These are of numerous kinds, but a few will be mentioned.
The first kind is when they neither eat nor drink during the day and night, and twenty-nine of these days are obligatory during the year, viz., on the eleventh day of each lunar fortnight of every month; the ´Sivarátri;* the fourteenth of the light half of the month of Vaisákha (April–May) in which the birth of the Nara-Sinha, or Man-lion took place; the third of the light half of the same month being the anniversary of the birth of Paraśuráma; the ninth of the light half of the month of Chaitra (March– April), the nativity of Ráma; and the eighth of the dark half of the month of Bhádra-pada (Bhádon, Aug.–Sep.), the nativity of Kṛishṇa. On these occasions, some abstain from grain only, and other authorities lay down particular details.
The second kind. They eat only at night.
The third kind. They take only water, fruit and milk.
The fourth kind. They eat but once during the day and night, but may drink water at any time.
The fifth kind. They do not of their own desire eat during twenty-four hours, but if pressed to do so, they may partake of food not more than once.
The sixth kind is the Chandráyaṇa, which is in five ways:—(1). On the first day of the month, one mouthful is taken and an increase of one mouthful made daily till the fifteenth, from which date it diminishes daily by the like quantity. (2). Or on the first of the month, fifteen mouthfuls are taken and the consumption daily diminishes till the fifteenth, when it is reduced to one mouthful; after which it again increases by one mouthful daily. (3). Some say that instead of this, three mouthfuls, should be taken each half-day, and nothing else should be touched. (4). Or, again, eight mouthfuls each half-day, four in the morning and four in the evening. (5). Or two hundred and forty mouthfuls may be eaten (during the month) in any manner at will: The size of the mouthful should be that of a pea-hen's egg, and the faster should bathe regularly morning, noon, and evening.
The seventh kind. They neither eat nor drink for twelve days.
The eighth kind. Out of twelve days, they eat a little once daily for three days consecutively, and once at night only for three other days; during three other days and nights they do not eat unless some one brings them food, and for the remaining three, they fast altogether.
The ninth kind. For three days and nights they eat no more than one handful, and for three other days the same allowance only at night: for three more days and nights if any food is brought to them, they may take one handful, and for three days and nights they eat nothing.
The tenth kind. For three days and nights, they swallow only warm water: for three other such periods only hot milk, and again for three days and nights hot clarified butter, and for three days and nights they light a fire and put the mouth against an opening by which the hot air enters, which they inhale.
The eleventh kind. Out of fifteen days, for three days and nights they eat only leaves, and for three days and nights only the Indian fig; for three days and nights they are content with the seeds of the lotus; for three days and nights, leaves of the pípal; for three days and nights, the kind of grass called dábha.*
The twelfth kind. For six days out of the week they must content themselves with one of the following six consecutively, the produce of the cow:—(1). Urine. (2). Dung. (3). Milk. (4). Buttermilk. (5). Butter. (6). Water. On the seventh he must abstain from food altogether.
During every kind of fast they must abstain from meat, the pulse Adas, (Cicer lens), the bean Lobiyá, (Dolichos Sinensis), honey and molasses; they must sleep on the ground; they may not play at such games as chaupar and solah*; nor approach their wives at night, nor anoint themselves with oil, nor shave, and the like, and they must give alms daily and perform other good works.