Fasting For Health Part-III

Fasting an Ancient Practice

Fasting has been practiced in all countries from the most ancient times. In early times fasting was used in connection with religion for moral, mental and spiritual purification. It was also practiced by all the people of the lower cultures in which it was supported by the rudimentary science which takes the form of magical lore, as well as by a variety of crude religious beliefs. 

The Christian ‘Lent’ is paralleled by the Mohamedan Fast of ‘Ramzan’. The Hindu and the Jain ascetics practiced severe fasting in conjunction with numerous other austerities. Primitive ‘Buddhism’ is in favour of moderation rather than extreme self-deprivation, but in practice in its various developed forms; the religion covers a considerable amount of fasting especially in Tibet. The higher Taoism of China and Confucianism enjoin periods of strict abstinence.

It should not however be understood that in India fasting was practiced only under religious superstition. The therapeutic effects of the fast were also greatly recognized. It was used for the prevention and cures of various ailments and was endorsed by writers on medicine and surgery. From the point of view of health it will be highly beneficial to fast at least once a fortnight. Many Hindus take only one mill a day during the rainy season. This is a practice based upon the soundest hygienic principles. For when the air is dump and the sky cloudy the digestive organs are weaker than usual, and hence there should be a reduction in the quantity of food.

There are several kinds of fasts in Hindu religion. Cereals, beans and pulses are prohibited in almost all fasts while no restriction is placed upon fruits, vegetables and milk – the continued use of a large amount of cereals being regarded as the cause of unhealthy accumulations in the body. A fast is known as “Chandrayan Vrata” in which the faster daily diminishes one morsel of food with the waning digit of the moon till he comes to ‘Amavasya’ when he takes nothing because the moon is not visible. Then he begins his food with one morsel and increases it daily by one morsel till the arrival of full moon. Thus a complete course is finished during the period of four weeks. Fast is also recommended during the period of a ‘Solar Eclipse’. The association of fast with the non-appearance of sun is a matter of great hygienic value. Light of the sun being the source of all vital energy the vital power of our system are naturally at a low ebb when that light is screened from us. Consequently the system is ill equipped for digesting and assimilating food. The Jains follow the same principle in talking their evening meals before sunset.

Krishnananda Agambagish and The Book Tantrasaar Part - I

Krishnananda Agambagish was born in the year 1650 at Nabadwip, the birthplace of Chaintanya Mohaprovu.Agameswari Kali Maa, the oldest Kali Pujo of Nabadwip started by the Great Tantra Sadhak Krishnananda Agambagish.

Ma Agomeshwari is being worshipped entire Deepabali night, Priests follow the Baishanaba way to worship her instead of Tantra way as Krishnananda Agambagish belonged to Baishnaba family.

The idol’s height is equivalent to a two storied building and she is decorated with gold and silver ornaments weighted more than 100 Kgs.

Mata Agomeshwari, Shantipur, West Bengal

Around 600 years ago, when the entire Bengal, Orissa and Assam were flooded with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Baishnaba Religion, Krishnananda Agambagish – descendant of Late Mathura Goswami, the elder son Adwaitya Mahaprabhu, Teacher and coworker of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, started to worship Shakti at their Nabadwip residence. He cried to Shakti everybody begging to see her – one night Maa told her to see at dawn as the first lady he wd ever see that dawn. Next dawn he saw his tribal maid servant standing with right foot in front- the hair was open- the black lady was keeping her hands as raised – from there he conceptualized the idol of Shakti as Dakshina Kali and worshipped her. Name of this 1st Dakshina Kali Idol is Mata Agomeshwari and she is being worshipped till date on Deepabali night at Nabadwip and Shantipur, place of work and birth of Krishnananda Agambagish.

Now we are coming to Shantipur which is famous for peaceful coexistence of both Baishanavas and Shaktas. Here the Mata Agemeswari temple is adjacent to the house of Late Mathura Goswami, famous as Bado Goswami Bati and she is being worshipped there for 600 years. If you see the picture minutely , you can see two boys are standing on ears of the idol – one at each ear. People say that once the priesthas gone to some work during Puja keeping his two sons near Mata Agomeshwari. When he returned, he could not find his sons. He asked Mother about their whereabouts, then mother told him she ate them as she could not eat anything from Naibedya ( offered food ) since the Puja was not completed, Then Priest prayed to her and she released his sons through her ear – so you can find those sons at two ears of the mother.

Though Mata Agomeshwari is being worshipped entire Deepabali night, Priests follow the Baishanaba way to worship her instead of Tantra way asKrishnananda Agambagish belonged to Baishnaba family.

The idol’s height is equivalent to a two storied building and she is decorated with gold and silver ornaments weighted more than 100 Kgs.

Previously the puja was observed in Mashal ( torch ) light and the immersion procession was also happened with those torches. Now the practice has been stopped by some notice of Government of West Bengal.

The Goswamis have the patent of face of the Idol and the surprising thing is, the artisan draws the eyes from behind of the mother.