'Science of Sanatan Dharma' series - Article #1 : Science Underlying Ekadashi

Starting a new series on the auspicious day of Nirjala Ekadashi, today, May 31st, 2023.

After deciding on the articles that will be a part of this series a week back, I couldn’t have found a better day to start my latest series - “Science of Sanatan Dharma”.

Irrespective of the religions and beliefs of my readers and followers, I planned on writing articles under this series to make the public aware that “Sanatan Dharma” which is nothing but Hinduism, is not just a religion, but an entire belief system based on factual evidence i.e-science. Our ancestors were way more advanced and literate, with an abundance of knowledge, wisdom, and technology.

If you are a Hindu, believe in god, or an atheist, or a person who thinks that Sanatan Dharma is nothing but mythology and false scriptures, these series are especially for you. I am planning to include maximum topics as per my knowledge, but suggestions are open for new topics, or any curious questions relating to the series. Non-believers or secular people trying to find defects or criticize the series are warmly welcomed, for it is you all too, who have inspired me to start this series and enlighten people about the “Science of Sanatan Dharma”. I hope you like each and every article in this series.

Pls note: I ain't a missionary here to 'brainwash' anyone or force beliefs of Hinduism on people, the intention is purely to burst the bubble that Sanatan Dharma or Hinduism is false or myth, and not to force beliefs or scare people as done by many other religions. The decision to believe in Sanatan Dharma is solely upon the readers.

On the occasion of ‘Nirjala Ekadashi’, let’s begin with knowing what today is about, and the science behind it. As mentioned above, I strongly believe that Sanatan Dharma is nothing but science. Our recent ancestors might have caught themselves off guard after failing to read more about the beliefs that have been followed since ancient times, which is why we all have failed to look carefully that the rituals or beliefs that we follow, are not superstitious, or myths or just tasks-to-do, but are facts that stand on a strong ground of science.

What is Nirjala Ekadashi?

Ekadashi is the ‘eleventh day’ in Sanskrit, a day that occurs twice in one lunar month. Thus, there are 2 Ekadashis in one month, one as per Shukla Paksha, and the other as per Krishna Paksha. Ekadashi is specifically devoted to Lord Vishnu, the supreme god, the protector and provider of the Universe. Nirjala Ekadashi is a kind of Ekadashi where Lord Vishnu’s strict devotees observe a fast for a day, where they do not eat food, or drink water, while some devotees that are dedicated to following the fast but are suffering from some medical condition, choose to eat light foods that energize them and are not heavy on the digestive system.

How is ‘Nirjala Ekadashi’ related to Astronomy?

It is well-known science that the air pressure in the Earth’s atmosphere rapidly changes on both the new moon (Amavasya) and the full moon (Purnima) days, owing to the orbital paths—a combination of the sun, moon, and the Earth and their varying distances at particular intervals of 24 hrs. As per Hindu scriptures, the movement of the moon is directly correlated to the human mind, the moment when the human mind attains its maximum efficiency, thereby increasing brain capacity. According to astronomy, the moon revolves around the Earth at the rate of 12°/24 hrs. This period of 12° travel is referred to as ‘Tithi’ as per Hindus.

As the air pressure changes drastically on a daily basis, it does the same on Ekadashi, and the moon’s movement influences the tidal movement on Earth. This is the reason for the high and rough tides observed on Amavasya, which happens due to increased atmospheric pressure, and smooth, low tides observed on Purnima. On Nirjala Ekadashi, the air pressure is lighter. Now let me tell you the reason behind fasting on Ekadashi or Nirjala Ekadashi, as per biology!

Beautiful biology behind fasting on ‘Nirjala Ekadashi’:

The human body is one of the most beautiful creations of the universe; what is much more beautiful is the science that lies beneath the fasting on Ekadashis, including Nirjala Ekadashi. The human body consists of 80% water, which is controlled by the moon, just like the tides of an ocean. This is one of the major reasons that the moon is considered a celestial body which is of utmost importance on the psychological basis as per Sanatan Dharma. The atmospheric pressure is lowest on Nirjala Ekadashi, which is why the human body does not feel ‘pain’ or pressure on it. The digestive system finds it easier to ‘detox’ itself and digests earlier undigested foods, making it simpler to balance the digestive system. The bowel, liver, and stomach movement improves and relaxes the hardworking organs of the digestive system. Apart from this, scientists have evidence that due to the energy and field’s alteration, a full moon can lead to less deep sleep and a delay in entering into rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Not only the mind, but the moon’s movement also affects the cardiovascular system of humans, making them vulnerable to irregular rhythms or palpitations on new or full moon days. Thus, fasting helps control the hormonal release from the brain, control the mind, relax the digestive system, and take off the load from the cardiovascular system, altogether benefitting the individual fasting on Ekadashi.

Concluding, Ekadashi or Nirjala Ekadashi isn't based on mere rituals or myths, or false beliefs, it is strongly based on the relation of the human body (biology) and the movement of the moon (astronomy).

Now that I have explained to you all about Ekadashi as a part of my series the “Science of Sanatan Dharma”, making you realize that Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma is not just mythology, false beliefs, scriptures, etc. but a strong scientific field, I hope that you all gain a different perspective towards “Sanatan Dharma” from now onwards, and are open-minded to think about the science underlying any belief, scripture, ritual, etc. I know that many of you can establish a foundation that Science is the core of Sanatan Dharma, and will continue relating scientific theories and possibilities henceforth, before claiming that a particular ritual or belief is bogus or myth.

Looking forward to enlighten you furthermore with more such interesting and intriguing scientific articles. Thank you for reading.

Good luck!

- Rachna Jadhav

@theresilientresearcher