Chhogmal Choprha
We now pass on to the life of another Tapaswi (one who undertakes austere fasts) who was a contemporary of the above-described Swami Pirthirajji. He was Swamiji Sri Shivji Maharaj. He was an Oswal by caste, of the Bafna Gotra. His native village was Lab in Mewar State. He was initiated in Samvat 1875. While a Sadhu he fasted as per the following list:
Continuous fasting | Times |
1 | 414 |
2 | 22 |
3 | 34 |
4 | 8 |
5 | 11 |
6 | 7 |
7 | 3 |
8 | 6 |
9 | 3 |
10 | 3 |
11 | 3 |
12 | 3 |
13 | 2 |
14 | 3 |
15 | 3 |
16 | 2 |
30 | 12 |
32 | 1 |
36 | 2 |
40 | 11 |
45 | 9 |
50 | 2 |
55 | 1 |
60 | 5 |
75 | 2 |
90 | I |
186 | 1 |
hese are instances of remarkable fasts of the Sadhus about a hundred years ago. Coming to recent times, we might present the instances of Swamiji Sri Chunilalji Maharaj, Swamiji Sri Ranajitmali Maharaj and Swamiji Sri Asharamji Maharaj. There are many more Sadhujis and Sadhwijis who have undertaken various austere fastings but the short sketch of the fastings of the above named three Sadhus, will show that even in the present materialistic age, there are highly developed souls who can spurn away riches, take to holy order and control their body and curb their natural desires for food and drink to such a extent that they gain complete mastery over their appetite and can pass months and months without any food and simply on boiled water.
