Why do we fast?
Most devout Nepalese as well as Indians especially Hindus fast regularly or on special occasions like festivals. On such days they do not eat at all, eat once or eat fruits or a special diet of simple food. Some undertake rigorous fasts when they do not even drink water the whole day. Fasting is done for many reasons to please the world, to discipline on
eself and even to protest.
Why do we fast?
It is to save food or to create an appetite to feast after the fast? Not really.
Then why?!
Fasting in sanskrit is called 'Upavaas' 'Upa' means 'near' and Vaasa" means 'to stay' Upavaasa therefore means the attainment of close mental nearness to the world. Then what has upavaasa to do with food?
A lot of our time and energy is spent in procuring food items, cooking, eating and digesting food. Certain types of food make our minds dull and agitated. Hence, on certain days a person decides to save time and conserve his energy by eating either simple, light food or totally avoid eating so that his mind becomes alert and pure. The mind, otherwise preoccupied by the thought of food, it entertains thoughts and stays with the word. Since it is a self-Imposed form of discipline, it is usually observed with joy.
Also every system needs a break 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 us weak, irritable or create on urge to eat more food later. This happens when there is no noble goal behind fasting. Some fast, rather they diet, merely to reduce weight, Others fast as a vow, or to fulfill their desires, some to develop will-power, control. The senses, some as a form of discipline and so on. The Bhagawat Geeta urges us to eat appropriately-neither too less nor too much and to eat simple, pure and healthy food (seatvik diet) even when not fasting.
Most devout Nepalese as well as Indians especially Hindus fast regularly or on special occasions like festivals. On such days they do not eat at all, eat once or eat fruits or a special diet of simple food. Some undertake rigorous fasts when they do not even drink water the whole day. Fasting is done for many reasons to please the world, to discipline on
eself and even to protest.
Why do we fast?
It is to save food or to create an appetite to feast after the fast? Not really.
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Then why?!
Fasting in sanskrit is called 'Upavaas' 'Upa' means 'near' and Vaasa" means 'to stay' Upavaasa therefore means the attainment of close mental nearness to the world. Then what has upavaasa to do with food?
A lot of our time and energy is spent in procuring food items, cooking, eating and digesting food. Certain types of food make our minds dull and agitated. Hence, on certain days a person decides to save time and conserve his energy by eating either simple, light food or totally avoid eating so that his mind becomes alert and pure. The mind, otherwise preoccupied by the thought of food, it entertains thoughts and stays with the word. Since it is a self-Imposed form of discipline, it is usually observed with joy.
Also every system needs a break 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 us weak, irritable or create on urge to eat more food later. This happens when there is no noble goal behind fasting. Some fast, rather they diet, merely to reduce weight, Others fast as a vow, or to fulfill their desires, some to develop will-power, control. The senses, some as a form of discipline and so on. The Bhagawat Geeta urges us to eat appropriately-neither too less nor too much and to eat simple, pure and healthy food (seatvik diet) even when not fasting.
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