Most
devout Indians fast regularly or on special occasions like festivals. On such
days they do not eat at all, eat once or make do with fruits or a special diet
of simple food.
Fasting
in Sanskrit is called upavaasa. Upa means
"near" + vaasa means "to stay". Upavaasa
therefore means staying near (the Lord), meaning the attainment of
close mental proximity with the Lord. Then what has upavaasa to
do with food?
A lot
of our time and energy is spent in procuring food items, preparing, cooking,
eating and digesting food. Certain food types make our minds dull and agitated.
Hence on certain days man decides to save time and conserve his energy by
eating either simple, light food or totally abstaining from eating so that his
mind becomes alert and pure. The mind, otherwise pre-occupied by the thought of
food, now entertains noble thoughts and stays with the Lord. Since it is a
self-imposed form of discipline it is usually adhered to with joy
Also
every system needs a break and an overhaul to work at its best. Rest and a
change of diet during fasting is very good for the digestive system and the
entire body.
The
more you indulge the senses, the more they make their demands. Fasting helps us
to cultivate control over our senses, sublimate our desires and guide our minds
to be poised and at peace.
Fasting
should not make us weak, irritable or create an urge to indulge later. This
happens when there is no noble goal behind fasting.
The
Bhagavad-Gita urges us to eat appropriately - neither too less nor too much – yuktaaahaara
and to eat simple, pure and healthy food (a saatvik diet)
even when not fasting.
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