Fast or Feast during Eclipse: Rationalists’ gluttony foolhardy, exhibits crude irrationality

The self-styled rationalists seem to behave most irrational when they resort to public display of gluttony when the need of the hour is to abstain from food.

Fast or Feast during Eclipse

Intermittent fasting is observed in various religious practices, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism and Judaism. Such fasting has been supportive of blood sugar management, it helps disease prevention, improves brain function, delays ageing and supports growth and metabolism and helps body weight management. It is an evolved art of living and reflects a person’s rationale rather than emotional attitude to food. It makes a person more resolute; low on anger, it controls mood and helps in viewing food as a necessary input for health rather than an object for indulgence.

In our society, fasting is also associated with certain special occasions of religious significance like Ekadasi and Sankranti. Sun and Moon have been intimately connected with human lives since the arrival of human beings on earth. Man has been worshipping the Sun since time immemorial. Sun has been viewed as the prime reason for life in this world. Planets revolve in their predetermined path around the Sun; Sun is responsible for rain. Man has been invoking Sun’s grace to enlighten him, sharpen his intelligence, and acquire the power of discrimination. Moon has been viewed as the controller of man’s mood, his emotions. These two celestial bodies have been worshipped as the manifestation of the Divine. When they suffer an eclipse, there is widespread concern for good and valid reasons. The devotee practices austerities and awaits the eclipse to be over to resume normal activities.