Why Fast?

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Why Fast?

All About Fasting

 

Fasting in Hinduism indicates the denial of the physical

needs of the body for the sake of spiritual gains. According to the scriptures,

fasting helps create an attunement with the Absolute by establishing a

harmonious relationship between the body and the soul. This is thought to be

imperative for the well being of a human being as it nourishes both his/her

physical and spiritual demands.

 

Hindus believe it is not easy to unceasingly pursue the path

of spirituality in one's daily life. We are harangued by a lot of

considerations, and worldly indulgences do not allow us to concentrate on

spiritual attainment. Therefore a worshipper must strive to impose restrains on

himself/herself to get his mind focused. And one form of restraint is fasting.

 

Self-Discipline

However, fasting is not only a part of worship, but a great

instrument for self-discipline too. It is a training of the mind and the body

to endure and harden up against all hardships, to persevere under difficulties

and not give up. According to Hindu philosophy, food means gratification of the

senses and to starve the senses is to elevate them to contemplation. Luqman,

the wise once said, " When the stomach is full, the intellect begins to

sleep. Wisdom becomes mute and the parts of the body restrain from acts of

righteousness. "

 

Different Kinds of Fasting

 

Hindus fast on certain days

of the month such as Purnima (full moon) and Ekadasi (the

11th day of the fortnight).

Certain days of the week

is also marked for fasting, depending on individual choices and on one's

favorite god and goddess. On Saturday, people fast to appease the god of

that day, Shani or Saturn. Some fast on Tuesdays the auspicious day for

Hanuman, the monkey God. On Fridays devotees of the goddess Santoshi Mata

abstain from taking anything citric.

Fasting at festivals is

common. Hindus all over India observe fast on festivals like Mandalam, Navaratri,

Shivratri and Karwa Chauth. Navaratri is a festival when people fast for

nine days. Hindus in West Bengal fast on Ashtami, the eighth day of the

festival of Durga Puja.

Fasting can also mean

abstaining from taking certain things, either for religious reason or for

the sake of good health. For instance, some people refrain from taking salt

on particular days. It is common knowledge that excess salt and sodium

causes hypertention or elevation of blood pressure.

Another common kind of

fast is to forego taking cereals when only fruits are eaten. Such a diet

is known as phalahar.

 

 

Ayurvedic Viewpoint

The underlying principle behind fasting is to be found in Ayurveda.

This ancient Indian medical system sees the basic cause of many diseases as the

accumulation of toxic materials in the digestive system. Regular cleansing of

toxic materials keeps one healthy. By fasting, the digestive organs get rest

and all body mechanisms are cleansed and corrected. A complete fast is good for

heath, and the occasional intake of warm lemon juice during the period of

fasting prevents the flatulence.

Since the human body, as explained by Ayurveda, is composed

of 80% liquid and 20% solid, like the earth, the gravitational force of the

moon affects the fluid contents of the body. It causes emotional imbalances in

the body, making some people tense, irritable and violent. Fasting acts as

antidote, for it lowers the acid content in the body which helps people to

retain their sanity.

 

A Non-Violent Protest

From a matter of dietary control, fasting has come to be a

handy tool of societal control. It is a non-violent form of protest. A hunger

strike can draw attention to a grievance and can bring about an emendation or

redress. It is interesting to note that it was Mahatma Gandhi who used fasting

to capture people's attention. There is an anecdote to this: Once the workers

at the textile mills in Ahmedbad were protesting their low wages. Gandhi told

them to go on strike. After two weeks when the workers took to violence, Gandhi

himself decided to go on fast till the matter was resolved.

 

Fellow-Feeling

Finally, the pangs of hunger that one experiences during

fasting make one think and extend one's sympathy towards the destitute who

often go without food. In this context fasting functions as a societal gain

wherein people share with each other a fellow feeling. Fasting provides an

opportunity for the privileged to give food-grains to the less privileged and

alleviate their distress, at least for the moment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hinduism by the Numbers

 

 

 

 

three paths:

 

 

 

karmamarga - path

of works and action

jnanamarga - path

of knowledge or philosophy

bhaktimarga -

path of devotion to God

 

 

 

 

 

three debts:

 

 

 

debt to God

debt to sages and saints

debt to ancestors

 

 

 

 

 

four stages of life:

 

 

 

brahmacharga -

school years - grow and learn

grhastha -

marriage, family and career

vanaprastha -

turn attention to spiritual things

sanrgasu -

abandon world to seek spiritual things

 

 

 

 

 

four purposes of life:

 

 

 

dharma - fulfill

moral, social and religious duties

artha - attain

financial and worldy success

kama - satisfy

desires and drives in moderation

moksha - attain

freedom from reincarnation

 

 

 

 

 

seven sacred cities:

 

 

 

Ayodhya

Mathura

Gaya (Bodhgaya)

Kasi (Varanasi, Benares)

Kanci

Avantika (Ujjain)

Dvaraka

 

 

 

 

 

ten commitments:

 

 

1. Ahimsa - do no harm

2. Satya - do not lie

3. Asteya - do not steal

4. Brahmacharya - do not overindulge

5. Aparigraha - do not be greedy

6. Saucha - be clean

7. Santosha - be content

8. Tapas - be self-disciplined

9. Svadhyaya - study

10. Ishvara Pranidhana - surrender to God

 

 

 

 

 

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ROTARY INTERNATIONAL'S FOUR WAY TEST

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" Of the things we think, say or do:

 

Is it the TRUTH?

Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? "

 

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