Ekadashi Vrat: Rules, the 24 Ekadashis and Parana

Every lunar month has two Ekadashis, one in the waxing fortnight (Shukla paksha) and one in the waning fortnight (Krishna paksha). Vaishnavas regard it as the day most dear to Vishnu, and the Puranas and later devotional texts praise the Ekadashi vrat above many other fasts. Devotees believe it purifies the mind and body, removes sins and brings one closer to God; tradition holds that keeping Ekadashi with devotion leads to liberation.

Each Ekadashi has its own name and its own katha, usually told as a dialogue between Krishna and Yudhishthira, which describes its merits. Many families read or listen to the relevant katha on the day.

The popular story of Ekadashi's origin is told for Utpanna Ekadashi. A mighty demon, Mura (Mur-danav), harassed the gods. Vishnu fought him and, weary, rested in a cave. As Mura came to attack the sleeping Lord, a radiant maiden emerged from Vishnu's body and slew the demon. Pleased, Vishnu named her Ekadashi, since she appeared on the eleventh day, and blessed her: those who fast on her day would be freed from sins and attain his abode.

Practice ranges from very strict to gentle, and devotees are encouraged to choose what their health allows.

On Dashami, the tenth day, many eat only one simple meal, in the afternoon, without grains in the evening, to prepare for the fast.

On Ekadashi, bathe early, worship Vishnu or Krishna with tulsi leaves, and spend the day in prayer, chanting, reading the Gita or the Ekadashi katha, and staying awake in devotion if possible at night. Many chant 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya' (ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय) or the names of Hari.

Levels of fasting described in tradition include: Nirjala: no food or water. Jalahara: water only. Ksheerabhoji: milk and milk products. Phalahara: fruits only. Ekabhukta or naktabhoji: one meal without grains.

In all forms, rice and all grains, pulses and beans are avoided. Phalahari foods such as fruit, milk, curd, nuts, potatoes, sweet potatoes, sabudana, singhara (water-chestnut) and kuttu (buckwheat) flour, and rock salt are commonly used, though customs differ on some items such as certain vegetables and spices. Tulsi leaves are not plucked on Ekadashi; they are gathered the day before.

The sick, the elderly, pregnant women and children are traditionally exempt or keep a lighter fast. Devotees believe that a sincere vow kept within one's capacity is fully accepted.

Parana is the breaking of the Ekadashi fast, and the tradition treats its timing as part of the vrat itself.

Parana is done on the next day, Dwadashi, after sunrise. It should be done within Dwadashi tithi, unless Dwadashi ends before sunrise. Not doing parana within Dwadashi is regarded as a fault. It should not be done during Hari Vasara, the first quarter of Dwadashi tithi; one waits for Hari Vasara to end. The preferred time is pratahkal (morning). Madhyahna (midday) is avoided; if the morning is missed, parana is done after madhyahna.

Panchangs such as Drik Panchang publish the exact parana window and the end of Hari Vasara for each Ekadashi and each city. Many break the fast with tulsi water, a little prasad or food offered to Vishnu, and feed a Brahmin or someone in need before eating.

Sometimes the Ekadashi tithi spans two days, and panchangs list Ekadashi on two consecutive days. Drik Panchang's guidance is that Smarta householders with family keep the first day, while the second, alternative day is suggested for sannyasis, widows and those seeking moksha; the second day then coincides with the Vaishnava Ekadashi. Vaishnava sampradayas, including ISKCON, follow their own rules (for example, avoiding an Ekadashi 'touched' by Dashami at sunrise) and may observe a different day, with parana times calculated on their own calendars. Very devoted Vaishnavas sometimes fast on both days.

This is why your family, your temple and your neighbour may sometimes keep Ekadashi on different days: each follows its own tradition faithfully.

Below are the Ekadashis in order, beginning with Chaitra and using the purnimanta month names common in North India, where the Krishna paksha comes first in each month. In the amanta calendar of Gujarat, Maharashtra and South India the Shukla Ekadashis carry the same month names, but each Krishna-paksha Ekadashi falls in the previous month; for example, Papamochani is Phalguna Krishna in the amanta reckoning. The names themselves do not change.

In a year with an adhika (extra) month, two more Ekadashis are observed: Padmini (also called Kamala) in the Shukla paksha and Parama in the Krishna paksha of the adhika month.

In Maharashtra, Ashadhi (Devshayani) and Kartiki (Prabodhini) Ekadashis are the great days of the Varkari tradition, when lakhs of pilgrims reach Pandharpur for darshan of Vitthal. In Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala, Vaikuntha Ekadashi draws huge crowds to Vishnu temples such as Srirangam, Tirumala and Guruvayur to pass through the Vaikuntha Dvara. In North India, Nirjala Ekadashi is marked by giving water, fans and sherbet to passers-by, and Devutthana Ekadashi by Tulsi Vivah.