Ekadashi,amabasya/purnima nishipalan

[anirvan]

How to follow ekadashi and purnima/amabasya perfectly? what and how much food/drink allowed in such days?

[Jainarayan]

Namaste.

I can't speak on Purnima/Amavasya, but I try to follow Ekadasi as best I can. I believe that is all God asks.

Ideally, however, the Ekadasi fast is without so much as water. The absolute restrictions, however, are: no grains (rice, wheat, barley, oats, rye, corn, and I think millet); no legumes (beans, peas, lentils, soy products); I would be wary of fried or sauteed vegetables unless known for a fact olive oil or ghee was used. Vegetable oil is soybean oil.

I limit myself to milk, yogurt, some fruits and green vegs, and water. And even then I keep those to a minimum to the best of my ability. If one has a physical condition that would put health at risk, God does not want that. The fast is for man's discipline and devotion, God does not need a fast, nor does He want His devotees to suffer. This is my belief.

Others can speak better on this, and maybe even correct some things I've said (hopefully before tomorrow ).

This is what Vaishnava Calendar Services (I am lost without this) has for Ekadasi, Shivaratri and Amavasya on the US east coast:

17 Feb 2012
FridayEkadasi, K, 06:48 , Mula
+SUDDHA EKADASI VRATA: FASTING FOR Vijaya EKADASI


18 Feb 2012
SaturdayDvadasi, K, 06:46 , P.Asadha
+Break fast 06:46 - 10:22 (Daylight savings not considered) Note: I do not know what "Ekadasi preparations only" means.

20 Feb 2012
MondayCaturdasi, K, 06:44 , Sravana
+Siva Ratri (fast - Ekadasi preparations only)

21 Feb 2012
TuesdayAmavasya, K, 06:42 , Dhanista
+Break fast 06:42 - 10:20 (Daylight savings not considered)
+Amavasya