The auspicious occasion of Nav Raatri and the month of Kartik herald a time of religious austerities that bring innumerable benefits to the sincere aspirant. This period presents countless opportunities for engaging in intense discipline and sacrifice that bring increased sanctity into one’s life. Fasting, mantra-recitation, havan, and other forms of worship are just a few of the many different ways that one can make offerings to the Divine, build spirituality, become attuned to the inner self and draw closer to self-realization. Outlined below are just a few of the many benefits that can be derived from fasting and performing havan.
The Power of Fasting
- Fasting results in physical and inner purification, self-control and the acquisition of positive qualities.
- Fasting helps one to rise above the 24 limitations of the body, namely, the 5 organs of action, the 5 organs of knowledge, the 3 ‘gunas’(qualities), the 5 elements and the 6 tastes.
- Fasting is a form of sacrifice and results in the exhaustion of fruits of past ‘karma’ or actions, leaving a purified individual.
- Fasting develops in the aspirant an inner peaceful mind and a state of tranquillity.
- Fasting has been proven to be a prominent factor in intensifying prayer. Spiritual aspirants have discovered that abstaining from salt not only frees one to focus upon God with fresh intensity, but opens avenues of spiritual perception and understanding quite easily.
The Power of Havan
- Through the chanting of mantras and making offerings into the fire, one’s chakras are re-energised, creating a revitalised and rejuvenating effect on both the body and mind.
- Positive thoughts, words and actions then pave the way for further success.
- The combined effect of the havan-materials, when mixed in the havan produces a fumigatory response to the atmosphere, purifying the environment around.
- Negative energies are dispelled and a protective shield is built around the physical environment where havan is performed, thereby warding off any untoward energies.
- Havan induces peace, prosperity and good health, conditions which augur well for clarity of thought, increased power of discrimination and improved usage of mental faculties.
- The process of bhoot-shuddhi or purification of the tattwas or elements takes place within the individual who performs havan, thereby transforming one’s thought-patterns.
- Qualities of anger, rash and irrational thinking are replaced by calm, tranquil and controlled attitudes.
- One acquires greater control of one’s life, which offers wider scope for daily success.
- Havan is also one way of burning away one’s karma and facilitates spiritual progress.
