Ekadashi is a very sacred day and so fast is observed on every eleventh day of the bright and dark half of the month. The eleventh day of the moon is especially set apart for devotional exercises and fasting. It is a day dedicated to the worship of Vishnu. The Vishnu and Markandeya Puranas give detailed benefits flowing from the observance of Ekadashi Vratas (fast) and vow. It is believed that Lord Vishnu transformed himself into Ekadashi to redeem the mankind from sins. If is a day great day since it is looked upon as Lord Hari himself. On Ekadashis rice eating is totally prohibited. Ekadashi vow and vigil enhances mental equilibrium, tolerance and spiritual powers and grants great religious merit both here and life hereafter.
The following things should be given up on the Dashami, (the tenth phase of the Moon), the day before the Ekadasi:
Eating on bell-metal plates, eating any kind of urad-dal, eating red-lentils, eating chickpeas, eating kondo, eating spinach, eating honey, eating in another person’s house/home, eating more than once, and participating in sex of any kind.
On the Ekadasi itself one should give up the following:
Gambling, sports, sleeping during the daytime, betal nuts and its leaf, brushing one’s teeth, spreading rumors, faultfinding, talking to the spiritually fallen, anger, and lying.
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