Benefits of fasting

Karva Chauth falls on the fourth day of Krishna Paksh. Women observe this fast for the long life and good health of their husbands. It is believed that fasting is not just a physical discipline, but it can be a spiritual feast. Fasting is the willing reduction or absence of some or all kinds of foods or liquids. 

In India, fasting has a great significance in the spiritual sense too. It is considered as the way or prayer to God. During Navratri,  people fast for eight to nine days regularly to worship or please the goddess. Whereas otherwise, people fast occasionally during a month or once in every week.

Fasting has many beneficial effects not only on the body but also on the mind. It has been said by Paramhans Yogananda, “You, the soul are far more than the perishable body of flesh. In fasting, you discover that it is the cosmic energy or prana in the body that actually sustains you”. Prime Minster Narendra Modi fasted for nine days during Navratri even when he was on his American tour. Fasting is a discipline and way of telling our body and mind that we still have control over it. The main reason of obesity is unhealthy eating patterns. We can’t control our wishes, we get swayed by the taste of mouthwatering desserts, etc. This leads to creating health hazards for us.

Benefits of Fasting

• Fasting helps in the cleansing and detoxification of the body.
• It helps in strengthening the immune system and controls blood sugar levels.
• It enhances the rate of metabolism.
• It creates the strong willingness in an individual and helps attaining the wholeness at the spiritual level.
• Fasting or intermittent calorie restriction may affect cancer and tumour development, but it is not currently used as a form of treating cancer.
• Fasting improves alertness, mood, and subjective feelings of well-being.
• It also helps in dealing with symptoms of depression.
• Fasting has also helps in weight loss, but this criteria has not been prescribed by doctors as it can lead to deprivation of many essential nutrients, which are required for a healthy body.
• In religious aspects, it is believed that when we are fasting, we transmit our energies on a higher level while praying and thus, we begin to realise that we are living in cosmic energy and our body becomes the magnet. 

Astrologically, people should go on a fast for at least one day in a week. It is believed if the day of fast is chosen according to a native’s own Sun sign then it can create miracles. The process gives you inner strength, patience, self-confidence and positive energy. Here are the days, you can fast as per your zodiac sign.

ARIES: Tuesday
TAURUS: Friday
GEMINI: Wednesday
CANCER: Monday
LEO: Sunday
VIRGO: Wednesday
LIBRA: Friday
SCORPIO: Tuesday
SAGITTARIUS: Thursday
CAPRICORN: Saturday
AQUARIUS: Saturday
PISCES: Thursday

(The columnist is author of 32 books on Astrology, Numerology, Vaastu, Mantrism, Dreams and Moles. He features regularly on various TV channels. You can email your queries at: pkhurrana@astroindia.com)