How Important Is Fasting and 3 Reasons Why I Don’t Fast!

‘Is fasting mandatory?’

‘Do I do a Nirjala Upwas?’

‘How will I survive?’

“What do I do if I am extremely hungry?’

Every time there is a festival, this is the biggest question. The biggest concern. The biggest dilemma.

I have seen this with many women. Young. Middle-aged and even elderly.

I have seen them trying their best to fast. When they fail, they are consumed with guilt. The excuses for not keeping one or failing to keep one are many.

Well, the interpretation of a fast is varied and I believe, it’s very personal. It varies from person to person. Individual beliefs and preferences are the keywords here!

My father-in-law, a scholar had explained the meaning of it.

In Bengali, fasting is known as Upobaash! Upo means near the Lord. Bash, is to reside. Upobash is to reside near the Lord. And it is in no way directly related to fasting. Rather upobash is a process which brings the devotee closer to the Lord in mind, body and spirit. Whatever aids the devotee to do so, is the ideal offering for the puja or the vrat.

These days, fasting and intermittent fasting are in trend. But they have their own merits which are more related to science and not just religion or rituals. It’s related to our respective metabolism and our digestive system.

But fasting as a part of Upobash?

My Guru Maa Bondona Puri Devi of the Saradeshwari Ashram, the first women’s ashram founded by Sri Sri Ramkrishna Thakur’s disciple Gouri Maa, had never recommended fasting. She had always advised me to have something, preferably liquid and not to torture ourselves by not eating.

Do not torture yourself by fasting

‘Jotota parbi korbi.’ Do whatever you can. There are no rules. Why torture yourself?’

I still remember that on the day of my Deesksha, I was barely seven years old. My Guru had specially mentioned that I should come to her with a full tummy and not starve unnecessarily.

Thoughts focus on hunger more than on prayers

‘If you are hungry. If you are starving. Your thoughts will be on your stomach. Then how will you concentrate on the puja? Will your mind be with the Lord’s?’ She would ask this question to whoever advocated fasting.

Unscientific fasting affects health

In my case, I have never fared well with fasting. I have to be honest here. I did get swayed away by this concept of fasting. It all started during Shivratri when girls of my age would fast in order to get a good husband. I gave it a shot. ‘A husband is a far cry. At least a good boyfriend would suffice.’ I told Ma. Well, by afternoon, my sugar levels dipped and I went weak and was almost on the verge of a collapse. All I thought was if I fall, who will give my exams? Who will suffer? That’s me and no one else.’

Since then, I DON’T fast! I don’t remain hungry. I eat. But I have a variety of food. Fruits. Sweets. Juices. Smoothies. Dry Fruits. Shakes. At night, I break this ‘fast” with a wholesome meal.

Upobaash is also about deciding our priorities. We, the mortals are here on a mission. We are here to perform our duties. The onus lies in doing them with dedication. As a ‘grihi’ (a householder), this is the way one can serve the Lord. By completing their tasks on earth with devotion and loyalty. Does that need fasting?

Also, we have to remember that we are the children of the Supreme power. As a parent, I can’t bear to see my children starve. But they are under the false notion of doing their duty towards me. Will I be happy? No, never? Similarly, our ancestors or the Lord above will not want their children to undergo such tough practices.

If a person thinks that fasting compensates for all the evils he/she has committed and that enables him to fast and continue with his bad ways, sorry, it does not work that way.

It’s always our work, the way we lead our life, and our noble thoughts that matter. Our way of life is an offering to the Lord. Not just the flowers or the fruits or the elaborate rituals that we offer to him.

I am no expert. But as a grihi, as a mother, as a daughter….this is what I believe in.

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