Fasting (उपवासः) in Hinduism indicates the denial of the physical needs of the body for the sake of spiritual attainment. According to the Scriptures, fasting (उपवासः) helps create proximity with the Highest Reality (i.e., ब्रह्मन्) by establishing a harmonious relationship between the body & the soul. Most devout Hindus fast (उपवासः) regularly or on special occasions. Every system needs a break & repair to work at its best. Rest & change of diet during fasting (उपवासः) is very good for the digestive system & the entire body. Fasting in Sanskrit is called उपवासः which means staying near the God, i.e., the attainment of close spiritual proximity with the God. Chaturthi (4th day), Ashtami (8th day), Ekadashi (11th day) (एकादशी), Shivratri (शिवरात्रि), Full moon day (पूर्णिमा) etc. are the festivals which occur in all Hindu month & such festivals are known as Vrata (a Vow) (व्रतम्).
According to the Hindu Panchangam, the eleventh day of the lunar fortnight is called Ekadashi (एकादशी). There are total 24 Ekadashis (एकादशी) in a year, each month containing 02 Ekadashis (एकादशी). However, the number increases to 26 when the Adhik Maas (अधिकः मासः) (an extra added month) gets added to the calendar. Interestingly, each Ekadashi (एकादशी) has a specific name & significance. Rama Ekadashi, Mokshada Ekadashi, Mohini Ekadashi, Kamada Ekadashi, Nirjala Ekadashi, etc. are the different names of different Ekadashi (एकादशी).
Nirjala Ekadashi (निर्जला एकादशी) is the most significant Ekadashi (एकादशी) out of all 24 Ekadashis in a year. Nirjala Ekadashi (निर्जला एकादशी) is celebrated on the 11th day of the bright fortnight of the Jyeshtha month (ज्येष्ठः शुक्लपक्षे एकादशी), which is around May-June according to the Georgian calendar. The name Nirjala comprises of two words nihi (निः) & jala (जलम्) where nihi (निः) means without & jala (जलम्) means water, together it means without water. As the name suggests, the literal meaning of Nirjala is without water. On this day, devotees refrain not only from food, but also from water while observing Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat (निर्जला एकादशी व्रतम्). As this Ekadashi (एकादशी) is done during the summer season with great difficulty & penance so, it is considered as the most important & principal from other Ekadashis (एकादशी).
Significance of Nirjala Ekadashi (निर्जला एकादशी) –
Nirjala Ekadashi (निर्जला एकादशी) possesses the highest level of significance & importance as it brings all the benefits of observing twenty-four Ekadashi fasting in a year. Hence, devotees who are unable to observe all twenty-four Ekadashi fasting in a year can observe a single Nirjala Ekadashi (निर्जला एकादशी) fasting. It is considered most sacred & rewarding Ekadashi. Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat (निर्जला एकादशी व्रतम्) is one of the toughest fast of all the Ekadashis as the intake of both, food & water is strictly prohibited. Nirjala Ekadashi washes all the sins & connects the self to the supreme creator.
According to the Markandeya Purana & Vishnu Purana, the day of Ekadashi itself is a day of Lord Vishnu. But, Nirjala Ekadashi (निर्जला एकादशी) is considered as Lord Vishnu's most favourite Ekadashi (एकादशी) of all. Those who completes the Vrata of Nirjala Ekadashi (निर्जला एकादशी व्रतम्) gains the blessings of Lord Vishnu, who grants them happiness, prosperity, longevity & good health. Devotees get rid of their past & present sins & can attain a path of goodness & spirituality. The observer of Nirjala Ekadashi (निर्जला एकादशी) can beget Vaikuntha- the abode of Vishnu, after death. The Hindu scriptures state that the devotees are offered with the same benefits as visiting a pilgrimage by observing a Nirjala Ekadashi fast.
Fasting as such is wonderful for our health too. As we have discussed the importance of fasting according to the Hinduism in the previous articles (i.e., article 18th, title- why Hindus observe fast). But here, the question arises why one should deprive themselves from water, that too on a day which falls during the height of summer (during May-June)?
The answer to this is that, as we all know fasting helps the body to stimulate the immune system, activates the body’s anti-inflammatory mechanisms, purifies the blood, clears the blood vessels, cleanses the GI tract & renews its mucosal lining. But, fasting without water, forces the body to obtain water from the body’s cells because of which the damaged tissues (fat deposits, edemas, tumors) are eliminated faster. The body knows exactly what to do. It starts with burning everything that is non-essential & harmful to the body by observing waterless fast. Not consuming food & water for a whole day helps boost up the digestive activities in the body. At the same time, it helps in cleansing & detoxing the body.
According to the Astrology, the movement of the moon during every Ekadashi has a direct correlation with the human body & mind. During Ekadashi, the water in the body shifts in such a way that it puts pressure on the senses, making them more prone to worldly pleasures. Water occupies 70% of the human body & thus is under heavy influence of the moon on this day. Hence, to keep the system in order, devotees & spiritual seekers recourse to Nirjala fasts (fast without water). Meditating & worshipping on this day generate favourable influence on the mind & helps in spiritual elevation.
Astrologically, the Moon revolves around the Earth at the rate of 12 degrees every 24 hours. This period of 12 degrees travel is called a tithi (तिथिः) (a date). Moon when 180 degrees away from Sun forms Full moon day & when conjoined with Sun forms the New Moon Day. During these two cycles we have seen many instances where New moon & Full moon shows its impact & magnetic power of sea tides & human minds. Because, the human body is 70% water, it is always under the influence of the Moon. It is also stated in Garuda Purana that, all seven oceans are in human body itself. That is the reason behind the Moon being treated as mind controller in Astrology.
All diseases start with indigestion. And, as long as the important organs such as brain, digestive system function properly our body will never get any disease. But from this 11th day, our body gets into the magnetic pull of the Moon heavily & our digestive system doesn’t secrete (release) proper fluids that will help us digest our food.
From this 11th day till 5th day after New Moon or Full Moon Day, the Moon will influence human body maximum & imbalance the digestive system. This will also cause a decrease in the human brain’s functioning & cause weakness in memory, thought & decision making. So, to avoid all these complications, it’s important to clean the digestive system on every 11th day of the lunar cycle. This helps the digestive system to clean up all the food mess in the body till 10th day & adjust itself for the next 10 days of lunar influence.
During the waterless fast, a process of intense cleansing begins as toxins are eliminated. But purification takes place not due to external water, but by the cleaner, high-quality metabolic water synthesized by the body. Also, while observing a waterless fast, the body survives on what is called endogenous or metabolic water. This ounce external water is like super water the body has used, filtered & fortified. Unlike any external water, this metabolic water is of super quality, produced by the body’s cells after cleansing. This water had all imprinted negative information erased, allowing cells to experience a revitalization.
So, this is the reason for observing waterless fast on this particular day.
Historical account of Nirjala Ekadashi (निर्जला एकादशी) –
The Brahmavaivarta Purana narrates a legend related to Nirjala Ekadashi & Bhimsen, showing the importance of this Ekadashi from all the other Ekadashis. According to the great Epic Mahabharata, as we all know; Bhimsen was the 2nd brother of the five brothers Pandavas. Pandavas are the son of the Kuru king Pandu & Kunti. These five brothers are; Yudhishthira, Bhimsen, Arjuna, Nakula & Sahdeva.
Yudhisthira, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahdeva, mother Kunti & wife Draupadi used to observe the fast of Ekadashis throughout the year. But the inability to control hunger refrained Bhimsen from observing all the Ekadashi fasts. Once Bhimsen truly wished to please Lord Vishnu & decided to observe the fasts of Ekadashis but due to hunger, he was unable to do so. He thought that he might dishonour the deity because of not observing the fast & thus he sought guidance from Sage Vedavyasa for the same.
The sage Vedavyasa guided Bhimsen to observe a fast of Nirjala Ekadashi (निर्जला एकादशी) which takes place once in a year & should observe this fast without partaking food & water & explained that, this is the most important & pious Ekadashi among all by which a person can attain the virtues of all other twenty-four Ekadashis. He further specifies that, those who observe this Ekadashi following all the specific rules, by completely surrendering the self to Lord Vishnu & engrossing the mind to Lord Vishnu, one begets the merits & attains Vaikuntha after death. Listening to the benefits of the Nirjala Ekadashi by sage Vedavyasa, Bhimsen was satisfied & agreed to observe this one Ekadashi in the whole year. Bhimsen with great effort observed Nirjala Ekadashi by empowering over thirst & hunger. Since that day, the Nirjala Ekadashi (निर्जला एकादशी) is also known by the name Bhima Ekadashi (भीम एकादशी) or Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi (पांडव निर्जला एकादशी).
Ritual ceremony of Nirjala Ekadashi (निर्जला एकादशी) –
Just like other Ekadashis, devotees observe fast on this day too. On the day before Nirjala Ekadashi, devotees perform the evening prayer & take one meal, without rice. On the Nirjala Ekadashi (निर्जला एकादशी), an absolute fast is observed, without partaking even water. The waterless fast is extremely difficult to follow & thus, it is considered as most pious austerity. The fast is observed on Nirjala Ekadashi from sunrise till next day sunrise i.e., on Dwadashi (द्वादशी) (12th day). Some observe it from sunrise to sunset, which is not considered valid according to the Scriptures.
The devotees who observe a Nirjala Ekadashi (निर्जला एकादशी) fast are required to wake up early & take a holy bath before initiating with the rituals of the ceremony. It is essential to have firm dedication & devotion while performing all the rituals. The devotee is permitted to have a single tiny drop of water as part of the Achamanam (आचमनम्) - as purification & taking a vow ritual. Puja is offered to Lord Vishnu on this day. An image of Vishnu or Saligrama stone is bathed with Panchamrutam (पञ्चामृतम्) (a mixture of five- milk, curd, ghee, honey & sugar). The idol is then washed with water & dressed with clean clothes. A hand-fan, flowers, extruded incense & Arati (lamps) are offered. Devotees meditate before the image of Lord Vishnu & worship him with tulsi leaves.
The observers of this fast should not sleep at night on this day. Devotees should spend the entire night in reciting stotras, mantras, shlokas etc. to please Lord Vishnu. Reciting Vishnu Sahasranam Stotra is considered as highly auspicious on this day. Devotees also visit the temple of Lord Vishnu on this day. Performing charity on the evening of Nirjala Ekadashi (निर्जला एकादशी) is regarded as highly rewarding. The devotee should donate clothes, grains, vegetables, hand-fan, pitcher & money to the Brahmins. On Dwadashi, the devotee should take a bath early in the morning. Then, the food is offered to the Brahmin followed by offering gold or silver, according to his ability to the Brahmin.
The devotee who performs this fast strictly by following every ritual then, he easily achieves the merit of observing all twenty-four other Ekadashi fasts throughout the complete year.
Furthermore, those who are unable to observe such severe fast can also observe fast done on the other Ekadashi by only eating fruits, milk & farali foods. According to the Scriptures, farali food includes; potato, elephant foot yam (suran), sweet potato, green chilli, barnyard (moriyo), Amarnath grain (Rajagra), water chestnut flour (singhare flour), red chilli powder, cumin & rock salt; turmeric, other spices & other vegetables are not used as the farali food. Moreover, some consider Tapioca (Sabudana) as a farali food & some do not consider it as a farali food.
Thus, Nirjala Ekadashi (निर्जला एकादशी) fast has a deep connection to the Spiritual, Astrological, Astronomical as well as Scientific significance. It is not only to attain the blessings of Lord Vishnu, but it helps to restart the digestive system which helps the human body to work properly with more enthusiasm. This waterless fast is not regarded as superstition beliefs, but it is for the well-being of the mental as well as physical health. I hope next time without knowing the scientific reasons connected to the Hindu festivals no one would consider it as a mere superstition belief. I hope every Hindu understand that the base of the Hindu religion is based on science & spirituality & nothing more than that.
फाल्गुनः शुक्लपक्षे ११, २०७८