Dr Venganoor Balakrishnan

Fasting was not just an occasional ritual for our ancestors. They realised that it has both practical and spiritual value and made it a part of their lifestyle.
We know how Mahatma Gandhi used fasting as a powerful weapon during the freedom struggle. Here, we would be focusing more on the spiritual benefits of fasting for the individual.
Fasting on new moon day is believed to please the Gods. It helps a devotee achieve wealth, health and have good children. On the day of fasting, bathing at a pilgrim centre and making offering to the deities has been prescribed. On the previous day, one should take only a single meal.
According to the shastras, fasting on new moon day helps people alleviate ill effects on the body. The moon has an influence on the earth, as is evident from spring tide and neap tide that occur daily in the sea. Our ancestors believed that it has an effect on the human body as well.
The word “Shashti” refers to the sixth lunar day. Fasting on Shashti is believed to please Lord Subramanya and benefit one’s children. On Shashti, one should bathe early in the morning, visit the temple of Subramanya Swami, undertake Kavadi Abhishekam (a religious rite), conduct puja, have a single meal and listen to stories of the Lord. Two Shashtis occur in a month but fasting is to be undertaken on full moon Shashti.
In different months there are different Shashtis, namely Hala Shashti, Skanda Shashti, Champa Shashti etc. Likewise, sages say that if you observe pradosha fasting, you get the blessings of Lord Shiva. Pradosha means dusk or nightfall.
Pra Poorve doshamandhakaram ithi pradosha
(Pradosha is that which comes before darkness)
On the day of fasting, take a shower early morning, wear clean white dress, wear holy ash and rudraksha and keep chanting Om Namah Shivaya. It is believed that the holy ash prepared in the prescribed way and the rudraksha worn in the right manner will have positive effect on the body.
The fast can be completed at dusk when the devotee takes bath again and visits the temple, chanting Om Nama Shivaya. Though any day is fit for fasting, Mondays and Fridays are preferred for women devotees.
Young women also take Somavara Vritha (which literally means fasting on Monday) to get good husbands and to benefit family and children. Worship of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is the focus of the day. Here, prayers are not made at a metaphysical level, but for the sake of betterment of family and material life.
Fasting on Tuesday is intended to please the planet Mars, whose weapon is eternal power. If you can observe fast on Tuesday for 21 successive weeks, it will bring you high prospects. The one who observes fasting on Wednesday kneels before Mercury.
Likewise, worship of Jupiter or Brihaspathi is prescribed for Thursday wherein one also conducts puja with yellow flowers, yellow gram and sandalwood paste.
Fasting on Friday is aimed at pleasing Goddess Mahalakshmi, Annapoorna and Santoshi Maa. On these days one should not avoid supper as part of observances.
Devotees who fast usually feel free of worries and other distractions. Joy and contentment are the hallmarks of a family where regular fasting is observed.

— Dr Venganoor Balakrishnan is the author of Thaliyola, a book on Hindu beliefs and rituals.
He has also written books on the Vedas and Upanishads. The author can be reached at drvenganoor@yahoo.co.in