One of the great saints of modern times, Swami Sivananda (1887 – 1963) is the inspiration behind the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center. His teachings are a synthesis of all the formal doctrines of Yoga. Author of over three hundred books, Swami Sivananda was a medical doctor before renouncing worldy life for the spiritual path. His teachings continue to enrich the lives of millions around the world. His main message was: Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realize. In 1957, he sent one of his foremost disciples, Swami Vishnudevananda to the west to spread the ideals of Yoga.
Swami Sivananda was a great advocate for fasting. To quote him:
Nowadays, many educated people do not observe fasting on this sacred day. This is due to the impact of the dark, vicious, materialistic forces. When the intellect develops a little, people begin to enter into arguments and unnecessary discussions. Intellect is a hindrance on the spiritual path. They who have not developed the heart but who have developed their intellect begin to doubt and question at every step. They are led astray. They want a why and a how for everything. They want scientific explanations for all phenomena.
God is beyond proofs and presumptions. One has to approach religion and the scriptures with great faith, reverence and purity of heart. Then only are the secrets of religion revealed unto him like the apple in the palm of one’s hand. Does anybody ask his mother to prove who his father is?
Fasting controls passion. It checks the emotions. It controls the senses also. It is a great penance. It purifies the mind and the heart. It destroys a multitude of sins. Fasting controls the tongue in particular which is the deadliest enemy of man. Fasting overhauls the respiratory, circulatory, digestive and urinary systems. It destroys all the impurities of the body and all sorts of poisons. It eliminates uric acid deposits. Just as impure gold is rendered pure by melting it in the crucible again and again, so also this impure mind is rendered purer by repeated fasting.
Withdraw the senses and fix the mind on god. Pray to god to guide you and to throw a flood of light on your spiritual path. Say with feeling: O god, guide me! Protect me, protect me! I am Thine, I am Thine! Forsake me not! You will be blessed with purity, light and strength. Follow this sadhana on the days that you fast, ekadashi days in particular.
Fasting is one of the ten canons of yoga. However, avoid excessive fasting. It will produce weakness. Use your common sense. If you cannot fast for the full twenty-four hours, at least fast for 10-12 hours and then take some milk and fruit. Gradually increase your fast to 15 hours and then up to 24 hours. Fasting makes a man strong, both spiritually and mentally.
In his code, the Manu Smriti, the great Hindu lawgiver, Manu, prescribes fasting for the removal of the five capital sins. Diseases that are pronounced incurable by doctors are cured by fasting. Occasionally, a complete fast is greatly desirable for all to keep up good health, to give adequate rest to the internal organs and maintain celibacy. All diseases have their origin in overeating and verily fasting is the only method to cure this.
Namaste.
