Ekadashi Fasting: Types, Guidelines & Atonement (English)

Ekadashi Fasting: Types, Guidelines & Atonement 🌿 Types of Ekadashi Fasting Devotees can choose the type of Ekadashi fasting during Sankalp (spiritual resolution) based on their willpower, devotion, and physical strength. As per Hindu scriptures, four types of Ekadashi fasts are prescribed: Jalahar (जलाहर) Fasting with only water. This is the strictest form, commonly followed during Nirjala Ekadashi. Devotees can opt for it on any Ekadashi for greater spiritual benefit. Ksheerbhoji (क्षीरभोजी) Fasting with milk and milk-based products. “Ksheer” includes milk and the milky juice of plants, but during Ekadashi, it refers strictly to dairy-based food. Phalahari (फलाहारी) Fasting with fruits only. Only high-quality fruits like mangoes, grapes, bananas, almonds, pistachios, etc., should be consumed. Avoid leafy vegetables and grains. Naktabhoji (नक्तभोजी) Eating one meal just before sunset. The meal should exclude all grains, cereals, and pulses like wheat, rice, beans, and lentils. Common food items for this type include: Sabudana (Tapioca) Singhada (Water Chestnut) Shakarkandi (Sweet Potato) Potatoes Groundnuts Some also use Kuttu Atta (Buckwheat Flour) and Samak (Barnyard Millet), although these are pseudo-grains and debatable. It’s preferable to avoid them for a stricter fast. Note: Fasting is an act of penance, not celebration. One should eat lightly to maintain strength for daily duties, without indulging in feasting. 🙏 Guiding Principles Ekadashi fasting is a sacred vow dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Devotion and purity of heart are more important than ritualistic perfection. In case of unintentional errors or breaking the fast, devotees should seek forgiveness and follow atonement procedures sincerely. 🧎‍♂️ Atonement for Breaking the Ekadashi Fast If the fast is broken due to any reason, the following steps can be taken as penance: Take a fresh bath, wearing clean clothes. Perform Abhishekam (ritual bathing) of Lord Vishnu with Panchamrit (milk, curd, honey, ghee, sugar). Offer a Shodashopachara Puja (16-fold worship) to Lord Vishnu. With a repentant heart, chant this forgiveness mantra: मन्त्रहीनं क्रियाहीनं भक्तिहीनं जनार्दन। यत्पूजितं मया देव परिपूर्ण तदस्तु मे॥ ॐ श्री विष्णवे नमः। क्षमा याचनाम् समर्पयामि॥ Transliteration: Mantrahinam Kriyahinam Bhaktihinam Janardana। Yatpujitam Maya Deva Paripurna Tadastu Me॥ Om Shri Vishnave Namah। Kshama Yachanam Samarpayami॥ Offer food to: Cows Brahmins Young unmarried girls Chant Vishnu’s Dwadashakshara Mantra: "ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय" Chant using a Tulsi Mala, at least 11 malas (1,188 times). Optionally, perform a Homa (fire offering) with 108 Ahutis. Recite hymns dedicated to Lord Vishnu (like Vishnu Sahasranama). Donate to a Vishnu temple: Yellow clothes Fruits Sweets Gram pulses Turmeric Saffron Spiritual books or scriptures If the Ekadashi fast was missed, take a vow to observe the next Nirjala Ekadashi with full austerity (i.e., without food and water). 💫 Final Advice