To go on a fast - mahashivaratri

Yesterday was Mahashivaratri, so it was an opportunity for me to go on a fast after a long time. What I referred to are the fast trains, which I am never able to board due to the heavy rush during peak office hours. It was a Bank holiday. State Governments were on leave including the Sessions Court and High Court. Even some private offices were kept closed. Due to some past sins committed by us, Central Government offices in Maharashtra were not given a holiday. Otherwise I would have watched Tannu weds Mannu. I traveled in the comfort of a Window seat in a fast local from Dombivli to Mumbai. Many were indulging in a fast in our office on account of Mahashivratri. I was one of the few exceptions. I have never been in a fast except one time during my younger days on the eve of Vaikunta Ekadasi. I pledged to observe a full day fast for Lord Balaji. All day long, it made me realize that my craving for food overshadowed my devotion to the Lord. From that day, I gave up the idea of fasting. A day’s fast may be good for the body only if we don’t feel like eating, otherwise it can be counterproductive.

Some People keep specific days for fasting like Mondays. What happens is that they eat on Sundays, even if they do not have appetite just because they have a fast on Monday. They determinedly go on a fast on Monday, even if they feel hungry. It makes no sense. I make it a point to take light food before going to the temple as it often takes several hours to take Darshan. We Indians have the habit of visiting temples only during the crowded hours and leave the temple abandoned on other days. I cannot understand this logic. People stand in queues for hours. The irony is that while one person will be standing to pray the Lord for achieving bigger ambitions in return for a dakshina of Rs.1000/-, the other person standing very next to him may be praying for the same Rs.1000/- for fulfilling his bare necessities.

On my part, I visit Lord Shiva, the day after Mahashivratri, when the nearby temple has almost a deserted look. I leave Mahashivratri to the most ardent devotees who have priority over the Lord than me. The rest of the days are for me.

Speaking about fasting, the Maharashtrians have a unique way of fasting. They feast on Sabudana khichdi, sweet kachori and all the stuff which are exempted and can be eaten on such fasting days. It gives them variety. All the time is spent talking about fasting and it gains precedence over other things. I tend to think of those people who sleep everyday with hunger in their stomach and live in deep poverty. What significance will Mahashivratri hold for them?


Now that Mahashivratri is over, all the offices will be open. The rest of the office crowd will come back to occupy all the available inch of space in fast trains. It is time for me to give them space and catch the next slow train.

 

Devotion to Humanity is Devotion to God

thanks Saras for your lovely comments

cheers
suresh

 

thanks for your comments

cheers
suresh

 

thanks for this comment

cheers
suresh