Why keep Sai Vratha

[anchal.gpt]

Dear Sai Devotees

For the past few weeks I am confused about a certain issue. I used to keep Shiv Ji's 16 Somvaar vratha every year starting in Shravan Maas. But as Sai baba has always discouraged fasting, Baba always says that body must get adequate energy to pray and to remember God all the time. So one must never fast.

As shraavan Maas is appraoching and I am still in dilemma, whether to continue my fasts this year or not, cuz i ardently believe in Sai's words.

Some devotees keep Sai vratha aslo and do Sai vratha kathaa. Baba being anti-fasting, should one do keep fasts in baba's name?

Though baba always promoted bhakta's own methods of worship but has always discouraged fasting.
Please reply and solve my dilemma...

[prajakta]

I think it is ok to keep the fast as long as we don't starve ourselves during the fast. Baba had a strict belief against starving oneself, so as long as we eat the allowed foods as much as is needed to keep us full we should be fine.

[dayalvasnani]

Om Sai Ram,

Vratha means to pray God with fresh mind. Therefore, during fast we do not take heavy food but take fruits etc.

Bhukhe Pet Na Hove Bhajan Gopala