Vrat and Upvas-Fasting

There are such type of advantages of vrat or upvas -

         1.         To get rid of evil traits and cultivation of divinity in human being.

         2.         Improvement in the will power.

         3.         Improvement in the strength at the level of physical, mental and soul (Atam Bal)

         4.         Rejuvenation of digestive system.

         5.         Practice to control senses.

         6.         To cultivate the pain taking capability and tolerance power.

         7.         Prevention from diseases by purity of blood.

         8.         To cultivate a habit to control the impulses of mind and heart by austere way of life.

         9.         To achieve the divine grace.

       10.       Saving of grain in society.

The path of determination and discrimination.

There are two importance sentences/statements related with this path in Sanskrit.

             

                                 ‘‘व्रतेन दीक्षामाप्नो​ति, दीक्ष्याप्नो​ति  द​क्षिणाम्।

                                    द​क्षिणा श्रद्धा माप्नो​ति , श्रद्धया सत्य माप्यते।।’’

It can be described in four steps-

Ist step: (Vrat cultivates the land for Deeksha)

It is the preparation of spiritual upliftment. When we exercise our power of determination and discrimination, we get divine guidance, which would cut short the worldly desires. When the disciple determines to follow the path, the master appears. The master easily perceives how well the student is prepared. If he finds that the student is not yet ready, he will gradually prepare him for the higher teachings. And when the wick and oil are properly prepared, the master lights the lamp. The resulting light is divine. We should not be worried more about who will guide us. The important question is: Am I prepared to be guided. Jesus had only 12 close disciples. He helped many but he imported the secret wisdom to only those who were prepared.

You do need one who can guide and help you. You need an external Guru as a means to attain the Guru within you. You shall never meet a bad Guru it you are a good student. But the reverse is also true. If you are a bad student, you won’t meet a good Guru. Why should a good Guru assume responsibility of a bad student? Nobody collects garbage. If you are in search of a Guru, search within first. Do not grumble that you don't have a teacher. Ask whether you are a deserve one. Are you capable of attracting a teacher?

IInd step: To pay the debt of Deeksha in the form of Dakshina.

Having less worldly desires promotes the human being to a divine path of austerity. This path of austerity strengthens us with divine powers, divine virtues and spiritual wisdom and with the capacity and capability of paying the tribute to our spiritual guide in the form of human welfare.

There are various modes of human welfare i.e. to help the suffering humanity. If we want to eradicate the problems of the society by root we can do this by rejuvenating the Sanatan Dharam, by encouraging the people for spiritual upliftment, by showing the path of divine enlightment, by serving the needy persons, by enforcing a discipline in the society to adopt the Universal Laws.

IIIrd Step: Dakshina incultates the lesson of shraddha:

There are two ways of life- one is austere way of life also known as Shreya in Upanishad or yoga or tap in yogshastra i.e. the path of emancipation or Moksha; the record is luxurious life also known as Preya in Upanishad or Bhog i.e. the path of transmigration. When we tread the first path of austerity, divinity, sooner we get a state of bliss by subsiding all our worldly pains and sufferings. We get vibrant life with a feeling of great satisfaction. Sooner we feel that the path we have chosen is really a source of all pleasures. Our faith for this path is increased day by day.

Unflinching faith is termed as Shraddha.

IVth step: Shraddha manifests the truth.

Firm belief and unflinching faith leads into onepointedness, one aim, i.e. to reach the acme of the spiritual enlightenment  By this you will achieve the ultimate truth, the ultimate reality as all pervasive throughout the world i.e. God or cosmic consciousness. 

Philosophical aspect and practical aspect

There are two aspects-philosophical aspect and practical aspect which is related with actual implementation. As yet we have talked about the first aspect. Now let us talk about the second aspect i.e. the practical aspect. In practical aspect we discuss it as science of fasting. It fulfils the following objectives.

         1.         To get rid of bad habits by increasing the will power.

         2.         To give relief to stomach through reduced food.

         3.         To develop the habit of controlling senses through tasteless food.

         4.         Eradication of physical and mental diseases through purification of blood.

         5.         Purification of subconscious mind through austerity.

A fast starts with a good determination. In the beginning simple vows should be taken. For example if we determine for tasteless food we should opt only one either sugar or salt in the intake of the whole day. If we have a strong will power than we can leave out the both otherwise more step-by-step. If we make tough resolution and unable to control our mind to get it done, it may reduce our will power. Repeated failures may lead to a decrease/determination in self a confidence (lack of self confidence). Similarly repeated success leads to an improvement in willpower and confidence. Therefore whatever you determine, get stuck to it just like a rock.

There are several rules related with the science of fasting as given below:-

1.    In fast, tea should not be taken at all. If due to any reason, it can not be avoided completely, then it should be taken once or twice, that too only be prepared at home. The more accurate way of preparing it is boil the tea leaves first with water; only at one boil when the color of water starts changing, put milk, sugar, water etc. in it without heating it further. As much as tea leaves are boiled, toxic elements would be extracted in that quantity. The tea prepared in market is very harmful as it is treated by heat several times. Repeated heat treatment of tea leave produces toxic elements and makes it harmful.

2.   In fast any type of tobacco, Pan-masala etc. should not be taken at all.

3.     In fast, any type of fried food like Prantha, Pakodi etc. or heavy food which cannot be easily digested like Kheer, Halva, sweets etc. should not be taken at all.

4.      In fast hard work should be avoided (of both types physical or mental)

5.      In fast frequent eating should be avoided. If it is not possible to remain without food, light food with half of capacity can be taken at one time.

6.       In fast liquor, egg, meat etc. must be strictly avoided.

7.       In fast coffee, cold drinks etc. should also not be taken.

8.       In fast watching any type of obscene films or reading obscene novel and sexual intercourse must be avoided.

9.       In fast bread, biscuit, chocolate, toffee, samosa, namkeen or things made in market- should not be taken.

10.    In fast abusing and quarreling should be avoided.

11.    In fast use of chilly and spicy items is harmful.

12.     In fast taking very cold and very hot items is harmful.

13.     In fast ghee should not be taken and chapatti should be taken without applying ghee on it.

14.      In fast finding out faults in others, i.e. backbiting should not be done.

15.      In fast one should determine to leave one bad habit and to adopt one good habit.

The following things are useful in fast:-

         1.         In fast, water (Simple) or lemon juice is good.

         2.         In fast, taking rest as much as possible is beneficial.

         3.         In fast study and self-analysis should be done.

         4.         In fast worship, recitation of mantra (Jap) meditation and contemplation are useful. Anything should not be tiring or in high volume.

         5.         In fast it is beneficial to forgo one thing salt or sugar or both.

         6.         In fast light and easily digestible food with half stomach should be taken.

         7.         If lemon juice does not suit, eight or ten dry grapes (Munacca) should be dipped into 250 gm. water. After passing of five or six hour water and munacca  should be taken (swollen). Water of munacca is very beneficial in fast.

         8.         It is beneficial to take juice of raw spinach (Palak) in less amount. You should ensure that it is not treated by pesticides otherwise it would be harmful. If there is a doubt the spinach should be boiled before taking it.

         9.         In fast it is good to take fruits or fruit juice.

       10.       It is beneficiary to live in seclusion.

Types of Fast

General Fast:

This fast is ordinary and simple. In this fast, there is not any special difficulty or precaution. In this kind of fast one has to abstain oneself from any kind of intake except plain water upto 12 O’clock at noon. After 12 O’clock one has to take light and easily digestible food upto half of stomach capacity. Only one time meal is recommended. It can be at noon or in evening. If meal is taken at noon, in evening only milk  and fruits should be taken. If meal is taken at evening, at noon only milk and fruits should be taken. Food should be very simple, half cooked and boiled. No salt is recommended, if not possible use only light special salt (Saindha Namak). No red chilli and hot spices are recommended. If one has to use, only use cuminseed, turmeric and coriander seed in less amount.

Out of milk, only cow milk without sugar is best. Buffalow milk is heavier and it taken without sugar may cause gastric problems (पेट सम्बन्धी समस्याएँ ) . Therefore try to avoid buffalow milk in fast. The cow milk even without sugar is also digestive. Seasonal fruits are better to take in fast. In winter, two or three dates, or one or half spoon honey can be used with milk. Natural sugar in less quantity is beneficial but artificial sugar is harmful.

Tasteless Fast

In this type of fast salt or sugar or both should be avoided. Food at both time or one time can be taken according to our convenience.

Fruit Based Fast

In this type of fast only fruit or milk is taken twice or once but food is be not taken. If one use potato, only boiled should be used. Don't use fried potato. Kuttu is also lighter than grains, it may be taken but in less quantity and unfried. Sometimes harmful items are mixed in kuttu flour, which make the fast fruitless.

Water Based Fast

This fast is kept only on water for twenty four to thirty six hours. It is a bit difficult now a days. Such type of fast is not recommended for the patients of low blood pressure and diabetes. If at the time of fast one feels weakness to a great extent or feels uncontrolled heart beats, it should not be continued. Though this is powerful for physical and mental purification, but it should be followed/observed carefully. It also demands a careful end. At the end lemon juice, orange juice or citrus juice (Mausmi) should be taken. Several times when we complete our fast we may have a good appetite. The amount of intake should be controlled to a lower end, otherwise it may be harmful.

Advantages of Fasting

         1.         Improvement in digestion through fast.

         2.         Purification of blood and Protection from diseases.

         3.         Mental purification through fast.

Improvement in Digestion

If a machine is used beyond its capacity, it starts getting weak.  The same principle is applicable to digestive system. In materialistic society there is a leaving towards eating and drinking various items for taste. Most of the persons have a bad habit of taking heavy dinner. At night when most of the parts of the body are in the rest state, the stomach remains busy whole night with the heavy load of dinner. The work at night is not yet completed and with the down new work is given to it in the form of bed tea and heavy breakfast. Breakfast consists of Prantha of potatoes, butter etc. The poor stomach is getting swollen due to anger, but who bothers for its grievances. The human being is engaged in taking sometime cold drinks, sometimes samosa, sometimes tea and sometimes this sometimes that and so on. Due to overload the efficiency of the digestive system gets deteriorated day by day. Therefore the digestion work which requires normally 14 to 18 hours row takes 24 to 30 hours. This is the beginning of the constipation. If the food processing is done in the intestine more than normal time, the water part is observed, getting the remaining part hard. Another problem is related with the rotting. If food is kept outside in summer, it would remain fresh upto 8 to 10 hours. It is the maximum limit of its freshness. Similarly, there is a time limit for digestion. If it takes more time, rotting starts. Various gases and acids are formed. It may lead to severe gastric problems. Small intestine may absolve rotten juice, acids etc. which leads to blood impurity. It is the root cause of various diseases.

By observing fast stomach gets rest. After refreshing, stomach starts its work with more capability and processing of food from mouth to rectum takes only 14 to 18 hour i.e. normal time. Fast provides rest to stomach and hence it strengthens the digestive system. It is the basic philosophy of the fast related with digestive system.   

PROTECTION FROM DISEASES BY PURIFICATION OF BLOOD

It is the impurity of blood which attracts the germs of the various diseases. It is the fact that in dirty places germs are more active, similarly if the blood is dirty, the gathering of dirty elements imparts of body that is the root cause of the various diseases.

For example gathering of it on joints leads to arthritics etc., if it gathers at brain, migraine may appear and on gathering of it at respiratory systems leads to bronchitis, cough and cold. If it accumulates at kidney it may convert into the serious problem of stone.

Most of the time our life force is used for digestion of food. If it could be saved from that, then automatically it is utilized for the purification of blood. The same procedure is adopted in fast. Nothing is to be taken upto 12 O’clock.

Body gets purity by eliminating the dirty substances. This routine can be followed daily. Pure blood is very powerful and has the capacity to kill the various types of germs. Some people call the pure blood as poisonous blood, because as any germ enters in it, it immediately becomes dead. Thus by blood purification the possibility of attack of disease becomes poor.

Mental Purification By Fast

It is said, “What’s you eat gets that mind”. On the day of fast one has to take reduced food without or minimum sugar and salt. As much heavy the stomach remains, the flow of energy would become so towards the lower energy centers This downward energy may create heavyness and may generate carnal desires. If stomach remains light the flow of energy would become towards the upper level energy centers Consequently one feels easier and happier. This improves mental peace, efficiency and strength. Therefore a student should eat less. Now a days every one should eat less as physical work is hardly done.

DIFFICULTIES IN FAST

            The following types of difficulties are seen in fast:

1.      Complaint of constipation

2.      Complaint of headache, giddiness etc.

3.      Feeling weakness

4.      Precautions in long duration fast

1.      In most of the cases the digestive system becomes habitual to be active through stimulant. For example if a horse is made habitual to move by slap, he would not move without it. Similarly if a child is taught by slapping, he would not learn anything without it. In the same way salt, sugar and spices its are used as stimulant to digestive system. One being habitual if we take less or do not take such stimulants, the digestive system becomes less active, which results as constipation. To resolve this problem either Isbgol Bhusi can be used or one teaspoonful churn of Trifla can be used with lukewarm water or milk at night before sleeping. Otherwise use Anima for clearing of stomach on the next day of fast.

Many times a person gets habitual to some such type of stimulants as bed tea etc., without which he cannot clear his stomach. Such person should use lukewarm water in place of bed tea. After drinking water he may do light exercise or light yogasans (as Tadasans etc. which produce pressure of toilet, may be seen from any book).

2.      Purification of blood i.e. to clean our physical system is not an easy task. The person having impure blood normally feels more difficulty in observing fast. Many persons requires tea or anything to eat immediately after taking bath. Otherwise they feel headache or giddiness or heaviness. Why is it so? Actually such persons have not only impure body but their body gets also weak. In he morning after toilet immediately cleansing process is start by vital force which is met so easy, but also painful. In such condition lemon water, Munacca water is somewhat beneficial which helps in cleansing the body as well as gives strength to it.

If impurity is deposited in head, then headache starts, if deposited in joints, joint pain starts. A bad smell also comes out from the mouth on the day of the fast. Normally heavy physical or mental work should be avoided during fast so that the life force which is saved from the digestive work should not be consumed in any heavy work. Thus the saved energy could be used only in the cleansing process. The person where body is more impure should not observe hard fast (as fast on water or fruit) otherwise it may be untolerable. In such ease one has to reduce intake slowly at that level which could be tolerable to him.

3.      The persons whose body is already very weak and suffering from uncontrolled heart beats, might have complaints of diabetes or low blood pressure must be careful in observing fast. Eating and drinking should not be left spontaneously and completely otherwise sometimes physical system may reach at the mark of danger.

4.      It is said in Ayurveda that “Langhanm Param Auashdam” ( लंघनम परम औषधं ) i.e. fast is the most important medicine Langhanm are those fast which are followed from the health point of view. These duration is normally long as 5, 10, 15 days etc. About two or three decade ago it was easy to remain without food for 10 to 15 days or to take only on lemon juice. People would normally adopt it. But now a days when physical system gets weakened by various diseases as nonrhythmic heart beats, depression, Insomnia, diabetes, asthma etc. long duration fast must be followed after deliberation and with proper guidance. It is normally safe to be on water upto 24 or 36 hours and then break it by lemon water or orange juice but the fast of more long duration should be followed very cautiously and according to physical and mental state. Special type of 40 days fast known as ‘Kalp’ were also in vogue but is difficult to follow now a days as it is not safe to use more fruits. Because to ripe fruits by injection or by another chemicals is very common now a days. It may be dangerous to take more such type of fruits.

THE PRINCIPLE OF GIVING IN FAST

It is inevitable for everyone to donate a certain percentage of one’s honestly earned income, or to devote one part of time for human welfare activities. One percent of monthly income must be donated in each fast. Without it the effort of the fast goes in vain. If wife wants to follow this worm and husband is not agree then she should donate whatever is possible for humanity. There should be a tradition to have small boxes or small bags known as Gyan Ghat or Dharm Ghat. Each member of family must have a habit of donation and it can be collected in these Gullaks.

CONCLUSION

The conclusion is that fast tradition is the most valuable treasure of this nation and it is the most important part of Santan Dharm. Its philosophy and science should be well understood and adopted in life after deliberation. It is our firm faith that if a person acquires proper knowledge of philosophy and science of vrat and upvas and gets it implemented in life he would definitely find a 90% relief in his physical and mental sufferings.

He will be happier and peaceful and he will start progressing both physically and spiritually.