History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.377

v6.c81.377

Knowing the weakness of human beings, sages relaxed the rule of an absolute fast on ekādaśī. The Nāradapurāṇa²⁵¹ says 'roots, fruits, milk and water may be partaken of (on ekādaśī) by great sages, but no sages have said that on ekādaśī cooked food may be taken' The Vāyupurāṇa²⁵² provided 'partaking of haviṣya food at night, food other than boiled rice, fruits, sesame, milk, water, ghee, pañca-gavya, air—each succeeding one is here (i. e in ekādaśī) more commendable (than each preceding one)'. Baudhāyana²⁵³ declares that those who are unable to observe a complete fast (on ekādaśī) or who are over 80 years of age should resort to ekabhakta and the other (alternatives). The Matsya provides ²⁵⁴ that those who are unable to fast (on ekādaśī) should prefer to take food by the nakta method and if a person is ill, he should make his son and others to undertake the fast (on his behalf). Who can act as *pratinidhis* in the case of a vrata has already been described above (pp 53-54)