Lex Fridman fasted for 45 hours to prepare for podcast, PM Modi says 'truly surprised'

PM Modi sat on a podcast with Lex Fridman.

The podcast featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and renowned US podcaster Lex Fridman just dropped on YouTube. The conversation kicked off on an intriguing note as Fridman divulged he had been fasting for two days in “honour of the conversation”.

“I’ve been fasting since the last two days… just water, no food… to get into the right mindset, to get into the spiritual level,” Fridman told PM Modi.

The Prime Minister responded by expressing his gratitude and shared his own perspective on fasting. "First of all, I’m truly pleasantly surprised and honored that you’re fasting, all the more because it feels like you’re fasting as a tribute of respect for me. So, I express my deepest gratitude to you for doing this," PM said.

Also Read: Tragedy of unimaginable magnitude: PM Modi opens up on 2002 Gujarat riots on Lex Fridman Podcast

He said that fasting is the way to cultivate discipline. “It is a powerful tool to bring both the inner and outer self into balance. It shapes life in profound ways,” PM explained.

The prime minister said of the podcast, "In India, our religious traditions are actually a way of life. Our Supreme Court once gave a brilliant interpretation of Hinduism. They have stated that Hinduism is not about rituals or methods of worship, but rather it’s a way of living, a philosophy that guides life itself. And in our scriptures, there is deep discussion on elevating the body, mind, intellect, soul, and humanity. They outline various paths, traditions, and systems to achieve this, and fasting is one of them, but fasting alone isn’t everything. In India, whether you see it culturally or philosophically, sometimes I see that fasting is a way to cultivate discipline."

PM Modi explained fasting in simple terms for those unfamiliar with India. He said, "it is a powerful tool to bring both the inner and outer self into balance. It shapes life in profound ways when you fast."

Also Read: PM Modi speaks about role of RSS in his life on Lex Fridman Podcast: 'RSS teaches nation is everything'

"You may have noticed, as you said, you’ve been fasting on water for two days. Every single one of your senses, especially smell, touch and taste, becomes highly sensitive," PM Modi told Fridman.

He said, "Most people assume that fasting simply means giving up food or not eating, but that’s just the physical aspect of fasting. If someone is forced to go without food due to hardship with an empty stomach, can we call that fasting? Fasting is actually a scientific process. Whenever I fast for an extended period, I prepare my body in advance. For five to seven days before the fast, I follow various Ayurvedic practices and yoga practices, along with other traditional cleansing methods to internally reset my system."

"Before actually beginning the fast. I make sure to drink a lot of water, as much as possible. So, you could say that this detoxification process helps prepare my body in the best possible way. And once I begin fasting, for me, it’s an act of devotion. For me, fasting is a form of self-discipline," the Prime Minister told.

PM Modi further shared his annual fasting schedule.

"There is an ancient tradition in India called Chaturmas. During the monsoon season, we know that the digestion tends to slow down. For me, this starts around mid-June and goes on until after Diwali around November. For about four to four and a half months, I follow this tradition of eating only once in 24 hours. Then comes the Navratri Festival in India, which usually falls in September or October. During this time, I completely abstain from food and only drink hot water," PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister added, "Then in March or April, another Navratri occurs called Chaitra Navratri. This year, it will likely begin around March 31st. During this nine-day fast, I eat only one specific fruit, once a day. So for those nine days, if let’s say I choose papaya, then for all nine days, I won’t touch anything else. Just papaya. That too, I eat only once a day. That’s how I follow my nine-day fasting routine. So there are numerous fasts I keep throughout the year, and this has become a deeply ingrained tradition in my life. Perhaps I can say that I’ve been following these practices for 50 to 55 years."