Читать книгу Textbook of Lifestyle Medicine - Labros S. Sidossis - Страница 113

Fasting, known as Vrat or Vratam, is fundamental to the Hindu religion. It denotes the denial of the body's physical needs in favor of mental health. Each day in Hindu religion is devoted to a particular deity, and based on personal choice, believers can fast or not. Tamasic foods, such as fish and meat, are usually avoided for several days. During fasting, Hindus usually avoid solid foods and follow a liquid diet with vegetable or fruit juices. A stricter fasting ritual also exists, avoiding any solids and any form of liquid but water. Hindus follow fasting practices on each of the 18 major Hindu holidays but also on such days as birthdays, anniversaries, deaths, and marriages. Sunday is also a fasting day, as are certain days relative to the planetary scenery, i.e., the position of the moon and the planets.