American podcaster Lex Fridman is set to arrive in India to interview “the most fascinating human beings” he has ever studied—Narendra Modi. Fridman will interview the Indian Prime Minister this month. While PM Modi is known for being a devout Hindu and observing fasts, Lex Fridman has also announced a 48-hour fast before conducting his interview with PM Modi, adding an intriguing layer to what promises to be a unique conversation.
Beyond the role of PM Modi in India’s politics, Fridman says he has been intrigued by the Indian Prime Minister’s human side and his spiritual practices. In an X post published on 8th February, Lex Fridman expressed his excitement to interview PM Modi. What piqued Fridman’s interest in PM Modi’s human side is his observance of various fasts including the nine-day fast during the Hindu festival of Navratri. The US podcaster has also said that he will observe a 48-72 hours fast before interviewing PM Modi, in an apparent attempt at setting the stage for a deeper and more insightful interaction.
“Narendra Modi is one of the most fascinating human beings I have ever studied. I can’t wait to talk to him on the podcast for several hours in a few weeks. On top of the complex, deep history of India, and his role in it, just the human side of Modi is really interesting. For example, he has often done multi-day fasts (9+ days) for spiritual reasons. I fast often as well. So I’ll do a 48-72 hour fast once I arrive to India before talking to him. It’s a good opportunity to meditate, and to reflect on how incredibly lucky I am to be alive, to have the weird brain that sees so much beauty in the world even though I’ve increasingly seen a lot of the darker sides of human nature. And most of all… To reflect on how lucky I am to have so much love in my life. Alright, enough procrastinating, back to reading,” Fridman posted.
Narendra Modi is one of the most fascinating human beings I have ever studied.
— Lex Fridman (@lexfridman) February 7, 2025
I can't wait to talk to him on podcast for several hours in a few weeks.
On top of the complex, deep history of India, and his role in it, just the human side of Modi is really interesting. For…
Last month, the American podcaster announced that he would be travelling to India to host Prime Minister Modi later in February at the popular “The Lex Fridman Podcast”. “I’ve never been to India, so I’m excited to finally visit and experience many facets of its vibrant, historic culture and its amazing people as fully as I can,” Fridman said.
I will be doing a podcast with Narendra Modi (@narendramodi), Prime Minister of India, at the end of February.
— Lex Fridman (@lexfridman) January 18, 2025
I've never been to India, so I'm excited to finally visit and experience many facets of its vibrant, historic culture and its amazing people as fully as I can.
In Hinduism, fasting purifies the body and the mind and enhances spiritual growth. Moreover, fasting (Vrat) is a form of devotion to the gods. Observance of Vrat during festivals like Navratri or personal spiritual goals is a common practice among devout Hindus. Before the fasting begins, the observer takes a “Sankalp” or vow essentially stating the purpose and desire behind undertaking the Vrat as well as committing to observe the fast in accordance with the traditions.
While PM Modi observes fasts on major Hindu festivals or ahead of what he sees as big events, however, Fridman’s decision to fast before shooting the podcast with PM Modi seems to be a homage to the Indian Prime Minister’s religious beliefs and practices alongside being a means to mental clarity and spiritual reflection. Fridman’s emphasis so far on PM Modi’s human and spiritual side hints that the conversation between the two might transcend the typical political discourse and shed light on the human elements of leadership, spirituality and its role in political and policy decision-making. This would offer the audiences both in India and the world a rare glimpse into how fasting and such spiritual practices coupled with cultural and religious values help gain mental clarity and influence decision-making and vision at the highest levels of leadership alongside aiding stress management and personal growth as well as deepening spiritual connection.
As fasting becomes an intriguing point for Lex Fridman ahead of his interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it is pertinent to discuss how the BJP stalwart and an unapologetic Hindu observes complex fasts with his resolute “Sankalp”.
Navratri to Ayodhya Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha: PM Modi fasts before all major events of his life
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is someone who takes pride in his religious beliefs and follows Hindu traditions with utmost devotion towards the gods. PM Modi observes the nine-day fast during both Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri, celebrating the nine forms of Maa Durga. During his fast annually on these occasions, PM Modi follows a Satvic diet. He only consumes water during the holy nine days with a limited consumption of water with lemon drops and some fruits. Despite the arduous fasts, PM Modi never took an off day or allowed his personal spiritual practices to hinder his duties as India’s Prime Minister indicating his perseverance as well as commitment towards his constitutional duties.
Back in 2022, PM Modi joked at a public meeting in Gujarat about how he regretted not being able to enjoy “Surat nu jaman” and other regional delicacies due to his Navratri fast. Despite the strict fasting, PM Modi attended back-to-back events in various districts of the state, laid foundation stone for projects worth Rs 29000 crore and then attended the Navratri event as well.
In 2022, when Japanese PM Shinzo Abe was assassinated. PM Modi attended his close friend’s funeral on 27th September during Sharad Navratri. PM Modi travelled to Japan to pay his respects to the Japanese leader despite his fast.
Even during the 2014, 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign, all of which coincided with Chaitra Navratri, PM Modi remained undeterred from fasting and continued election campaigning, addressing back to back poll rallies.
Interestingly, back in September 2014, PM Modi went on his maiden trip to the United States. His visit, however, coincided with Navratri. Despite the hectic schedule, PM Modi abstained from food and adhered to strict diet of lemon water and a meal of one fruit just once a day. Many Gujaratis who observe the Navratri fasts consume sabu dana during the fasting period but PM Modi avoids that too.
PM Modi’s commitment towards his religion amazed even then US President Barrack Obama.
PM Modi also met the Indian diaspora during the 2014 US visit and despite having attended meetings, he greeted 700 NRIs at Madison Square Garden and Central Park. He also posed for photos with nearly all the NRI guests there, to much surprise of the Indian diaspora.
In 2016, PM Modi observed a nine-day fast during Chaitra Navratri ahead of the crucial Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill being tabled in the parliament.
Even before becoming Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has been fasting on Navratris annually. Back in 2001, when Modi became Chief Minister of Gujarat, his immediate concern was to expedite rehabilitation work in Kutch which was devasted by the earthquake. Despite the workload, Modi continued his Navratri fast and only consumed water and lemon juice. In fact, PM Modi once wrote in his blog in 2012 that he has observed Navratri fast since 35 years.
Other than Navratri fasting, PM Modi follows a strict diet during Chaturmas. The Chaturmas are the four months in the Hindu lunar calendar during which Hindus take vows and fast. PM Modi during this time, eats one meal a day for four months. Back in 2015, PM Modi followed this “one-meal-a-day” routine even when he visited New York for a UNGA meeting.
11-day Niyama ahead of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha
In January 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi observed a strict 11-day —Yama Niyama, living an austere life ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. PM Modi was one of the “Yajman” and was to perform certain rituals during the consecration ceremony on 22nd January 2024.
During his popular radio program, Mann ki Baat, PM Modi said, “It is my good fortune that I am starting my 11-day ritual from Nashik Dham-Panchavati. Panchavati is the sacred land where Lord Shri Ram spent a lot of time. As it is also mentioned in our scriptures, we have to awaken divine consciousness in ourselves for the Yagya and worship of God. For this, fasts and strict rules have been prescribed in the scriptures, which have to be followed before consecration. Therefore, according to the guidance I have received from some ascetic souls and great men of the spiritual journey and the Yama-Niyams suggested by them, I am starting a special ritual of 11 days from today. On this holy occasion, I pray at the feet of God… I remember the virtues of the sages and ascetics and I pray to the people, who are the form of God, to bless me. So that there is no lack from my side in mind, words and deeds.”
During the 11-day Yama Niyama, PM Modi visited 6 temples across the country. These temples find relevance in Ramayan as they are situated in places where Lord Rama had set foot. It was only after the consecration of Bhagwan Ram Lalla at his rightful abode that PM Modi broke his fast with Lord Ram’s charanamrit (divine elixir) fed to him by Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj. The Swami Ji back then had lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his deep spiritual commitment and strict observance to be worthy of the auspicious ritual. He highlighted how PM Modi practised rigorous fasting and meditation, which far exceeded the expectations set by the religious leaders.
Swami Ji revealed that 20 days before the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha, a request from the Prime Minister came asking for a list of observances he should follow as PM Modi was scheduled to be Yajmana at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. After consulting with the religious leaders, an advisory was prepared for PM Modi that included different observances, including fasting, sleeping on the floor, and more. While the advisory mentioned only a three-day fast, PM Modi undertook an 11-day complete fast, relinquishing even the consumption of grains.
Besides, fasting and frequent temple visits, PM Modi has also engaged in spiritual retreats including his visit to caves in Kedarnath for meditation and to deepen his spirituality.
From interviewing Donald Trump, Zelenskyy to Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, Lex Fridman’s engaging podcasts on complex topics impacting the world
Lex Fridman is a very popular podcaster, computer scientist and AI researcher with a deep interest in geopolitics. His interviews with Donald Trump last year, or his earlier interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have been much talked about. He has interviewed billionaire Elon Musk, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg. Fridman’s podcast became popular among the masses for its long-form format and an engaging and in-depth exploration of a plethora of topics ranging from geopolitics, and personal life philosophies, to technology and Artificial Intelligence. Fridman’s interviewing style and calm demeanour has been praised by his audience. Besides, his Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) affiliation also adds credibility and prestige to his podcast given he was a researcher at MIT.
Considering Fridman’s interest and respect for PM Modi’s spiritual practices and quest to explore the human side of one of the world’s most powerful leaders, his interview with Prime Minister Modi is anticipated to be a confluence of two worlds—one where intellect meets introspection as well as the one where Dharmic practices of a global leader intersect with the intellectual curiosity of a podcaster. The audiences will probably get to see a conversation that transcends mere policy or polity or leadership and governance but also delves into religious philosophies that guide India’s top leader.
