 A Personal Tribute and Discovery ***Today, March 14, 2026***, marks an Ekadashi—a day I've come to cherish deeply. Ekadashi falls on the 11th day after both the full moon and new moon, with two such days each lunar month. Since May 2021, right after my mother's passed, during the COVID pandemic I have been fasting on these days. She used to observe them faithfully, though I never knew from when.

After her death, our family wanted to honor her by feeding cows, so we called Shanti Kunj in Haridwar, where she was an active Gayatri Pariwar member. A brahmachari advised that someone should fast in her stead to complete her Ekadashis. Somehow, that responsibility fell to me, and it stuck.I fast not for health, spirituality, or social ties—purely as a quiet continuation of her practice. People observe it differently: some eat dinner the previous evening and break fast after 24 hours the next evening, some others allow fruit juices, also a few go nirjala (no water) or even observe maun vrat (silence).

My way is a 36-hour fast. I speak freely, drink water (I can't manage without it), but skip all food from dinner two nights prior until breakfast two mornings later. I was meant to stop after fulfilling the "completion," but now I truly enjoy it. It is private , few even know. This practice has quietly resolved many of my health issues. My body simply doesn't crave food on these days,

aligning with what **Sadhguru** explains about human physiology. He teaches that

“*our systems follow a "mandala" cycle every 40-48 days, with three natural no-food days unique to each person. "If they listen to the body, these three days can be easily identified," he says, free from calorie-counting nonsense.*

Though I follow the calendar (not yet pinpointed my personal days), Ekadashi syncs perfectly, roughly three every 48 days.

***Sadhguru adds: "On the day of Ekadashi, the very planet is in a certain state, so if we keep our body light and available, our awareness will turn inward." A full stomach dulls us; fasting keeps us alert, purifies the body, and opens inner doors—provided we're prepared.He stresses preparation over force: "Forceful denial of food is not the point. The point is to make everything into a conscious process." Build up with right foods; avoid torture from habits like constant tea or coffee, which weakens the system. If full fasting isn't feasible—due to high activity or lack of sadhana—a light fruit diet works. For everyone, understanding your body's rhythm matters more than feats of endurance.On tough hunger pangs, Sadhguru recommends amla (Indian gooseberry or nellikai). "Just one nellikai in your mouth will keep you going for three to four hours without feeling hungry, because it will keep the digestive juices down." It settles the stomach, wards off nausea (even morning sickness), and echoes our ancient culture's wisdom—like serving lemonade to subtly curb a guest's appetite*****.**

For me, this has become a joyful rhythm, light, aware, and healing, far beyond any obligation I simply enjoy, even I am thinking slowly start with Silence 🤫 ( I mean not speaking.)

My Journey with Ekadashi Fasting: