Fasting is called upavas in Sanskrit, or vrata, fasting being one of
the strongest, most intense spiritual travels provided in Hinduism.
Derived from Hindu metaphysics that looks into the relationship between
the body, mind, and transcendent reality, fasting serves as the heart of
the discipline.
The Metaphysical Basis of FastingAccording
to Hindu philosophy, the human being is beyond the physical body.
According to the Taittiriya Upanishad, five interconnected layers,
called "koshas", actually constitute a person: the physical body
(annamaya kosha), the vital energy (pranamaya kosha), the mind (manomaya
kosha), the intellect (vijnanamaya kosha), and bliss (anandamaya
kosha). Fasting acts upon these levels, starting with the physical but
finally reaching consciousness itself.
In the essence, the
Bhagavad Gita (6.16-17) states: "Yoga is not for one who eats too much
or too little, nor for one who sleeps too much or too little. For one
who is moderate in eating and recreation, in his efforts in actions, and
in sleep and wakefulness, yoga becomes a destroyer of suffering."
Different Ways of Fasting in Hindu Tradition1. Ekadashi Vrata-The 11th day of every lunar fortnight is dedicated for fasting for Lord Vishnu.
2.
Shivratri Upavasa-that is on 14th night of the dark fortnight in
Phalguna month 3. Nine days of Navratri fasting in honor of the Divine
Mother 4. Karva Chauth-for married women for longevity of their husbands
5. Purnima Vrata-Fasting on full moon days
"Fast in Ekadashi,
and you will surely absolve every sin and attain the Supreme Lord
Vishnu" (Skanda Purana, Vaishnava Khanda, 4.75.15-16).
Purposes of FastingPhysical Purification The
mind purifies itself when food is pure; the mind purifies memory
performance when it is pure. All these give the idea of the purification
of the body. In that, sleeping was compared with periods of fasting:
"Cleanliness in the body through fasting."
This is where the
central idea of agni or digestion comes as he burns the food eaten by
the body. According to Charaka Samhita, fast burns everything in
impurities in the body and subtle karmic residue; thus, middle
fire-agnis-reference.
Mental DisciplineWillpower
and concentration are developed through fasting. The immediate
gratification is voluntarily denied by the fast to improve the mental
strength to go forward to a "higher" goal namely spirituality.
"The
purification includes the separation of the impurities of the body, so
that it can be purified by the holding of the highest merits, thus gives
rise to exceptional faculties of the sense organs" (Yoga Sutras of
Patanjali, 2.43).
Spiritual ElevationThis perhaps
may be the most critical category, as it causes the aware movement from
gross to subtle, meaning that when bodily demands are suspended, then
the consciousness comes closer to flying high.
Thus is
characterized as "sattvic tapas" (Bhagavad Gita 17.5-6): "Worship of the
gods, the twice-born, teachers and the wise; purity,
straightforwardness, celibacy, and non-violence-these are said to be the
austerity of the body"
Adapting this Modernized Hindu Fasting, You can start integrating practices of Hindu fast into your daily life:
1. Partial fasts-of fruits or some foods only.
2. The fast has a higher spiritual significance beyond just practice.
3. Use fasting time for meditation, prayer or scripture study.
4. Identify the purpose behind every fast.
About
fast: "Fasting purifies a man's heart; from the pure heart, knowledge
and detachment grow spontaneously." (Bhagavata Purana 11.18.18) .
Conclusion Hindu
fasting is far more than abstaining from food; it has a complete and
multilevel approach to purification within existence itself. Fasting
accounts not only for cleansing the physical body but also the mind and
upward advances toward the ultimate reality through elevating the
consciousness.
That rising is the symbol of the final aspect of
Hindu spirituality: the pathway from the gross to the subtle, from the
limited to the limitless, and from the time-bound to the eternal.l.,
thus goes the line: "Fast, and high rises the vital air of a man."
(Chandogya Upanishad 6.7.1).
In one simple and yet deep entry
into this thousand-year-old tradition of self-realization, fasting would
probably be one of the most immediate ways to approach Hindu practices
for those who wish to radically adopt them.
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