Why was part of Pi’s daily routine praying? Hope faith/ritual, or psychological? Has Pi become a part of nature or is he merely an observer of nature?

After a time on the life boat, Pi developed a routine that involved praying. It involved praying five times a day, a custom of the Islamic faith. The reason for the routine prayer was psychological. Pi spent two hundred and twenty-seven days at sea with only survival to occupy his mind and his time. By praying as often as he did, he was able to take his mind off of his ordeal and he was able to occupy some of his extensive free time.

During Pi’s time drifting on the Pacific he became a part of nature. He spent his days much like an animal would, with the finding of food and water driving most of his actions. He became a top predator of the Pacific Ocean, constantly fishing and catching sea turtles, and he became a part of nature because he lost everything that separates humanity from nature. He had no home, no company of his own species and he had no freedom. His actions were controlled by his instincts, just like an animal in the wild.