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?
We spent a lot of our time and energy 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 are 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-Gita 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
Tags: aarti, ancient, antaryami, bell, best, concentration, cultural, fast, god, gyaani, Indian, Learnings, life, Monday Learning, near, peace, pooja, proximity, ring, sanskrit, stay, temple, trikal, universal, upavaasa, upvasa, vedic, worship, worshippers
Hello
It is really good that you have started this site and it will help to many Indians who did not get chance to learn about our vedic culture.
I woluld like to add something in this topic.
The purpose of FAST are following:
1. you can spent more time to think about GOD and GOD’s work/thought.
2. To give the rest your stomach for one day.
3. Your brain (Man) will get chance to think something else then routine life and this is the time you can think some creative.
4. It will give chance to move from your daily work.
but now people do not know the purpose of FAST so they do only “Change the Food” but as per our vedic culture it is “Change the thought”.
Regards
Mayur
Yes Uppa = Near and Vaasa = remain. To remain more and more time with GOD we dont waste time in coocking, cleaning or even eating for atleast one day..that was Upvasa. But Today people do it with “change of food” but not “change of attitude” because nobody clears the understanding of the real vedic terminologies which are fantastic and scientific…Congratulation to you on starting such a briliant site….can you have some focus on EKADASHI ??
In order to go to higher conciousness, one has to control five senses. One of this is taste which relates to food. Main objective of fasting is ti get control over mind in relation to the sense of taste.