Sadhu Sundar Singh's fast

There was when times he was tempted to give up the life of a Sadhu, marry and settle down like other men. Could he not live a sincere Christian life in a normal way, and still devote himself to preaching? Others did so. Yet even deeper than his natural instinct was the fervent desire to know his Master better, and follow him all the way. He remembered how Jesus, at the very commencement of his ministry, went into the wilderness and fasted for 40 days and forty nights. The thought remained in his mind, and he felt that he, too, should fast for that period.

He knew where he could go to do it – south of Dehra Dun was a forest in which was an area so thickly overgrown that only the bamboo cutters penetrated it. There, for from human habitations, he could be alone with God, asking for blessing on what he had already done, an empowering for future service, and seeking to live on a higher plain in the spiritual life.

Traveling by train towards Dehra Dun, he met a Roman Catholic doctor, to whom he confided his intention. The doctor tried to dissuade him from attempting such a fast. It would kill him, he said. Sundar remained firm in his resolve, so the doctor asked for the names and addresses of some of his friends, so that if anything happened, he could let them know. To this Sundar acceded.

Then he went on, towards the forest. He took with him his New Testament and forty stones. The doctor had told him the likely consequences of going without food and drink for a prolonged period, and he had decided that the best way of keeping track of time would be to throw away one stone each day. Therefore, he started on his vigil deep in the forest alone.

The first days were physically hard. Hunger brought on a burning pain in his stomach which became quite acute, but it eased off after a time, and he merely became increasingly weak – so weak, in fact, that he stopped putting aside a stone each day. He could not even turn himself.

At one stage, he sensed rather than saw, a lion or some other wild beast, and heard a roar, but could not tell how near it was. However, with the dimming of physical sensibilities, there came an increasing awareness of the spiritual world, of the presence of God. The deep joy and inner peace he had known since his turning to Christ were increased – he had no desire to end his fast. Then there was granted to him, as weakness and exhaustion took their toll of his body, a fresh vision of Christ.

It was different from the appearance on that never-to-be-forgotten night when he had seen with his own eyes the risen Lord Jesus. This time it was the Man on the Throne in his glory that was revealed to him, His face radiant, the wounds in His hands and feet clearly visible, but somehow beautified. It was inexpressible. Yet, with it came to Sundar the conviction that there was still work for him to do, and that he would be preserved alive to do it. Then he lapsed into unconsciousness.

Two bamboo cutters stumbling through the forest had come upon his weak and emaciated body, and seeing he was a Sadhu, and still breathing, had carried him to some people who put him on the train to Dehra Dun. Here, providentially, two or three Christians from the village of Ann field saw him, and although he was so transformed in appearance that they did not recognize him, they knew who he was by the name in his New Testament. Placing him gently on their bullock cart, they conveyed him to the home of their pastor. Here, for over a week, he was given only liquids until he was strong enough to digest a little food.

He recovered slowly, though steadily, but he had a very hazy appreciation of time, and the duration of the fast.