Gokarna, August 9, 2026: Fasting does not simply mean staying without food. If a person continues to feel hunger, the real purpose of fasting has not been achieved, said Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Mahaswamiji, Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sri Ramachandrapura Matha.
“Holding back hunger is not fasting. Suppressing the natural function of the body can lead to health problems. True fasting is a state in which one becomes unaware of hunger,” the Swamiji said.
He was delivering a discourse on ‘Upavasa’ (fasting) as part of the ‘Annam Brahma’ series during the ongoing Annabrahma Chaturmasya at the main monastery premises in Ashoka, Gokarna, on Sunday.
Explaining the deeper meaning of fasting, the Swamiji said that when the stomach is actively engaged in digestion, a person's attention remains focused on physical needs. When the activity of the stomach is brought to rest, the inner awareness and emotional dimension can become more active.
“Simply not eating does not mean that the fasting vow is fulfilled. Even experiencing hunger can mean that the purpose of fasting has not been achieved,” he said.
Valmiki's Tapas
Referring to the story of Sage Valmiki, the Swamiji explained that Valmiki remained immersed in penance for such a long period that an anthill grew around his body.
During that period, he did not have any awareness of food or other physical needs, while his mind remained firmly absorbed in the thought of Lord Rama. This, he said, was an example of natural fasting arising from complete absorption.
The Swamiji also referred to a verse from the Yogataravali, explaining the state of deep meditation in which a person becomes so completely absorbed that even physical changes such as creepers growing over the body or birds building nests near the ears become unnoticed.
The state of samadhi, he said, cannot easily be described in words because the mind ceases to remain as a separate entity in that state. When such complete absorption occurs, true fasting happens naturally.
He cited the lives of Vishwamitra, Hiranyakashipu and Ramana Maharshi as other examples of intense spiritual absorption.
‘Ordinary People Can Also Practise Fasting’
Sharing an experience from his own life, the Swamiji recalled that before becoming a sanyasi, he was deeply involved in studying the Mahabharata.
“There were times when we were so absorbed in our studies that we were not aware of food or sleep. If we became conscious of food, it meant that we had not completely lost ourselves in the subject,” he said.
Fasting, he added, is not something that can be practised only by great spiritual personalities. Ordinary people can also experience true fasting when the mind becomes deeply focused and detached from physical cravings, he said.
Sri Matha's Shasanatantra president Mohana Bhaskara Hegde, Havyaka Mahamandala president Hariprasada Periyappu, Praveena Bheemanakone, Srinatha Saranga, Srivatsa Bheemanakone and the day's hosts Lakshminarayana Hegde Sanmane and his wife were present.
Keywords
Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji, Upavasa, fasting, Annabrahma Chaturmasya, Gokarna, Ramachandrapura Matha, Gokarna News, Citizen News Puttur