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Shravan 2023: Why Should You Fast During Monsoons?

Shiva is the God of bounty and blessings and the most merciful of all. Earnest prayers to him instantly get you what you want.

Shravan is his month in the sense that all Shiva related austerirites are done in this month one of which is vrat along with fasting.

shravan

Fasting has both spiritual and practical implications. Let us first examine the practical reasons why fasting is done in Shravan. Hindu devotees undertake austerities, go through strict fasts and pray to Lord Shiva for fulfilment of all their wishes.

The entire month, devotees observe fast on Mondays along with a vrat namely solah somavar vrat.. Even Devi devotees observe four vrats namely Sawan Somwar Vrat, Solah Somwar Vrat, Pradosh Vrat and Mangala Gauri Vrat.

Sawan or Shravan Somwar vrat is on every Monday of Shravan, During fast usually the body is deprived of salts, and food to stay in a balanced mood. Otherwise one would be bothered by undue sleepiness and lethargy.

People observing fast should avoid milk, onion, garlic, masoor dal and brinjal as these are the certified tamasic foods. Also one should stay away from non-vegetarian diet and alcohol.

Shravan month is when the Monsoon starts. Upavas or langhan means skipping a meal. Vrat is all about skipping meals. But upavas is all about fasting as well as setting up goals for self-improvement. Vrat and Upvaas both serve the same goals.

But Upavas is more about learning self control. Rainy season makes the metabolism sluggish. The digestive fire is not so active. Hence we must consume short easy to digest foods that boost the digestive fire and of course, they should match what is on the the menu for vrat.

Because of increase in vata and pitta doshas in the body, during Monsoons, there would be a stronger likelihood of acquiring diseases. Light and moderate food will be easy to digest.

Vegetables And Foodstuffs to avoid: Brinjal and greens with the exception of amaranth should not be consumed in the diet as they boost the vata properties.

Milk is also a strict No no as it boosts vata during this season because the cows consume grass and leaves from trees and that increases the vata. Milk abhisheka can be done on Shiv Linga in plenty.

Meat and fish are to be avoided as the digestive fire is too slow this season. Water, must be taken with caution, boiled and cooled. Cold water from tap should not even be the last option, contamination in water can bring host of diseases.

Bel fruit is the best for stomach upsets that happens frequently during this month. Hot water gargling with salt certainly helps to keep epidemic bacteria at bay. Season appropriate diet will boost your immunity and keep you safe from epidemic scares.

Shravan Mondays are the days when fasting gives utmost benefits. Marital problems or marriage delays can be relieved by observing this vrat on Shravan Mondays. Devotees can fast during the first four to five Mondays or can choose to fast on all sixteen Mondays.

Unmarried girls fast on a Monday in Shravan and observe ritualistic worship of Lord Shiva to ensure they get good suitors. Sola Somvar vrath which includes fasting gets blessings from heavens, from Lord Shiva.

Parvati Devi, as per the mythology, observed this vrat to get Lord Shiva as her husband. One must be careful that the vrat is not spoiled due to the evil effects of negative energies.

To make this happen, you should do good, say good and think good. During the month of Sawan or shravan, devotees should adhere strictly to the fasting restrictions. honestly.

Waking up early, they should use Ganga Jal to purify the house. Then for establishing or installing god's idol they should use ganga Jal.

Story first published: Tuesday, June 6, 2023, 17:15 [IST]
Read more about: shravan 2023