Why Lex Fridman fasted for 2 days before Podcast with PM Modi

American scientist Lex Fridman, who released a podcast on wide-ranging issues with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, said that he fasted for 45 hours before the podcast "in honour of this conversation".

"I am fasting right now. It has been almost two days, 45 hours. So, just water, no food, in honour of this conversation, just to get in the right mindset, get into the spiritual level," he said.

The Prime Minister said he was "pleasantly surprised" to know that Fridman was 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. The benefits of fasting: it sharpens the senses, enhances mental clarity and instils discipline."

"Fasting is a 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. When you fast, every single one of your senses, especially smell, touch and taste, becomes highly sensitive. Another thing I've experienced is that fasting can greatly accelerate the thinking process and can give a fresh perspective. You start thinking outside the box," he said.

PM Modi also shared an episode when he met former US President Barack Obama while fasting.

"After I became Prime Minister, I had a bilateral meeting at the White House with President Obama, and he had also arranged a formal dinner. Then, as discussions between the two governments progressed, someone said, 'Please, join us for dinner.' To which another replied, 'But the Prime Minister doesn't eat.' This left them a bit concerned. How do you host the leader of such a major nation at the White House without serving food?" He recalled that he was then served a glass of hot water. "When we sat down, they brought me a glass of hot water. I turned to President Obama and jokingly said, 'Look, my dinner has arrived!' as I placed the glass in front of me." When he met Obama the next time, PM Modi said, "He remembered I was fasting the last time."

"He smiled and said, 'Last time, you were fasting.' This time, we're having lunch. Since you're not fasting, you'll have to eat twice as much." PM Modi also stressed that fasting "is actually a scientific process" while sharing how he prepares before fasting for an extended period. "Whenever I fast for an extended period, I prepare my body in advance. For 5 to 7 days before the fast, I follow various ayurvedic 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," he added.