Procedure for Fasting

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Procedure for Fasting
Speaker Shrii Shrii Anandamurti
Date 1965
Place Jamalpur
Included in Ananda Marga Caryacarya Part 3
Location in Sarkarverse
SVmap LiteraryWorks.png

Procedure for Fasting is the 3rd chapter of Ananda Marga Caryacarya Part 3 written by Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar.[1]

Chapter synopsis

Definition of fasting, who should observe it and when

Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar started this chapter by defining the term upavása. He told, voluntary fasting on certain days is called "upavása". The derivative meaning of the term upavása is to remain in Iishvara's proximity and try to keep one's mind absorbed in the thought of Iishvara. People who have been initiated into Ananda Marga Iishvara Prańidhána must observe voluntarily fasting on every ekádashii days. Avadhutas, avadhutikas need to observe fasts on all púrńimá and amávasyá days too.

Procedure of fasting

On the day of fasting one should not take any food from sunrise until sunrise of the next day. He or she should not drink water too. If, for some unavoidable circumstance, one fails to observe fast on the prescribed day, he or she must fast on the preceding or the following day. If someone is sick, fasting is not required, but in such condition, he or she has to take written permission from the Dharma Pracára Secretary of the Saḿgha.

On and around the times of new and full moon, one may observe that the gaseous and aqueous factors in the body rise up into the head and chest, creating an uncomfortable feeling. Therefore, if a person does not take food at these times, these factors will be drawn down from the higher portions of the body to the lower portions, thereby alleviating the uncomfortable feeling.

Benefit of fasting

Sarkar explained, the food that we take is converted, through transformation, into its final essence, called shukra. This shukra is the food of the brain. From it, the ectoplasmic particles of the unit mind are produced. If one fasts according to the system, no excess shukra will excite the lower vrttis of the mind, and the mind will be led toward the higher vrttis. Furthermore, as a result of fasting, the poisonous and unnecessary waste of the body gets destroyed and expelled. Moreover, the energy that is not expended in digesting food can be utilized for other purposes. That is why, a fast day is an excellent time for sádhaná.

See also

References

Preceded by
Procedure for Eating
Ananda Marga Caryacarya Part 3
1956-1965
With: Procedure for Fasting
Succeeded by
Taking the Air