Science of Fasting

“You know, I’m doing this vrat every Tuesday, I hope I get a good husband.”

”Erm, that’s the exact opposite of what fasting is supposed to be, and here’s the tea.”

We think intermittent fasting is originally from the West but “upavas” is a concept we’ve had in our culture since ages.

This stems from the terms “Upasmahe” & “Sauchantaha” in the Yajur, Sama & Atharva vedas - all of which refer to worship & purufication respectively, that’s contextually done to live closer to God.

Fasting isn’t about starving yourself but rather pausing your food & water intake for some time so that your body gets time to detox with a process science calls “autophagy.”

In simple terms, about 12 hours into your fast, your body starts eating up your bad cells (cancerous or damaged) so you’re literally creating a new YOU when you fast.

Once this starts happening, something interesting happens in our brain, too - the cells there become more adaptable to change, in a process called neuroplasticity, which improves memory, thinking, immunity, etc. - that’s why you feel lighter & calmer towards the end of your fast.

Our dharma say that with this level of mental clarity, you can focus more on your spiritual journey, which is detaching yourself from all desires, wants, needs & material wishes - and not asking for something more.

In fact, if you read Chapter 17 in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says people who do rituals with an ego or selfish goal in their mind or rather to torture themselves, won’t see any results at best, and sink deeper at worst.

श्रद्धया परया तप्तं तपस्तत्त्रिविधं नरैः।

अफलाकाङ्क्षिभिर्युक्तैः सात्त्विकं परिचक्षते॥

सत्कारमानपूजार्थं तपो दम्भेन चैव यत्।

क्रियते तदिह प्रोक्तं राजसं चलमध्रुवम्॥

मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः।

परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्॥

So fasting is actually supposed to be done with the intention of developing the mindset to need or want nothing, as opposed to wanting a better job, partner, or life.

NOTE: Please consult a certified doctor & medical expert before you start fasting or go for any kind of practice & ritual. This Reel is not intended to be medical advice but just an educational explanation of what fasting is supposed to promote.