Should one have Good Karma to be able to fast for Ekadasis?
A male devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
” Hare Krishna sir, I skipped the previous Ekadasi and will also most likely be skipping the one this coming Wednesday.
I didn’t want to skip but my health hasn’t been that good as of late and I am forced to eat because I have medication I need to take twice a day.
I feel very uncomfortable to skip Ekadasi fasting as I look forward to it a lot every 2 weeks. Along with that, I wanted to ask. Am I having some sort of bad karma which is preventing me from fasting? Are my previous life sins preventing me from getting the Lord’s Grace?
Also I had another question. Should fasting be done to Lakshmi devi if I want to get the mercy of Venkateswara? I was thinking of doing it out of respect for Lakshmi devi since she is a part of Him as well.
Do help sir. Thanks and Radhe Krishna
REPLY:
You are looking for excuses, it seems.
There are alternatives for everything in devotional life.
Our scriptures and acharyas have given some liberal alternatives to be followed by all kinds of people in devotional life.
Even in the case of ekadasi fasts, though true fasting will be sacrificing the food totally, during this kaliyuga, the merciful acharyas have given some relaxations.
Since only the grains are severely objected on the day of Ekadasi, acharyas have given some relaxation in the case of other food stuff.
If anyone can fast without food for 24 hours, it will be good. But I don’t encourage avoiding water or milk or buttermilk on fasting days..
However, most of the people have to go for jobs that may require sufficient strength for the body. And, those who have some medical conditions can avoid full fasting.
You are complaining that you are unable to fast due to health reasons.
Such devotees may follow partial fasting.
Who compelled you to follow only the full fasting?
You can take milk, buttermilk, curd, fruits, water, etc during the ekadasis.
Eating only the acidic contents like citrus or other fruits throughout the day will not be good for body. It may cause bloating or ulcer, irritation of stomach, etc. Our body requires some basic foodstuff also, ie, a balanced support of nutrients.
Just fix your faith in a particular recommended way of life wherever you are.
One’s food should be balanced one.
One should have a food that has Vitamins, minerals, proteins, oils, etc to keep his body healthier.
Even during the ekadasi, such persons with the sensitive stomach, may avoid, full fasting and they can take fruits, green vegetables, milk, water, etc.
You can take tablets on ekadasi fasting days. No need to worry as if you have broken the fast.
You can take the foodstuff made using good quality/brand of Tapioca pearls (Sabudhana), Moria rice, etc. You can take boiled milk. Just avoid seasoning, grains, nuts, etc.
You can take essential tablets during ekadasi fasting;
So, during the ekadasis, you need not quit everything.
If you are fasting for ekadasi, take some simple foods without grains in any form. Just avoid grains, nuts, adulterated Sabudanu, etc.
Krishna will understand your health issues and He will do the needful.
Without doing so, skipping the ekadasi fasting altogether telling some weak reasons are not advisable for the devotees.
Also note:
(1) Karma does not interfere in devotional life.Ma6a may give some interferences. You should pooh-pooh them. Anyone in any state can follow devotion.
(2) Next, you have asked whether one should worship Lakshmi devi to get the mercy of the Lord Vebnkateswara of Tirupati. Not compulsory. Worshiping Lakshmi devi may fasten the success of getting the mercy of the Lord. If you are truly sincere, Krishna will arrange for you to get the mercy of any of His forms.
Hope you are now clear whether one should have Good Karma to be able to fast for Ekadasis.
(If Demigods can’t clear our karma, do they just postpone karma? READ HERE!)