Why do we fast? 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 Geeta urges
us to eat appropriately neither too
less nor too much yukta-aahaara and
to eat simple, pure and healthy food (
a saatvik diet) even when not
fasting.