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However, it is crucial to pause and reflect on what we are
calling a “fast,” for, although the idea of fast is still upheld
with great fervor, its true meaning and purpose can be
obscured by the latest phalahar recipes.
Upvas
In Sanskrit, the word for fast is Upvas. This literally means,
“sitting near to...” Sitting near to whom? Near to God.
Fasting is a time in which our bodies are light, a time in
which our vital energy is not being dissipated through the
process of consumption and digestion, a time in which we
are free from the heaviness and lethargy resulting from
overindulgence.
A Fast For All Senses
We tend to think that we only “eat” through our mouths,
that our meals are the only “food” our bodies get. However,
what we hear, what we see, what we touch – all these
things are taken into our bodies as food. Just as pure,
wholesome food brings us health of the body, so do pure,
wholesome sights, sounds and other stimuli bring health
to the mind, heart and soul. Therefore, when we undertake
a fast, we must be equally as aware of purifying the
food that we take in through our eyes, ears and hands as
we are of the food that we take in through our mouths.
However, a fast is not meant to be merely a refrain from
During our fast, our ears should refrain from hearing anything
other than chanting of the Lord’s name, positive con-
eating. In fact, it is not necessary to refrain entirely from
servation which is peaceful, pious and beneficial or the
food on the day of a fast. Fruits and milk enable our bod-
quiet of our own thoughts. During a fast we should not
ies to remain strong and active while simultaneously giv-
listen to rock music, watch TV, or be part of idle gossip. So
ing us the benefit of a “fast.” Upvas, however, is not as
frequently we see people at temple who have spent the
simple as just reducing one’s caloric intake or avoiding
whole day “fasting” and then they come to temple and
certain foods. Upvas is not a time in which only our stom-
huddle together gossiping and chatting. Their bodies may
ach is free from excessive external stimulation. It is not a
time of mere restraint of the tongue. Rather, it should be a
be hungry, but their soul has not fasted.
time in which all of our organs are restrained. It should be
Additionally, that which we see – frequently without even
a time in which all of our organs are purified, a time in
noticing it – penetrates our minds and hearts and changes
which every sense is turned toward the divine.
our perspective. The simple sight of a woman’s bare leg
may arouse lust in an otherwise simple and pious man;
Our tongues should refrain from both indulgence in food
the sight of blood might cause nausea and panic in one
and drink, as well as from indulgence in speech. A fast
who is usually calm; the sight of a enemy might immedi-
should also be a time duirng which we observe as much
ately evoke animosity in one who is usually peaceful and
silence as possible, for we lose much of our vital energy in
speech, and through speech our focus becomes diverted
loving.
outward.
When we fast we must limit all stimuli which we perceive.
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