Starting Monday Fasting and Finding a Suitable Life Partner

Seva, I’ve been reading about fasting on Mondays as a way to improve my life circumstances, specifically to find a good husband. I'm concerned and wonder when I should start my fasting ritual. Can I begin in March?

Best Time for Monday Fasting

While there are specific times recommended for starting Monday fasting, such as Mahashiva Ratri or Shraavana Maasa, you can begin your fast at any time. According to the spiritual majority, if you believe in the power of Tithi (lunar phases) and Nakshatra (constellations), you can find an auspicious day to start your fasting based on your local Panchanga (an Indian almanac). Alternatively, you can simply start with trust and devotion, taking the name of Lord Shiva and seeking refuge in His divine blessings. It is important to note that fasting for religious purposes is not overly detail-oriented, and starting a ritual anytime can be a welcome step.

Personal Perspective and Cultural Background

I am part of the Arya Samaji family, where fasting is not a common practice similar to the Baudhaya tradition. My opinion is that while cultural and family background can influence one's practices, the ultimate goal of any ritual, including fasting, is to bring positive change and fulfill one's aspirations.

It is important to note that my family’s belief in the future being pre-decided does not negate the personal efforts that one can make to improve one's circumstances. Fasting can be seen as one of those personal efforts.

Understanding Hindu Marriages in India

For a Hindu girl in India, the journey to finding a suitable life partner involves a series of rituals and considerations. Before any Hindu marriage takes place, both sides typically look at the matching of horoscopes including birth stars, castes, regions, and economic statuses. There is often a focus on finding the most auspicious time based on the couple's stars both for the engagement and the marriage itself. However, despite these meticulous preparations, around 15% of couples eventually decide to remain diverse, meaning they do not marry. About 67% of married couples live unhappily but do not file for divorce to maintain family and societal harmony, and 5% unfortunately take their lives due to such unhappiness. Many girls, in their search for a suitable husband, engage in various pujas and vrathas (fasting and rituals). However, even with these practices, the ultimate issue is often the missing understanding and capability to solve small problems amicably between the couple.

Taking Control of Your Life and Health

As a young lady, maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise is crucial for not only improving your health but also for you to look beautiful. Beauty can open more doors for you to select a life partner based on your hobbies, interests, and future ambitions.

Instead of relying solely on fasting and other religious practices, use your intelligence and social skills to find a partner who resonates with you on a deeper level. The issue is not solely with the religion, muhoortha (auspicious timing), or the marriage system. It is the understanding and capability between individuals that often fails.

Let's celebrate the unique qualities of each individual and strive to find partners who share the same values and aspirations. I wish you the best in your journey to finding a wonderful husband as per your heart's desire.