Fasting, Vrata (व्रत) & Upvas (उपवास)

Fasting, Vrata (व्रत) & Upvas (उपवास)
Fasting is integral part of Hinduism which not only provides freshness to life but also fuel spiritual & religious development. All the religions of the world have adopted the practice of fasting in some form. But in Hinduism, fasting is always associated with other actions to purify body and bring calmness to mind so essential for spiritual upliftment. These actions are Upvas and Vrata which do not have equivalent words in English language.

While fasting is more related to intake of food & drink, Upvas and Vrata are having more of spiritual connotation. The purpose of Upvas is to imbibe the virtues of God. Vrata is a commitment, spiritual practice, or mental discipline. Vratas give the strength to withstand the temptations of the instinctive forces. Fasting, Upvas and Vrata together purify the body, mind and soul.
Fasting

Abstinence or reduction of all or some food items for definite or indefinite period is called fasting. In Hinduism, fasting is associated with certain dates such as Ekadasi, Pradosha, or Purnima; days such as Monday for Shivji, Tuesday for Hanuman ji in north, Ganesh ji in Maharashtra,  Mariamman in south, Thursday for Brihspati or Guru, Friday for Goddess, Saturday for Hanuman ji in Maharashtra; festivals (Maha shivratri, Navratri, Janamashtami, Karwa Chauth, etc.)
 

1. Hinduism - Observances & prohibitions during Fasting:

In Hinduism, during fasting, ten observances are prescribed viz. forgiveness, truthfulness, charity, compassion, purity, control over sense organs, worship of god, Yajna, contentment and non-stealing. As per Skand & Garuda Purana, Fasting is damaged by greed, anger, idleness or delusion or distraction.
 

1. Hinduism - Types of Fasting are as under:
   1. Daily Fasting – when a person decides to observe fast on particular day or date. It is motivated by spiritual inspiration.
   2. Kamya or Naimitik Fasting – when a person observes fast with object of special desire.
   3. Ayachit Fasting – when a person undergoes fasting one time food in a day without any desire.
   4. Nakt Fasting – when fasting is done for night food. 
   5. Ekbhukt Fasting – when fasting is done morning, afternoon or evening as per convenience.
   6. Prajapaty Fasting – This type of fasting completes in twelve days. When intake of food in increased for three days successively and after nine days, no food is taken in last three days.
   7. Chandrayan Fasting – This type of fasting is linked with waxing and waning of moon. During the period of waxing of moon, intake of food is increased gradually and during waning of moon, intake of food is reduced gradually and on new moon, no intake of food is done. 
   8. Tithi Fasting – Fasting done on 11th day, 4th day, day of new moon etc. as per Hindu calendar.
   9. Month Fasting – Fasting done in specified months of Hindu calendar such as Magh, Kartik, Vaishakha etc.
   10. Pashik Fasting – Fasting done during the period of waxing of moon or waning of moon.
   11. Stellar Fasting – Fasting done during the particular stellar constellation such as Anuradha, Rohini etc.
   12. Devas Fasting – When fasting is done to please the gods such as Shri Ganesha, Bhagvan Shiva or Vishnu etc.
   13. Days Fasting – Fasting done on different days of week.
   14. Pradosh Fasting – Fasting done on 13th day of Hindu calendar.

 
 
3. Benefits:
The ancient Indian medical system of Ayurveda sees the basic cause of many diseases as the accumulation of toxic materials. Regular cleansing of toxic material keeps us healthy. Fasting overhauls the respiratory, circulatory, digestive and urinary system. In moderate fasting, the organs of the body are cleansed and renewed.
As per research report published in Medical News Today on 7.11.2018, the benefits of intermittent fasting (an eating cycle that includes periods of fasting of around 12–36 hours) based on research are as under:

• Weight loss
• improved markers of health
• A reduced risk of chronic health conditions i.e. type II diabetes and    heart disease.
• improved brain health
• Apart from losing weight, occasional fasting may also help to boost metabolic activities, generate antioxidants, and also helps reverse ageing, says a study published on 11.02.2019 on India Today web desk.

Besides, physical benefits, at spiritual level, fasting purify the mind, controls passion, Checks emotions and Controls the senses. Fasting makes us ascend to a higher level.
 
Vrata (व्रत – Sacred Vow, संकल्प – Resolve)
Vrata has two words in Sanskrit, “Vr” means discipline and “rta” means regularity. In Vrata, the person makes self-commitment to abstain to do certain acts or make vows for spiritual practice. It is basically self-sacrifice or mental discipline. Vrata is a binding force, binding the external mind to the soul and the soul to the Divine. Taking a vow is a sacred trust between yourself, your outer self, your inner self, and your loved ones. A religious vrata is a contract between yourself, the religious community, the Gods and your guru.
References to the vratas are found in the Samhitas, Brahmanas and Aranyakas of all the four Vedas. In Vedas, Rudra is mentioned as the lord of Vratas (Vratapati).
 
While performing vratas, one must abide by several rules such as  one should keep oneself clean and pure, observe celibacy, speak the truth, practice forbearance, avoid non-vegetarian foods and scrupulously perform all the rituals connected with it. Vratas prepare the person for self-transformation and realization.
 
Types of Vratas

Vratas can be classified according to level at which it is observed i.e. at body levels (kayakia Vratas), at mental level (manas vratas) and at speech level (vachika vratas). Further, it can be classified according to period of its observance, the purpose of its observance or the deities for which it is kept.
 
At speech level, the Vrata is Maun Vrata i.e. to keep silence for certain period. This purifies speech, brings no harmful effect on other persons, conserves energy and helps the person to introspect peacefully. Maun Vrata is active silence to bring positive change, in contrast to stop speaking out of anger.
 
Benefits of Vratas

Vratas develop confidence and discipline in life. Vratas give the strength to withstand the temptations of the instinctive forces. However, sometimes failing in the vrata is possible; but striving to fulfil it has the strengthening effect.
 
Importance of Vrata finds mention in Bhagwat Gita and Yajurveda as under:

1. Bhagwan Shree Krishna mentioned in Bhagwat Gita the objects of the senses turn away from the abstinent man i.e. who take Vrata, leaving the longing (verse-2/59 - विषया विनिवर्तन्ते निराहारस्य देहिनः)
2. In Yajurveda, the importance of Vrata is highlighted as under:

Vrata develops capabilities to perform good deeds, good deeds bring good results, good results create reverence in good actions and reverence facilitate in attaining truth (verse-19.30).
 
Popular Personalities in Hinduism who took Vrata

In Mahabharata, Bhishma took Vrata to remain lifelong Brahmacharya. His vow is popular by name as Bhishma Pratignya. Bhagiratha took Vrata to bring Ganga to earth. For which, he did penance for thousands of years. Chanakya had taken Vrata to replace dhananandha & to keep an worthy successor for the throne of maghada. Mahatma Gandhi  took 11 vows viz. non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, Brahmacharya, non-possession, physical labor, control of the palate, fearlessness, equality of all religions, use locally made goods and to remove untouchability.
 
Upvas (उपवास)

Upvas (उपवास) has not the same meaning as fasting. Upvas has two words in Sanskrit, “Upa” means near and “vas” means sitting. During Upvas, the person, observes chastity, solitude, silence, and do self-introspection. Upvas is just not fasting. On that day, the persons choose to be near their favorite deity, control on all the senses is exercised, withdraw from regular activities, go to the temple, or find a secluded place for their devotion.
 
Varah Upanishad has explained that the purpose of Upvas is to be near to God, to worship God, to imbibe the virtues of God in life. It is not the name of torturing the body. (उप समीपे यो वासो जीवात्मपरमात्मयोः। उपवासः स विज्ञेयो न तु कायस्य शोषणम्।। - वराहोपनिषद् 2/39)
 

Read More