Lord Krishna Forum - Krishna Talk

honeyflowerservant · Joined: 03 Oct 2005 Posts: 76

Rukmini-Devi dasi wrote: Hare Krishna!

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Please remember Gita Jayanti - December 11, 2005.

your servant,
Rukmini-Devi dasi

Hare Krshna dear Matajis and Prabhus,
i hope that this day will be great for your service, also would like to say for everyone before they have breakfast that today is also Ekadasi!

specifically it is Moksada Ekadasi
i looked around to find out about Moksada Ekadasi and i found this link

http://www.hknet.org.nz/ekadasi-2.htm

(here's one passage from there)
Sri Krishna said, "O son of Pandu, who so ever strictly observes the sacred Mokshadaa Ekadasi, following the established rules and regulations, achieves full and perfect liberation after death. There is no better fasting day than this Ekadasi of the light fortnight of the month of Margashirsha, O Yudhishthira, for it is a crystal-clear and sinless day. Whoever faithfully observes this Ekadasi fast, which is like chintaa-mani (a gem that yields all desires), obtains special merit that is very hard to calculate, for this day can elevate one from hellish life to the heavenly planets, and for one who observes Ekadasi for his own spiritual benefit, this elevates one to go back to Godhead, never to return to this material world."

here is a page with quotes from Srila Prabuphada concerning Ekadasi.
http://www.hknet.org.nz/ekadasi-SPsays.html

Jai Srila Prabupada!
Nectar of Devotion, chapter 7
"IN THE BRAHMA-VAIVARTA PURANA IT IS SAID THAT ONE WHO OBSERVES FASTING ON EKADASI DAY IS FREED FROM ALL KINDS OF REACTIONS TO SINFUL ACTIVITIES AND ADVANCES IN PIOUS LIFE. THE BASIC PRINCIPLE IS NOT JUST TO FAST, BUT TO INCREASE ONE'S FAITH AND LOVE FOR GOVINDA, OR KRSNA. THE REAL REASON FOR OBSERVING FASTING ON EKADASI IS TO MINIMIZE THE DEMANDS OF THE BODY AND TO ENGAGE OUR TIME IN THE SERVICE OF THE LORD BY CHANTING OR PERFORMING SIMILAR SERVICE. THE BEST THING TO DO ON FASTING DAYS IS TO REMEMBER THE PASTIMES OF GOVINDA AND TO HEAR HIS HOLY NAME CONSTANTLY."

Quote:
How To Follow Ekadasi

Fast from grains and pulses (legumes).
Chant extra rounds.
Try to do more reading.
Try to become more absorbed in hearing, chanting, and devotion to Krishna.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura said it is a time to step back, get a little out of the normal routine, and take stock of one's spiritual life.
Try to rise above the bodily concept; avoid as much as possible any activities relating to the body (shaving, laundry, going to a doctor, shopping, sleeping)
Avoid strenuous physical labour. Don’t travel long distances.
(source: http://www.iskcon.com/basics/ekadasi.html)

this page:
Siberian Center for Vedic Culture presents
tasty vegetarian recipes from Food For Peace by Rambhoru Devi Dasi.
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Courtyard/8761/f15.htm
has lots of ideas about what food can be prepared for Ekadasi,
the recipes can all be found here:
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Courtyard/8761/index.html

"Don't forget to omit powdered hing, mustard seeds and vanilla essence from the following Ekadasi recipes."
This is noted on the above site, but is not quite true, still it is better to be safe if in doubt.. mustard seeds are allowed.
Also take care that the brand of turmeric is not mixed with flour as some are, as are certain brands of hing. Even ground cinammon is sometimes mixed, it's best to use unground spices, then you know for sure what's in them.
"Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's standard for Ekadasi:
He used sesame seeds, mustard seeds, and peanuts - see Yamuna's Table Cookbook.
Vanila is a POD not a bean."
^more Ekadasi recipes here - http://www.hknet.org.nz/ekadasi-recipes1.html

if i could choose from these, i would offer the following, but using ghee instead of oil:

rice and bread like additions to the plate:
Sabudani Thali-Peet (Tapioca thali-peet)
Bubble and Squeak

dry accompinents:
Korela Bhaja (Fried Bitter Melon)
Alu Posto (potatoes and poppy seeds)

wet main dish:
Avial - Curried Vegetables - South Indian style
Spinach - Saak
Alurdam

rich and creamy main dish:
Paneer Mazedaar

chutneys:
Hare Nariyal Ki Chutney
Pudina (Mint) Chutney

deserts:
Sweet Potatoes Kap
Paneer Delight
Coconut Sheera
Peanut Butter Fudge

cold drink:
Sweet Lassi

hot drink:
Sally Champe's Masala Chai

note - when deep frying on Ekadasi, take care not to use oil or ghee that has been previously used as it may contain traces of grain or whatever, e.g. from pakoras and puris.

Happy Ekadasi!