Fasting On Purnima 
(Full Moon Day)

All religions consider certain days in a week to be sacred.

The Jews observe the Sabbath. Muslims observe Friday as their day of special prayer and the Hindus follow the lunar calendar, which is based on the waxing and waning of the moon.

The Hindus consider, the full moon day, (Purnima) sacred. Some Hindus fast on this day, or at any rate take only light food in the night. I am going to tell you the reason.

Man is composed of 80% liquid and 20% solid. You might wonder how? Well, blood is liquid, is it not? The moon has an effect on the sea, making the tides rise or fall. In the same way, the moon also has an effect on the liquid content in man. The above results in man becoming tense and irritable. That is how the term 'lunatic' came into being. 'luna' means 'moon' in latin. Lunatic means 'insane'.

Our wise ancestors, looked for ways to combat the evil effects on human behavior during the full moon and new moon days. They found that light food on these days would lower the acidic content in our system, which helps human beings to retain their mental balance. By fasting or taking light food the whole system is given a rest. By praying man would not allow his emotions to run wild. When the system is at rest psychologically also there is rest in man. He feels comfortable physically and psychologically and will not be prone to irritation and outburst of temper.

Hindus also observe fasting on Ekadashi, the eleventh day of the fortnight. This is intended to give a rest to the digestive system in the human body, so that the stomach muscles can easily throw out the toxic contents of the food without strain.

Fasting is a sort of-Self discipline. When we keep fasts for a purpose, we act on the faith that our prayers will be answered. Faith is positive thinking: so the chances are that what you wish for will come to pass. 

With love,
Dadi Ma Nani Ma

The above 'note' is a simplified excerpt from 'Hindu Customs and Beliefs' by Shakun Narain. If you would like to read the whole book, click here.