What’s a bigger reason to fast than to fast for love?
– Deepak Paul
Karwa Chauth — For those who are hearing this term for the very first time, let that not bewilder you because I’m here to explain this tradition and it’s significance. So without further ado, let’s delve into our topic for today — Karwa Chauth!
Karwa Chauth, the ancient Indian tradition, requires married women to observe a day long fast for the long life and well-being of their husband. Women do not consume food or water from sunrise to moon rise and eventually, break the fast by accepting water from their husband.
Without getting finicky about which deity or religion it’s for, or the rituals involved, rather, let’s focus our attention on what else this day holds for us. On the day of Karwa Chauth, the day of the fast, when the pangs of hunger hit you repeatedly, and your belly is craving for nourishment, you’ll be compelled to reflect on the moments when your spouse had served food and water, and took care of you with all the love you can possibly fathom. As the moon rises to reflect sun’s light, these little things that were often taken for granted in the past, are now being looked at in a different light. Your attitude towards your spouse evolves into an attitude of gratitude, giving your relationship a whole new meaning.
There was this time when I crashed at my uncle’s for the night. It got pretty cold early in the morning and I was shivering. Though I was fast asleep on the couch, I kept hearing the faint sound of footsteps approaching me. And just like that, my shivering stopped. When I woke up a few hours later, I saw my body covered in a thick blanket from head to toe. The footsteps were those of my uncle, though he passed away a couple of years later, I remember his act of love even to this day.
When you’re in a state of discomfort and somebody bails you out, you’re more likely to recall them with fondness. Drawing parallels with Karwa Chauth, when your spouse gives you the water at moonrise and breaks your fast, you are moving from a state of discomfort to a state of comfort. And you’ll remember the hand that gave you the water with the utmost love and affection.
Though this tradition is male-centric, and puts the onus on the female to indulge in fasting, it would be really nice to see men partake in the same manner as women do. The rationale being, irrespective of whether your spouse is a man or woman, you want them to live hale and hearty, and to love you until death.
It’s not uncommon to take your partner for granted because they’re around you all the time. And what’s in abundance, generally loses its value. However, taking a day to fast for your soulmate and reflect on their little sacrifices and acts of love, will reinstate how valuable they are to you and strengthen the bond that exists between both. Let not the country, religion, creed, culture, race or pronouns you identify yourself with, deter you from participating in traditions like the Karwa Chauth because the underlying principle of fasting for your soulmate, in my opinion, is pretty universal. Therefore, I would encourage you all, whether married, or unmarried with a boyfriend or girlfriend, to respect this ancient tradition of Karwa Chauth. Tell me, what’s a bigger reason to fast than to fast for love?
Namaste!