Hare Krishna,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, confidential servitor of Srimati Radharani.
Fasting is an austerity. All austerity according to Guru, Krishna, and Shastra, are for the purpose of pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Any other external reason for fasting, like political protest, etc., is a violation of the injunctions of the Shastra.
Of course, sometimes, when a person is ill, they need to fast to recover their health, that is alright.
The purpose of fasting is to minimize bodily demands and really get into hearing and chanting more. Recent personal practical experience is on Janmashtami, it was a full day of fasting, till midnight, I didn't even have to go to the washroom or have any reason for any interruption in my services. Of course, the Charanamrita and the water at midnight was very welcome, one could see why Krishna says "I am the taste of water".
There are different levels for fasting, one should not fast if it is medically impossible, or, if by fasting, one cannot unfortunately perform one's services... in other words. fasting and sleeping during the fast is quite useless. Srila Prabhupada prescribed a very simple fasting rule... he said if not possible to fast completely then one can take a little bit of fruit. He was very lenient with Sankirtan devotees who go out on the street to preach, he allowed them to "take a little bit of Mahaprasadam" if that meant they could continue their services.
Some fasts are till Noon, like the spiritual master's appearance day, and Radharani's appearance day. Some are till sunset or moonrise, and Janmashtami is till midnight. Highest form is to fast completely from all eating and drinking... if that is not possible, then fast from everything but water when needed, if that is not possible, then some fruit, and if that is not possible, then the most lenient is Ekadasi Prasadam (no grains, no beans).
On Ekadasi, it is advised to abstain from grains and beans, and increase one's Sadhana instead with the extra time and energy obtained.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, confidential servitor of Srimati Radharani.
Fasting is an austerity. All austerity according to Guru, Krishna, and Shastra, are for the purpose of pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Any other external reason for fasting, like political protest, etc., is a violation of the injunctions of the Shastra.
Of course, sometimes, when a person is ill, they need to fast to recover their health, that is alright.
The purpose of fasting is to minimize bodily demands and really get into hearing and chanting more. Recent personal practical experience is on Janmashtami, it was a full day of fasting, till midnight, I didn't even have to go to the washroom or have any reason for any interruption in my services. Of course, the Charanamrita and the water at midnight was very welcome, one could see why Krishna says "I am the taste of water".
There are different levels for fasting, one should not fast if it is medically impossible, or, if by fasting, one cannot unfortunately perform one's services... in other words. fasting and sleeping during the fast is quite useless. Srila Prabhupada prescribed a very simple fasting rule... he said if not possible to fast completely then one can take a little bit of fruit. He was very lenient with Sankirtan devotees who go out on the street to preach, he allowed them to "take a little bit of Mahaprasadam" if that meant they could continue their services.
Some fasts are till Noon, like the spiritual master's appearance day, and Radharani's appearance day. Some are till sunset or moonrise, and Janmashtami is till midnight. Highest form is to fast completely from all eating and drinking... if that is not possible, then fast from everything but water when needed, if that is not possible, then some fruit, and if that is not possible, then the most lenient is Ekadasi Prasadam (no grains, no beans).
On Ekadasi, it is advised to abstain from grains and beans, and increase one's Sadhana instead with the extra time and energy obtained.
Your servant,
Mahabhagavat Das
P.S: Let us avoid the hugely technical discussions on who says what on how to fast, what to eat, what not to eat, etc... idea is to get away from that and focus instead on Krishna and His devotees.
Mahabhagavat Das
P.S: Let us avoid the hugely technical discussions on who says what on how to fast, what to eat, what not to eat, etc... idea is to get away from that and focus instead on Krishna and His devotees.
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