Demystifying the Shravan fasting: A comprehensive guide

Traditionally, fasting had much deeper meaning beyond health benefit or weight loss, especially during the Hindu month of Shravan.

The fifth month of the Hindu calendar brings the auspicious phase of Shravan, which coincides with the onset of the monsoon in India. This is considered a holy period associated with Lord Shiva and a time for devotees to practice their sadhana, or spiritual discipline, as an offering.

A vital part of this practice is observing a fasted state, known in Sanskrit as Vrat or Upvaas. The concept of fasting has taken on a different meaning in modern life. It is usually spoken of in relation to health benefits or weight loss, but traditionally, its significance has a much deeper meaning, especially during the month of Shravan, which falls in July-August.

What is Vrat or Spiritual Fasting?

The Sanskrit word ‘Vrat’ means vow, resolution or sankalpa – which, when literally translated, means to ‘sit near the deity’. Being in a fasted state has a spiritual significance: cleansing the body from toxicity to maintain a higher state where one is receptive to the surge of spiritual energy during the sacred month.

This is also an important aspect of the vow that a devotee typically undertakes during this month – to transform himself physically, mentally, and spiritually as an offering to the deity.

Vrat During Shravan

During this auspicious time, there are many important days, but the three most commonly observed are:

• Five Mondays (for Bhagwan Shiv) as the month of Shravan generally spans over five weeks and includes five Mondays.
• Tuesdays, known as Mangala Gauri (for Maa Parvati or Adishakti), are ones married women usually keep. However, this can be observed by anyone who worships Shakti.
• And the last one is for 16 Mondays and begins on the first Monday of Shravan.

It is believed that during Shravan, Bhagwan Shiv accepted Maa Parvati as his wife, which people have often misunderstood as a fast undertaken to get a good husband. It’s about the union of Shiv and Shakti, about uniting ourselves with our higher self.

It is important to note the three steps involved in the fasting practice: setting the spiritual intention for the fast on the day before beginning the fast, observing the fast along with the other tools of practice, and finally, breaking the fast with an offering.

The intention that can be set could be something simple: “I will observe this fast and do my best to complete the practices with complete devotion, and when I break my fast, I will make sure to offer food to those in need.”

Many seekers also vow to visit the temple every Monday or offer fresh fruits and flowers to the deity as part of their worship and appreciation. What you decide as your vow is entirely on you, as the relationship between devotee and deity is deeply personal.

Should You Fast this Shravan?

There are no rules, this fast can be observed by a child or elderly person. It is the sense of devotion and gratitude that matters when it comes to such practices.

That said, specific cases, such as chronic illness patients who are on daily medication, should check with their doctors if they can observe a fast. Pregnant mothers can consult with their gynecologist and modulate the fasting process accordingly. Menstruating women can observe the vrat and stick to the rules of eating more fruits and vegetables (which are easy to digest), drinking plenty of water, and avoiding eating anything heavy during this auspicious month. Physical exertion – temple visits or other rituals – can be replaced with activities like mental chanting and meditation.

What Should You Eat or Avoid?

First understand that fasting should not be seen as a sacrifice for the deity but to keep the body cleansed and at its lightest so that one can remain in a state of spiritual energy and devotion.

Ancient Indian wisdom has always highlighted the link between what we eat and how it influences our bodily energy and mental states. Keeping in mind the nature of various foods and their effect on the body, certain foods are avoided to observe a truly fasted state. Points to note:

• Water, buttermilk, coconut water, and soups made from alkaline vegetables are recommended for those who want to follow a complete liquid fast throughout the day. Cold drinks, coffee or tea, and other stimulants are to be avoided.
• If you cannot observe a liquid fasted state, having fruits is permitted. Prefer a mono-fruit meal – one fruit at a time.
• For those fasting for the first time / diabetic / dealing with any other chronic health problems, you can eat light meals that are sattvic in nature and not spicy. Avoid sugars, bread, refined flour and oils, fried foods, heavy food, excessive grains, and savory items. It is best to consume light, natural and unrefined. Eating alkaline vegetables is ideal.

Shravan Vrat Principles

There are three main facets when it comes to practising a spiritual fast:

1.Preparation – where we mentally and physically prepare ourselves by having a light meal the day before.
2.On the day of fasting – wake up before sunrise (Brahma-muhurt), shower, and wear clean clothes. If possible, visit the nearest Shiv temple and offer water, flowers, and fruits. Take a sankalpa or set intention. Practice the fast along with meditation, chanting, and spiritual discipline.
3.Completion of the fast – on the last Monday (the 5th Monday) of Shravan, complete your sadhana and offer food to those in need. Eat the prasad with gratitude and conclude your fast.

Final Thoughts
One must treat this month of Shravan as an opportunity to cleanse and transform the mind and body and uplift it to a higher state of energy through self-discipline. It is a month that brings forth a chance for immense self-growth and the experience of divinity.

Illustration: Navni Chawla