Why did Jesus fast 40 days and forty nights?

[A question raised in internet discussion forum, sent through Śrī Anil]

Swāmi Replied:- He wants to show to the devotees that fasting improves the alertness of the mind. The food gives energy and this is the merit. But, it gives stoutness of the body resulting in laziness and dullness. Whatever Jesus did was only to show the divine path only and not to show His greatness. Of course, Jesus fasted beyond the limit of human range (40 days)! This is due to His divine power. The goal must be always shown in extreme range so that the human being will follow it at least up to the climax of human extent. Fasting also can be taken as taking little pure food instead of large impure food. The Veda says that the food taken in small quantity will be eaten by the eater and if it is taken in large quantity, it will eat the eater by bringing some disease (Adyate'tti ca… - Veda). Similarly, a person limited to the legitimate sex of his /her life partner only is said to be a bachelor. Similarly, a person, who speaks less is said to be silent. In this way also, you can take the fasting of Jesus as taking very little pure food like leaves and fruits. In fact, fasting called as Upavāsa does not mean avoiding the necessary food. Upavāsa means only to become close to God (Upa = close to God, Vāsa = existing). Jesus also told that fasting is not necessary when one is with the bridegroom (God).

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