Fasting
To give up all types of food or drink or both willfully and the desire thereof is fasting. It is a difficult form of penance and when done without passion, it purifies the body, the mind and the Soul. It can be for a minimum period of 48 minutes (one muhurat) and a longer period upto six months. There are numerous types of fasts for fixed period like fasting for one day, two days, eight days, alternate days and various combinations thereof. Fasting till death known as Santhara (Salekhna) is giving up the body willingly and bravely. This is the highest form of renunciation and penance, whereby the performer discards the body like old clothes, realising the body and Soul are separate.
- ► Bahiya Tap - External Penance