WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.700 Hi everyone, welcome to Vedic Astrology Study 00:00:02.700 --> 00:00:06.580 Podcast. Through this medium, I cover a breadth 00:00:06.580 --> 00:00:09.320 of some basic principles and analysis of the 00:00:09.320 --> 00:00:13.140 beautiful ancient science of Jyotish. Gifted 00:00:13.140 --> 00:00:16.899 to humanity by wise ancient seers of India, typically 00:00:16.899 --> 00:00:19.000 there are playlists of different kinds with case 00:00:19.000 --> 00:00:21.559 studies to have a practical grounding of those 00:00:21.559 --> 00:00:24.399 principles. In this series which will become 00:00:24.399 --> 00:00:26.940 a part of the Panchanga playlist, I am covering 00:00:26.940 --> 00:00:30.179 the science of Muhurta or the timing of events, 00:00:30.960 --> 00:00:33.560 activities, dietary control, tuning your attitude 00:00:33.560 --> 00:00:36.420 to any given day of the month since this is a 00:00:36.420 --> 00:00:40.259 lunar calendar. As per Vedic astrology, the human 00:00:40.259 --> 00:00:42.420 being should regulate their daily activities 00:00:42.420 --> 00:00:46.189 in alignment with the lunar cycle. and the corresponding 00:00:46.189 --> 00:00:49.630 tithi of the day. You might say this is the beginning 00:00:49.630 --> 00:00:52.670 of the use of science of Jyotish consciously, 00:00:53.009 --> 00:00:56.750 with awareness and in full view of self and this 00:00:56.750 --> 00:01:00.729 space -time reality we find ourselves in. Since 00:01:00.729 --> 00:01:03.070 this deals with your everyday cycle of energies 00:01:03.070 --> 00:01:06.269 that each of us deals with on a daily basis, 00:01:06.469 --> 00:01:08.629 it's a good beginning point to start Jyotish 00:01:08.629 --> 00:01:11.909 which Panchanga studied first, before you get 00:01:11.909 --> 00:01:15.219 to the charts part. If you do not know what your 00:01:15.219 --> 00:01:17.140 current tithi is, where you are on the planet, 00:01:17.340 --> 00:01:20.060 you can download the Jyotish app, which is indicated 00:01:20.060 --> 00:01:23.480 on the slide with its logo on android or iphone 00:01:23.480 --> 00:01:26.680 store. Download it, set its location to wherever 00:01:26.680 --> 00:01:30.040 you are on the planet. Then click on mahurta 00:01:30.040 --> 00:01:32.519 and panchanga part as is shown on the slide, 00:01:33.180 --> 00:01:35.640 and it will tell you the current panchanga aspects, 00:01:35.719 --> 00:01:39.239 the tithi, the vara, the karada, yoga and nakshatra, 00:01:39.579 --> 00:01:41.939 which is typically where moon is transiting over. 00:01:42.740 --> 00:01:45.959 Then use these series as a study material to 00:01:45.959 --> 00:01:48.819 guide your daily activities, diet, attitude for 00:01:48.819 --> 00:01:52.719 any given day. The way I shall cover each tithi 00:01:52.719 --> 00:01:55.379 here begins with the element and deity followed 00:01:55.379 --> 00:01:57.980 by the energy of the day, what to do, what to 00:01:57.980 --> 00:02:01.859 avoid, suggested mindset, elementary, dietary 00:02:01.859 --> 00:02:04.739 consideration and the content is covered both 00:02:04.739 --> 00:02:07.420 for Shukla paksha and Krishna paksha tithis. 00:02:07.920 --> 00:02:10.360 For the basics of this, see the previous tithi 00:02:10.360 --> 00:02:13.939 videos in this playlist. Let's get started. Now 00:02:13.939 --> 00:02:17.460 let us handle Ekadashi, the 11th day of the lunar 00:02:17.460 --> 00:02:21.979 cycle in a given month. So essentially, as shown 00:02:21.979 --> 00:02:25.159 in the pie chart over there, it's that 11th cycle, 00:02:25.479 --> 00:02:28.379 11th day, okay? Vaxing side or veining side, 00:02:28.460 --> 00:02:32.300 both are covered in this pie chart. Once again, 00:02:32.740 --> 00:02:36.139 this is a Nanda Tithi or Joy and Auspiciousness, 00:02:36.240 --> 00:02:39.060 so it represents a new beginning. The other previous 00:02:39.060 --> 00:02:42.740 ones were Pratipada and Shashti. This is the 00:02:42.740 --> 00:02:46.199 third one, Ekadashi, which falls both on the 00:02:46.199 --> 00:02:48.860 waxing side and the waning side. So let's see 00:02:48.860 --> 00:02:52.419 the energies, generic energies that this particular 00:02:52.419 --> 00:02:56.569 Tithi brings. Energetic quality of Ekadashi is 00:02:56.569 --> 00:02:59.430 ananda tithi, considered by many texts as the 00:02:59.430 --> 00:03:02.870 most auspicious tithi. It carries bright purifying 00:03:02.870 --> 00:03:07.129 energy and yet it is unique among tithis because 00:03:07.129 --> 00:03:11.310 its auspiciousness is largely channelled inwards 00:03:11.310 --> 00:03:14.490 towards spiritual development. It is ruled by 00:03:14.490 --> 00:03:18.300 the Rudra, very fierce energy. The 11th triti 00:03:18.300 --> 00:03:21.080 is ruled by Mars, being the third cycle in the 00:03:21.080 --> 00:03:23.800 week sequence, but since it's a nanda group ruled 00:03:23.800 --> 00:03:27.139 by fire and agni, the initiator, like pratipada 00:03:27.139 --> 00:03:32.020 for example, or shashti for example, this intensifies 00:03:32.020 --> 00:03:34.919 a fire quality. However, this fire is often meant 00:03:34.919 --> 00:03:39.099 to be turned into a spiritual practice. That 00:03:39.099 --> 00:03:41.719 is why Ekadashi is famously called the day of 00:03:41.719 --> 00:03:44.400 fasting and devotion. In the Vedic tradition, 00:03:45.120 --> 00:03:48.199 many Hindus will fast or eat only once a day 00:03:48.199 --> 00:03:52.020 on this particular day in the month. In the Vaishnava 00:03:52.020 --> 00:03:55.580 tradition, it particularly extols Ekadashi as 00:03:55.580 --> 00:03:59.560 a cleanser of sins or bad karmas and a day for 00:03:59.560 --> 00:04:03.500 Bhakti Yoga. That's a whole another topic, Bhakti 00:04:03.500 --> 00:04:07.409 Yoga. The presiding deity is Rudra, fierce form 00:04:07.409 --> 00:04:09.990 of Shiva, the active form of Shiva, the fire 00:04:09.990 --> 00:04:13.689 form of Shiva, like Lord Hanuman, which indicates 00:04:13.689 --> 00:04:16.470 the these power to destroy negativities and burn 00:04:16.470 --> 00:04:20.850 away karmic impurities. Kuvera, the god of wealth, 00:04:21.009 --> 00:04:23.730 was mythologically born on an Ekadashi. That's 00:04:23.730 --> 00:04:27.629 why the connotation of prosperity, wealth, money, 00:04:28.110 --> 00:04:31.870 bank accounts, you name it. Signifying that great 00:04:31.870 --> 00:04:34.589 prosperity or material or spiritual can come 00:04:34.589 --> 00:04:38.649 from the discipline on this day. But it is often 00:04:38.649 --> 00:04:40.970 said that the true wealth of Ekadashi is the 00:04:40.970 --> 00:04:44.829 spiritual merit and self -control. Like Rudras, 00:04:45.129 --> 00:04:47.889 like Lord Shiva, as the Rudra meditated to become 00:04:47.889 --> 00:04:51.310 the Shiva, the mood of Ekadashi can be described 00:04:51.310 --> 00:04:54.709 as highly sattvic, dynamic yet controlled and 00:04:54.709 --> 00:04:58.839 deeply spiritual. In mundane terms, people often 00:04:58.839 --> 00:05:02.420 refrain from indulges on Ekadashi, channelling 00:05:02.420 --> 00:05:05.459 their spirit or energy into prayer, into the 00:05:05.459 --> 00:05:14.399 form of bhakti, which paradoxically makes it 00:05:14.399 --> 00:05:16.879 the most auspicious because it aligns one with 00:05:16.879 --> 00:05:19.300 divine grace, more than anything of external 00:05:19.300 --> 00:05:23.569 value in the external world. Fasting and worship. 00:05:23.889 --> 00:05:26.110 The number one recommendation for Ekadashi is 00:05:26.110 --> 00:05:29.889 to observe a fast or upuwasa as it is called 00:05:29.889 --> 00:05:33.529 and engage in spiritual practices. Reserve this 00:05:33.529 --> 00:05:36.949 day for such things, mantra chanting, doing puja, 00:05:37.170 --> 00:05:40.029 whatever it is that resonates with you. Just 00:05:40.029 --> 00:05:43.750 going quietly inward will do. Traditional Ekadashi 00:05:43.750 --> 00:05:46.889 fasting means abstaining from grains, beans at 00:05:46.889 --> 00:05:50.410 the minimum and often a full fast from food. 00:05:50.779 --> 00:05:55.519 Just having water sometimes, for example. The 00:05:55.519 --> 00:05:58.220 thing about fasting you need to get is it gives 00:05:58.220 --> 00:06:02.040 you the space to disengage from the bodily needs 00:06:02.040 --> 00:06:05.060 and focus on the spiritual part. That's the underlying 00:06:05.060 --> 00:06:09.360 idea. That's what it serves. Devote the time 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:12.019 to prayer, meditation, chanting, reading scriptures. 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:17.600 It is said that fasting on Ekadashi quote unquote 00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:20.360 burns the sins, purifies the mind enabling one 00:06:20.360 --> 00:06:25.800 to conquer anger and passion. Lord Krishna Himself 00:06:25.800 --> 00:06:28.920 in Mahabharata extols Ekadashi Vrat as extremely 00:06:28.920 --> 00:06:32.579 meritorious. So the most recommended activity 00:06:32.579 --> 00:06:37.060 in this particular tithi on this day is inaction 00:06:37.060 --> 00:06:40.199 of eating and doing inner tapas along with fasting. 00:06:40.519 --> 00:06:42.600 Let's say visiting a temple, just sitting in 00:06:42.600 --> 00:06:45.500 the temple will also do. Or doing bhajans and 00:06:45.500 --> 00:06:49.600 kirtans, devotional singing. Or a specific puja, 00:06:50.019 --> 00:06:53.120 whatever your devata you like, whatever gods 00:06:53.120 --> 00:06:57.420 or goddesses you resonate with, your ishta devata, 00:06:57.579 --> 00:07:01.259 that will also do. Pilgrimage and spiritual travel, 00:07:01.480 --> 00:07:03.579 it is considered favorable to undertake pilgrimages 00:07:03.579 --> 00:07:06.819 or yatra on this day. Take a journey, leadership 00:07:06.819 --> 00:07:10.829 and initiative with caution. Interestingly, the 00:07:10.829 --> 00:07:14.250 classical sources mention Ekadashi despite its 00:07:14.250 --> 00:07:17.110 spiritual leanings is also good for leadership. 00:07:17.870 --> 00:07:21.050 Conflict and defense related activities, debates 00:07:21.050 --> 00:07:24.209 and even weddings. Because there is Kubera factor, 00:07:24.209 --> 00:07:27.290 isn't it? This is likely because it is Nanda 00:07:27.290 --> 00:07:30.209 Tithi Mars ruled by a fiery energy. You can go 00:07:30.209 --> 00:07:34.290 outward and do things. But again, take this with 00:07:34.290 --> 00:07:36.550 a grain of salt. It is not really recommended 00:07:36.550 --> 00:07:40.509 you go outward on this day. Doing a lot of your 00:07:40.509 --> 00:07:43.029 favourite mantras, japa is very good on this 00:07:43.029 --> 00:07:46.310 day or your pujas. If you are not so much keen 00:07:46.310 --> 00:07:48.970 on fasting, stick to sattvic foods and you can 00:07:48.970 --> 00:07:53.310 do that. Artistic and educational pursuits, although 00:07:53.310 --> 00:07:56.569 not a primary focus, the clarity of mind, many 00:07:56.569 --> 00:07:59.189 experience on ekadashi due to lighter stomach 00:07:59.189 --> 00:08:03.149 and prayer, can be good for studying or creative 00:08:03.149 --> 00:08:06.870 writing or composing. So basically doing a quiet 00:08:06.870 --> 00:08:10.910 inward journey. Reflective analysis, for example, 00:08:11.329 --> 00:08:13.790 of whatever you are doing professionally, personally, 00:08:14.550 --> 00:08:16.769 particularly if the subject has spiritual or 00:08:16.769 --> 00:08:19.970 philosophical bend. It's a good day to begin 00:08:19.970 --> 00:08:23.110 memorizing verses, undertaking creative projects 00:08:23.110 --> 00:08:26.329 dedicated to spirit or higher ideals, higher 00:08:26.329 --> 00:08:29.930 mind, studying Jyotisha or Vedanta, for example. 00:08:31.990 --> 00:08:34.830 Vastu and house work. The texts don't highlight 00:08:34.830 --> 00:08:37.570 this, but personal experience from some is that 00:08:37.570 --> 00:08:40.169 Ekadashi is a good day to declutter and cleanse 00:08:40.169 --> 00:08:42.789 as well. See, you're using that Martian energy 00:08:42.789 --> 00:08:47.289 of the day. You can declutter as well. Activities 00:08:47.289 --> 00:08:50.750 to avoid would be worldly indulgences and heavy 00:08:50.750 --> 00:08:53.490 material transactions. Don't think in terms of 00:08:53.490 --> 00:08:56.450 too much of food, too much of wealth. Materialistic 00:08:56.450 --> 00:09:00.340 plane should be avoided on Ekadashi. This means 00:09:00.340 --> 00:09:03.279 do not eat grains when it comes to diet, beans, 00:09:03.480 --> 00:09:06.860 meat, alcohol and so on. So sensual pleasure 00:09:06.860 --> 00:09:11.399 should be sort of kept at bay just one day, okay. 00:09:12.779 --> 00:09:14.740 Don't grumble, it's not 30 days of the month. 00:09:14.820 --> 00:09:18.360 Avoid buying new luxurious items, doing big shopping. 00:09:19.299 --> 00:09:22.019 The mindset should be one of restraint. Businessmen 00:09:22.019 --> 00:09:24.399 in traditional communities sometimes even avoid 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:27.799 monetary transactions on Ekadashi beyond what 00:09:27.799 --> 00:09:31.220 is essential. If you run a business, you don't 00:09:31.220 --> 00:09:33.120 necessarily shut it down, but you might avoid 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:35.820 making too many large transactions or taking 00:09:35.820 --> 00:09:39.779 loans and such. No travel for fun or entertainment 00:09:39.779 --> 00:09:43.460 is usually done. Avoid that. It's a day for sitting 00:09:43.460 --> 00:09:47.700 quietly. Ekadashi has the strength of going quietly 00:09:47.700 --> 00:09:51.559 inward and helping you in your spiritual pursuits. 00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:55.000 If you're fasting, certainly avoid heavy manual 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:58.000 labor or high intensity workouts like gym and 00:09:58.000 --> 00:10:00.490 so on. That might be unsafe because you're already 00:10:00.490 --> 00:10:04.490 fasting. Avoid making life altering decisions 00:10:04.490 --> 00:10:07.509 purely in a normal mindset. This is a very fiery 00:10:07.509 --> 00:10:10.350 energy, not very grounded. So don't make any 00:10:10.350 --> 00:10:12.789 permanent long -term decisions regarding even 00:10:12.789 --> 00:10:16.070 your diet or anything on this day. You're in 00:10:16.070 --> 00:10:19.269 a different state due to fasting or due to the 00:10:19.269 --> 00:10:22.509 fire energy. Some say you see things more clearly, 00:10:22.750 --> 00:10:25.450 but others caution. Do not decide until you break 00:10:25.450 --> 00:10:28.779 the fast. Like I said, Do not decide anything 00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:32.220 on Nanda Tithi as a grounded approach, the Pratipada, 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:36.299 the Shashti, now the Ekadashi. Let the energy 00:10:36.299 --> 00:10:41.580 pass, give it a day or two as they say. Suggested 00:10:41.580 --> 00:10:44.120 mindset, this is very important in Ekadashi. 00:10:44.399 --> 00:10:47.419 Devotional, self controlled, inward focus, something 00:10:47.419 --> 00:10:49.700 which you have fought in as a civilization. Treat 00:10:49.700 --> 00:10:53.710 Ekadashi as a sacred retreat for your soul. Even 00:10:53.710 --> 00:10:55.809 if you are going about your normal work, keep 00:10:55.809 --> 00:10:58.110 a corner of your mind for chanting the Lord's 00:10:58.110 --> 00:11:01.230 name. Contemplating on different mantras, for 00:11:01.230 --> 00:11:04.889 example, higher things, cultivate devotion or 00:11:04.889 --> 00:11:07.850 bhakti. This will come how? Only when you tune 00:11:07.850 --> 00:11:10.990 in and find out what the energy of the mantra 00:11:10.990 --> 00:11:14.149 or the deity is, isn't it? If you just let it 00:11:14.149 --> 00:11:17.330 be, it just will be in its place. You have nothing 00:11:17.330 --> 00:11:19.490 to do with it. You have to tune in like a radio 00:11:19.490 --> 00:11:25.120 station. Replace hunger for food with your bhakti. 00:11:25.220 --> 00:11:28.340 It is very psychological in nature. Remind yourself 00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:31.080 you are not really fasting. You are feasting 00:11:31.080 --> 00:11:35.259 on divine love, for example. Turning the point 00:11:35.259 --> 00:11:38.899 of view around. Maintain an aura of peace and 00:11:38.899 --> 00:11:42.100 forgiveness. Interestingly, because people fasting 00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:45.120 might be irritable, because the stomach is grumbling, 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:48.840 consciously practice patience. That's the idea 00:11:48.840 --> 00:11:54.580 of fasting. Self control. The mental mind chatter 00:11:54.580 --> 00:11:57.720 control. If someone provokes you, mentally say, 00:11:58.100 --> 00:12:00.980 peace, it is Ekadashi and let it go, for example. 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:04.779 Adopt a simple, grateful mindset. Again, something 00:12:04.779 --> 00:12:07.379 which we have forgotten. We get too many things 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:09.799 delivered to our doorstep these days, so people 00:12:09.799 --> 00:12:12.179 have forgotten the value of what it took to bring 00:12:12.179 --> 00:12:15.700 that. Isn't it? Grateful. Be grateful for whatever 00:12:15.700 --> 00:12:19.740 you have. Detachment is a key lesson of Ekadashi. 00:12:21.570 --> 00:12:25.269 Be mindful and introspective. If you're fasting, 00:12:25.389 --> 00:12:27.830 if you're fasting can bring up mental impressions 00:12:27.830 --> 00:12:32.289 or desires. Watch them. Learn from them. Also, 00:12:32.330 --> 00:12:35.070 it'll be a good idea to ask what is it I'm really 00:12:35.070 --> 00:12:37.710 desiring from this? Because everything material, 00:12:38.029 --> 00:12:40.470 you're desiring something as a feeling, as an 00:12:40.470 --> 00:12:42.669 outcome, isn't it? That's why I give more importance 00:12:42.669 --> 00:12:45.389 to Tithi. It's the emotional body. You're looking 00:12:45.389 --> 00:12:49.990 to derive some sort of an emotional outcome or 00:12:49.990 --> 00:12:54.370 an emotional fruit. so to speak. Examine that. 00:12:54.590 --> 00:12:58.529 Be mindful and introspective. Integrity and a 00:12:58.529 --> 00:13:02.090 service attitude. An Ekadashi leader is ideally 00:13:02.090 --> 00:13:06.049 a servant leader, not ego driven. Encourage others 00:13:06.049 --> 00:13:08.789 gently. They might be going through their own 00:13:08.789 --> 00:13:10.909 trials. Remember everyone is going through their 00:13:10.909 --> 00:13:14.710 own inner challenges and battles. Have compassion 00:13:14.710 --> 00:13:16.990 for your fellow being, whoever they might be, 00:13:17.149 --> 00:13:21.659 family, friends, otherwise. Keep your focus on 00:13:21.659 --> 00:13:24.860 spiritual practice, another aspect of faith. 00:13:25.639 --> 00:13:28.139 Faith is letting go. Faith is not necessarily 00:13:28.139 --> 00:13:30.720 believing in something. Your belief does nothing 00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:35.179 really. You need to recalibrate to what is there 00:13:35.179 --> 00:13:39.000 already. The mindset should remain positive and 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:44.580 loving, kindness on this day. It's a day of mercy. 00:13:44.740 --> 00:13:48.440 It's a day of forgiving others. It's a day to 00:13:48.440 --> 00:13:51.620 elevate yourself, to burn out the seeds of karma. 00:13:52.659 --> 00:13:55.879 Karma is burnt in the fire of spirit, your own 00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:59.159 spirit, really speaking. Provided you decide 00:13:59.159 --> 00:14:03.000 to engage with such kind of devotional activities. 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:06.519 Be devoted to yourself. What is the real self? 00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:09.580 Who is the one listening to this? What do I really 00:14:09.580 --> 00:14:11.940 want from life? All these deep questions is good 00:14:11.940 --> 00:14:15.639 on this day. The diet from the Ayurvedic perspective. 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:18.990 Ekadashi is primarily about fasting or dietary 00:14:18.990 --> 00:14:23.009 restraint. So avoid everything heavy like grains 00:14:23.009 --> 00:14:28.750 and beans, any heavy foods. There is a lot on 00:14:28.750 --> 00:14:31.750 fasting which I shall go through on my notes. 00:14:33.210 --> 00:14:35.929 Nirjala Ekadashi, complete fast with no food 00:14:35.929 --> 00:14:38.149 or water. This is usually done in Vedic tradition 00:14:38.149 --> 00:14:41.179 by many people. These are categories. Sunrise 00:14:41.179 --> 00:14:44.100 to next sunrise. This is very intense and recommended 00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:46.940 if you're only healthy and used to fasting. Don't 00:14:46.940 --> 00:14:50.740 try this like a stunt. Water only fast. You drink 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:53.500 water, maybe with a little lemon, but no solid 00:14:53.500 --> 00:14:57.299 food. This is also more doable for many. Herbal 00:14:57.299 --> 00:15:01.480 teas can also count. Falahar are having only 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:04.960 fruits. Like fruits, fruit juices, milk, yogurt, 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:10.460 nuts. Okay, those kind of. One meal fast. Do 00:15:10.460 --> 00:15:13.000 some sattvic meal from sunrise to sunset. This 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:15.620 is what usually people do, who are going to work 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:18.840 and other things. They have once a day. Hydration 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:21.679 therefore becomes extremely important. You don't 00:15:21.679 --> 00:15:25.279 want to deprive your body of essential minerals, 00:15:25.919 --> 00:15:29.620 so you hydrate frequently. And take some cumin, 00:15:29.960 --> 00:15:32.340 coriander, fennel tea, that kind of soothing, 00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:36.059 gentle energy for the stomach, since it's fasting. 00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:39.240 Managing hunger and energy. If you feel weak 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:41.399 or dizzy, it's okay to take something like few 00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:43.980 raisins, a spoon of honey in water or some fruit. 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:46.740 Take some sugar. Have some sugar at hand if you're 00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:49.539 fasting. There's a lot covered in my notes about 00:15:49.539 --> 00:15:52.419 fasting because this is very dominantly popular 00:15:52.419 --> 00:15:56.120 in Vedic tradition to fast on this day. Breaking 00:15:56.120 --> 00:16:00.919 the fast. Very important to take some Tulsi water 00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:04.679 or Amla Indian gooseberry as they help revive 00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:07.840 digestion gently. You might then have a normal 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:11.759 breakfast, etc. Breaking the fast. From an Ayurvedic 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:14.519 perspective, Ekadashi aligns with low -pressure 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:18.080 day in atmosphere. Just thus the body can handle 00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:21.679 fasting without food pushing on internal pressure. 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:25.000 It's a natural detox day for all you detox fans. 00:16:25.820 --> 00:16:30.559 The eleventh day in the lunar month. Herbs and 00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:33.659 supplements. If you have herbal powders or supplements, 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:36.340 you might skip non -essential ones on Ekadashi 00:16:36.340 --> 00:16:39.279 since stomach is empty if you're doing fast, 00:16:39.460 --> 00:16:43.220 that is. Cooking for others. I like this one. 00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:45.639 If you need to cook for family who aren't fasting, 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:48.820 it's recommended you keep it simple. You might 00:16:48.820 --> 00:16:51.620 not want to engage with very aromatic rich cooking 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:54.299 which is very dominant in Indian subcontinent. 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:57.480 very aromatic, very rich in spices. That's why 00:16:57.480 --> 00:17:00.700 we have to be extra cautious compared to other 00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:03.559 cultures who have a pretty much bland diet, isn't 00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:06.599 it? Only India and the whole world has got seriously 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:11.339 spicy stuff. Anyway, if possible arrange simpler 00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:14.799 meals for dependents who have someone else to 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:17.559 cook for that day. The Ikadashi diet is about 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:21.220 restraint, purity and lightness. Even if you're 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:23.759 not doing fasting, okay, just to wrap this up, 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:25.819 even if you're not doing fasting or anything, 00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:29.059 which I have gone on and on about from my notes, 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:33.980 just maintain the mindset of tuning into your 00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:37.640 spirit, tuning into your internal requirement. 00:17:37.819 --> 00:17:40.680 Where is the greed coming from? What is it that 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:44.400 I am feeling lack of? That will be a good, very 00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:46.500 good starting place for everyone. Doesn't matter 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:48.700 if you're doing fasting or not. On this day, 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:52.500 Quiet reflection is a better approach. Now let's 00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:55.740 see the Krishna and the Shukla parts of this. 00:17:56.119 --> 00:17:58.799 Now on the Krishna Ekadashi side, things are 00:17:58.799 --> 00:18:01.039 more aligned, isn't it? Because as it is the 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:03.420 energy is going towards the veining moon, towards 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:06.579 Amavasya. So already you don't have much illumination 00:18:06.579 --> 00:18:10.740 on the moon. So focus more on Krishna Ekadashi 00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:14.960 especially for all inward going activities, full 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:20.480 on, I mean 100%. Just a day of quiet reflection, 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:24.299 inward, penitential, karmic cleansing. All these 00:18:24.299 --> 00:18:26.640 are nice words but what does it essentially mean? 00:18:27.339 --> 00:18:30.460 You go to your own mind and examine why it is 00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:32.819 that you think a certain way or if you are getting 00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:36.859 stuck in some other kind of a single position 00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:41.579 kind of point of views that you might hold. Meditate 00:18:41.579 --> 00:18:44.660 on Rudra, meditate on Lord Shiva or recite the 00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:47.920 Rudra part best. best one I would recommend for 00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:50.259 all of you since I am a big fan of mantras but 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:54.140 you might do other things recite the Rudra part 00:18:54.140 --> 00:18:57.779 then sit quietly and then think what do I need 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:59.980 to do to solve this particular issue whatever 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:03.519 the issue is in your life powerful for austerities 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:06.779 and deep meditation day to confront inner desires 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:09.200 and dissolve the karmic weight there is certain 00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:11.960 weight if you are feeling under it will manifest 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:14.599 and this is the day to go to Lord Shiva about 00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:18.519 it Start fasting. That will help you keep the 00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:23.299 focus. Or eat light foods at best. I'm not a 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:25.740 big fan of fasting, so I'm skipping over many 00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:29.059 things. Meditation, yes. Mantra chanting, yes. 00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:31.380 Fasting, I don't feel is really practical in 00:19:31.380 --> 00:19:34.700 this day and age. But eat light. Offering prayers 00:19:34.700 --> 00:19:40.220 for purification. Well, ask. Questions. Chanting. 00:19:40.339 --> 00:19:42.980 Divine names. Yes, I'm a big fan, especially 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:47.119 of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Engage in not 00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:51.539 repentance, I would say, engage in clearing out 00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:54.859 the old karmic baggage by the way of understanding 00:19:54.859 --> 00:19:58.440 where it is you are stuck and improve on habits. 00:19:58.539 --> 00:20:02.359 What to avoid? Hypocrisy. Fasting is external 00:20:02.359 --> 00:20:04.940 while indulging mentally. Avoid that kind of 00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:08.000 a thing. This is why I am not a big fan of fasting. 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:11.140 because mentally your mind games are still going 00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:13.599 on while you are externally pretending to fast 00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:17.220 this goes on a lot in India of the present day 00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:20.299 negative speech anger or conflict avoid that 00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:23.579 breaking vows without awareness that's again 00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:27.559 all the negative stuff so this fasting thing 00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:31.140 was on a day and age when this whole science 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:36.650 of Jyotish perhaps was used as a way of living 00:20:36.650 --> 00:20:39.430 not necessarily theory in some textbook this 00:20:39.430 --> 00:20:42.490 was a way of life once upon a time no longer 00:20:42.490 --> 00:20:44.910 these days it's all rahu ketu it's all money 00:20:44.910 --> 00:20:48.829 and bank balance and ordering things food from 00:20:48.829 --> 00:20:52.490 you know online or whatever anyway never mind 00:20:52.490 --> 00:20:57.410 suggested mindset patience penitence humility 00:20:57.410 --> 00:21:01.519 good all good things to do surrender Surrender, 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:05.839 as in, surrender your own mental mindset. Just 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:08.539 ask and be open to receiving answers from the 00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:11.559 universe. Focus inward on clarity and spiritual 00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:14.859 insight. Your own spiritual insight. See, austerity 00:21:14.859 --> 00:21:19.680 is a gateway to liberation. Diet, again, have 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:22.920 very, very light foods. Whenever the cycle of 00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:25.880 moon is going towards Amavasya, you keep on reducing 00:21:25.880 --> 00:21:30.160 the diet, typically. have very light meals, generally 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:34.420 speaking. Next we shall deal with Dwadashi, the 00:21:34.420 --> 00:21:37.500 12th day of the lunar cycle in a lunar month. 00:21:37.859 --> 00:21:38.740 Take care, be safe.