Acharya Prashant explains that the literal meaning of 'Upvas' is to reside near the Truth or the Self. He clarifies that the ego (Aham) always seeks a place to reside, typically choosing between its self-created world or its source, the Truth. While the ego is deeply attracted to the Truth, it also fears it because proximity to the Truth leads to the ego's dissolution. Most people live in 'Mayavas' (residing in illusion), which Acharya Prashant equates to 'Karavas' (imprisonment). True 'Upvas' occurs when one resides near the heart or the Truth, rather than being occupied by worldly matters. Regarding the common practice of fasting from food, Acharya Prashant notes that it is merely a symbolic gesture or a preliminary step. Since humans often behave like animals driven by the urge to eat, restricting food is intended to slow down one's movement toward the world. However, simply abstaining from food does not constitute 'Upvas' if the mind remains preoccupied with worldly thoughts like money or possessions. He emphasizes that if a person fasts but constantly checks the clock or waits for the sun to set to eat, their mind is actually more entangled in the world than usual. Real 'Upvas' is described as a state where one is so deeply immersed in love for the Divine or a higher purpose that the thought of food and drink naturally vanishes. It is not a forced renunciation but a spontaneous forgetting of physical needs due to spiritual absorption. Acharya Prashant warns against the hypocrisy of religious rituals that stop at physical fasting, urging seekers to move beyond these initial steps toward a genuine internal residence with the Truth, where the world no longer holds significant importance.