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Upavasa is the samskrt term which means fasting. In Ayurveda The term upavasa and langhana are used synonymously at some places. Langhana is the treatment type that generates lightness in the body. Upavasa is one of the 6 different types of langhana used in Ayurveda. Simply put, Ayurveda considers fasting as treatment for multiple disease conditions. This is the unique approach of Ayurveda of managing certain conditions. In Sanatana dharma, fasting is observed in many religious functions as well as on particular days like Ekadashi or on some months in a year like chaturmasa and it is popularly known as Upavasa. The medical significance of fasting was deeply studied by Ayurveda scholars thousands of years ago and was implemented in Ayurveda treatments effectively.  

Upavasa is the samskrt term which means fasting. In Ayurveda The term upavasa and langhana are used synonymously at some places. Langhana is the treatment type that generates lightness in the body. Upavasa is one of the 6 different types of langhana used in Ayurveda. Simply put, Ayurveda considers fasting as treatment for multiple disease conditions. This is the unique approach of Ayurveda of managing certain conditions. In Sanatana dharma, fasting is observed on many occasions of religious importance as well as on particular days like Ekadashi or on some months in a year like chaturmasa and it is popularly known as Upavasa. The medical significance of fasting was deeply studied by Ayurveda scholars thousands of years ago and was implemented in Ayurveda treatments effectively.  

== Etymology ==

== व्युत्पत्ति ॥ Etymology ==

उपवासः, पुं, (उप + वस + घञ् ।) अग्न्याधानम् ।

In Shabdakalpadruma, the term upawasa is explained as below,

इति मलमासतत्त्वम् । अहोरात्रभोजनाभावः । (Shabdakalpadruma pg 1/260)

 

इति मलमासतत्त्वम् । अहोरात्रभोजनाभावः । (Shab. 1/260)<ref>Shabdakalpadruma pg 1/260</ref>

Abstaining from food throughout a day and night is called as Upavasa.

Abstaining from food throughout a day and night is called as Upavasa.

== Synonyms ==

== पर्यायाः॥ Synonyms ==

Various words used synonymously with Upavasa in Samskrt are given below,<blockquote>

Various words used synonymously with Upavasa in Samskrt are given below,<blockquote>

तत्पर्य्यायः । उपवस्तम् २ । इत्यमरः ॥ उपोषितम् ३ उपोषणम् ४ औपवस्तम् ५ । इति तट्टीका ॥</blockquote>

तत्पर्य्यायः । उपवस्तम् २ । इत्यमरः ॥ उपोषितम् ३ उपोषणम् ४ औपवस्तम् ५ । इति तट्टीका ॥</blockquote>

The commonly used words include Uposhana, uposhita, upawasta etcIn Ayurveda, the term upavasa is used synonymously with the term LAnghana<blockquote>

The commonly used words include Uposhana, uposhita, upawasta etcIn Ayurveda, the term upavasa is used synonymously with the term Langhana<blockquote>

लङ्घनं-उपवासाख्यं,… (Asht. Hrud. Su 8.21)</blockquote>Langhana is also known as Upavasa. Langhana is the term that indicates a method by which lightness is generated in the body. Upavasa where the food intake is restricted performs the same functions thus the words are used interchangeably at many instances.   

लङ्घनं-उपवासाख्यं,… (Asht. Hrud. 8.21)<ref name=":7">Ashtanga Hrudayam (Sutrasthanam adhyaya 8 Sutra 21)</ref></blockquote>Langhana is also known as Upavasa. Langhana is the term that indicates a method by which lightness is generated in the body. Upavasa where the food intake is restricted performs the same functions thus the words are used interchangeably at many instances.   

 

 

 

Langhana, the technical term used for fasting in Ayurveda is defined as follows,

== Deeper understanding of the term Upawasa ==

The term upawasa along with its synonyms is defined is various different ways as follows,  

यत् किञ्चिल्लाघवकरं देहे तल्लङ्घनं स्मृतम्||९|| (Char. Samh. Su 22.9)

Ayurveda acharyas have stated that Upavasa (the popular term used in reference to fasting for particular religious or spiritual cause) is similar to langhana. <blockquote>लङ्घनं-उपवासाख्यं,… (Asht. Hrud. 8.21) <ref name=":7" />

Meaning: Anything that generates lightness in the body is called as langhana.  

Meaning: Langhana is also known as Upavasa.</blockquote>Langhana, the technical term used for fasting in Ayurveda is defined as follows,<blockquote>यत् किञ्चिल्लाघवकरं देहे तल्लङ्घनं स्मृतम्||९|| (Char. Samh. Su 22.9)<ref>Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 22 Sutra 9)</ref></blockquote>Meaning: Anything that generates lightness in the body is called as langhana.  

Anything used as a treatment in Ayurveda is defined and explained in terms of its effect on body, mind or life as a whole. In this reference, fasting that limits food intake in body naturally lowers the load on body systems and generates the feeling of lightness  

Anything used as a treatment in Ayurveda is defined and explained in terms of its effect on body, mind or life as a whole. In this reference the term langhana is described in the same way. Fasting that limits food intake in body naturally lowers the load on body systems and generates the feeling of lightness. 

2)     Going further, Commentator chakrapani of Charaka Samhita has given definition of upavasa specifically observed for some religious purpose as follows,

Commentator chakrapani of Charaka Samhita has given definition of upavasa specifically observed for some religious purpose as follows,<blockquote>उपवासः क्रोधादिपरित्यागः सत्याद्युपादानं च, वचनं हि- “उपावृत्तस्य पापेभ्यः सहवासो गुणे हि यः| उपवासः स विज्ञेयो न शरीरस्य शोषणम्” इति (Chakra. Char. Samh. Su 1.6)<ref>Chakrapani commentary on Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutra 6)</ref></blockquote>OR<blockquote>उपावृत्तस्य पापेम्यो यस्तु वासो गुणैः सह । उपवासः स विज्ञेयः सर्व्वभोगविवर्ज्जितः” ॥ (Shab 1/263)<ref>Shabdakalpadruma  [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%82) Pg 1/263]</ref><ref name=":5" />

उपवासः क्रोधादिपरित्यागः सत्याद्युपादानं च, वचनं हि- “उपावृत्तस्य पापेभ्यः सहवासो गुणे हि यः| उपवासः स विज्ञेयो न शरीरस्य शोषणम्” इति (Chakrapani commentary on Char. Samh. Su 1.6)

Commentary- अस्यार्थः । उपावृत्तस्य निवृत्तस्य । पापेभ्यः पापकर्म्मभ्यः । गुणाः । सर्व्वभूतेषु दया क्षान्तिः अनसूया शौचं अनायासः मङ्गलं अकार्पण्यं अस्पृहाच । सर्व्वभोगविवर्ज्जितः शास्त्राननुमतनृत्यगीतादिसुखरहितः ।</blockquote>Upavasa is related to not just physical but also the psychological and spiritual aspects of one’s life. The deeper understanding of the term upavasa along with and even beyond its physical dimension has been described by Acharya Chakrapani as follows,

Upavasa denotes '''giving away the shadripus (negative emotions) like anger, lust, jealousy etc and following the path of truth, purity,''' japa (prayers), puja (worshipping), danam (offering), sewa (volunteering, giving service), brahamcharyam, dhyanam etc. Moreover, the one who refrains from these sins or the act of refraining from these sins by living in vicinity with the divine (and following the right path of truth etc) is known as Upavasa and it is not merely parching your body which is commonly misunderstood otherwise.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upavasa denotes giving away the shadripus (negative emotions) like anger, lust, jealousy etc and following the path of truth, purity, japa (prayers), puja (worshipping), danam (offering), sewa (volunteering, giving service), brahamcharyam, dhyanam etc. Moreover, the one who refrains from these sins or the act of refraining from these sins by living in vicinity with the divine (and following the right path of truth etc) is known as Upavasa and it is not merely parching your body which is commonly misunderstood otherwise.  

Therefore, the term Upavasa encompasses 2 main aspects of a particular way of living life. This includes refraining from the regular food, excess food and unwholesome food along with being in the presence of the divine by observing specific code of conduct.  

Therefore, the term Upavasa encompasses 2 main aspects of a particular way of living life. This includes refraining from the regular food, excess food and unwholesome food along with being in the presence of the divine by observing specific code of conduct.  

== Upavasa as a type of Langhana ==

== लङ्घनभेद उपवासः ॥ Upavasa as a type of Langhana ==

 

Meaning: 4 types of shodhana panchakarmas (Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya), Thirst, Exposure to air, Exposure to sun/heat, Use of digestive medicines, Upawasa and Exercise are known as (types of) Langhana therapy.</blockquote>

 

In this way, upawasa or fasting is counted as one of the type of therapy known as langhana. In vaiou smedical conditions like Ajeerna (Indigestion), Jwara (Pyrexia/fevers), Chardi (Vomiting), Amavata (Type of arthritis) Langhana is the chief and first line of treatment. Wherever appropriate, as per the strength of patient, disease, season etc the right type of langhana is selected and advised to the patient in Ayurveda treatment. Therefore in some cases, upawasa can also be the therapeutic procedure.

Ayurveda has described different types of langhana. These are the activities or processes that work as langhana. Since langana generates certain qualities in body, processes or activities that generate similar qualities are grouped under the chief heading of langhana and utilized wherever appropriate. These types are as follows,

 

 

 

 

== For how long the food should not be taken in Upavasa? ==

== For how long the food should not be taken in Upavasa? ==

(Reference from Mahabharata

In a discussion about Vrata, Tapa, Upavasa, brahmacharya and Atithiseva, Bhishma says in Mahabharata Shanti Parva that commoners fast for 15 days of the month and consider it an act of tapas. But that infact is an act of exploiting the body which is actually a medium of dharmik activities.<blockquote>मासपक्षोपवासेन मन्यन्ते यत् तपो जनाः । आत्मतन्त्रोपघातस्तु न तपस्तत्सतां मतम् ॥ २२१.४ ॥</blockquote>Furthermore, he states that the one who eats in the morning and evening alone, and doesnt consume anything in between, such a person is known as a practitioner of Nitya Upavasa. <blockquote>अन्तरा प्रातराशं च सायमाशं तथैव च । सदोपवासी स भवेद् यो न भुङ्क्तेऽन्तरा पुनः ॥ २२१.१० ॥<ref>Pandit Ramnarayanadatta Shastri Pandey, Mahabharata (Khanda 5-Shantiparva), Gorakhpur: Gita Press.</ref></blockquote>A careful reading of the different vratas enumerated in the Garuda Purana (Adhyayas 116-137) brings out that different fasting regimens were described for the vratas observed during different times of the year.<ref name=":3">M.N.Dutt, The Garuda Mahapuranam ([https://archive.org/details/GarudaPuranamSanskritEnglish/page/n315/mode/2up?view=theater Vol. 1]), Delhi: New Bharatiya Book Corporation. </ref>

=== उपवासदिने वर्ज्जनीयानि । Things prohibited on the day of Upawasa (as vrata) ===

 

 

 

 

 

 

=== उपवासदिने वर्ज्जनीयानि । ===

A few forbidden things during the day of Upavasa as enlisted in the Shabdakalpadruma are as follows:   

A few forbidden things during the day of Upavasa as enlisted in the Shabdakalpadruma are as follows:   

# अञ्जनम् । Collyrium

# अञ्जनम् । Collyrium

# रोचनम् ।

# रोचनम् । Foods that enhance taste and flavor of food or foods that stimulate appetite

# गन्धः । Perfume  

# गन्धः । Perfume

# पुष्पम् । Flower

# पुष्पम् । Flower

# माल्यम् । Garland

# माल्यम् । Garland

# अलङ्कारः । Ornament

# अलङ्कारः । Ornament

# दन्तधावनम् । Cleaing the teeth

# दन्तधावनम् । Cleaning the teeth

# गात्राभ्यङ्गः । Massaging the body

# गात्राभ्यङ्गः । Massaging the body

# शिरोभ्यङ्गः । Head massage

# शिरोभ्यङ्गः । Head massage

# ताम्बूलम् । Having Betel

# ताम्बूलम् । Having Betel

As also those things that are influenced by strength and passion like,  

As also those things that are influenced by strength and passion like,  

# अक्षक्रीडा । Gambling in a dice game

# अक्षक्रीडा । Gambling in a dice game

# मैथुनम् । Copulation

# मैथुनम् । Copulation

# स्त्रीणां सरागसम्प्रेक्षणस्पर्शौ । Approaching or bing in contact with ladies as a result of passion

# स्त्रीणां सरागसम्प्रेक्षणस्पर्शौ । Approaching or being in contact with women as a result of passion

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, it clarifies that approaching one's wife once at the appropriate time for the sake of progeny during Vrata is not considered a transgression.

Cleaning of teeth and the use of collyrium is also not recommended. Instead it is suggested that Panchagavya (5 things obtained from a cow) should be used in place of the toothstick in the morning.

व्रतादिषु पुत्त्रोत्पत्तिपर्य्यन्तं ऋतौ सकृत् स्त्रीगमने न दोषः ॥<ref name=":0">Shabdakalpadruma, See: [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%82 उपवासः]</ref>

It further adds that frequent drinking of water, chewing of betels, dreaming and having intercourse during the day render one's fasting fruitless.<ref name=":6">The Agni Purana ([https://archive.org/details/AgniPuranaUnabridgedEnglishMotilal/page/n503/mode/2up?view=theater Part 2]), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref><blockquote>असकृज्जलपानाच्च ताम्बूलस्य च भक्षणात् ।१७५.००९ उपवासः प्रदुष्येत दिवास्वप्नाच्च मैथुनात् ॥१७५.००९<ref name=":5" /></blockquote>

=== तत्पूर्ब्बापरदिने वर्ज्जनीयानि । ===

=== तत्पूर्ब्बापरदिने वर्ज्जनीयानि । Things to be avoided the day before and after Upawasa (as vrata) ===

Shabdakalpadruma<ref name=":0" /> also enlists what is to be avoided the day before and after the Vrata from the text Ekadashi Tattva.<ref>Raghunandana Bhattacharya, [https://archive.org/details/EkadashiTattvam/page/n5/mode/2up?view=theater Ekadashi Tattvam], Hugli: Sriharinatha Smritibhushana & Srinivarana Bhattacharya.</ref> They are as follows:  

Shabdakalpadruma<ref name=":0" /> also enlists what is to be avoided the day before and after the Vrata as referenced from the text Ekadashi Tattva.<ref>Raghunandana Bhattacharya, [https://archive.org/details/EkadashiTattvam/page/n5/mode/2up?view=theater Ekadashi Tattvam], Hugli: Sriharinatha Smritibhushana & Srinivarana Bhattacharya.</ref> They are as follows:  

# कांस्यपात्रे भोजनम् । Dining in brass vessels  

# कांस्यपात्रे भोजनम् । Dining in brass vessels  

# वितथभाषणम् । Engaging in futile conversations  

# वितथभाषणम् । Engaging in futile conversations  

# व्यायामः । Exercising  

# व्यायामः । Exercising  

# व्यवायः (?)

# व्यवायः। Coitus

# दिवास्वापः । Sleeping during the day  

# दिवास्वापः । Sleeping during the day  

# अञ्जनम् । Applying collyrium  

# अञ्जनम् । Applying collyrium  

# अध्वगमनम् । Journeying  

# अध्वगमनम् । Journeying  

# यानम् । Riding vehicles  

# यानम् । Riding vehicles  

# आयासः । Exherting oneself  

# आयासः । Exerting oneself

# द्यूतक्रीडा । Playing dice  

# द्यूतक्रीडा । Playing dice  

# अभ्यङ्गः । Massage  

# अभ्यङ्गः । Massage  

# परान्नम् । Consuming other's food  

# परान्नम् । Consuming other's food  

# तैलम् । Consuming oil  

# तैलम् । Consuming oil  

# चणकम् । Consuimg bengal gram (chik-pea)  

# चणकम् । Consuming Bengal gram (chik-pea)

# कोरदूषकम् ।

# कोरदूषकम् । (kind of a grain??)

# शाकम् । Vegetables  

# शाकम् । (?Leafy) Vegetables

# अधिकधृतम् । Over preserved things (?)

# अधिकधृतम् । Over preserved things?/eating excess a day prior or after to support fasting state

# अत्यम्बुपानम् । Excessive consumption of water.

# अत्यम्बुपानम् । Excessive consumption of water.

उपवासा-

कङ्गु - Panic seed

== Popular Legend about Health ==

== Popular Legend about Health ==

== References ==

== References ==