Man lives for years with out food/water?

Raistin · Post by **Raistin** » November 27, 2003, 3:38 am

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3236118.stm

Prahlad Jani, a holy man, or fakir, who is over 70 years old, has just spent 10 days under constant observation in Sterling Hospital, in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad.

During that time, he did not consume anything and "neither did he pass urine or stool", according to the hospital's deputy superintendent, Dr Dinesh Desai.

Yet he is in fine mental and physical fettle, say doctors.

Most people can live without food for several weeks, with the body drawing on its fat and protein stores. But the average human can survive for only three to four days without water.

Followers of Indian holy men and ascetics have often ascribed extraordinary powers to them, but such powers are seldom subject to scientific inspection.

Mouthwash

"A series of tests conducted on him show his body mechanism is that of a normal person," said Dr Desai.

Mr Jani spends most of his time in a cave near the Ambaji temple in Gujarat state.

He has never fallen ill and can continue to live like this

Bhiku Prajapati, Mr Jani's devotee

He spent his 10 days in hospital in a specially prepared room, with a sealed-off toilet and constant video surveillance.

To help the doctors verify his claims, Mr Jani agreed to avoid bathing for his time in hospital.

The only fluid he was allowed was a small amount of water, to use as mouthwash.

One hundred millilitres of water were given to him, and then collected and measured in a beaker when he spat it out, to make sure none had been drunk.

Thank goddess

A statement from Ahmedabad's Association of Physicians says that despite no water entering his body, urine nonetheless appeared to form in his bladder - only to be re-absorbed by the bladder walls.

Hungry for blessings: Mr Jani receives a devotee in hospital

At the end of his confinement, doctors noted no deterioration in his condition, other than a slight drop in his weight.

"I feel no need for food and water," says Mr Jani, who claims he was blessed by a goddess at the age of eight and has lived in caves ever since.

He grew up in Charod village in Mehsana district and wears the dress of a devotee of the goddess Ambaji - a red sari-like garment, nose ring, bangles and crimson flowers in the hair.

He also wears the vermilion "tika" mark on his forehead, more often seen on married Hindu women.

His followers call him "mataji" or goddess.

More tests

He says he has survived several decades without food or water because of a hole in his palate.

Drops of water filter through this hole, he says, sustaining him.

"He has never fallen ill and can continue to live like this," said Bhiku Prajapati, one of Mr Jani's many followers.

"A hole in the palate is an abnormal phenomenon," says Dr Desai.

His colleague, Dr Urman Dhruv, told the BBC a full medical report is being prepared on Mr Jani's 10 days under observation.

Doctors say they cannot verify his claim to have not eaten or drunk for decades - but by observing his feat under laboratory conditions, they hope to learn more about the human body.

It is likely that doctors will want to examine Mr Jani again in order to solve the medical mystery he has presented them with.

Marbus · Post by **Marbus** » November 27, 2003, 4:07 am

Damn spiffy! While I could probably live a couple of years off my fat stores I don't think I could do without water... that's amazing if true.

Marb

Sionistic · Post by **Sionistic** » November 27, 2003, 5:07 am

I have heard of older people going on for long periods of time without supplements, but damn

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » November 27, 2003, 5:32 am

miir · Post by **miir** » November 27, 2003, 9:26 pm

freakish

masteen · Post by **masteen** » November 27, 2003, 10:21 pm

Also ironic as millions of people commence to stuffing themselves with ridiculous amounts of food.

Rivera Bladestrike · November 27, 2003, 11:26 pm

masteen wrote:Also ironic as millions of people commence to stuffing themselves with ridiculous amounts of food.

Hahaha!

Arundel Pajo · Post by **Arundel Pajo** » December 11, 2003, 6:08 pm

Physiologically impossible. Don't forget - this is the country that gave us the "monkey man" scare a little while back.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » December 11, 2003, 6:19 pm

all they verified was that he didnt eat or drink for 10 days.

archeiron · Post by **archeiron** » December 11, 2003, 7:33 pm

Voronwë wrote:all they verified was that he didnt eat or drink for 10 days.

Can we verify you NOT surfing ANY message board for 10 days??! You will need to work up to going without water

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » December 11, 2003, 7:41 pm

i didnt while i was on my honeymoon! that was about 10 days

Salis · Post by **Salis** » December 20, 2003, 4:17 am

I once knew a holy man from Scotland who could drink 25 pints of liquid in one sitting. Does this not amaze you also??

Raistin · Post by **Raistin** » December 20, 2003, 4:58 am

Omg when he spams me with ims of " Roolflesa asdu sup "

Salis · Post by **Salis** » December 20, 2003, 5:04 am

rofl he does that to me too

emmer · Post by **emmer** » December 21, 2003, 1:03 pm

all you naysayers will be struck down by the avatar of christ's third coming, david blaine!

Aabidano · Post by **Aabidano** » December 21, 2003, 4:45 pm

masteen wrote:Also ironic as millions of people commence to stuffing themselves with ridiculous amounts of food.

>has two tenderloins on the grill

Bubba Grizz · Post by **Bubba Grizz** » December 31, 2003, 1:35 pm

Damn, that could be the new diet craze to hit the states. Drill a hole in your palate and loss all those unwanted pounds and inches. Never eat or drink again and still be in good physical "fettle".