[Advaita-l] Importance of ekAdashi vrata (upavAsa) in smartha sampradaya

[V Subrahmanian]

On Tue, Jan 6, 2026 at 8:56 AM Sathya Hadadi via Advaita-l <
advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org> wrote:

> Namaskara,
>
> 1. Please help me to understand the importance of ekAdashi vrata (upavAsa)
> in smartha sampradaya. Any reference to text will be appreciated.
> 2. Why none of the sankara matt offers dvadashi paarane (lunch at matt to
> break ekAdashi upavasa)?
>

In the Smarta tradition Ekadasi is not strictly imposed.  It is a voluntary
observation. Acharyas give advisory and extoll the benefit of the vrata at
the same time leaving the practice to the choice of the practitioner. The
ythāashakti nyāya is what is advocated: Nirjala ekadasi is the highest,
those who can't do that can do with fruit and milk or some dish not made of
rice to the extent possible. Hence, the dvādaśi paraṇe is not any affair in
Smarta sampradaya.

warm regards
subbu

>
> Thanks,
> Sathya
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