How to do Yogini Ekadashi fast, Yogini Ekadashi Vrat: Complete Guide to Observance and Rituals - Yogini Ekadashi, also known as Yogini Gyaras, is one of the most sacred fasting days in the Hindu calendar.
How to do Yogini Ekadashi fast
Falling on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Ashadh (June-July), this vrat holds immense spiritual significance for devotees of Lord Vishnu. Let's discuss in detail how to do Yogini Ekadashi fast.
The Sacred Story Behind Yogini Ekadashi
According to ancient scriptures, particularly the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Yogini Ekadashi is named after a celestial maiden called Yogini. The legend narrates how this fast helps devotees overcome the most challenging obstacles in life, including the burden of sins committed unknowingly. Lord Krishna himself explained the importance of this vrat to Yudhishthira, emphasizing its power to purify the soul and grant moksha (liberation).
The name "Yogini" refers to the divine feminine energy that assists spiritual practitioners in their journey toward enlightenment. Observing this fast with complete devotion is believed to awaken the yogic powers within oneself and establish a direct connection with the divine.
Preparation for the Fast
Mental and Physical Preparation
Begin preparing for Yogini Ekadashi at least three days in advance. This preparation involves both physical cleansing and mental purification. Take daily baths, preferably with Ganga jal (holy water from the Ganges) if available. Clean your home thoroughly, especially the puja room or the area where you'll perform the rituals.
Dasami Day Observances
On the day before Ekadashi (called Dasami), consume only one meal, preferably before sunset. This meal should be simple, sattvic food - avoid onion, garlic, meat, alcohol, and excessive spices. Spend time in meditation or reading sacred texts to prepare your mind for the upcoming fast.
The Complete Fasting Procedure
Early Morning Rituals (Brahma Muhurta - 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM)
Wake up during Brahma Muhurta and begin with personal hygiene. Take a purifying bath while chanting:
Ganga Mantra:
गङ्गे च यमुने चैव गोदावरि सरस्वति। नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरि जलेऽस्मिन् सन्निधिं कुरु॥
Transliteration: Gange cha Yamune chaiva Godavari Saraswati,
Narmade Sindhu Kaveri jale'smin sannidhim kuru
Hindi Meaning: हे गंगा, यमुना, गोदावरी, सरस्वती, नर्मदा, सिंधु और कावेरी नदियों! इस जल में अपनी उपस्थिति प्रदान करें।
English Meaning: O rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu, and Kaveri! Please manifest your sacred presence in this water.
Setting Up the Sacred Space
Create a clean altar facing east or north. Place an image or murti of Lord Vishnu, preferably in his four-armed form. Arrange fresh flowers, preferably lotus, marigold, or jasmine. Light a ghee lamp and incense sticks.
Morning Prayers and Invocation
Begin the puja by invoking Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles:
Ganesha Mantra:
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
Transliteration: Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha,
Nirvighnam kuru me deva sarvakaryeshu sarvada
Hindi Meaning: हे वक्रतुंड, महाकाय, सूर्य की करोड़ों किरणों के समान तेजस्वी देव! मेरे सभी कार्यों में सदा विघ्न हरण करें।
English Meaning: O curved-tusked, mighty-bodied one, radiant as millions of suns! Remove obstacles from all my endeavors always.
Main Vishnu Puja
After invoking Ganesha, begin the main worship of Lord Vishnu:
Vishnu Dhyana Mantra:
शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम्। लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यं वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम्॥
Transliteration: Shantakaram bhujagashayanam padmanabham suresham,
Vishvadharam gaganasadrisham meghavarnam shubhangam,
Lakshmikantam kamalanayanam yogibhir dhyanagamyam,
Vande Vishnum bhavabhayaharam sarvalokaikanatham
Hindi Meaning: शांत आकार वाले, शेषनाग पर शयन करने वाले, कमल नाभि वाले, देवों के ईश्वर, जगत के आधार, आकाश के समान व्यापक, मेघ के समान वर्ण वाले, शुभ अंगों वाले, लक्ष्मी के पति, कमल नेत्र वाले, योगियों के ध्यान गम्य, भव भय को हरने वाले, सभी लोकों के एकमात्र नाथ श्री विष्णु की मैं वंदना करता हूं।
English Meaning: I bow to Lord Vishnu, who is peaceful in form, rests on the serpent Shesha, has a lotus arising from his navel, is the lord of gods, supports the universe, is vast like the sky, has the color of clouds, possesses auspicious limbs, is the beloved of Lakshmi, has lotus eyes, is accessible through meditation by yogis, removes the fear of worldly existence, and is the sole master of all worlds.
Also read - योगिनी एकादशी व्रत कथा | Yogini ekadashi vrat katha
Ekadashi Specific Mantras
Chant the following mantras specifically for Yogini Ekadashi:
Yogini Ekadashi Mantra:
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय एकादश्यै नमः। योगिन्यै एकादश्यै नमो नमः॥
Transliteration: Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya ekadashyai namah,
Yoginyai ekadashyai namo namah
Hindi Meaning: भगवान वासुदेव को नमस्कार, एकादशी को नमस्कार, योगिनी एकादशी को बारम्बार नमस्कार।
English Meaning: Salutations to Lord Vasudeva, salutations to Ekadashi, repeated salutations to Yogini Ekadashi.
Main Yogini Ekadashi Stotra:
योगिनी एकादशी त्वं सर्वपापप्रणाशिनी। भक्तानां मोक्षदात्री त्वं नमस्तुभ्यं सदा शिवे॥
Transliteration: Yogini Ekadashi tvam sarvapapapranashini,
Bhaktanam mokshadatri tvam namastubhyam sada shive
Hindi Meaning: हे योगिनी एकादशी! आप सभी पापों का नाश करने वाली हैं, भक्तों को मोक्ष देने वाली हैं। हे कल्याणकारी! आपको सदा नमस्कार है।
English Meaning: O Yogini Ekadashi! You are the destroyer of all sins and the giver of liberation to devotees. O auspicious one! Salutations to you always.
Fasting Rules and Guidelines
Complete Nirjala Fast (Waterless)
The most rigorous form involves abstaining from both food and water for the entire day. This is recommended only for those in good health and with prior fasting experience.
Phalahar (Fruit Fast)
For those unable to observe nirjala fast, consuming only fruits, milk, and nuts is acceptable. Avoid grains, vegetables, and salt completely.
Permitted Items During Fast
- Fresh fruits (except coconut if doing strict fast)
- Milk and milk products
- Nuts and dry fruits
- Water (if not doing nirjala)
- Rock salt (sendha namak) in minimal quantities
Prohibited Items
- All types of grains and cereals
- Vegetables including potatoes
- Regular salt
- Onion and garlic
- Non-vegetarian food
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Betel leaves and nuts
Daytime Spiritual Practices
Continuous Chanting
Throughout the day, engage in continuous chanting of the Maha Mantra:
Hare Krishna Maha Mantra:
हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे। हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे॥
Transliteration: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare,
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hindi Meaning: हे कृष्ण! हे राम! आपकी शक्ति का आह्वान करते हुए आपकी वंदना।
English Meaning: O Krishna! O Rama! I call upon your divine energy and offer my reverence.
Reading Sacred Texts
Spend time reading the Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu Sahasranama, or other Vishnu-related scriptures. If possible, organize or attend a spiritual discourse or bhajan session.
Evening Rituals and Aarti
Sunset Prayers
As evening approaches, perform the evening aarti with enhanced devotion:
Vishnu Aarti:
ॐ जय जगदीश हरे, स्वामी जय जगदीश हरे। भक्त जनों के संकट, दास जनों के संकट, क्षण में दूर करे॥
Transliteration: Om jai jagadish hare, swami jai jagadish hare,
Bhakta janon ke sankat, dasa janon ke sankat, kshana mein dur kare
Hindi Meaning: हे संसार के स्वामी! आपकी जय हो। भक्तों और दासों के संकट को क्षण भर में दूर कर देने वाले।
English Meaning: Victory to the Lord of the universe! You remove the troubles of devotees and servants in an instant.
Night Vigil (Jagran)
If possible, stay awake throughout the night in meditation, prayer, or chanting. This practice, called jagran, multiplies the spiritual benefits of the fast.
Night Meditation Mantra:
ॐ विष्णवे नमः। ॐ नारायणाय नमः। ॐ वासुदेवाय नमः। ॐ हरये नमः॥
Transliteration: Om Vishnave namah, Om Narayanaya namah,
Om Vasudevaya namah, Om Haraye namah
Hindi Meaning: विष्णु को नमस्कार, नारायण को नमस्कार, वासुदेव को नमस्कार, हरि को नमस्कार।
English Meaning: Salutations to Vishnu, salutations to Narayana, salutations to Vasudeva, salutations to Hari.
Breaking the Fast (Parana)
Determining the Correct Time
The fast should be broken on Dwadashi (the twelfth day) after sunrise, but before the Dwadashi tithi ends. Consult a reliable panchang (Hindu calendar) for exact timings, as breaking the fast at the wrong time can nullify its benefits.
Parana Procedure
Before consuming anything, offer prayers to Lord Vishnu:
Parana Mantra:
उत्तिष्ठ नारायण भो लोकनाथ जगन्मय। ब्रह्मण्य देव गोविन्द भक्तानामभयप्रद॥
Transliteration: Uttishtha Narayana bho lokanatha jaganmaya,
Brahmanya deva Govinda bhaktanamabhayaprada
Hindi Meaning: हे नारायण! हे लोकनाथ! हे जगन्मय! हे ब्राह्मणों के देव गोविंद! हे भक्तों को अभय देने वाले! कृपया उठिए।
English Meaning: Rise, O Narayana! O Lord of the worlds! O all-pervading one! O Govinda, deity of the Brahmins! O giver of fearlessness to devotees!
First Food Items
Break the fast with simple, pure foods:
- A few drops of water mixed with basil (tulsi) leaves
- Fresh fruits
- Milk with jaggery or sugar
- Light, easily digestible food
Spiritual Benefits and Significance
Yogini Ekadashi bestows numerous spiritual benefits upon sincere observers:
Material Benefits:
- Purification of past sins and negative karma
- Protection from evil influences and black magic
- Fulfillment of righteous desires
- Good health and longevity
- Prosperity and peace in family life
Spiritual Benefits:
- Enhancement of spiritual powers and intuition
- Faster spiritual progress and inner awakening
- Divine protection and guidance
- Liberation from the cycle of birth and death
- Attainment of higher consciousness
Special Considerations and Tips
For First-Time Observers
If you're observing Yogini Ekadashi for the first time, start with a fruit fast rather than a complete nirjala fast. Gradually build your capacity over subsequent Ekadashis.
Health Precautions
Pregnant women, nursing mothers, children under eight, elderly people with health issues, and those with medical conditions should consult their doctors before undertaking strict fasting. The spiritual intention matters more than the physical rigor.
Maintaining Sanctity
Avoid worldly entertainment, arguments, negative thoughts, and company during the fast. Maintain celibacy and speak only when necessary, preferably about spiritual matters.
Creating Sacred Atmosphere
Play devotional music softly, burn incense regularly, and keep the living space clean and peaceful. If possible, visit a Vishnu temple during the day for darshan and community prayers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong Timing: Breaking the fast at incorrect times
- Consuming Prohibited Items: Even unknowingly eating grains or vegetables
- Lack of Mental Preparation: Approaching the fast as mere ritual without devotion
- Negative Mindset: Complaining about hunger or difficulty
- Worldly Engagement: Watching television or engaging in mundane activities
Conclusion
Yogini Ekadashi represents one of the most powerful opportunities for spiritual advancement in the Hindu tradition. When observed with complete faith, proper procedures, and genuine devotion, this sacred fast becomes a transformative experience that purifies the soul and accelerates spiritual growth.
The key lies not just in the physical act of fasting, but in the complete surrender to the divine will, continuous remembrance of Lord Vishnu, and the sincere intention to progress spiritually. Through this ancient practice, devotees can experience the profound joy of divine connection and move closer to the ultimate goal of moksha.
Remember that the true essence of Ekadashi lies in disciplining the mind and senses while elevating consciousness toward the supreme reality. May this Yogini Ekadashi bring abundant blessings, spiritual insights, and divine grace into your life.
Final Prayer:
सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः। सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत्॥
Transliteration: Sarve bhavantu sukhinah sarve santu niramayah,
Sarve bhadrani pashyantu ma kashchid duhkha bhag bhavet
Hindi Meaning: सभी सुखी हों, सभी निरोग हों, सभी कल्याण देखें, कोई दुःख का भागी न हो।
English Meaning: May all be happy, may all be healthy, may all see auspiciousness, may none suffer from sorrow.
