Can We Eat Saunf in Ekadashi Fast: Eating Rules for Ekadashi

The main reason for keeping the fast is to remember Krishna, complete fasting on Ekadashi is helpful in controlling the senses.

On this day, the body’s requirements are reduced, and it is suggested that you get less sleep in order to focus on reading scripture, chanting, and participating in devotional activities.

Eating grains during this time breaks the fast, which starts at sunrise and lasts until the following sunrise. According to Vedic traditions, eating before dawn is not recommended, particularly on Ekadasi.

On the day of Ekadashi, one should begin fasting as soon as they wake up. In the event that the fast is unintentionally broken, it should be observed for the remainder of the day and the next day as well.

The fast starts at sunrise and lasts until the next sunrise, therefore eating grains during this time will break the fast. Vedic scriptures advise against eating in the pre-dawn hours, especially on Ekadashi.

Fasting should start at the time of waking up on the Ekadashi day. If the fast is mistakenly broken, it should be continued for the rest of the day and the following day.

Foods You Can Eat During the Ekadashi Fast

Srila Prabhupada never imposed full fasts on those who follow and recommended them to eat just on Ekadashi while focusing on chanting and devotional service. When keeping this fast, the following foods can be consumed:

1. Foods made with milk: Dairy products such as paneer (cottage cheese), yogurt, buttermilk, and milk are allowed.
2. Fruits: During Ekadashi Vrat, any kind of fruit, both fresh and dried, is allowed.
3. Vegetables: During Ekadashi Vrat, you can eat most veggies. However, certain vegetables are not allowed, including bell peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, cauliflower, broccoli, peas, chickpeas, and all kinds of beans.

Restricted Foods on Ekadashi Fast

The Ekadashi fast is considered broken if even one grain is consumed, even by accident. As a result, cooking is done with extreme caution, and spices are picked from a fresh packet that hasn’t been touched by grains. On Ekadashi, the following foods must be avoided:

• All grains (such as rice, barley, farina, millet, and urad dahl flour) and goods made from it.
• Carrots, Peas, chickpeas, dahl, and numerous types of beans, including tofu and its derivatives.
• Avoid custard, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and many other desserts since they are frequently combined with rice powder.

Fasting on Ekadashi is an important austerity practiced by Krishna devotees to promote their spiritual growth.

It is preferable to eat a small portion of the permitted meals rather than fasting totally and being too weak to do your chores and devotional services.