samaya

 The view of traditional Hinduism is that breatharianism, or indefinite survival on breath alone without the consumption of food, is possible. Prana from sunlight and Soma from moonlight alone can sustain one’s bodily life if assimilated efficiently enough. Hindu texts like the Patanjali Yoga Sutras state that the mastery of Samyama, the integration of Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi, liberates the yogi from the need to consume food for survival. It is the supreme level of self-control. Some call this practice Prana Yoga. Instead of eating, one practices deep breathing and sun-gazing at dawn and sunset. At the most advanced level even water is not needed.

This practice is referenced in various Hindu texts. For example in the Valmiki Ramayana, kanda 3, chapter 6, the ashrama of Sharabhanga is said to include “saints who live on rays of the sun and moon… whose nourishment is supplied by pure Prana” among its inhabitants. In chapter 11 the hermit Mandakarni is said to have lived for many years eating nothing but air. Such descriptions are common throughout the literature of Hinduism when describing the Tapasya of advanced ascetics.

Various modern yogis have practiced this technique as well, like Hari Giri Bala, Therese Neumann, Devraha Baba, Prahlad Jani, many Jain monks, and others.

However, the traditional view of Hinduism never recommends for people to try this practice. Forgoing food is obviously dangerous to one’s health. This is the kind of expert practice that should of course only be attempted under expert supervision, and it is not necessarily to the attainment of Moksha.