What is Ekadashi

Higher nervous activity is characteristic of a person, from which the ability for empathy, creativity and the so-called spiritual life is born.

Similar living conditions, joint housekeeping, common troubles and joys led to the formation of a certain worldview within individual communities. It was from this worldview that certain lines of veneration of higher powers and worship of various deities took shape. In other words, religions have arisen. Each religion has a set of rules of conduct, concepts and abstinences. The desire to follow these rules helps believers develop spiritually and physically, enrich their inner world and improve the body.

For a more pronounced effect of discipline in each religion, there are restrictions. One of the systems of prohibitions is the fasting system: for Hindus, these are the days of Ekadashi, for Muslims – Ramadan, for the Orthodox – fasts of different durations. Fasting means abstaining from food and drink for a while, or a temporary exclusion from the diet of certain foods. Food prohibitions are usually accompanied by spiritual restriction. On these days, believers pray more often, devoting more time to communicating with higher powers, limiting themselves to entertainment events, and do not allow bodily mergers.

Why are there periods of limitation?

As history shows, such periods have a positive effect on the human body.

The lack of opportunity to have fun directs thoughts to the search for methods to improve oneself and improve the world around. Such reflections allow you to calm down, focus and rethink your values ​​​​and life priorities. This, in turn, helps to choose the right direction of your activity and get deeper satisfaction from life.

There is also a more material aspect of the necessity of fasting. Throughout life, consuming various products, a person clogs his body with substances formed as a result of their digestion. Not all are derived naturally. The body, taking care of the future, stores a lot for the future. For example, fat deposits are formed in large quantities under the skin, an excessive fatty layer develops between the internal organs, fatty infiltration of the liver and pancreas. The presence of such deposits most often adversely affects the functioning of various organs and systems. So, due to the accumulation of cholesterol inside the vessels, blood flow is disturbed. Sometimes, in parallel with nutrients, toxic substances, metabolites accumulate in cells and tissues, which also has a negative effect on the human body.

Our forefathers did not have the opportunity to substantiate much rationally, but intuitively and through observation developed a system for detoxifying the soul and body. Different religions name their fasts differently; abstinence can be different in time, in the number of measures and products, but their main principles are very similar. Let’s take a look at one of these systems.

Ekadashi – days of austerity in Hinduism

In the religious Hindu book “Padma Purana” it is said that Vishnu recommended worshiping the goddess of the lunar day – Ekadashi to purify karma. So it was customary in the days of veneration of this goddess to be cleansed of sins, observing certain restrictions in food and actions.

Ekadashi time

In Hinduism and Jainism, fasting is associated with the movement of the moon and occurs on the eleventh day after the full moon and new moon. Thus, these periods are not fixed. Given the movement of the moon and earth, there is a shift in the days of the week and numbers. The time of observing Ekadashi is determined by a special calendar, and for believers it is fundamental.

Ban system

It is best not to consume food and water during these days. Believers should direct their thoughts to the Almighty and analyze their life path.

Those who cannot sustain a full fast are allowed one meal in the afternoon. However, not everything is so simple here either. The main rule is not to eat legumes and grains. According to religious texts, it is in them that personified sin hides. One who does not fully observe Ekadashi can donate something to a highly spiritual person and thus purify his karma.

Exit from Ekadashi should be done at sunrise. That’s when you need to eat a legume or grain. In this case, the fast is considered to be observed.

All adherents of Hinduism older than 5 years must fast.

Ekadashi from a scientific point of view

According to scientists and doctors, any abstinence or temporary restriction is exclusively beneficial.

The body does not receive energy from outside and begins to use internal resources, which causes substances to leave the body’s stores. Thus, the metabolism is stimulated, the breakdown and removal of harmful deposits, metabolites and toxins occurs.

In addition, all organs and systems are stimulated, thereby activating the immune system, which makes it possible to resist various pathogens in the future. The heart starts beating faster. There is less chance of spasms and the development of heart attacks and strokes. The functions of the food glands, liver and pancreas are stabilized. The bacterial flora of the intestine is optimized.

As you can see, the possibility of short-term functional unloading subsequently leads to optimal functioning of the whole organism. Nevertheless, you should definitely consult with your doctor before resorting to any system of restrictions. A sudden or incorrect entry into a fast, as well as an exit from it, can adversely affect a person’s health.

Sources of