Fasting in Sanskrit is called Upavaasa. Upa means 'near' + vaasa means 'to stay'. Upavaasa therefore means the attaintment of close mentle nearness to the Lord. Then what has upavaasa to do with food. A lot of our time and energy is spent in procuring food items, cooking, eating and digesting food. Certain types of food makes our minds dull and agitated. Hence on certain day a person decides to serve time and conserve his energy by eating either simple , light food or totally avoid eating so that his mind becomes alert and pure. The mind , otherwise preoccupied by the thought of food, now entertains noble thoughts and stays with the Lord. Since it is a self imposed form of discipline, it is usually observed with joys.(collected)
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