Have you ever felt that you were around a Kalpavriksha tree. In my few years as a devotee, many a time I have had this feeling that I am sitting beneath a Kalpavriksha tree because my desires get fulfilled so easily when I am around devotees. Just the other day, on Ekadasi at prasadam time, someone at the temple commented about us devotees who were on complete fast, even from water, saying "You are all Mahatmas!" Feeling a tad uneasy that I was forcing someone to focus their attention on me and my actions, I was wondering why do I fast on Ekadasi? The very next day I found my answer in the newly updated audio section of iskcondesiretree. This place is my one stop shop for all nectar.
Eagerly I scanned the tattva Darshan series of HH Mahanidhi Swami and there I found an entire class on Ekadasi- Why fast on Ekadasi? I am attempting to share here a few points that I heard.
Fasting on ekadasis is prescribed in the Sastras. But as Vaisnavas we are interested in Devotion to Krishna. Fasting on Ekadasi is favorable to Saranagati or surrender to Krishna. Since it pleases Krishna and since He resides in this day-Harivasra, we get a chance to reside with Krishna. When the Lord is pleased He gives us His mercy.
Speaking on points from Surya Siddhanta, a book on astrology, by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sraswati Thakura, Maharaj was mentioning how 11 days after Amavasya and 11 days after Purnima, the position of the moon and sun affect the tide in the oceans and creates some disturbance in the atmosphere. Likewise they affect the human body too, because 75 per cent of the human body is made of water. The fluids become agitated and the digestion is weak and the person is also disturbed in mind especially on the ekadasi before the full moon-Shukla Paksha. So fasting on ekadasi increases the fire or heat in the body due to the performance of this tapasya. This heat of tapasya evaporates the water of lust in the body, and burns up the sins. The kama Bhija, Krodha, lobha bija are fried in the heat of tapasya and cannot fructify when sown in the soil. Fasting and following the 9 fold processes of devotional service is not only beneficial for the body but pleases Lord Hari and that is our only aim.
Ekadasi is said to represent the 11 senses (working + knowledge acquiring senses) and on the day of Ekadasi Krishna's senses get agitated. He demands more attention. Wants more seva, more bhoga and more puja.
We had the birthday of a 1 year old devotee that day at the temple. I had not heard this class then but looks like our Silas wanted something special that day and wanted to have an Ekadasi cake. Being in charge of co-ordinating birthday cakes for the temple, out came my copy of the Book of Eggfree cakes, and out of the oven came this cake. Anyone who has tasted this cake knows that it is really delicious, much more than the regular cakes. Haripriya requested for this recipe and here it is. I want to continue the tradition of wishing under the desiretree by passing on this recipe and fulfilling her desire. After all our only aim is to please Lord Hari and serve Him together.
Eagerly I scanned the tattva Darshan series of HH Mahanidhi Swami and there I found an entire class on Ekadasi- Why fast on Ekadasi? I am attempting to share here a few points that I heard.
Fasting on ekadasis is prescribed in the Sastras. But as Vaisnavas we are interested in Devotion to Krishna. Fasting on Ekadasi is favorable to Saranagati or surrender to Krishna. Since it pleases Krishna and since He resides in this day-Harivasra, we get a chance to reside with Krishna. When the Lord is pleased He gives us His mercy.
Speaking on points from Surya Siddhanta, a book on astrology, by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sraswati Thakura, Maharaj was mentioning how 11 days after Amavasya and 11 days after Purnima, the position of the moon and sun affect the tide in the oceans and creates some disturbance in the atmosphere. Likewise they affect the human body too, because 75 per cent of the human body is made of water. The fluids become agitated and the digestion is weak and the person is also disturbed in mind especially on the ekadasi before the full moon-Shukla Paksha. So fasting on ekadasi increases the fire or heat in the body due to the performance of this tapasya. This heat of tapasya evaporates the water of lust in the body, and burns up the sins. The kama Bhija, Krodha, lobha bija are fried in the heat of tapasya and cannot fructify when sown in the soil. Fasting and following the 9 fold processes of devotional service is not only beneficial for the body but pleases Lord Hari and that is our only aim.
Ekadasi is said to represent the 11 senses (working + knowledge acquiring senses) and on the day of Ekadasi Krishna's senses get agitated. He demands more attention. Wants more seva, more bhoga and more puja.
We had the birthday of a 1 year old devotee that day at the temple. I had not heard this class then but looks like our Silas wanted something special that day and wanted to have an Ekadasi cake. Being in charge of co-ordinating birthday cakes for the temple, out came my copy of the Book of Eggfree cakes, and out of the oven came this cake. Anyone who has tasted this cake knows that it is really delicious, much more than the regular cakes. Haripriya requested for this recipe and here it is. I want to continue the tradition of wishing under the desiretree by passing on this recipe and fulfilling her desire. After all our only aim is to please Lord Hari and serve Him together.
Ekadasi Coconut Cake.
1 1/4 cups milk powder 1 1/4 cups potato flour 1 cup caster sugar 1 teaspoon bicarb 1/4 cup butter 1/2 cup grated coconut 2 mashed bananas 1/2 cup yogurt Finely grated rind of one lemon and one orange 1/2 cup chopped roasted hazelnuts Butter and flour 10-inch cake tin, or for a deeper cake, an 8-inch tin. Set oven to 330 F. Sift together the milk powder, potato flour, sugar and bicarb.Melt the butter and toast the coconut in it. Mash the bananas and mix in the yogurt, rind and butter-toasted coconut. Add the dry ingredients and nuts and beat with a spoon.Pour into tin and bake 20 to 30 mins. Test with toothpick, rest ten minutes and turn out onto rack. When cool, split and fill with whipped cream and fresh fruit, and/or jam. You can also ice it and cover with fresh soft grated coconut for dramatic effect
A small note: If potato flour is hard to come by one can replace it with Rajgira flour/Amaranth flour.
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