Sapta Bhumika is the seven stages in the process of liberation in the Yoga system. Bhumika means ‘a stage in a process’. The first stage is shubhechha (auspicious desire). The second is vicharana (discussion with learned and the adept). The third is tanumanasi (suppression of physical sensual passions). The next stage is sattva patti (attainment of sattva quality). The fifth stage is named asamsakti (non attachment of the mind to sensuous objects). The sixth is padartha bhavini (introspection of the truth). The final stage is turiya (fourth stage of Absolute or negation of diversity and experience of unity). These seven stages are inter-related and form a chain. First, there is a desire to know something nobler than the ordinary life. Naturally, one seeks the guidance of learned and experienced seniors. Their guidance leads to the weakening of passions. As a result, the sattva quality (purity as against passion and passivity) becomes strong. The natural consequence is non

Hatkeshwar Jayanti is an auspicious day observed by the Nagar Community residing mainly in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh in  India . Hatkeshwar is Lord Shiva. Nagars observe the day Lord Shiva appeared on earth in the form of Hatkeshwar Shivling as Hatkeshwar Jayanti Day. In 2023, Hatkeshwar Jayanti is on April 5. The festival is also known as Hatkeshwar Patotsav and it is celebrated on Chaitra Shukla Chaudas, the fourteenth day during the waxing phase of moon in Chaitra month. It is the date of incarnation of Lord Hatkeshwar. The highlight of the festival includes Satsangs, procession and Mahaprasad. Once creation came to a stand still, everyone went to Shiva to find a solution. Shiva asked them to worship him in the form of a Shivling. Brahma created a Shivling made up of gold, i.e Hatak. This shivling was called Hatkeshwar. The glory and greatness of this manifestation of Shiva is found in the Nagar Chapter of Skanda Purana. You can read the story of Hatkeshwar

Hema Saraswati was a renowned 13 th century Assamese poet. He was the one of the first and oldest poet of Assamese literature. Hema Saraswati lived during the reign of Durlabhanarayana (1300 CE), the king of Kamatapur (Assam). He was the son of Rudra Sarasvati or Pashupatia and was patronized by this king, and lived in his court. Prahladacaritra was the first kavya (poem) of Hema Saraswati and it is believed to be the very first literary work in Assamese. In this work of a hundred verses, he describes the story of Prahlada and his father Hiranyakashipu and mentions that it was drawn from Vamana Purana. In Prahlada Charitra, he highlights the devotion of Prahlada to Bhagavan Vishnu and the latter’s incarnation as Narasimha to protect his devotee. In this work, he also praises his patron and king. The bigger and more famous poem of Hema Saraswati is the ‘Hara Gauri Samvadha’, consisting of about nine hundred verses and based on several Puranas. This work reveals more maturity and

A collection of thoughts and quotes on Ram Navami. Rama means ‘Sarveshu Ramante Iti Ramah’ – that which revels in everyone of us, the pure light of consciousness, the Atman, the Self, the Atma–Rama. This spiritual essence in us can come out only as a son of Dasaratha, one who has conquered all the ten indriyas – five Jnanendriyas and the five Karmendriyas. (Swami Chinmayananda) ..be it man, woman or ‘one lacking the characteristics of both’ or for the matter of that, any living being whatsoever, of the animate or the inanimate world, he who adores Me with all his being, giving up all guile is supremely dear to Me.. (Uttara Kanda, Doha 87, Lord Rama says) The essential principle behind all of Sri Rama’s actions, the value that He cherished the most, was ‘Dharma.’ He said that He could give all else, for the sake of Dharma. Even Maricha, His enemy said that He was the embodiment of Dharma (ramo vigrahavan dharmah). Dharma is what integrates and creates harmony – within ou

You are the Imperishable, the Supreme, the One to be known. You are the supreme Refuge of this universe. You are the ever-unchanging Guardian of the Eternal Dharma. You are, I know, the ancient Being. (Bhagavad Gita Chapter XI – Verse 18) Arjuna in his vision sees the Deity possessed with infinite forms and attributes. But that vision is so illuminating that he perceives (through the power of faith) even the attributeless Deity referred to in this verse. He sees Bhagavan as the Imperishable, beyond time and change, the One object, the One to be known by all seekers of freedom. You are that Knowledge in which everything is known. You are the supreme Refuge of the universe, the unchanging Guardian of Religion. The universe is safe because it rests in You; as long as You are, the universe will be; and dharma, or religion, is also safe. It may be partly hidden for a time, but You are its undying Guardian. Your eye is ever watchful and therefore dharma can never be entirely destroyed. I

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Thursday, 6 April 2023 – It is Purnima tithi or the full moon day in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Purnima tithi or the full moon day till 9:44 AM on April 6. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Pratipada tithi or the first day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 10:01 AM on April 7. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on April 6, 2023 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Hasta or Atham or Hastam nakshatra till 12:32 PM on April 6. Then onward it is Chitra or Chithirai or Chithira nakshatra till 1:23 PM on April 7. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Hasta or Atham or Hastam nakshatra till 12:42 PM on April 6. Then onward it is Chitra or Chithirai or Chi

In many stories associated with Goddess Kali or Bhadrakali in Kerala, her mount or vehicle or vahana is a Vedalam. As per these stories, Goddess Bhadrakali appeared from the third eye of Shiva to annihilate demon Darikasura. She chose a Vedalam (Vethalam) residing in the Kailash Mountain as her vahana. When Goddess Kali asked Vedalam whether he will be able to carry her, the Vedalam replied that he is capable of carrying her and her entire army on his back. The Vedalam was in a state of perpetual hunger for thousands of years and Goddess Kali promised him that he will be served the heart and liver of the demon at the end of the war. Vedalam carried Goddess Bhadrakali to the fort of the demon. The Goddess was blessed with eighteen different types of weapons by Shiva. An unimaginable and never before seen war was fought between the demon and the Goddess for seven days. The demon lost the strength of an elephant at the end of each day of the battle. On the eighth day, Goddess Bhadrakali

 In Hinduism, mukti is liberation from worldly bondages and suffering. As per Hindu philosophy, birth is considered as bondage (Bhagavad Gita II.51). Therefore, when one is liberated from the endless cycle of births and rebirths, a person attains mukti. According to Advaita Vedanta, liberation is of two types – jivanmukti and vedehamukti. Avidya (nescience or delimited knowledge) is the root cause of the world. Liberation is to become free from the clutches of avidya. Jivanmukta is emancipation during one’s lifetime. Videhamukti is deliverance through a release from the body. In Vasihnava philosophy, mukti is four kinds – salokya, samipya, sarupya and sayujya. When a sadhaka (aspirant) dwells in the same world as God, it is called salokya. Samipya means staying close to God. In sarupya mukti, the aspirant acquires equality in power and all the divine attributes of God (Chandogya Upanishad II.20.2). Ultimately, one attains intimate union with God, the sayujya kind of liberation.

Kaldand Yog is considered a bad and inauspicious period in Hindu astrology. This yog is calculated based on nakshatra or birth star. The time period of Kaldand Yog is till the nakshatra on the particular day. Kaldand Yog time period is to be avoided for travels, exams and financial dealings. The time is also not good for the first meeting with a person or family. All kinds of investments, openings etc should be avoided during the time period. Kaldand Yoga happens when -  Bharani nakshatra falls on Sunday or Ravivar Ardra or Arudhara or Thiruvathira nakshatra falls on Monday or Somvar Magha nakshatra falls on Tuesday or Mangalvar Chitra or Chithirai or Chithira nakshatra falls on Wednesday or Budhwar Jyeshta or Kettai or Triketta nakshatra falls on Thursday or Guruvar Abhijit nakshatra falls on Friday or Shukravar Purvabhadrapada or Pooruruttathi nakshatra falls on Saturday or Shanivar. Kaldand Yog is present only when the corresponding nakshatra is present on the particular day of a w

O Bhagavan of the universe, O Universal Form, I see You with manifold arms, stomachs, mouths and eyes, bound less on every side; I see neither Your beginning, nor middle nor end. (Bhagavad Gita Chapter XI – Verse 16) Yes, that also Bhagavan has told Arjuna. ‘I am the Spirit dwelling in the heart of all beings. I am the beginning, the middle and the end of all beings’.   Indeed it is so. .You are all, Bhagavan. All these warriors, friends and foes are but Yourself. Formerly I saw the mask; now I see You behind the mask. Formerly I saw the appearance; now I see the real. You are eating through all mouths, seeing through all eyes. Who is fighting with whom? It is You Yourself; it is Your magic play. You are putting on these different forms of warriors and therefore. I see You with diadem, mace and discus; a mass of radiance shining everywhere dazzling to the sight, blazing all around like burning fire and sun, and immeasurable. (Bhagavad Gita Chapter XI – Verse 17) Glorious, gloriou

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Wednesday, 5 April 2023 – It is Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi tithi or the fourteenth day during waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi tithi or the fourteenth day during waxing or light phase of moon till 8:55 AM on April 5. Then onward it is Purnima tithi or the full moon day till 9:44 AM on April 6. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on April 5, 2023 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time till 9:19 AM.  Nakshatra  – Uttara Phalguni or Uthram nakshatra till 11:10 AM on April 5. Then onward it is Hasta or Atham or Hastam nakshatra till 12:32 PM on April 6. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Uttaraphalguni or Uthram nakshatra till 11:23 AM on April

Damnak Chaturdashi is a Hindu auspicious day which falls on the 14th day of the Shukla Paksha (Waxing Phase of moon) in Chaitra month (March – April). In 2023, the date of Damnak Chaturdashi is April 5. The day is of great significance to certain Hindu communities in Odisha, Maharashtra and North India . Special pujas and rituals are performed on the day. Every year on Bishnu Damanak Chaturdashi(Chaitra Shukla Chaturdashi), Mother Goddess Hingula gives darshan to Her devotees in a state of burning fire at a spot near Hingula temple in Gopalprasad, around 14 km from Talcher in Odisha. On Shukla Chaturdashi of Chaitra month, Goddess Hingula, who is present at Puri Temple Kitchen, takes leave from Puri Jagannath Temple kitchen and gives 'darshan' to devotees here in form of burning fire. Before some days of the Chaturdashi, Maa appears near the temple and informs the chief 'Dehury' about the location of the burning spot which is kept surrounded with heaps of co

Panihati Cheda, or Dahi Utsav, is held in Jyestha month (May – June) in ISKCON temples. The festival commemorate the meeting of Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami with Sri Nityananda Prabhu in Panihati Village on the banks of Ganga River near Kolkata. Sri Nityananda Prabhu is believed to an incarnation of Bhagavan Balarama. Srila Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami was an ardent devotee Bhagavan and one of the six Goswamis of Vrindavan or first followers of Chaitanya Maha Prabhu. Together the Six Goswamis established the philosophical writings and records which became the theological basis of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. Among the six, Raghunatha dasa was renowned for his qualities of simplicity and renunciation. Once when Sri Nityananda Prabhu was in Panihati Village, Srila Raghunatha visited the village and sat far away hidden from Sri Nityananda Prabhu. But Sri Nityananda Prabhu easily recognized Srila Raghunatha Goswami and told him that he needed to be punished for hiding from him. Sri N

Raghavanka was a famous Kannada poet of the late 12 th to early 13 th century CE. He was a poet in the Hoysala court and is credited for popularizing the use of shatpadi meter (six line verse). He was a nephew and protege of the noted early 12-century Kannada poet Harihara. Four long poems of Raghavanka, written in the shatpadi meter are extant. These are – Hariscandrakavya, Viresacarite, Siddharma Charitra and Somanatha Charitre. Two other poems, Sarabha Charitra and Harihara Mahattva are also attributed to him, but they are not available now. Raghavanka engaged vardhaka sapadi, a six line meter for the first time in Kannada language. The meter is best suited for long narratives, as it is possible to contrive variations in rhythm, and medieval Kannada perfectly flows in it. Hariscandrakavya is Raghavanka’s best known work. As the title indicates, it is about the struggles of King Harishchandra to prove this truthfulness. The king is put to hardships of all kinds by supernatura

Then Dhanajaya, overpowered with wonder, and his hair standing on end, bending down his head in awe to the Deity, spoke with folded hands. (Bhagavad Gita Chapter XI – Verse 14) And now Arjuna declares his own experience. He is filled with wonder and awe. But soon that wonder makes room for ecstasy. His soul is lifted up to higher spheres. Divine energy flows through him. He cannot contain himself. He must give utterance to that exalted feeling. His heart flows over and he begins to sing the praises of Bhagavan, relating all that passes before his vision. And so… Arjuna said: O Bhagavan! In Your body I see all the gods, as well as multitudes of all kinds of beings; Bhagavan Brahma seated on the lotus throne, all the rishis and all the celestial serpents. (Bhagavad Gita Chapter XI – Verse 15) Omnipresent and all-containing Bhagavan, in Your body I see all the devas and all forms, animate and inanimate. Outside of You, nothing exists. Even Lord Brahma, the Creator of the universe,

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Tuesday, 4 April 2023 – It is Shukla Paksha Trayodashi tithi or the thirteenth day during waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Trayodashi tithi or the thirteenth day during waxing or light phase of moon till 7:41 AM on April 4. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi tithi or the fourteenth day during waxing or light phase of moon till 8:55 AM on April 5. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on April 4, 2023 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Purva Phalguni or Pooram nakshatra till 9:22 AM on April 4. Then onward it is Uttaraphalguni or Uthram nakshatra till 11:10 AM on April 5. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Raj

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Punyadin is the death anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who established the Maratha Empire during the 17th century and kindled the spirit of self-rule among Hindus who were being governed by foreign rulers. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Punyadin 2023 date as per Hindu Tithi is on April 3. It is observed on the Chaitra Shukla Paksha Trayodashi tithi or the thirteenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Chaitra month (March – April). The Mughals had expanded their territory till the Deccan Peninsula. Emperor Aurangzeb wanted to include the powerful Maratha empire within his empire. But the presence of one person stood as an impenetrable wall between him and his dream of accession and that was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji fought and annexed the various Islamic Sultanates of Deccan forming the first Maratha confederacy. It was during his time that the Hindavi Swarajya (self-rule of Hindu people) was established, and a brand-new era of

Panguni Uthiram is an important Tamil festival observed in the Tamil month of Panguni (March – April). Panguni Uthiram 2023 date is April 5. Panguni Uthiram celebrates the wedding of important deities in the Hindu religion. The religious importance of the day is that the Uthiram Nakshatra (star) coincides with the full moon day (Poornima, or Purnima). The day is of great significance in majority of Hindu Temples in Tamil Nadu. Divine Weddings on Panguni Uthiram Hindu Scriptures like the Puranas and the two epics – Mahabharat and Ramayan – indicate that the auspicious day of Poornima and Uthiram star coinciding in the month of Panguni (March – April) is the day when most divine weddings had taken place. It is widely believed that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvathi on this day in this region. Another legend indicates that Lord Muruga married Devasena on the day. It is also believed that Lord Rama married Sita on this day. Another important wedding that took plac

Sarana Siddharama is a great Virashaiva devotee, saint and mystic of the 12 th century CE. Sarana Siddharama engaged himself in social services. He was born to an old couple in an agricultural family of a remote village, Sonnalige, was given the name of Dhulimakala, a local community God at his birth. He was a dull, taciturn and lonely boy and was engaged in grazing cattle. Esoteric experience and complete surrender to God Mallikarjuna gave Sarana   Siddharama inner strength and scientific insight to work for the welfare of his fellow beings. He undertook a number of development programs, such as building irrigation tanks and wells, laying flower gardens, constructing roads and public dormitories for the use of travelers and destitute, organizing marriages for the commoners, undertaking relief works for the poor and the uncared for, and arranging for defraying debts of the forlorn. His attitudes, thoughts and actions changed as a result of his encounter with a great mystic, Allamapr

Sanjaya said: O King, having spoken thus, Hari, the Great Lord of yoga, then showed to Partha His supreme Ishvara form. (Bhagavad Gita Chapter XI – Verse 9) Sanjaya then tells King Dhritarashtra that after Sri Krishna, the Great Lord of Yoga (Maha Yogeshwara) has spoken to Arjuna; the supreme form of Ishvara begins to reveal itself. We must not forget that God in His highest absolute state is without form. But through His yoga power He appears to have infinite forms and attributes. And among these forms, that seen by Arjuna is the highest. Sanjaya calls Sri Krishna Hari. One of the meanings of Hari is ‘one who removes’. And Krishna is so called because He removes ignorance, the source of man’s suffering. Endowed with divine sight Arjuna then sees the Ishvara form. And what does he see? He sees a form. With many mouths and eyes, with many wondrous sights, with many celestial ornaments and with celestial weapons up lifted. (Bhagavad Gita Chapter XI – Verse 10) Wearing celestial ga

Saranagti is the concept of absolute surrender to Hindu God Vishnu (Ishwara). It means seeking refuge, and in religion and philosophy it has come to denote seeking refuge in Paramatma. It is particularly held sacred by Vishnu devotees (Vaishnavas) as the surest means of liberation from births and deaths. Through this act of absolute surrender, the grace of Paramatma Vishnu is believed to be accessible to all. The act of self-surrender signifies a resolve to follow the will of Bhagavan Vishnu as revealed in the knowledge texts, to believe that Paramatma will save one, to seek help from him and him alone, and to yield up one’s spirit to him in all humility. The doctrine of surrender finds a place in many Hindu knowledge texts. Svetasvatara Upanishad declares that, desirous of salvation, one seeks refuge in him, who created Brahma in the beginning and taught Vedas. Taittiriya Upanishad states that surrender is supreme among all austerities, and recites the holy chant for performing th

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Monday, 3 April 2023 – It is Shukla Paksha Dwadashi tithi or the twelfth day during waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Dwadashi tithi or the twelfth day during waxing or light phase of moon till 6:01 AM on April 3. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Trayodashi tithi or the thirteenth day during waxing or light phase of moon till 7:41 AM on April 4. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on April 3, 2023 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Magha or Makam nakshatra till 7:10 AM on April 3. Then onward it is Purva Phalguni or Pooram nakshatra till 9:22 AM on April 4. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Magha or Makam nakshatra t

Hanuman Jayanti 2023 date based on Hindu Calendar - India Standard Time. Hanuman Jayanthi is the birthday of Lord Hanuman and it is observed on the full moon (Purnima) day in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March – April) as per traditional lunar Hindu calendar. In 2023, the date of Hanuman Jayanthi is April 6. Lord Hanuman is also known as Bajrang Bali and Anjaneya and is one of the most popular gods in Hinduism. He is a Chiranjeevi – one blessed with immortality. Hanuman Jayanti 2023 observed during Different Dates in a Year In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana , Hanuman Jayanti is observed after a 41-day Deeksha which begins on Chaitra Purnima (April 6, 2023). Hanuman Jayanti in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in 2023 is on May 14. ( Read more about Hanuman Jayanti in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana here .) In  Odisha , Hanuman Jayanti is observed during Vishuba Sankranti (April 15). Hanuman Jayanti is also observed some communities during  Diwali  (November 11, 2023). This is ob

Bhagvan Shri Swaminarayan was born on Chaitra 9 in Vikram Samvat 1837 (3rd April 1781 AD) on the occasion of Ram Navami. Bhagvan Swaminarayan is the central figure of Swaminarayan sect and is an incarnation of the Supreme Being. In 2023, Bhagwan Swaminarayan Jayanti date is March 30. About his mission by Swaminarayan in his own words The earlier avatars incarnated to serve a specific purpose; however, My present incarnation is to Brahmanise (realization of Supreme Being) the Jivas and grant them ultimate salvation. For this mission, I, the Purushottam, transcending Aksharbrahma, have assumed a human form. During his stay on earth, Bhagwan Swaminarayan enlightened millions of souls and his immortal teachings continue to inspire millions around the world. Apart from spreading the message of Sanatana Dharma, he was also indulged in eradicating numerous social vices and correcting numerous unhealthy practices which were practiced in the name of Hinduism. Bhagv

Atman is realized through the cultivation of four essential primary qualifications (sadhana-catustaya). Discrimination between the Real and the unreal. Non-attachment to the result or fruits of enquiry by personal desires, worldly or otherworldly. Cultivation of the six psycho-ethical virtues such as calmness of mind, control of the senses and forbearance of all difficulties on the way without agitation or reaction. Intense desire to be free from all bondages, material and spiritual (mumuksutva). The Atman is to be realized by hearing about the Truth from the scriptures and competent spiritual authorities, deep reflection on it rationally and resorting to necessary concentrated meditational practices. (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, 2.4.5) The Brihadaranyaka and Chandogya Upanishads exhort, Yat sakshat aparokshat brahma ya atma sarvantarah; The Atman, which is the directly perceived and immediate Brahman within the in most core of all beings [is to be searched for]. (3.4.1-2); S

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Sunday, 2 April 2023 – It is Shukla Paksha Dwadashi tithi or the twelfth day during waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Ekadashi tithi or the eleventh day during waxing or light phase of moon till 4:03 AM on April 2. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Dwadashi tithi or the twelfth day during waxing or light phase of moon till 6:01 AM on April 3. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on April 2, 2023 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Ashlesha or Ayilyam nakshatra till 4:42 AM on April 2. Then onward it is Magha or Makam nakshatra till 7:10 AM on April 3. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Ashlesha or Ayilyam nak

Kamada Ekadashi is observed during the waxing phase of moon in March/April. In 2023, the date of Kamada Ekadashi is April 1. In some regions, this Ekadashi is observed on April 2. It is said in the scriptures that observing Kamada Ekadasi will help in getting rid of sins and increasing virtue. The greatness of this Ekadasi fasting was narrated to Yudhishtira by Lord Krishna and is mentioned in the Varaha Purana.  The Vrat is also known as Phalada Ekadasi as people will have their wishes fulfilled after observing it. Important Points on Kamada Ekadasi? On this day, Lord Vishnu is worshipped in the Vasudev Form. Observing this Ekadasi helps in alleviating all problems in life. Bhagavan blesses the devotee with peace and prosperity. What to do on Kamada Ekadasi Vrat? The day before Kamada Ekadasi, the person should have a single meal without rice or grains. The devotee should meditate, read stories of Vishnu and chant mantras of Vishnu. On Ekadasi day one should wake up