Why do we fast?

Most devout Indians fast regularly or on special occasions likefestivals. On such days they do not eat at all, eat once or make do withfruits or a special diet of simple food.Fasting in Sanskrit is called upavaasa. Upa means "near" + vaasa means"to stay". Upavaasa therefore means staying near (the Lord), meaning theattainment of close mental proximity with the Lord. Then what hasupavaasa to do with food?A lot of our time and energy is spent in procuring food items,preparing, cooking, eating and digesting food. Certain food types makeour minds dull and agitated. Hence on certain days man decides to savetime and conserve his energy by eating either simple, light food ortotally abstaining from eating so that his mind becomes alert and pure.The mind, otherwise pre-occupied by the thought of food, now entertainsnoble thoughts and stays with the Lord. Since it is a self-imposed formof discipline it is usually adhered to with joyAlso every system needs a break and an overhaul to work at its best.Rest and a change of diet during fasting is very good for the digestivesystem and the entire body.The more you indulge the senses, the more they make their demands.Fasting helps us to cultivate control over our senses, sublimate ourdesires and guide our minds to be poised and at peace.Fasting should not make us weak, irritable or create an urge to indulgelater. This happens when there is no noble goal behind fasting.The Bhagavad-Gita urges us to eat appropriately - neither too less nortoo much - yukta-aahaara and to eat simple, pure and healthy food (asaatvik diet) even when not fasting.