Observing Ekadashi fasting for spiritual growth

Ekadashi is observed on the eleventh lunar day of each waxing and waning fortnight. In many Hindu traditions, it is a day for simplifying food, speech, activity and attention so that the mind can turn towards prayer, meditation and remembrance of the Divine. The practice is often called Ekadashi vrat or Ekadashi upvas, although the form of observance can vary between families, sampradayas and regional customs.

For followers interested in the spiritual teachings associated with Sadguru Bijoy Krishna Goswami, the value of fasting rests less in physical hardship than in inner discipline. A modest diet, devotional practice, self-observation and compassionate conduct can support self-realisation. The intention is to reduce distraction and strengthen awareness, rather than to compete over how little one can eat or how strictly one can endure discomfort.

Understanding the purpose of Ekadashi

The Sanskrit word upavas is commonly understood as “dwelling near” the Divine. This gives Ekadashi fasting a wider meaning than avoiding rice or taking only water. Food choices are part of the practice, while the deeper aim is to remain close to spiritual remembrance through the day. Prayer, japa, Ajapa Naam Yoga, reading sacred texts and quiet reflection can all become forms of observance.

Many devotees associate the eleventh lunar day with restraint of the senses and steadiness of mind. When habitual eating, entertainment and unnecessary conversation are reduced, patterns of craving become easier to notice. This self-observation can help a practitioner recognise anger, restlessness, attachment or pride without immediately acting on them.

A sincere observance should also express kindness. Harsh judgement of people who follow a different Ekadashi rule misses the devotional purpose of the day. One person may keep a waterless fast, while another may eat fruit and light meals because of health, age, pregnancy, medication or work demands. Both can practise remembrance and self-control with sincerity.

Preparing before the fasting day

Ekadashi dates follow the lunar calendar rather than the ordinary Gregorian calendar, so they change each year. In Australia, devotees should check a reliable panchang or local temple calendar and confirm the beginning and ending of the tithi in their city. Timings can differ between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin, particularly because of time zones and daylight saving.

Preparation begins with the previous evening. A simple sattvic meal, eaten without excess, can make the next day more comfortable. Many people reduce fried food, heavy sweets, alcohol and stimulating media beforehand. It is also helpful to arrange meals for family members, pack suitable food for work and identify time for meditation before the day becomes busy.

Australian routines may require practical planning. A nurse working an early shift in Melbourne, a tradie beginning before sunrise in Brisbane or a parent doing the school run in Sydney may need a partial fast rather than a strict one. Long distances between home, work and a temple can also make temple attendance difficult. A quiet home practice remains a valid way to mark Ekadashi.

Choosing a safe and meaningful fast

Traditional observances range from complete fasting to fruit, milk, nuts, root vegetables or specially prepared grains-free meals. Some communities avoid rice, wheat, pulses and beans, while others follow a more specific family rule. Potatoes, sabudana, fruit and dairy may be included in some households, but recipes and ingredients should be checked carefully because packaged foods can contain grains or additives.

Nirjala Ekadashi, which involves abstaining from both food and water, is an advanced practice and is not suitable for everyone. Dehydration is a serious risk, especially during an Australian summer, on bushwalking trips or while working outdoors in places such as Perth or regional Queensland. Water, rest and personal wellbeing should take priority over a rigid interpretation of austerity.

People with diabetes, kidney disease, eating disorder histories, gastrointestinal conditions or other medical concerns should seek advice from a qualified health professional before fasting. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, older adults and anyone taking regular medication may need a modified observance. A devotional fast that damages health has lost the balance of wisdom and compassion.

The spiritual discipline can be preserved through a simple alternative. Eat smaller sattvic meals, avoid overeating, refrain from unnecessary stimulants and dedicate the surplus time to prayer. If weakness, faintness, confusion, severe headache or persistent nausea occurs, stop the fast and obtain appropriate medical care.

Using the day for inner practice

A useful Ekadashi routine can begin with bathing, a clean place of prayer and a clear intention. The practitioner may offer a short prayer, repeat a chosen Divine Name or sit quietly with the breath. Those connected with Sadguru Deeksha or Ajapa Naam Yoga can follow the practice given by their guru rather than adding techniques casually from different sources.

Meditation does not have to be long to be sincere. Ten or fifteen minutes in the morning, a brief pause at midday and a peaceful evening sitting may be more sustainable than forcing an exhausting session. During ordinary activities, the mind can return to the Name. Washing dishes, commuting by train in Sydney or walking beside the Yarra in Melbourne can become reminders to maintain inward awareness.

Devotional reading may include teachings connected with Sadguru Bijoy Krishna Goswami, the lives of saints, the Bhagavad Gita or other texts respected within one’s tradition. Reading should lead to reflection rather than accumulation of information. Consider one teaching carefully and observe how it applies to speech, work, relationships and reactions.

Ekadashi is also an opportunity for seva. Preparing a kind meal for someone else, helping at a temple, donating to a food service or speaking gently to a difficult person can express devotion in practical form. Fasting should make the heart more generous, not more self-focused.

Completing the vrat with awareness

The fast is traditionally broken during a suitable parana period after Dwadashi begins, according to the local calendar and the observance followed. Since the correct time depends on location and lunar calculations, devotees should consult a trusted panchang, temple or teacher. It is wise to avoid delaying the first meal simply to demonstrate endurance.

Break the fast gently with water or another suitable drink, followed by a small, easily digested meal. Eating large portions of rich food after a long fast can cause discomfort. Fresh fruit, light vegetables, yoghurt or a modest home-cooked meal may be more appropriate than immediately choosing takeaway food or a heavy celebration.

The most valuable part of Ekadashi continues after the calendar day has passed. Notice whether the mind felt clearer, whether speech became more restrained and whether cravings were easier to observe. These reflections are not a reason for self-criticism; they help refine future practice. Spiritual growth is measured through greater steadiness, humility and compassion in daily life.

A local satsang group or Hindu temple can provide friendship and guidance, particularly for people observing Ekadashi for the first time in Australia. Community practice can be especially supportive for those living far from family traditions. At the same time, the essence of the observance does not depend on having a large group nearby. A sincere prayer at home can carry the same inward purpose.

Practical ways to keep the observance steady

A balanced approach makes Ekadashi easier to continue throughout the year. The following practices can support both devotional depth and practical wellbeing:

• Check the Ekadashi date, tithi and parana time for your Australian city rather than relying on a calendar from another time zone.
• Choose a fasting level that suits your health, age, medication, work and climate, and ask a health professional when there is any uncertainty.
• Prepare simple permitted food in advance so hunger does not lead to impulsive choices or unnecessary stress.
• Set aside specific periods for Naam remembrance, meditation, scripture reading or the practice received through Sadguru Deeksha.
• Reduce social media, entertainment, gossip and avoidable errands to create space for inward attention.
• Include an act of seva, generosity or reconciliation so that fasting becomes an expression of love rather than personal achievement.
• Break the vrat gently and reflect on one practical quality—such as patience, truthfulness or compassion—to carry into the next fortnight.

Ekadashi can be observed in a way that is disciplined without being severe. Its quiet power comes from bringing food, senses, thoughts and conduct into harmony with spiritual intention. For a devotee walking the path of self-realisation, the fasting day becomes a regular reminder that the Divine is approached through awareness, devotion and a life guided by the guru’s wisdom.