My first fast

[Fireside_Hindu]

Namaste all,

So today marks my first real fast. I will be fasting each Friday this month to celebrate two Deepa Lakshmi Pujas, the Vara Lakshmi Pooja, and the Ashta Lakshmi Puja.

I'm taking in only water and fruit on these days, although I'm allowing tea too with no milk or sugar.

We'll see how it goes, I want to do it to see if it's something that helps with mindfulness. I don't have any health problems that would prevent me from doing it so mostly I'll probably just be dealing with light headed-ness from not being used to it.

I'll also be heading to temple on all four Friday nights for seva and prayer. I've emailed someone at the temple to ask if I should make flower garlands at home or if they need to be made in the temple. Some temples ask you to make them only in the temple for cleanliness reasons.

:camp:

 

[StarryNightshade]

Best of luck Fireside!

I still haven't partaken in any fasts yet. Maybe I should get right on that, eh?

 

[Jainarayan]

Good luck.

My track record for Ekadashi fasts is about 50/50. I try to keep them but sometimes I forget to check my e-mail for the reminder (Vaishnava Calendar Service). The next Ekadashi fast is Aug. 6th. After that on Aug. 17 is the fast for Janmashtami. I admit that they do wreak havoc on my system, hence oftentimes not following them.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

So far so good. I'll admit I feel a bit light-headed but I'm just keeping up with the water.

:camp:

 

[Maya3]

Good luck.

My track record for Ekadashi fasts is about 50/50. I try to keep them but sometimes I forget to check my e-mail for the reminder (Vaishnava Calendar Service). The next Ekadashi fast is Aug. 6th. After that on Aug. 17 is the fast for Janmashtami. I admit that they do wreak havoc on my system, hence oftentimes not following them.

What are Ekadashi fasts?

Good luck Fireside, keep us posted.

Maya

 

[Sb1995]

I fasted for 24 hours on Shivratri with only water nothing else. Probably won't do it ever again, feel like it did nothing for me.

 

[Jainarayan]

The 11th (ekadashi) day after the full or new moon. There is a story behind it, which escapes me but the day is special to Lord Vishnu. No grains or legumes, certain vegetables are avoided. When I do it I'll eat fruit, maybe some nuts (no peanuts, which are legumes), milk, yogurt. You can't go wrong with fruit and dairy. The next morning during a certain time window the fast has to be broken with grains.

 

[Jainarayan]

I fasted for 24 hours on Shivratri with only water nothing else. Probably won't do it ever again, feel like it did nothing for me.

It's funny, because when I fast, I feel very disciplined. And I hate to admit this, righteous. I've learned to keep activity to a minimum... no going for squat or bench press records on a fasting day. :thud:

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Another first today: I've wrapped myself in a sari. I've probably done it wrong, but hopefully a kindly old nanni or daddi will take pity on me and help me fix it.



:camp:

 

[Jainarayan]

Well, they say there are 88 ways to wrap a sari... you had to have hit one of them. :biglaugh: I've come to learn there are almost as many ways to wrap a dhoti.

 

[Vinayaka]

Another first today: I've wrapped myself in a sari. I've probably done it wrong, but hopefully a kindly old nanni or daddi will take pity on me and help me fix it.

Guarantee it. You will get help. Good luck with the fast. My gut tells me your 'no caffeine' will help. People mistake caffeine withdrawal for fasting headache.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Well, it's 10:30pm and I'm about to head to bed so I managed to keep my fast all day =)

I was a bit grumpy at the end, but the Deepa Puja distracted me and got me in a good place.As for the sari, no one mentioned anything about it, even when I went up to the other volunteers, and a quick glance around the room told me that even if my pleats weren't as crisp or well aligned as many of the other ladies, the wrapping part was more or less correct. There were many styles so perhaps I'll try a different way next time.

:camp:

 

[Jainarayan]

Glad to hear it went well.

 

[Aupmanyav]

.. and a quick glance around the room told me that even if my pleats weren't as crisp or well aligned as many of the other ladies, the wrapping part was more or less correct.

Pleat before hand and apply a light press. Good that your fast was successful. As for food, this might be helpful:

"It is stated in Mahabharat Udyog Parva quoted in Hari Bhakti Vilas 12/40 as follows.

"Astai tanyavrataghnani, apo mulam phalam payah;
havir brahamana kamya ca, guror vacanam ausadham’

‘Water, fruits, roots, milk, ghee, satisfying a brahmin, following the instruction of spiritual master and medicine these eight items do not break once vow of Ekadashi.’

Since grave sinful reactions equal to that of killing a brahamin or a cow (aup. - my view may not be so terrifying) take shelter within five types of grains on the day of Ekadashi, persons who desire ultimate benefit give up eating these grains on this day. The five types of grains are 1. Rice or other products made from rice such as flat rice, puffed rice etc., 2. Wheat flour and White flour etc., 3. Barley etc., 4. Pulses such as Moong, Chickpea, Green Peas, Lentil, etc. 5. Mustered oil and sesame oil. If one eats any of the above mentioned grains then his vow of Ekadashi will be broken.

Another name of Ekadashi is Haribasara. The main purpose of observing Ekadashi is to totally please Lord Hari with all ones senses. In other words one should try to please lord Hari and the devotees of Hari. The meaning of the word upavasa (fasting) is to live nearby. On the day of Ekadashi one should remain aloof from all kinds of sinful activities, give up all kinds of household activities and sense gratification and live near the lord. It is stated in Hari Bhakti Vilas 13/14 which is quoted from ‘Grihya parisista’, ‘Katyana smriti’, ‘Vishnu Dharma’, and ‘Brahma Vaivarta Purana’ .

"Upavrittasya papebhyo, yastu baso gunaih saha;
upavasah sa vijneyah, sarva bhoga vivarjitah’

‘The word upavasa or fasting refers to stay aloof from all kinds of sinful activities and sense gratification.’"
http://nitaaiveda.com/Other_Scriptures_by_Acharyas/Ekadashi_Glories/Ekadashi__Mahatmya.htm

 

[Aupmanyav]

Here below is the story of Ekadashi and its story (made a little search on the internet):

There is an interesting story in Bhavishyottara Purana. Arjuna asks Lord Sri Krishna about the importance of Ekadashi Vrata. While explaining the importance of Ekadashi Vrata, Lord Sri Krishna mentions that no pious deed in this world, not even performing thousand Yagnas, not even donating thousands of cows to an eligible Brahmin, could match the greatness of Ekadashi Vrata.

On hearing this, Arjuna asks - "O' Lord! Why is Ekadashi so special that it exceeds all other pious deeds?"

In reply, Sri Krishna narrates the story of the Birth of Ekadashi tithi and its greatness. Once there lived a demon called Mura (therefore 'Murari), who won over the gods and conquered the heavens. He was causing trouble to all the noble. Indra goes to Lord Shiva and asks for help. Lord Shiva directs him to approach Lord Narayana.

Accordingly, he approached Lord Narayana and pleaded for protection. Lord Narayana made a vow to kill the demon Mura. He went to the dwelling of the Demon Mura to kill him. There was a fierce fight between the Gods and the Demons. The Gods were unable to stand before the might demons and ran away in all directions. Lord Narayana sent fierce arrows on the demons and they all god killed instantly. Later a one-one fight between Lord Narayana and the demon took place. All the arrows and weapons the Lord used on the Demon did not have any effect on the mighty demon. When the Lord thus could not win over the Demon through weapons, he started to fight with him bare handed. The fight continued for 1000 years according to Deva Mana. Though the Lord is all-powerfull, he playfully fought with the demon. It's all Leela of the All-Mighty. As if he became tired with the long fight, the Lord entered a cave named Haimavati in Badarikashrama to take some rest. The Demon followed the Lord and saw Him sleeping. He thought of vanquishing the Lord who is the destroyer of the asuras.

While the Demon was about to attack the Lord, a female form arose from the the Lord's body and stood firm to fight with the Demon. In few moments the Lady effortlessly killed the might demon by beheading him.

Lord Narayana woke up and saw the demon killed and a female with folded hands in front of him. The Lord asked - "Who killed this mighty demon?". The female replied - "It is me, who arosed from your body, that killed the demon. I am your Shakti". The Lord pleased by this reply, granted a boon to the female. The female asked thus - "O Lord, one who fasts on this (my) day, should be cleansed from all sins and should reach your abode without fail. Please grant me this boon on Lord".
On hearing this the Lord replied - "As you are born on Ekadashi, you will hence forth be called as Ekadashi. You will be the destroyer of all sins. One who worships you and me would surely reach my abode". Saying thus, the Lord disappeared.
Uttaradi Math - Ekadashi Mahatmya - Utpatti

 

[Maya3]

The 11th (ekadashi) day after the full or new moon. There is a story behind it, which escapes me but the day is special to Lord Vishnu. No grains or legumes, certain vegetables are avoided. When I do it I'll eat fruit, maybe some nuts (no peanuts, which are legumes), milk, yogurt. You can't go wrong with fruit and dairy. The next morning during a certain time window the fast has to be broken with grains.

Thank you!

Maya

 

[Maya3]

Here below is the story of Ekadashi and its story (made a little search on the internet):

There is an interesting story in Bhavishyottara Purana. Arjuna asks Lord Sri Krishna about the importance of Ekadashi Vrata. While explaining the importance of Ekadashi Vrata, Lord Sri Krishna mentions that no pious deed in this world, not even performing thousand Yagnas, not even donating thousands of cows to an eligible Brahmin, could match the greatness of Ekadashi Vrata.

On hearing this, Arjuna asks - "O' Lord! Why is Ekadashi so special that it exceeds all other pious deeds?"

In reply, Sri Krishna narrates the story of the Birth of Ekadashi tithi and its greatness. Once there lived a demon called Mura (therefore 'Murari), who won over the gods and conquered the heavens. He was causing trouble to all the noble. Indra goes to Lord Shiva and asks for help. Lord Shiva directs him to approach Lord Narayana.

Accordingly, he approached Lord Narayana and pleaded for protection. Lord Narayana made a vow to kill the demon Mura. He went to the dwelling of the Demon Mura to kill him. There was a fierce fight between the Gods and the Demons. The Gods were unable to stand before the might demons and ran away in all directions. Lord Narayana sent fierce arrows on the demons and they all god killed instantly. Later a one-one fight between Lord Narayana and the demon took place. All the arrows and weapons the Lord used on the Demon did not have any effect on the mighty demon. When the Lord thus could not win over the Demon through weapons, he started to fight with him bare handed. The fight continued for 1000 years according to Deva Mana. Though the Lord is all-powerfull, he playfully fought with the demon. It's all Leela of the All-Mighty. As if he became tired with the long fight, the Lord entered a cave named Haimavati in Badarikashrama to take some rest. The Demon followed the Lord and saw Him sleeping. He thought of vanquishing the Lord who is the destroyer of the asuras.

While the Demon was about to attack the Lord, a female form arose from the the Lord's body and stood firm to fight with the Demon. In few moments the Lady effortlessly killed the might demon by beheading him.

Lord Narayana woke up and saw the demon killed and a female with folded hands in front of him. The Lord asked - "Who killed this mighty demon?". The female replied - "It is me, who arosed from your body, that killed the demon. I am your Shakti". The Lord pleased by this reply, granted a boon to the female. The female asked thus - "O Lord, one who fasts on this (my) day, should be cleansed from all sins and should reach your abode without fail. Please grant me this boon on Lord".
On hearing this the Lord replied - "As you are born on Ekadashi, you will hence forth be called as Ekadashi. You will be the destroyer of all sins. One who worships you and me would surely reach my abode". Saying thus, the Lord disappeared.
Uttaradi Math - Ekadashi Mahatmya - Utpatti

Thank you too!

Maya

 

[Jainarayan]

Thank you too!

Maya

Yep, that sounds familiar. Thanks.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Thank you too!

Maya

Yes! Ditto, thanks Aup!