Karwa Chauth? Why and how? And why only females?
Sheer reason why I invest time defending rituals is their ageless existence. I have belief that if something is not based on sanatana rules, it cannot live in limited imaginations of human minds. If it remains live for countless generations, there is some truth behind it. It is injustice, not to find the truth. Many fake rituals and ideologies come on surface and fades away in 50-60 years.
If we say, we are followers (or mere believers as following has become difficult) of Sanatana dharma, we are the one who believes in mind (मन), body(शरीर) and soul (आत्मा) or {M,B,S}.
{M, B, S} of individual living in संसार gets polluted often like painter’s gloves who paints. Periodic detoxification of {M, B, S} is important for longevity and vitality of life. So, we have two Navratris. One of them becomes more critical because it is followed by 4 months long gloomy and cloudy, Sun-less monsoon.
Best way to detoxify body is by regularizing metabolism and adjust it with season change. Fast helps here.
From वर्षा ऋतु to शरद ऋतु is quantum leap for human organs and mind. Suddenly, there is change in appetite. मंद जठराग्नि becomes active. To control effects of this seasonal quantum leap, fast helps. Diet pattern change helps.
Time from Navratri to Diwali, is the time to perform detoxification regain back health (Sharad Purnima); longevity (Karva Chauth); fertility (Ahoi Ashtami ), wealth (Dhanteras) and inner happiness (Diwali) so that individual and family can enjoy life invigorating शरद ऋतु , हेमन्त ऋतु, शिशिर ऋतु and वसंत ऋतु until another Navratri cycle of detoxification. शरद ऋतु , हेमन्त ऋतु, शिशिर ऋतु and वसंत ऋतु – These are the seasons when {M, B, S} help performing 4 prarabdha (धर्म,अर्थ,काम,मोक्ष) as nature is in supporting role for majority area of the land.
Why focused on females? They are full of creative energy. Due to monsoon, their reproductive cycle hampers and become irregular. Fasting, moon and looking at husbands face helps prolongs Reproductive Life Span and menopause is delayed as much as possible [1][2][3]. Delayed menopause means active life for couple for long.
Since during monsoon, life-force become dormant and slowed-down, it is not a right season to plan for progeny. It is time of abstinence. Karva Chauth is nature’s green signal for generation planning.
But since, we now see everything with superficial rationalism, we find these rituals legacy of patriarchal society. I have tried to give few hints. It is up to you, to know this subject in depth.
In summary:
• Prolonged fasts during monsoon helps to balance slowed-down digestive power
• Specific fasts are prescribed for seasonal changes
• Fasts works on physiological balance of reproductive system
• Moon works on mental plane
• Regular fertility cycle means delayed or on time menopause [4].
• Early menopause (due to irregular fertility cycles led auto-immune disorder) means an increased risk of overall mortality, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, psychiatric diseases, osteoporosis, and other sequelae. Can family life remain stable with all such sufferings? No. Leave aside your superficial rational mind and do fast 🙂 (1 in 20 women hit by early menopause : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2012021/1-20-women-hit-early-menopause-Doctors-baffled-rising-numbers-40s-affected.html)
• Only advance and culturally superior civilizations think about respecting seasonal changes and live accordingly.
[1] http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827141340.htm
[2] http://www.sciencemag.org/content/326/5955/954.abstract
[3] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9448525?dopt=AbstractPlus
[4] http://womenshealth.gov/menopause/early-premature-menopause/
Absolutely Intimidating