prescribed Ekaadasi fast as compulsory just like
Sandhya Vandhanam it becomes mandatory for Madhwas. Apart from the fast, jagarane
is also prescribed on Ekaadasi nights, when men and women sing and dance in praise of
God and pass the whole night without sleep. The greatness of Ekaadasi vow has been
extolled in the story of Ambareesha in the Bhagavatham, by Sri Madhwacharya in his
Krishnamrutha Mahaarnava, Sri Vadhiraja in his "Ekaadasi Nimaya" and a host of
haridasas like Sri Purandaradasa, Sri Vijaya Dasa, Sri Gopala dasa have also extolled
through their devarnamas the uniqueness of Ekaadasi Vratha. Sir Vijaya Dasa in his song
"Ekaadasi Vrathada Mahithya" says that the efficacy of this Vartha was first mentioned
by Lord Padmanabha to his consort Lakshmi and later to Brahma, who imparted it to
Narada.

Na Kaashi na Gaya Ganga na rewa cha Gowthami

Na Chaapi KauravamKshethram, thulyambhoopaHaredrinaath.

- Padma Puraanam

Padmapuraanam says that sacred rivers like Ganga, Narmada, Godavari etc. and holy
places like Kashi, Gaya, Kurushetra etc., cannot equal the merit of Ekaadasi Vratha.

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DASAMI
Ekaadasi Vratha begins with the sankalpaon the Dasami day, fasting on the Ekaadasi day
and parane on Dwaadasi day. Since it is spread over three days it goes by the name
Dinathraya or three-day Vratha. The evening meals on the Dasami and Dwaadasi days
along with abstaining from both the meals on the Ekaadasi day, will make a total of four
meals forbidden on these three days.

EKKADASI
The literal meaning of the word Ekaadasi is one plus ten, where ONE stands for the Lord.
Shri Vishnu Sashasra Nama Sthothram calls HIM "Ekasmai Namah" meaning salutations
to the ONE. So in the very name of Ekaadasi Shri Hari is present and so it is auspicious
day. Since Shri Hari is the presiding deity for Ekaadasi it is called 'Haridina' meaning a
day to be dedicated entirely for worshipping HIM, meditating upon Him, listening to HIS
glory and studying the scriptures. In short, anything we do on this day should please the
Lord. Sri Purandara Dasa says "Vrathagalellavu Haridina Vrathadahinde". This is a
unique concept to the followers of Dwaita philosophy. In Adwaita, Ekaadasi is just like
any other day. In Vishistadwaita, Vaikunta Ekaadasi alone is meant for fasting and the
day is spent in worshipping HIM and not other Ekaadasis.

Observance of Ekaadasi by fasting and meditating on the Divinity with implicit faith, is
an excellent reflection of sathwa guna. The Lord mentions in the Gita that none born of
prakruthi is free from the influence of three gunas, viz., sathwa, rajas and thamas. Of the
three, sathwa is given the highest place because the jeeva in whom sathwa guna
dominates moves towards the Nivruthi Marga i.e., Jnana - Bhakthi - Vairagya - Moksha.
To such souls God reveals Himself. It is, therefore, compulsory to all castes and creeds,
for young and old, for men and women to develop sathwa guna. Even our puranas
proclaim that ekaadasi vow is for all people, at all places, for all times, since it has been
gifted to us by our sages for our physical and spritual well - being. Its observance
cleanses the mind and paves the way for Jnana. It is an established fact when one does
not take food even though there is a desire for it, there will be 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 sin. Shrimad Acharya says in Krishnamurtha
Mahaarnava that the fire of merit that accrues from observing an Ekaadasi reduces to
ashes the sins of hundred of births.

SIGNIFICANCE OF FASTING

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The moon is not in its full glory during Ekaadasi due to its movements. The food that is,
therefore, consumed on these days remains undigested. Moon is the solicitation deity for
food. Upavaasa does not mean mere fasting - it means Saameepya Vaasa (dwelling in
proximity to the Lord) with archana, japa, karthashravana, niraahara and jaagarna. So
after setting apart sometime to basic necessities the whole day and night is to be spent in
thinking about HIS glories. Even if Shraadha falls on this day, it is to be performed on the
Dwaadasi day only: By fasting on Ekaadasi day one can earn the unlimited grace of the
Lord and attain Vaikuntaa. By fasting and meditating on God the body becomes pure
and worthy to be called the temple of God. Varaaha Puraana says the pregnant woman,
mothers of young children and those who are very weak can partake fruits like dates,
banana, grapes, coconut, milk, curds and grains which are not cooked. They will not be
considered to have broken the vow. All sins indulged in by the body and mind are wiped
out by Upavaasa. No Vratha can be compared with Ekaadasi are considered thieves and
deserve to be punished, says the Krishnaamrutha Mahaarnava. It is, therefore, a sin to
look at even the face of one who eats food on this day.

WHY EKAADASI FASTING?

1. It is Haridina-meant for spritual activity only.

2. Food will not be digested since the moon is not in full glory.

3. Shrimad Acharya has prescribed fasting, so it is mandatory to us.

4. Its observance reduces all sins to ashes.

5. Fasting tones up our health and keeps the body and the mind trim.

EKAADASI VICHAARA
Fixing of Ekaadasi thithi is different from other thithis. All other thithis are treated as
complete from one sun-rise to the next except Ekaadasi thithi. It is determined with
reference to Arunodaya. four Ghatikas before sunrise is called Arunodaya. One Ghatia =
24 minutes i.e., 4 x 24 = 96 mts. before sunrise is Arunodaya. If sun-rise for example is
5.36 am for a day - Arunodaya will be 1 hour 36 mts. before that i.e. 5.36 - 1.36 = 4.00
am. If there is a trace of Dasami at the time of Arunodaya that Ekaadasi is called Viddha
Ekaadasi and no fasting on such and Ekaadasi is allowed. If no fasting is done on
Viddha Ekaadasi, fasting is done on Dwaadasi day and parane on Thrayodasi day.

In situations when Dasami, Ekaadasi, Dwaadasi fall on the same day, fasting should not
be observed as there is Dasami Viddha. So fasting is done the next day. When Ekaadasi is

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not touched by Dasami and when there is Dwaadasi thithi on Thrayodasi day also (that
means Ekaadasi thithi is there on tow consecutive Arunodayas) the fast should be
continued and not broken on the first Dwaadasi. That means two consecutive days of
fasting - it is called Athiriktha Ekaadasi and parane on Thrayodasi day. Athirikta means
excessive. It can come in any month of the year although rare.

There is another occasion for two days of fasting when Dwaadasi has a contact of
Shravana star and reigns during the afternoon. Such a Dwaadasi is called Shravana
Dwaadasi. So along with a fast on Ekaadasi it is compulsory to fast on Shravana
Dwaadasi. So along with a fast on Ekaadasi it is compulsory to fast on Shravana
Dwaadasi day. It is strictly observed by followers of other schools also since Shravana is
the Lord's star and the day associated with the Lord is Haridina. It is sacred. Shastras
permit some relaxation for the aged and the sick in fasting on the first day but not on the
Shravana Dwaadasi. During a year Shravana Dwaadasi fasting generally comes thrice,
i.e,., Bhaadrapada Shukla Dwaadasi, Maagha Bahula Dwaadasi and Phaalguna Bahula
Dwaadasi. In 1996, Maagha Bahula Dwaadasi was Sharvana Dwaadasi and none else. In
1997, there is no Sharavana Dwaadasi fasting.

We are not supposed to fast on Smartha Ekaadasi day which is according to us Dasami.
On such a day there will be Harivaasara which is called Dasami Harivaasara; and so
meals is to completed before the indicated time. Ekaadasi Nirnaya is ticklish and differs
from Mutt to Mutt because all do not employ Aryamaana for calculations. So it is a safe
bet to follow the respective Mutt Panchaangas while ascertaining the Ekaadasi.

Normally 24 (12 x 2) Ekaadasis occur in a calendar year. When in a year ther is an

Adhikamaasa 2 more are added. Each of these 26 Ekaadasis are named after women of
hoary past for their chastity, virtuousness, dharma etc. The following table will give the
details:

EKAADASI AACHARA
Ekaadasi is a fasting day to atone for our sins of indulging in undesirable acts, through
Dashendriyas. It is a Vaishnava Vratha which is greater than all Yaagaas and its power to
destroy sins is unmatched if we follow the dos and don'ts of it strictly which are given
hereunder in a nutshell. This will be called aachaara.

Dos Donot's
1. Worship, meditate and think about HIM. No food, water or sleep

2. Keep awake during the night of Ekaadasi No kind of enjoyment or sensual pleasures

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3. Make a sankalpa for three day vow.
4. Break the fast on the Dwaadasi day as per
rules
5. On Ekaadasi take theertha only once no
tulasi to be eaten and have only angaara
mark on the forehead.
6. Tell the greatness of Ekaadasi to others.
7. Perform Ekaadasi shraadha on Dwaadasi Naivedyam on Ekaadasi. No Ramaa
day
No sleep during day time on Dasami,
Ekaadasi and Dwaadasi.
The first part of Dwaadasi thithi is called
Harivaasara and no food to be taken during
that period.
Do not take meal in another person's house
on Dasami and Dwaadasi days.
No cooked food to be offered as
naivedyan.

8. If shraadha falls on sadhana Dwaadasi No shraadha or homa on Ekaadasi day.

serve food to the brahmins before Dwaadasi
passes off

9. Even on vridhi, suthaka days Ekaadasi is

to be observed.

10. Even while in their periods women have

to observe Ekaadasi.

DWAADASI
Two plus ten is Dwaadasi etymologically. So the twelth day in every fortnigth is
Dwaadasi, an important day in Ekaadasi Vratha Paddhathi on which day the fast is
broken (execpt on the Shravana Dwaadasi). The Ekaadasi shraadha is to be performed
only on Dwaadasi. If there is very little Dwaadasi thithi on the day of breaking the fast it
is called Saadhana Dwaadasi or Alpha Dwaadasi. It is so called because one has to
make all our effort to observe Dwaadasi in such a short time. On Sadhana Dwaadasi day
one can take bath before Arunodaya. On other day one should not take bath before
Arunodaya. The afternoon sandhyavandanam should also be completed before sunrise.
Vaishvadeva homa, Brahma Yagna, all tharpanams to be completed within 48 minutes
before actual sunrise; and one should anticipatingly await sunrise to break the fast ready
to sip water from the right hand palm. To derive the benefits of Ekaadasi fasting
Dwaadasi parane should be observed at the scheduled time. In the Bhagavatha,
Ambareesh did the same thing. If pithru shraadha falls on Saadhana Dwaadasi brahmins
should sit for partaking food before Dwaadasi passes off.

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HARIVAASARA
The last part of Dasami Viddha Ekaadasi and the first part of Dwaadasi are known as
Harivaasara. These are also auspicious and merit fasting. On Dasami harivaasara day
food is to be taken before the time mentioned in the Panchaanga since Ekaadasi will
encroach on Dasami after that time. On Dwaadasi harivaasara day, food should be taken
after the time limit mentioned since Dwaadasi may not have come before that time.
During harivaasara no homa, no tharpana, no Rama naivedya to be performed. Shri
Madhwacharya in his Sri Krishnamrutha Mahaarnava says "A thousand solar eclipes, ten
thousand Vyateepaataas and a lakh of amaavaasyas do not have on sixteenth merit of the
auspiciousness of Dwaadasi". Hence the supremacy of the Dwaadasi has the greates
punya thithi.

SANKALPA MANTRAS
1. DASAMI SANKALPA

Dashamee divase Parapte Vrathastoham Janaaradan

Thridinam Devadevesha Nirvigham Kuru Keshava

- Brahmavaivartha Puraanam

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

2. EKAADASI SANKALPA

Ekaadashyam Niraharaha Sthithvahani Parehyaham

Bhookshyaami Pundareeksha Saranam Me Bhavaachyutha

- Brihannaaradeeya Puraanam XXI - 15

After fasting on Ekaadasi I will eat on Dwaadasi, Please be my reguge Oh, Achyuta!
TWO DAY FASTING SANKALPA

Adyashvasheha Niraahaaro Bhootvaaham Dwaadashee Dine

Vidhaasye Paaranam Deva Preetho Bhava Ma maanisham

- Varaahapuraanam

I will be on a fast today and tomorrow and break the fast on Dwaadasi. Lord! may you be
pleased!

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3. DWAADASI SANKALPA

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 Ekaadasi may it please you to bless me with the light of knowledge.

Ekaadasyupavaasena Dwaadashee Paarnenacha

Yadaarjitham Mayaa Punyam Thena Preenathu Keshavah

- Brahmavaivartha Puraanam

May Lord Keshava be pleased with the merit that accured to me by fasting on Ekaadasi
and breaking the fast on Dwaadasi.

Now that the significance on Ekaadasi vow is elaborated, wast no time in joining that
select group of people who undertake shuddha upavaasa on Ekaadasi and rest assured
that the Lord will redeem us with His infinite Grace.

"Madhwamatha Siddhanthada Paddhathi bidabedi,

bidabedi, bittu kedabedi, kedabedi"

SRI KRISHNAARPANAMASTHU