Many websites seem to simply demoralize individuals by publishing long lists of prohibited foods !
Srila Prabhupada gave us a simpler and easier formula for observing Ekadashi. Srila Prabhupada, understanding the inadequacies of the present day society, did not insist on a very strict following of Ekadashi, other than refraining from mainly rice, dhal and beans – expecting devotees to increase their hearing and chanting of the Lord’s names and pastimes. There is a variety of prohibited vegetables (carrot, eggplant, broccoli, etc.) mentioned in our scriptures esp the Kurma Purana, but Srila Prabhupada never enforced this rule, nor followed it himself. Thus it is acceptable on Ekadashi for devotees to consume any vegetable while refraining from mainly rice, bean and dhal. A complete fast, even from water was not expected by Srila Prabhupada or his followers. Still, if one is able to perform this austerity, with increased hearing and chanting it was very much appreciated by Srila Prabhupada.
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His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada has given some simple principles for observing all Ekadasis
“One should observe fasting on Ekadasi day, the eleventh day after the full moon and the eleventh day after the new moon, when no grains, cereals or beans are eaten. Simple vegetables and milk are taken in moderate amounts, and chanting of Hare Krishna, reading Scripture, etc. is increased.”
Excerpt From: His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. “Teachings of Lord Chaitanya.” Part I, Chapter 12
“In the Bhakti-sandarbha, by Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, there is a quotation from the Skanda Purāṇa admonishing that a person who eats grains on Ekādaśī becomes a murderer of his mother, father, brother and spiritual master, and even if he is elevated to a Vaikuṇṭha planet, he falls down. On Ekādaśī, everything is cooked for Viṣṇu, including regular grains and dal, but it is enjoined that a Vaiṣṇava should not even take viṣṇu-prasāda on Ekādaśī. It is said that a Vaiṣṇava does not accept anything eatable that is not offered to Lord Viṣṇu, but on Ekādaśī a Vaiṣṇava should not touch even mahā-prasāda offered to Viṣṇu, although such prasāda may be kept for being eaten the next day. It is strictly forbidden for one to accept any kind of grain on Ekādaśī, even if it is offered to Lord Viṣṇu.”
Excerpt From: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. “Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition” Adi 15.9 Purport
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Only …..No grains, cereals or beans !!
One may use spices for cooking.
It must be checked that certain foods are not cereals or legumes, for example locust beans and fenugreek spice are legumes.
You should not use powdered Asafoetida (hing), since it generally contains grains.
obviously they are excluded for every day also…
*Coffee, tea , onion, and garlic, meat, fish, eggs and alcohol*
chocolate is not ekadasi friendly as it comes from the cocoa bean.
Do not use any cooking ingredients that might be mixed with grains, such as ghee that has been used to fry puris, or spices touched by hands dusted with flour.
If you make your own spices powder that’s fine but I would NOT recommend purchasing it from shops as these have powdered grains in it.
* Some Milk powders, it is found, generally contains soy lecithin, a derivative of soy grain.* Corn starch – often used as a sweetener in many products. (Soft drinks…)* Starches made from corn or grains and products made from and mixed with these starches like ground spices and hing, baking soda, baking powder, custard, certain yogurts, puddings, cream cheese, candy.*
Each Templo Iskcon has internal regulations that may vary, also depending on place, time and circumstance.
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