Answer

Yes, Ekāshana means taking food only once in the day, while sitting in one place.

Traditionally, during Ekāshana, the meal should be completed in one sitting, without getting up and moving elsewhere. The exact time limit may vary by family, guru-paramparā, or local practice.

Explanation

If someone sits in one place for about 2 hours and eats only once during that sitting, many people may consider it Ekāshana in a general lay practice sense. However, in stricter observance, one should avoid unnecessarily stretching the meal for a very long time, because tapas is meant to cultivate:

• discipline,
• control over taste,
• simplicity in eating,
• reduction of attachment to food.

Spiritual Understanding

The purpose of Ekāshana is not merely “one meal,” but restraint of desire. So it is best to eat with awareness, simplicity, and within a reasonable time, without repeatedly extending the meal for taste or comfort.

Takeaway

For ordinary practice, sitting in one place and eating once may count as Ekāshana, but for proper observance, please follow the guidance of your guru, sādhu-sādhvījī, or family tradition.