Dadavani Gujarati - March 2009

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Importance of fasting or under-eating for spiritual progress (Gujarati)
In our scriptures and purana—a group of 18 important Hindu texts, special importance is given to fasting for its spiritual and health benefits. Such penances done with the intent of spiritual progress or for the attainment of the Self are definitely fruitful however one cannot experience the Self. Through such penance, one’s awareness can increase, one can earn merit karma and one can attain physical comforts. However one can attain the Self if he attains the knowledge of the Self—Self-realization. Otherwise no matter how much one goes through austerity and denial for the body, if one does not have ‘Gnan—Self-knowledge’ then it is meaningless for the purpose of spiritual endeavor. In Ayurveda the importance of fasting and restricted food intake is not less, but it should be done with right understanding. By fasting the waste of the body burns, body remains healthy, awareness increases and this awareness is helpful in practicing celibacy and one can practice religious rituals in a better way. That is why it is said that ‘one should fast according to Gnani’s instruction for spiritual progress and for physical health one should fast according to doctor’s instruction then that penance done through fasting can be helpful to yield desired fruit.