Hindus are used to fasting on Ekadashi tithi (11th day of lunar cycle) to please lord Vishnu.
Even in puranas we find many stories relating to the importance of fasting on this particular day only.
This day comes when waning or waxing moon is in its 11th day of its 15 days cycle.
Why did sages and our ancestors insist fasting only on this day? Why not on any other day like 7th or 8th ?
Astrologically moon revolves around earth at the rate of 12 degrees per every 24 hours.
This period of 12 degree travel is called a tithi.
Moon when at 180 degrees away from Sun forms Fullmoon day and when conjoint with Sun forms Newmoon day.
During these 2 cycles we have already seen many instances where newmoon and fullmoon shows its impact and magnetic power of sea tides and human minds.
Because human body is 80% water, its always under the influence of moon.
It is also stated in Garuda Purana that all 7 oceans are in human body itself.
That is the reason behind moon being treated as mind controller in astrology.
Russian Scientist V.Yalinko did some research on this aspect and expressed his opinion :
” …. After collecting statistics on planes, I saw that the moments at which they had disappeared as distinct from ships, these are established with a precision of one – had something regularly about them.
Related to astrolomical phenomena or more precisely to the position in regard to each other of the Earth the Moon and the Sun.
It is known that the Sun and the Moon do not always exert the same influence on the Earth … “ (Dt. 9-1-1977)
On 11th day of each cycle moon forms trine with earth or sun.
From this day moon’s influence on liquids in our body and mind starts rising.
As long as important organs such as brain, digestive system function properly our body will never get any disease.
All diseases start with indigestion.
But from this 11th day our body gets into the magnetic pull of moon heavily and our digestive system doesnt secrete proper fluids that will help us digest our food.
From this 11th day till 5th day after newmoon or fullmoon day, moon will influence us maximum and imbalance our digestive system.
This will also cause decrease in brain’s functioning and cause weakness in memory, thought and decision making.
So, to avoid all these complications , its important to clean our digestive system on every 11th day of lunar cycle.
This helps our digestive system to clean up all the food and mess in our body till 10th day and adjust itself for the next 10 days of lunar influence.
On this day fasting should start with having only water(mixed with a pinch of salt and lime juice if possible).
Adding 1 spoon of salt + 1/2 slice lime juice in 2 litres of water and consuming only that throughout the day will flush out remainings in intestines and also prepare stomach area for next 10 days of stress.
Its important to clean stomach and intestines before fasting to make sure leftovers don’t cause any complication.
To divert mind from feelings like hunger, fatigue etc meditation is recommended on this day.