View source for Ekadashi

{{Short description|Eleventh day of the lunar fortnight}}
[[File:Vishnu and his Avatars.jpg|thumb|Ekadashis are associated with the worship of the god [[Vishnu]], patron of the Vaishnavism sect.]]
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
'''Ekadashi''' ({{Langx|sa|एकादशी|lit=The eleventh day|translit=Ēkādaśī}}) is the eleventh [[lunar day]] (''[[tithi]]'') of the waxing (''[[Shukla Paksha|Shukla Pakṣa]])'' and waning (''Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa)'' lunar cycles in a [[Hindu calendar|Vedic calendar]] month.<ref>{{Cite news|title=What is Ekadashi? Its types, benefits of Ekadashi fast and foods to be eaten - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/what-is-ekadashi-its-types-benefits-of-ekadashi-fast-and-foods-to-be-eaten/articleshow/76996495.cms|access-date=2021-04-20|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> Ekadashi is popularly observed within [[Vaishnavism]] one of the major paths within [[Sanatan Dharma]]. Followers offer their worship to the god [[Vishnu]] by fasting or just symbolically; the idea was always to receive self-discipline and the benefits of fasting and it was connected to the way of life via Sanatam Dharma practices.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Constance |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC |title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism |last2=Ryan |first2=James D. |date=2006 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5 |pages=147 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Melton |first=J. Gordon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KDU30Ae4S4cC |title=Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations |date=2011-09-13 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-59884-205-0 |pages=490 |language=en}}</ref>
In [[Hinduism]], the primary purpose of fasting on Ekadashi is to gain control over the mind and bodily senses, and channel it towards spiritual progression. In addition, there are several health benefits to fasting.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Intermittent Fasting on the Ekadashi Day and the Role of Spiritual Nutrition |url=https://www.foodandnutritionjournal.org/volume9number1/intermittent-fasting-on-the-ekadashi-day-and-the-role-of-spiritual-nutrition/ |journal=Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science Journal|date=16 April 2021 |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=122–126 |doi=10.12944/CRNFSJ.9.1.12 |last1=Suchitra |first1=M.R. |last2=Parthasarathy |first2=S. |doi-access=free }}</ref> Ekadashi fasting spans for three days. Devotees take single meal in the afternoon a day before Ekadashi day(Dasami) to make sure there is no residual food in the stomach on next day. Devotees keep a strict fast with no food or water on Ekadashi day and break the fast on next day(Dwadashi) only after sunrise.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ekadashi Fast |url=https://www.riversidetemple.org/ekadashi-fast}}</ref> Since this form of fasting is very stringent and may not be possible for people in all walks of life due to health and life choice reasons, a more liberal from of fasting is followed by most devotees.
There are different ways to observe the Ekadashi fasting in this method,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Devshayani Ekadashi fasting rules: Types of Ekadashi fasting .. |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/rituals-puja/devshayani-ekadashi-fasting-rules-types-of-ekadashi-fasting-foods-allowed/articleshow/76709543.cms |work=The Times of India}}</ref> ranging from complete abstention from food and water to partial fasting or consuming only specific types of food. Devotee can chose the fasting approach that aligns with his/her health, lifestyle, and spiritual goals.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Verma |first=Manish |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z4gzFFLdBoYC&dq=mura+vishnu&pg=PA65 |title=Fasts and Festivals of India |date=2013 |publisher=Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. |isbn=978-81-7182-076-4 |pages=65 |language=en}}</ref>
# Nirjala: Devotees observe complete fasting without even water on Ekadashi day.
# Jalahar: In this type of Ekadashi fasting, devotees consume only water.
# Ksheerbhoji: In this type of Ekadashi fasting, devotees consume milk and milk products.
# Phalahari: In this type of Ekadashi fasting, the devotees consume only fruits.
# Naktabhoji: In this type of Ekadashi fasting, the devotees have single meal. Generally, in the later part of the day with dishes made of Sabudana, Singhada, Shakarkand (Yam), Potatoes and Groundnuts. However, the meal should not have any grains like rice, wheat, millets or cereals like dals and beans.
The timing of each ekadashi is according to the position of the moon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ekadashi.net/|title=Ekadashi Dates & Fast Breaking Times (Parana) for 2018 - Ekadashi Katha - Ekadashi Svarupa Darsana|website=Ekadashi Svarupa Darsana|language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-30|archive-date=13 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613211308/http://www.ekadashi.net/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Hindu calendar]] marks progression from a full moon to a new moon as divided into fifteen equal arcs of 12°. Each arc measures one lunar day, called a ''[[tithi]]''. The time it takes the moon to traverse a particular distance is the length of that lunar day. Ekadashi refers to the 11th ''tithi'', or lunar day. The eleventh ''tithi'' corresponds to a precise angle and phase of the waxing and waning moon. In the bright half of the lunar month, the moon will be exactly 3/4 full on the start of Ekadashi, and in the dark half of the lunar month, the moon will be 3/4 dark on the start of Ekadashi.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Hindu Calendar |url=https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/hindu-calendar.html |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=www.timeanddate.com |language=en}}</ref>
There are usually 24 Ekadashis in a calendar year. Occasionally, there are two extra Ekadashis that happen in a Hindu leap year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bikos |first=Konstantin |title=Leap Months and Leap Days in the Hindu Calendar |url=https://www.timeanddate.com/date/hindu-leap-year.html}}</ref> Each Ekadashi day is purported to have particular benefits that are attained by the performance of specific activities.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Goswami |first1=Danvir |last2=Das |first2=Kushakrita |date=2010 |title=Sri Garga Samhita |publisher=Rupanuga Vedic College Publishing}}</ref>
[[Bhagavata Purana]] (skandha IX, adhyaay 4) notes the observation of Ekadashi by [[Ambarisha]], a devotee of Vishnu.<ref>{{cite book |last= Prabhupada |first= Bhaktivedanta Swami|author-link= Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada|date= 1995 |title= Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto Nine |location= |publisher= The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust |pages= 85–170 |isbn= 978-81-8957491-8}}</ref>
== Legend ==
The story behind Ekadashi began with Vishnu sleeping or in a meditative state. A demon, Murdanav, approached and attempted to attack Vishnu. At that time, a beautiful woman sprung forth from Vishnu's 11th sense (often called the "mind"). An infatuated Murdanav asked to marry her, to which she responded that she would agree only if he defeated her in battle. As they fought, Murdanav was eventually killed. Vishnu awoke from his sleep, and blessed the woman by naming her "Ekadashi", and stated that if anyone were to fast on this day, they would attain ''[[moksha]]'' (liberation from the cycle of birth and death).{{Sfn|Melton|2011|p=585}}<ref name="Moksha">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hknet.org.nz/ekadasi-2.htm#Mokshada|title=Mokshada Ekadasi|access-date=26 November 2012|publisher=ISKCON}}</ref>
==List of Ekadashis ==
The table below describes the ekadashis and when they fall in the year.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Vedic lunar month !! Presiding deity !! [[Krishna paksha]] ekadashi !! [[Shukla paksha]] ekadashi  !! 2024 Dates
|-
| [[Chaitra]] (चैत्र, March–April) ||Rama/[[Vishnu]]|| Papavimocani Ekadashi || [[Kamada Ekadashi]] || Papmochani/Papavimocani Ekadashi: 4-5 April <br/>
[[Kamada Ekadashi]]: 18-19 April<ref group=Note name=Note01/> (17-18 April in some traditions)<ref name = "Drikpanchang"/><ref name = "Vrindavan"/>
|-
| [[Vaisakha]] (वैशाख, April–May ) || Madhusudana ([[Vishnu]]) ||[[Varuthini Ekadashi]] || Mohini Ekadashi || [[Varuthini Ekadashi]]: 3-4 May <br/>
Mohini Ekadashi: 18-19 May<ref name = "Drikpanchang"/><ref name = "Vrindavan"/>
|-
| [[Jyeshtha (month)|Jyeshtha]] (ज्येष्ठ, May–June) || Trivikrama ([[Vishnu]]) || Apara Ekadashi || [[Nirjala Ekadashi]] || Vaishnava Apara & Apara Ekadashi: 2-3 June <br/>
[[Nirjala Ekadashi]]: 17-18 June<ref name = "Drikpanchang"/><ref name = "Vrindavan"/>
|-
| [[Aashaadha|Ashada]] (आषाढ, June–July) ||[[Vamana]]|| Yogini Ekadashi || [[Shayani Ekadashi]] || Yogini Ekadashi: : 1-2 July <br/>
[[Shayani Ekadashi | Devshayani (Shayani) Ekadashi]]: 16-17 July (15 -16 July in some traditions)<ref name = "Drikpanchang"/><ref name = "Vrindavan"/>
|-
| [[Shraavana|Shravana]] (श्रावण,  July–August) || Sridhara || Kamika Ekadashi || [[Shravana Putrada Ekadashi]] || Kamika Ekadashi: 30-31 July<ref group=Note name=Note01/> <br/>
[[Shravana Putrada Ekadashi]]: 15-16 August<ref group=Note name=Note01/><ref name = "Drikpanchang"/><ref name = "Vrindavan"/>
|-
| [[Bhadrapada]]<br>(भाद्रपद, August–September) || [[Hrishikesha]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=N.A|url=http://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12961|title=The Skanda-Purana Part 1|date=1950|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers| location=Delhi|isbn=|pages=154 (18.31–32)}}</ref>|| Annada Ekadashi || Parsva Ekadashi || Aja (Annada) Ekadashi: 29-30 August<ref group=Note name=Note01/><br/>
Parsva Ekadashi: 13-14 September<ref name = "Drikpanchang"/><ref name = "Vrindavan"/>
|-
| [[Ashvin|Ashvina]] (अश्विन्, September–October) || Padmanabha || Indra Ekadashi<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/events/indira-ekadashi-2019-date-times-puja-vidhi-shubh-mahurat-and-all-you-need-to-know/articleshow/71277619.cms|title=Indira Ekadashi 2019: Date, Times, Puja Vidhi, Shubh Mahurat and all you need to know - Times of India|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-12-27}}</ref>|| Pasankusa Ekadashi || Indira (Indra) Ekadashi: 27-28 September<ref group=Note name=Note01/><br/>
Papankusha Ekadashi: 13-14 October<ref name = "Drikpanchang"/><ref name = "Vrindavan"/>
|-
| [[Kartika (month)|Kartik]] (कार्तिक, October–November) || [[Damodar (name of Krishna)|Damodara]] || Rama Ekadashi<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://khabar.ndtv.com/news/faith/rama-ekadashi-2019-date-time-siginificance-shubh-muhurat-puja-vidhi-vrat-katha-and-lakshmi-puja-2121181|title=Rama Ekadashi 2019: आज है रमा एकादशी, जानिए शुभ मुहूर्त, पूजा विधि, व्रत कथा और महत्‍व|last=|first=|date=|website=NDTVIndia|trans-title=Rama Ekadashi 2019- Date, Time, Significance, Auspicious Time, Puja Vidhi, Vrat Katha and Lakshmi-Puja|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023234325/https://khabar.ndtv.com/news/faith/rama-ekadashi-2019-date-time-siginificance-shubh-muhurat-puja-vidhi-vrat-katha-and-lakshmi-puja-2121181 |archive-date=23 October 2019 |access-date=2019-12-27}}</ref>||[[Prabodhini Ekadashi]] || Rama Ekadashi: 27-28 October<ref group=Note name=Note01/> <br/>
[[Prabodhini Ekadashi | Devutthana Ekadashi]]: 11-12 November<ref name = "Drikpanchang"/><ref name = "Vrindavan"/>
|-
| [[Agrahayana|Margashirsha(Agrahayana)]]<br>(मार्गशीर्ष, November–December) || [[Keshava]]  || Utpanna Ekadashi || [[Mokshada Ekadashi]]/[[Vaikunta Ekadashi|Vaikuntha Ekadashi]] || Utpanna Ekadashi: 26-27 November<ref group=Note name=Note01/> <br/>
[[Mokshada Ekadashi | Mokshada]] & [[Vaikuntha Ekadashi | Guruvayur(Vaikuntha) Ekadashi]]: 11-12 December<ref name = "Drikpanchang"/><ref name = "Vrindavan"/>
|-
| [[Pausha]] (पौष, December–January) ||[[Narayana]] (Vishnu/Krishna) || Saphala Ekadashi || [[Pausha Putrada Ekadashi]]/[[Vaikunta Ekadashi|Vaikuntha Ekadashi]] || Saphala Ekadashi: 7-8 January (11 -12 January in Eastern Traditions) <br/>
[[Pausha Putrada Ekadashi]]: 20-21 January<ref name = "Drikpanchang"/><ref name = "Vrindavan">{{Cite web |title=Vraj Vrindavan - Ekadashi Dates |url=https://vrajvrindavan.com/ekadashi-dates/ |website=Vraj Vrindavan |access-date= }}</ref>
|-
| [[Magha (month)|Magha]] (माघ, January–February) || [[Madhava (Vishnu)|Madhava]]|| Shattila Ekadashi || Bhaimi Ekadashi / Jaya Ekadashi || Shattila Ekadashi: 5-6 February<ref group=Note name=Note01/> <br/>  Bhaimi/Jaya Ekadashi: 19-20 February<ref name = "Drikpanchang"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Drik Panchang - Bhaimi Ekadashi Date and Parana Time |url=https://www.drikpanchang.com/iskcon/ekadashi/bhaimi/bhaimi-ekadashi-date-parana-time.html |website=Drik Panchang |access-date= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hare Krishna Calendar - Bhaimi Ekadashi 2023 |url=https://harekrishnacalendar.com/vaishnava-calendar/bhaimi-ekadashi-2023/ |website=Hare Krishna Calendar |date=9 October 2019 |access-date= }}</ref><ref name = "Vrindavan"/>
|-
| [[Phalgun]]a (फाल्गुन, February–March) ||[[Govinda]] ([[Krishna]]) || Vijaya Ekadashi || [[Amalaki Ekadashi]] || Vaishnava Vijaya & Vijaya Ekadashi: 6-7 March (4 -5 March in some traditions)<ref group=Note name=Note01/> <br/>
[[Amalaki Ekadashi]]: 20-21 March<ref name = "Drikpanchang">{{Cite web |title=Drik Panchang - Ekadashi Dates |url=https://www.drikpanchang.com/vrats/ekadashidates.html |website=Drik Panchang |access-date= }}</ref><ref name = "Vrindavan"/>
|-
| Adhika month<br>(अधिक, once in 2–3 years) ||[[Adhik Maas|Purushottama]]|| Padmini Vishuddha Ekadashi || Parama Shuddha Ekadashi ||
|}
==See also==
* [[Guruvayur Ekadasi]]
* [[Amavasya]]
==Notes==
{{reflist|group=Note|refs=
<ref name=Note01>Fasting may begin several days before</ref>
}}
==References==
*Gangadharan, N., ''Agni Purana'', New Delhi: Motilala Banarsidass, 1985, Chapter 178.
*Iyer, N.P. Subramania, Kalaprakasika: ''The standard book on the election (mahoortha) system: with the original text in Devanagari and English translation'', New Delhi: Asian Educational Services, 1982.
==External links==
{{Commons category|Ekadasi tithi}}
* [https://www.hindirasayan.com/religion/worship/vrat-festivals/ekadashi/know-about-ekadashi-vrat-19646 About Ekadashi Vrat: Ekadashi Vrat Vidhi-Niyam and Vrat Bhojan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831050355/https://www.hindirasayan.com/religion/worship/vrat-festivals/ekadashi/know-about-ekadashi-vrat-19646 |date=31 August 2019 }}
*[https://hinducalendar.co.in/ List of all Ekadashi of this year 2024]
{{Tithi}}
{{HinduFestivals}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Days of the Hindu calendar|11]]
[[Category:Ekadashi| ]]
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