Ekadasi fasting

Expressions researched:
"Ekadasi and similar other fasting days" |"Ekadasi day, we observe fasting" |"Ekadasi fast" |"Ekadasi fasting" |"Ekadasi means that, fasting" |"Ekadasi, Maharaja Nanda observed fasting" |"Ekadasi, fasting" |"Ekadasi, one day fasting" |"Ekadasi, with their permission, by breaking the fast" |"ekadasi day you should fast" |"ekadasi fasting" |"ekadasi is compulsory. One may feel some inconvenience fasting" |"ekadasi means fasting" |"ekadasi. We are, mostly we are fasting" |"fast and observe ekadasi-vrata" |"fast on Ekadasi" |"fast on the Ekadasi day" |"fast on the two Ekadasi days" |"fasted on the Ekadasi" |"fasting day on Ekadasi" |"fasting days like Ekadasi" |"fasting is recommended for devotees on Ekadasi" |"fasting on Ekadasi" |"fasting per month on Ekadasi" |"fasts, such as Ekadasi"

Notes from the compiler: Use Vedabase query: "Ekadasi fast*"@10

SB Canto 3

One should fast on the two Ekādaśī days, which fall on the eleventh day of the waxing and waning moon, and on the birthdays of Lord Kṛṣṇa, Lord Rāma and Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

SB 3.27.22, Purport:

It is said that development of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is exhibited by proportionate material detachment, or vairāgya. If one does not separate himself from material enjoyment, it is to be understood that he is not advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Renunciation in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is so strong that it cannot be deviated by any attractive illusion. One has to perform devotional service in full tapasya, austerity. One should fast on the two Ekādaśī days, which fall on the eleventh day of the waxing and waning moon, and on the birthdays of Lord Kṛṣṇa, Lord Rāma and Caitanya Mahāprabhu. There are many such fasting days.

SB Canto 4

The devotee undergoes processes of austerity such as observing Ekādaśī and similar other fasting days and refraining from illicit sex life, intoxication, gambling and meat-eating.

SB 4.12.13, Purport:

A devotee is not concerned with enjoyment or distress; he simply desires to execute devotional service. It is said in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam that devotional service should be apratihatā, unchecked by the material conditions of happiness or distress. The devotee undergoes processes of austerity such as observing Ekādaśī and similar other fasting days and refraining from illicit sex life, intoxication, gambling and meat-eating. Thus he becomes purified from the reactions of his past impious life, and because he engages in devotional service, which is the most pious activity, he enjoys life without separate endeavor.

According to the Vaiṣṇava calendar, there are many fasts, such as Ekādaśī and the appearance and disappearance days of God and His devotees. All of these are meant to decrease the fat within the body so that one will not sleep more than desired and will not become inactive and lazy.

SB 4.28.35-36, Purport:

We can definitely see that to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness one must control his bodily weight. If one becomes too fat, it is to be assumed that he is not advancing spiritually. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura severely criticized his fat disciples. The idea is that one who intends to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness must not eat very much. Devotees used to go to forests, high hills or mountains on pilgrimages, but such severe austerities are not possible in these days. One should instead eat only prasāda and no more than required. According to the Vaiṣṇava calendar, there are many fasts, such as Ekādaśī and the appearance and disappearance days of God and His devotees. All of these are meant to decrease the fat within the body so that one will not sleep more than desired and will not become inactive and lazy. Overindulgence in food will cause a man to sleep more than required. This human form of life is meant for austerity, and austerity means controlling sex, food intake, etc. In this way time can be saved for spiritual activity, and one can purify himself both externally and internally. Thus both body and mind can be cleansed.

SB Canto 9

On Dvādaśī, the day after Ekādaśī, when Mahārāja Ambarīṣa was about to break his Ekādaśī fast, the great mystic yogī Durvāsā appeared in his house and became his guest.

SB 9.4 Summary:

Once Mahārāja Ambarīṣa was worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead in Vṛndāvana, observing the vow of Dvādaśī. On Dvādaśī, the day after Ekādaśī, when he was about to break his Ekādaśī fast, the great mystic yogī Durvāsā appeared in his house and became his guest. King Ambarīṣa respectfully received Durvāsā Muni, and Durvāsā Muni, after accepting his invitation to eat there, went to bathe in the Yamunā River at noontime. Because he was absorbed in samādhi, he did not come back very soon. Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, however, upon seeing that the time to break the fast was passing, drank a little water, in accordance with the advice of learned brāhmaṇas, just to observe the formality of breaking the fast.