ASTA VARSADHIKO MARTYO APURNA ASITI VATSARAH
EKADASYAM UPAVASET PAKSAYOR UBHAYOR API

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 12/75 from KATYAYANA SMRTI)

 From the age of eight to the age of eighty, a person should fast on all of the Ekadasis on both the light and the dark parts of the month.

This term is called ativada, which means that it is for everyone - eight to eighty really means everyone.

VAISNAVO VATHA SAIVO VA KURYAD EKADASI VRTAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 12/78 from VISNU DHARMOTTARA)

Whether one is a Vaisnava or a Saivite, everyone should fast on Ekadasi day.

EKA BHUKTENA NAKTENA BALA VRDDHA ATURAH KSIPET
PAYO MULA PHALAIR VAPI NA NIRDVAD ASIKO BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 12/91 from MARKANDEYA PURANA)

 A child, an old man or a person unable to fast can take something to eat in the evening or once in the day, whether it be milk, fruit or water, but should properly follow the Ekadasi fast. One should not give up fasting on Ekadasi.

Another translation to this verse is that; ideally one should fast entirely, but if one cannot do that then take air; if one cannot subsist on air alone take water; if one cannot subsist on air and water alone then take fruit; and if one cannot subsist on air, water and fruit alone, one may take milk; if for some reason one cannot just subsist on air, water, fruits and milk, then one may take ghee; but under no circumstances to take grain.

VYADHIBHIK PARIBHUTANAM PITTA ADHIKA SARIRINAM
TRINSAD VARSADHIKANAN CA NAKTA-ADI PRIKALPANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 12/93 from BAUDHAYANA SMRTI)

 Any person who is diseased, or who is dominated by bile or who has aged more than thirty years (after householder life), they are advised to eat in the evening on the Ekadasi day, this is to maintain a healthy body to continue their service.

 Srila Sanatana Gosvami remarks, "Aging more than thirty years means after household life ends. This is understood to be around sixty years of age, so thirty years added to that is ninety years." Furthermore, "One should go to the forest at the ate of fifty". According to this statement, a grhastha's life is said to be fifty years, that is he has decided to live in his family life until the age of fifty. Even then, if one adds thirty years, if becomes eighty years. Therefore, fasting is recommended until a minimum age of eighty.

If one is sick, or weak then one may also take some minimal foodstuffs as suggested above, but not grains. As supported below.

ASTA ETANY AVRTAGHNANI APO MULAM PHALAM PAYAH
HAVIR BRAHMANA KAMYA CA GUROR VACANAM AUSADHAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 12/100 from MAHABHARATA, UDYOGA PARVA)

 Water, fruits, roots, milk, ghee, the request of a brahmana, the order of a spiritual master and medicine do not wane one's fast.

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The Ekadasi Page:

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati's Navadwip Panjika Intro'

Vaishnava Calendar Page
Ekadasi Vratas according to Hari Bhakti Vilas smriti
Ekadasis Throughout the year in detail - their observances, benefits, and individual origin

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