UPAVÁSA
from: A'nanda Vacana'mrtam Part 6
Today is eka'dashii, I think. These fastings are called 'upava'sa' in Sam'skrta.
`Upa' is a Sam'skrta prefix. In Sam'skrta there are twenty recognized prefixes, and one of these prefixes is `upa'. `Upa' means `proximity'. And `Va'sa' means `to live', `to reside'. The word `upava'sa' means then, `to live near the Lord'.
`Upavasa' - on these days of fasting, what are all spiritual aspirants to do? Mentally they should live near their Lord. On all other days they are to remain balanced between objective adjustment and subjective approach. On these days of fasting, however, on these days of upava'sa, one remains in closer proximity to the Lord than to one's mundane duties. That is why these days are known as `upava'sa'. The word `fasting' does not represent the proper sense or proper spirit. The Sam'skrta term for going without food is `anashana' - `ana' means not, `ashana' means eating - not `upava'sa'. But these eka'dashii, amavasya and pu'rn'ima' days are days of upava'sa.
from: Carya'carya Part 3
Voluntary fasting on certain days is called 'upava'sa'. The derivative meaning of the word 'upava'sa' is to remain in proximity to Iishvara; that is to say, to keep one's mind absorbed in the thought of Iishvara....
...On and around the times of new and full moon, one may observe that the gaseous and aqueous factors in the body rise up into the head and chest, creating an uncomfortable feeling. Therefore, if a person does not take food at these times, these factors will be drawn down from the higher portions of the body to the lower portions, thereby alleviating the uncomfortable feeling.
The food that we take is converted, through transformation, into its final essence, called shukra. Shukra is the food of the brain. From it, the ectoplasmic particles of the unit mind are produced. If one fasts according to the system, no excess shukra will excite the lower vrttis of the mind, and the mind will be led toward the higher vrttis. Furthermore, as a result of fasting, the poisonous and unnecessary waste of the body gets destroyed and expelled. Moreover, the energy that is not expended in digesting food can be utilised for other purposes. Therefore, a fast day is an excellent time for sa'dhana'.
from: Shabdha Cayanika' Part 1 DISCOURSE 3
Ashana is derived from ash (ashnute) plus the suffix lyut'. Ashana means "to eat". Anashana means "not to eat" in the sense of not being able to eat. A'ha'ra also means "to eat" but a'ha'ra means "to eat something that has been carefully selected". Thus ana'ha'ra means "not eating carefully selected items" -- filling the stomach with worthless edibles. Hence ana'ha'ra and anashana are not identical. The meaning of upava'sa is completely opposite. Upa means "near". Upava'sa means "to stay in close proximity". Most of the year people are busy with matter. If one fixes a specific day to suspend one's worldly activities and remain near God or live near God then it is called upava'sa. When all other worldly activities have been suspended, then on that day one should also refrain from eating. Therefore eating is discontinued on that day. Thus these three words, anashana, ana'ha'ra and upava'sa are quite different from each other.
