(SHRI
SAI LEELA JULY AUGUST 1991)P. M. SARANGANHYDERABAD, A.P.
Lord Sainath never asked His devotees
to pray on an empty stomach. He wasagainst fasting as a person cannot
concentrate on God. Still His devoteespractice occasional fasts or even
skipping a meal on Thursdays as on austerity towards Sai
Maharaj.Mahatma Gandhi was the most prolific faster, abstaining from food for a
totalof 14 times in protest of various social injustices. His fasts lasted
from 3 to 21days. His opinion on fasting was : '' It doesn't begin
and end with meredeprivation of physical food."But this pathway to
God is often His-inter-preted. Christians and Muslims fastfor a given
period of time in a year. The fast of Sai devotees on every Thursday is
normally not so rigorous, only one meal is eliocinated and the rest
of theday's supply remains at its normal level.Before considering a fast, you
should ask yourself a few questions. What is thepurpose of my fast ? What guidelines
Sainalh gave me about fasting ? How long should I attempt the discipline ?
What benefits do I expect ?
PURPOSE OF THE FAST
In no instance in 'Shri Sai Satcharita'
was a fast undertaken without a purposein mind. But these purposes vary
widely.* As an aid to improve devotional life : Radhabai Deshmukh came to Baba
forUpadesh, got none and resolved to fast which should end with either death
orUpadesh from Baba.
(Jesus Christ fasted soon after
baptism)* As a help in times of crisis - to get back the stolen money - a fakir
advices aGoan devotee to give up what he liked best with the vow that he will
not eat it,till he has 'Darshan' of Sai Maharaj.* As a means of showing concern
for others - Mrs. Sai Raj visits Shirdi anddesires to fast on 'Holi' day . Baba
advices her against fasting and asks her toprepare 'Pooran Poli' in Dada
Kelkar's house. Her presence was needed these.* As a way to strength :
H.S. Dixit wanted to fast at night, but he gives it up asper Baba's
advice.* As an act of penance : Kusha Bhau and others avoid eating onions
on'Ekadashi' day. (Holy mother Ananda Mayi asks one of her devotees to
fast fora day on account of his misbehaviour towards a brother devotee)
Therefore your own goal should be clear. Precisely what is it, you
what to accomplish with the fast.
CHECK YOUR MOTIVE
Lord Sainath does not want us to
torture our body. He only asks us : "Do youremember Me before eating ? Am
I not always with you ? Then do you offerMe anything before you eat?"
LENGTH OF THE FAST
Shri Sai Satcharita standards allow a
great latitude. You should decide as tohow long you intend to fast.* H.S.
Dixit's idea was to fast on all nights.* Mrs. Sai Raj wanted to fast
during her stay in Shirdi.* Uighwar Rao wanted to fast on 'Ekadashi' day only.*
N. Radhika fasted for three days.* Ravi Raj avoided only sugar till he had
'Darshan' of Sai Maharaj.
THE FAST ITSELF
To make your fast as meaningful as
possible; here are a few pointers:* Keep your fast a secret. I should
not call attention to itself. It should notdisrupt the household or go against
medical advice.* Make creative use of the time given to you by the skipped
meal. Read 'ShriSai Satcharita'. While skipping a meal once a week will
make you healthily hungry, it is also an excellent aid to spiritual
development* Keep records : It is useful to write down all the benefits
and difficulties youface with your fast.* As a secondary thought, consider
saving the money you do not spend on your meal and giving it to the
needy. It is a good idea to contribute towards'Poor Feeding' done by Shirdi
Sansthan.
EVALUATION
Take time to evaluate your fast. How
successful were you in maintaining yourdiscipline ? What benefits have you
noticed ?* An increased sense of concentration for prayer.* The ability to
distinguish between desire and basic needs.* More power for intercessory
prayers.* Thankfulness, doing without highlights the good we have. In
conclusion, by deliberately withholding from ourselves the usual source of
nourishment andstrength, we are thrown upon the 'pure spiritual milk' of
our Kamadhenu LordSainath; we are drawn into a new dependence upon Him.
Submitted by Rohit
Behal
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