उपवास : आत्मा का उजास

Summary

The text discusses fasting (upavasa) as a universal religious practice with scientific and psychological dimensions. It argues that while religion is a scientific life system, it often becomes mere ritual without proper understanding, and fasting similarly loses its scientific essence when treated as empty tradition. The narrative includes the story of the disciple Upakoshala, who, after completing his education, was denied permission to leave while his classmates departed. Distressed, he remained as his guru prepared for travel. The guru looked into his eyes, read his emotions, and advised him to concentrate his mind and control his senses. After the guru left, Upakoshala began fasting in solitude, turning inward. His guru’s wife inquired about his condition, and he explained his mind was polluted with desire and anger toward the guru, for which he was atoning. After ten days, the guru returned, astonished by the disciple’s radiant face. Upakoshala attributed his transformation to the guru’s grace, inner focus, and fasting, which purified and restrained his mind. The guru affirmed his success but emphasized the need for continuous practice. The text asserts that fasting is an excellent method for purifying mental tendencies and controlling senses, potentially curing psychosomatic diseases and enabling self-realization. It references Lord Mahavira’s twelve types of penance, with fasting (anashana) as the first. Fasting is described as a fire that burns karmic fuel accumulated over lifetimes. The Bhagavad Gita is cited stating that no penance surpasses fasting. The practice appears in Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and other traditions. In Jainism, monks, nuns, and laypeople observe long fasts. In Buddhism, the Buddha fasted before enlightenment. In Christianity, Jesus reportedly fasted forty days, and Lent involves forty days of fasting. In Islam, Ramadan fasting (roza) is obligatory, described as a shield against sin. The text explains that fasting means dwelling near the soul, achieved when bodily agitation ceases. True fasting involves renouncing anger, pride,