Fasting on disappearance days

[BVKS Sanga]

From:	Lekhasravanti Devi Dasi
Date:	24 November 2023 07:10:16
Subject:	Fasting on disappearance days

Dear devotees,

Please accept my humble obeisances 

All glories to Bhakti Vikasa Maharaja 

All glories to Srila Prabhupada 

Can anyone please inform me where I can find quotes from Bhakti Vikasa Maharaja and or sastra Maharaja has cited regarding not observing a half day fast on disappearance days? 

I have been instructed in this regard, by disciples of Bhakti Vikasa Maharaja, and due to my faith in the authority of those who have instructed me, I have followed such. However, I have come under criticism for following such and have been provided with the following purport of Srila Prabhupada from BG 14.27: 

“Devotional service to the Lord is very simple: one should always engage in the service of the Lord, should eat the remnants of foodstuffs offered to the Deity, smell the flowers offered to the lotus feet of the Lord, see the places where the Lord had His transcendental pastimes, read of the different activities of the Lord, His reciprocation of love with His devotees, chant always the transcendental vibration Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare, and observe the fasting days commemorating the appearances and disappearances of the Lord and His devotees.”

I am seeking information to support why I have been instructed not to observe fasting on disappearance days. 

Thank you. 

Your aspiring servant,

Lekhasravanti devi dasi 

[BVKS Sanga]

From "Sridhara Srinivasa das" 

Date 24-11-2023 10:37:52

Subject Re: Fasting on disappearance days

Respected Lekhasravanti mataji

Please accept my humble obeisances

Jaya Srila Prabhupada and Guru Maharaja

Now I don't know who instructed you so, all I remember Guru Maharaja in a lecture clearly stating that for some acaryas' appearance or disappearance, we, within iskcon, dont observe half a day fast but maharaja thought we should observe fast on all listed acaryas' appearances and disappearances.

You must have misunderstood (or been miscommunicated) about the first part of the sentence alone but missed out the latter part which is the actual recommendation part.

Your humble servant

Sridhara Srinivasa dasa 

[BVKS Sanga]

From "Jay Nityananda Das" 

Date 24-11-2023 17:25:10

Subject Re: Fasting on disappearance days

Respected Mother,

Namo Namah.

The following relevant quotes answer any doubts regarding fasting on appearance/disappearance days of Lord Krsna's pure devotees.

"According to the Vaiṣṇava calendar, there are many fasts, such as Ekādaśī and the appearance and disappearance days of God and His devotees. All of these are meant to decrease the fat within the body so that one will not sleep more than desired and will not become inactive and lazy." SB (4.28-35-36, purport) [Note: The above purport has been quoted in "Brahmacarya in Krsna consciousness"]

"Tamal Krishna Mahārāja inquired about observing the appearance and disappearance days of great Vaiṣṇavas. He described how we observe a half-day fast for our immediate predecessor ācāryas. He wanted to know if we should also do the same for personalities like Śrīla Narottama dāsa and others like him. Prabhupāda said yes, if it is possible. But he added that if devotees are engaged in preaching work, they may not. He said that the main thing is to sing some songs of praise and perform kīrtana." [Transcendental diary, 1-9, Sridhama Mayapur, Feb 11th, 1976]

PS: Here preaching work includes book distribution as it will be clear as discussion proceeds with Srila Prabhupada. 

das,

Jaya Nityananda Dasa

[BVKS Sanga]

From "Lekhasravanti Devi Dasi" 

Date 24-11-2023 18:27:11

Subject Re: Fasting on disappearance days

Dear devotees,

Please accept my humble obeisances 

All glories to Bhakti Vikasa Swami 

All glories to Srila Prabhupada 

I have received clarification on my previous inquiry. I misunderstood the devotees I previously mentioned. By their mercy, I now understand that a half day fast is not observed on some disappearance days because there can be a difference regarding which most recent acaryas both avirbhava and tirobhava are observed.

Thank you 

Your aspiring servant,

Lekhasravanti devi dasi