Importance of Fasting, No Study Period And Sivi’s Sacrifice In Hinduism

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There are many important aspects in Hinduism and among them Fasting, No Study Period and Sivi’s Sacrifice are a few  of the important ones. All the three aspects are being highlighted in this article in a short and crisp way to make a long story short. One cannot but give  credit to Hinduism which is due to it, because it is to be noted that the religion has survived since the ancient ages and has blended with time to match the needs of the society and culture of the particular period.  This is required by a religion which follows a rational of introspection, accepts self criticism and always tries to go on a correction course when it is due to be done as per the time one is living in. It does not have a fundamentalist tinge to it and is more accepting of others that is the reason why you see that others have come and made India their home. Now let us delve about on the three aspects that are mentioned above.

Fasting – Hinduism lays great emphasis on fasting for the purpose of spiritual cleansing of the mind, body and the soul. This aspect of fasting is considered a means to get closer to the Supreme Being or God. The process of fasting does not simply mean abstinence from food but it also means keeping himself or herself  away from various kinds of sins, cheating, lying. And spending the whole day and night in pious activities.

There are different ways how abstinence from food is practiced like in some cases having food once in a day. While in some other cases there is total abstinence of both food and water. One more thing is the kind of food consumed during this period is of Sattvic kind and can only be cooked in a very simple style. During this period most people who are fasting eat only fruits, berries and other similar kind of food.

No Study period – During This period of no study the study of the Vedas and the Vedangas which is goverened by a series of rules and regulations which have to be followed is not done. Here most of the Smritis lay stress on the study of the Vedas by the Brahmins, Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas.  While the remaining members of the society have been advised to do the important task of providing services to the other groups and they have also been advised to do the work of handicrafts and run their daily lives. This was in the ancient times now things have changed as per current situations and times as it ought to happen in a progressive religion.

In ancient times the royals especially the head of the country being the King is advised to read the Vedas. This study is later to be continued by them for their entire lifetime. Here as per the code of conduct the study of the Vedas during these times which is called Anadhyay is probihibited. This comes into force when the scholars in the kingdom can hear the sounds of wild animals, like hyena’s, jackal’s  etc. Even when the sound of domestic animals like dogs and donkeys are heard this period comes into force when the sound or music of drums, shehnai etc. are audible. When there is warfare going on and when sounds of arrows flying around  and cries of people in trouble for help or of people injured or losing their life are heard even at such times it is not the right time to undertake the study of the Vedas.

In times of natural disasters like earthquake, floods, cyclones, storm, thunder, heavy rainfall and snow,  the study study of the Vedas is prohibited. The other times are when a king dies or even a meteor is sighted study of Vedas is prohibited. No moon day is not a right time to study Vedas. So is the case on full moon days in the months of Poornima Phalguna, Ashada.

Sivi’s Sacrifice – The epic of Mahabharata mentions in detail of  a sacrifice by a king of his own son on the demand of a Brahmin. Sivi the king ruled a kingdom near the place of Gandhara which is famous in Mahabharata and the kindom’s name was Usinara. In this epic Sivi is praised for his great charity and generous nature. The king asked a Brahmin said to be Maha Vishnu in disguise to tell whatever he wanted to have or desired. The Brahmin asked for food and when the king in turn asked as to what kind of food , the Brahmin then asked the king to cook his own son Brihadgarbha for him. Without batting an eyelid Sivi sacrificed his own son and got him cooked.

When the Brahmin was served the food and requested to partake the same he refused to to do and instead tole the king to eat the cooked food. The king did not utter even a word and started to eat, this was when the Brahmin changed into Maha Vishnu and stopped Sivi from having the food. Later He also restored his son Brihadgarbha back to life and also blessed king Sivi.  This was one of the incident  mentioned in the epic. Later in another incident from Mahabharata itself. King Sivi cut flesh from his own body to save a pigeon. Here in this case the pigeon was actually Narada in disguise and was being hunted by an eagle. Here the eagle being God Indra. The pigeon sought refuge with the king Sivi.

Then the angry eagle wanted the king’s flesh equal to the weight of the pigeon as a sort of compensation as the king was the one who was protecting the pigeon. When told the king started chopping up pieces of his own body to weigh the same against the pigeon, but when this process was on the scales never seemed to balance. Then the in the end offered his whole body as the scales were still not equal. Later both the pigeon and the eagle returned into their original form of Narada and Indra and blessed  king Sivi for the sacrifice which he made to save a helpless bird.

Here there are three totally different aspects of Hinduism each highlighting that particular aspects importance. There are many of the practices which many of the Hindus follow even till date. While these may sound like simple stories to some of the readers for a Hindu it is a matter of belief and he or she would like imbibe and uphold the principles and good things which one can learn from these instances mentioned in the Mahabharata.

Fasting is of many varieties and it is quite interesting to know how accommodative  fasting is even in this time and age. Remember whenever you want to fast have a  medical checkup done by the doctor and take his approval whether you can undertake a fast and after getting the permission only then can you  proceed further.