What is Smartha ekadasi?

If you look at the Hindu calendar, you will see two Ekadashi markings. First day will usually be “Smarta Ekadashi” and the next “Vaishnava (or Bhagavat) Ekadashi. When the sun rises if it is the Ekadashi day then it is Smarta Ekadasi.

What is difference between Smartha and Vaishnava?

Ekadasi has two rules: Smartha and Vaishnava. The Smarta rule is simple – ekadasi should be visible at the time of local sunrise. The vaishnava follows ekadasi that is not contaminated by Dashami thithi. In other words, to the Vaishnavaites, ekadasi should be prevailing two hours before sunrise.

How do you fast for ekadasi?

The fast on this Ekadashi is observed for 24 hours without drinking water starting from the sunrise of the Ekadashi to the next morning. One evening before this Ekadashi, the people who do the fast offer a prayer and then eat just once in the day. The meal does not contain rice and lentils as they are prohibited.

Why do we fast on Ekadashi?

Fasting on Ekadashi helps to maintain a natural flow of fluids in the body and helps to maintain good health and a peaceful mind. Scientifically, fasting also helps to improve the functions of digestion, respiration, and circulation.

What is the meaning of Smartha?

Smarta has several meanings: Relating to memory. Recorded in or based on the Smriti. Based on tradition, prescribed or sanctioned by traditional law.

Is Lord Shiva a Vaishnava?

Shiva is neither a Vaishnava, nor he has any link with it. Bhakti cult envisages the deity ( whatever it may be to be Supreme.. Else such a devotion cannotbe obtained, so whatever the deity..

Can we sleep on Ekadashi?

Sleeping is prohibited because it adversely affects the human system. 2. As per popular belief, by observing fast on Ekadashis, one can counteract the negative influence that the influence of the moon generates. Fasting helps the mind to gain better meditation capacity.

Can I wash my hair on Ekadashi?

Those who are observing fast on Kamika Ekadashi should not eat grains. You should not get a haircut on Kamika Ekadashi day. Many women do not wash their hair as well on Kamika Ekadashi.

What can I eat on Ekadashi fast?

Ekadashi is a very powerful day to make progress in spirituality. During fasting days rice, whole wheat flour, pulses, cereal grains, onion, garlic etc are not eaten. Instead fruits, sabudana, makhana, milk and flours like singhare ka atta, kuttu ka atta, rajgira ka atta are consumed.

Are Smartha Brahmins?

The term Smarta also refers to Brahmins who specialize in the Smriti corpus of texts named the Grihya Sutras, in contrast to Shrauta Sutras. Smarta Brahmins with their focus on the Smriti corpus, contrast from Srauta Brahmins who specialize in the Sruti Corpus, that is rituals and ceremonies that follow the Vedas.

Which god do Brahmins worship?

Brahma, who is a Brahmin god, is also the prime originator of the ‘varna’ system which later solidified as the caste system. Brahmins used Brahma’s name as a pseudonym when they wrote the ‘vedas’.