VAISHNAV FASTS AND RULES OF FASTING

1. Vaishnavs are required to observe fortnightly ekadisi fast and also four Bhagavad avtar manifestation days :-

(1) Janamashtmi.
(2) Ramnomi.
(3) Narsingh Jayanti.
(4) Vaman Jayanti.

These fasts should be observed strictly according to the prescribed rules.

2. The day of Ekadashi some times overlaps on two days. If so, refer tippani (panchang) for ascertaining the correct day.

3. One should awake before sunrise on the day of fast.

4. After bathing, one should engage in Bhagavd remembrance, repetition of name, recitation etc.

5. One should not take any addictive substance on the day of a fast.

6. On the day of a fast, one should not watch T.V., Video, film, etc. or any such worldly entertainments.

7. On the day of fasting, one should remain celebrated. Except for mandatory seva related matters and Bhagavad name one should remain silent.

8. Foods such as grains, lentils, radish, onion, garlic, all salt other than rock salt, hing, red chilli, fenugreek, (methi seeds), jagary, turn eric, mustad seeds, seasum seed, pan leaves, popcorn, puffed rice, pressed rice, vegetable oil, refind products, any thing spoiled, or food remains after eating from a vessel are prohibited and should not be consumed on the day of a fast.

9. Allowed foods are milk, foods made from milk as yogurt, butter milk, butter, ghee, Dudhi, parval, potato, suran, ratalu (kand), sweet potato, arbi, green chilli, Coriander, ginger, dried ginger, (sonth), lemon, fruit, cumin (jhira), dried fruits and nut, sago, (tapica, sabudana), rock salt, (sendha namak), sugar, rock sugar (misri), black pepper, clove, cardomom, (elaichi) rajgaro, coconut, peanut, hringara, buckwheat, arrowroot and sama. Any of the items from the above list may be used for preparing food on a day of fasting.

10. On the day of a fast, one may lie down in the afternoon but should not sleep. To whatever extent possible one should be absorbed in Bhagavad remembrance, kirtan, repetition of name, recitation etc.

11. On the day of a fast, one should not eat for pleasure but should eat just enough to sufficiently nourish the body. One should not eat in such a way so as to cause laziness, sleepiness or feeling of heaviness. To whatever extent possible, one should take only milk, yogurt, buttermilk, fruits and fruit juice.

12. To whatever extent possible, one should abstain from worldly relations and activities on the day of fast and remain absorbed in seva and devotion so that one's time will pass fruitfully.
 

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