________________________________
From: V Madhavan
Sent: Tue 8/31/2004 10:50 AM
To: Anand Iyengar
Cc: KPR; R Saranathan
Subject: RE: [SriRangaSri] sandhyavandanam and ekadashi
Swamin
Let me tell you without fear of sin. Even on normal days, when you do
achamanam, you are expected to take (only a small sip and swallow) - only very
small quantity of water, each of the three times - volume as much (or as less)
as a small pearl and not more. The water sipped and swallowed must not have the
effect of drinking water which will quench one's thirst - it is more of
symbolism and you must beware that you are virtually taking God into you. (This
is told to us by the great Sri Thiruvaazhi Ramanujachariar - the great
Upanyasakar of yester years).
I have heard many a great person tell that water consumed during achamanam does
not violate one's nirjala upavasam. (Definitely water sipped after
invoking/telling the holy name of God cannot be spit away.
Further while it is desirable to do the nirjala upavasam, if one puts this into
practice from quite an early age it is helpful and good and can be continued
for several ages. The country has had several eminent persons who have been
practicising such upavasam despite having a rigorous and busy daily routine.
(The former Prime Minister and leader Mr. Morarji Desai is a shining example
for this type of yogis)
One thing that is expressly prohibited to those who cannot observe total
nirjala upavasam is rice. Other grains like wheat - in any form can be taken -
as rough ground wheat (rava or soji) or as fine ground flour. If one cannot
avoid rice, atleast the rice be made bhinnam (rice is to be broken into pieces
and then cooked) - and/but this is a poor alternative.
If one wants to put the nirjala upavasam into a practical habit at a very late
age, my experience is that it will be quite a difficult experience and can be
tried for a span of few hours on such auspiscious days - the upavasam ending
with a drink of milk or have some light fruits. Once you put this into
practice, over several Ekadasis you can graduate to total nirjala upavasam.
(The maxim is - practice slowly and steadily and you will get that habit -
atleast I had practiced jogging and running - at item that had eluded me in my
earlier years. Now I can jog and run considerable length and without feeling
tired or exhausted at the end of it). Ulitmnately, you will feel great physical
and mental strenght at the end of you fasting (or even jogging) and you will
not feel worn out or run down.
For diabetic patients, upavasam is better not done at all or done after
consulting a doctor who specializes in diabetes and treats diabetic patients..
All such nirjala upavasam or upavasam must be done with mind well under control
- putting a cheerful moratorium to all the seven deadly sins viz. desire,
anger, lust, jealousy, covetnousness, maatsaryam i.e. a feeling of satisfaction
and happiness at others failure and unhappiness and a feeling of sadness and
trauma at other's success and hour of pride and glory. (I am not mentioning
gluttony here because the topic is upavasam. Likewise the thought of food for
the day or food to consumed or had for the next day should not be allowed to
cross your mind on the day of upavasam. If one has control on these base
(basic) qualities, as a matter daily practice, the ekadasi vratam can pass off
very peacefully and with a great sense of accomplishment.
On such days the time is best spent by several laudable acts like recitation,
discussing saatvika aspects and bhagavat vishayam (not Thiru vaimozhi) with
others of equal wave lenght, going to temple, sharing a few thoughts on dharma
with your peers and those who seek answers to difficult questions on dharma
like the one now posed by you. Leisurely going through the commentary on
Ramayanam and the Tiruvaimozhi (Bhagavat Vishayam) - not ritualisitc reading -
will do you enormous good. The deeper you go into these fountains during a
upavasam day the greater will be the thrill you will experience.
If you analyse these acts that you can possibly do you will find that nirjala
upavasam by itself is not the be all and end all. One who enjoys the Ekadasi
can be equally satisfied both in the observence of nirjala upavasam (or mere
upavasam in whatever degree) and inability to observe the same in all its
rigour!
Dasan Madhavan
________________________________
From: Anand Iyengar [mailto:anand2048@xxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Tue 8/31/2004 5:16 AM
To: SriRangaSri@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [SriRangaSri] sandhyavandanam and ekadashi
Namaskaram Bhagvathars, Shri Vaishnavas,
Honorable people, please guide me with knowledge on my concern.
I regularly do nirjala ekadashi and sandhyavandanam. Every time on
day of
Ekadashi & Dwadashi I get this query in my mind of whether to sip
water
during sandhyavandanam ? Finally I end up doing achamanam but not
sip the
water. So please share with me the knowledge on performance of
Sandhya
vandanam on ekadashi & dwadashi days. Food on dashmi and dwadashi
whether it
is one full meal and fruits or do you have any suggestions/knowledge
of
right way ? I take one full meal on dashmi (noon) and fruits in the
evening.
I am happy and satisfied for today with past. I want to grow with
right
attitude and knowledge in
snadhyavandanama, ekadashi performances. What does the vedic
sampraday
provides knowledge on following topics, please share with me.
Your guidance is a blessing.
With all respects
Anand
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