Vrata – Fasting --- how, why, who...

There are different forms of Upavasa Vratas (Fasting Penance), 1. Nirjala, 2. Nirahara, 3. Phalahara and for those for us who find it difficult but still want to participate in the vratas, ofcourse there is, the kind of food (vrata bhojana) one can take especially on the vrata days.

We can take up these vratas on Chaturti for Ganesha, Shashti for Kartikeya, Ekadashi for Vishnu, Triodashi (prodosha) for Shiva and Poornima and/or Amavasya for Shakti and some do it on the tithi or day of the Samadhi of their Guru.

First of all we will see the general rules for the vrata and then enter into the specifics.

Nirjala vrata – during the period of vrata the one who takes it should not EVEN drink water, though this is a tough form of vrata, there should not be any difficulty to perform it when doing vrata for one day.

Nirahara vrata – one can take water and should not take any type of food.

Phalahara vrata – for those who are not physically or psychologically fit to perform any of the said vrata, this is the option, where one eats fruits and nuts instead of cooked food. And here too, one should remember that we are not replacing the food with the fruits, because i have seen some people eating large quantities of fruits than that of the food they normally consume.

Vrata bhojana – the cooked food of some special type of cereals etc are used for this. Normally Sabhudhana (sago), Kuttu (buckwheat),  Moongphali (Groundnut) are taken. For cooking this, generally groundnut oil is used or ghee (clarified butter). Though we use salt for cooking, it is not the general salt we use for this but Saindha namak (rock salt). Rice is a definite no in both south and north, but in south they take wheat during these days but in north wheat etc is not taken as vrata food.

Ganesha vrata is done on chaturti (fourth) of both shukla and Krishna paksha (waxing and waning of moon). Normally on this day the first and foremost predominant thought should be of Lord Ganesha. The vrata is broken on the next day.

Shashti vrata is done in the sixth day of both paksha for Lord Kartikeya. And there is also the special occasion of Skhanda Shashti, from the pratama (first day) to the sixth day immediately after deepawali festival. During this whole period the vrata is undertaken.

Ekadashi vrata is performed on the eleventh day of both pakshas for Lord Vishnu. On this day the vrata is taken and is completed on the next day morning. There is one ekadeshi which is specifically Nirjala Ekadeshi too, once in a year.

Pradosha vrata is performed generally on the thirteenth (and sometimes it comes on the twelfth day, please refer to the calendar to be particular). The vrata starts on the morning of the day and is completed in the evening after the darshan (vision) of Pradosha Puja )a special puja is performed in the Shiva temples from 4.30 – 6.30 pm). If this is difficult, at least the darshan of Shiva image is good enough. Special Shiva vrata is performed on Shivaratri, that starts from the early morning of the first day to the end of the next day.
The vrata for devi is generally performed on Amavasya or Poornima (new moon or full moon). Some people takeup this vrata on every Tuesday too. The most elaborate and lengthy of this vrata is performed on the Navratri (both devi navaratri and rama navami).

How necessary is it to perform these vratas?  As the name both in Sanskrit and English suggest, from “vrtu vartane” – to exist, and Fast-ing, it is good for speeding up the process of mind purification and strengthening the will power.

Who should perform? Anyone interested in the grace of the Iswara. This is also taken by the yogis as a method of cleansing the body.

Smart Mauni speaks : “I remember the monkey which decided to do vrata, thought it will be weak after the vrata, so first plucked some bananas, after that thought it will be weak to peel so did it, then thought it will be weak to chew and later thought it will be weak to gulp it an thus completed the vrata”

Fate Vs Freewill

This is a very strange debate going on from time immemorial. The famous Saint Bhartruhari in one of the Shatakas (one hundred verses) has written supporting both the views.

Bhagavan Ramana when asked about the life being predetermined, if moving from one room to another is also predetermined, Bhagavan said, even the blinking is predetermined.

But the same Bhagavan in another place says “therefore it is wise to be silent (inactive)”. But this is strange coming from Him, who came from his home after liying to them. And in a different situation when the Sarvadhikari (the Ashram Incharge, His younger brother) decided to stop the afternoon Narayana Seva (food for the sadhus and poor) decided to leave the Ashram saying, at least they own something whereas I only have this kaupina (loin cloth). And in another instance he Decided against the wishes of the others to let His mother stay with Him. There maybe other similar events in His life.

And Ramakrishna Paramahamsa supports freewill liking it to a cow tied to a rope, one has freewill only as far as the noose string, whatever that may mean.

But then, is it better to “remain silent (inactive)” as Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi says, if be asked, it is very difficult, though on retrospect one may feel one could have remained silent. Bhagavan Sri Krishna in Gita says “it is difficult for anyone who is born to remain devoid of any activity “(na jatu thishtati akarmakrt).

So then, is there no freewill, then why do we need a term, or when should we apply our freewill and when to leave it to fate, is a million “whatever currency” question.

For our spiritual growth whatever is prone to be a hindrance should be avoided using freewill and whatever is conducive should be accepted using freewill.

What about our material growth, If one is in the path of renunciation he should leave all the worldly “growth” in the hands of fate. But if one is in the worldly path desiring the worldly growth, he should use freewill for attaining it.

But sometimes even after trying hard, we don't succeed in attaining the desired or avoid the non-desirable, and other-times even without an iota of effort the same is achieved or avoided. So still this Fate – Freewill remains a mystic mystery.

Whatever it maybe, it is easy to lead the life is we understand, for all that is past is because fate, both good and bad. And whatever is to take place is because of the Freewill.

Smart Mauni says “But it is always freewill of someone to write and fate for the other to read it”.