Ekadasi... just a reminder for those who observe

[Jainarayan]

Sun. Oct. 23, 06:15 EDT.

Dvadasi, K, SR 06:15, P.Phalguni
+SUDDHA EKADASI VRATA: FASTING FOR Rama EKADASI

Mon. Oct. 24
+Break fast 06:17 - 09:52 EDT (Daylight savings not considered).

I start fast at 07:15, and end at 07:17 because of daylight savings time.

The tithi of Ekadasi is on Sat. Oct. 24, but it does not start before sunrise. It runs 08:31 - 17:59. This time around, fasting is on Dvadasi.

Just sayin'. ;)

[Jainarayan]

I am curious if anyone else keeps the Ekadasi fasts. I have been keeping them as best I can. That is, one vegetarian, grain-free and legume-free meal on the day. Sometimes I don't eat anything except some yogurt or fruit, or drink some milk and fruit juice. So, does anyone else who is Vaishnava keep the fasts?

[smaranam]

Hare KRshNa

I though everyone observed Ekadashi. I also stick to the fruits mostly, but nowadays have started adding potato or sweet potato to the mix (when i am not lazy enough), so it is not all fruit sugar.

Here is one sweet potato recipe (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showpost.php?p=59580&postcount=19) (I personally skip the peanuts and all processing, grating. Just jeera(cumin) and thin circle slices of the sweet potato.)


praNAm

P.S. People also use water-chestnut (shingAdA flour / kuttu flour) to make pancakes or laddoos.

[Jainarayan]

Namaste smaranam.

Thanks for the recipe. I love sweet potatoes! :)

A Gaudiya Vaishnava said quinoa is a good substitute for grain, because quinoa is a seed. But of course rice, corn, beans and wheat are seeds, so now I'm not so sure about the quinoa being OK. If quinoa is not acceptable, then I have negated the fasts, because I've had some.

[smaranam]

Namaste

I always thought quinoa falls straight in the dhAnya anna (grain) category.

As for water-chestnut, some use it some don't. Fortunately i am also lazy enough that i don't go for the varieties. In the western countries people keep the rule simple (no grains no beans) and eat broccoli carrot soups etc. which is understandable.
However, traditionally we do not eat these vegetables for upavAs.

More important, however, is to be more meditative, more engrossed and focused on Bhagvan in whatever way, and not into other things.

Hare KRshNa

[Jainarayan]

Namaste

I always thought quinoa falls straight in the dhAnya anna (grain) category.

Yes, this is what I am thinking now.


More important, however, is to be more meditative, more engrossed and focused on Bhagvan in whatever way, and not into other things.

Hare KRshNa

Indeed, and I spent a lot of time thinking of Him.

[smaranam]

I found this article : Ekadashi : outer and inner circles ? (http://www.dipika.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=318:eating-rules-for-ekadashi-what-to-eat-or-not-to-eat-on-ekadashi&catid=26:ekadashi-the-day-for-lord-hari&Itemid=30)

TBTL, you did not break the rule, quinoa is in apparently. (rajgira, sago/tapioca (sabudana), water-chestnut, buckwheat, quinoa ...)

I would bypass the spices though. We can do without them.

Hare KRshNa

[Jainarayan]

I found this article : Ekadashi : outer and inner circles ? (http://www.dipika.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=318:eating-rules-for-ekadashi-what-to-eat-or-not-to-eat-on-ekadashi&catid=26:ekadashi-the-day-for-lord-hari&Itemid=30)

TBTL, you did not break the rule, quinoa is in apparently. (rajgira, sago/tapioca (sabudana), water-chestnut, buckwheat, quinoa ...)

I would bypass the spices though. We can do without them.

Hare KRshNa

Thanks once again, and for the link. I've found precious little about Ekadasi.