Why fasting:
Hindus believe that fasting is a means of showing that one can deny one’s physical needs for the sake of spiritual gains. The scriptures reveal that fasting brings about an attunement with God by bringing about a harmonious relationship between the body and the soul. This is therefore absolutely necessary for the individual since it takes care of his physical and spiritual demands. Hindus believe that the world is too full of distractions that keep people away from pursuing the path of spirituality. So, one must strive to put restraints on oneself to focus one’s mind. One way of focusing is fasting.
Self Discipline:
Fasting is also a great vehicle of observing self discipline. It trains the mind and body to endure the hardships of the world and resist all temptations. Hindu philosophy states that gratification of the senses involves eating rich food and to starve the senses means to raise them to contemplation.
Fasting According to Ayurveda:
Diseases develop due to the accumulation of toxins in the digestive system. By cleaning this regularly, we keep good health and we can do this if we fast and cleanse our system. A complete fast is good for health. Our body is made up of 80% liquid and 20% solid, like the earth, according to Ayurveda. When the gravitational force of the moon affects the fluid contents of the body, an imbalance is created in the body, making people tense, irritable and violent. For such people, fasting acts as an antidote: it lowers the acid content in the body and brings peace and calm.
A Form of Protest:
Fasting is also a form of protest, first begun by Mahatma Gandhi to register his non-violent form of protest. This is best related through this anecdote: Once the workers at a textile mill in Ahmedabad protested against their low wages. Gandhi told them to go on strike. Two weeks later, they became violent and Gandhi himself decided to go on fast till the matter was resolved.
Fellow Feeling:
When you feel sorry for the poor, and you want to extend some sympathy, fasting is a good way of going about it. It provides an opportunity for the privileged to give food and grain to the lesser privileged and alleviate their distress.
For the Long Life of Husbands:
“Karwa Chauth” is an observance among Hindu women who go on a day-long fast to pray for the long lives of their husbands. Fasting therefore impinges on different aspects of Hindu life. This shows that it is not difficult to achieve, if one wants to.
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