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Chaturmasya-vrata
In the Vedas it is said that one who observes the Chaturmasya-vrata will attain eternal happiness in the heavenly kingdom. One who performs the
Chaturmasya-vrata becomes pious. By becoming pious, one may be promoted to the higher planetary systems. In the Bhagavad-gita, it is said that
this flowery language of the Vedas mostly attracts persons who identify with the body. To them such happiness as that of the heavenly kingdom
is everything; they do not know that beyond that is the spiritual kingdom, or kingdom of God.
Purpose of Chaturmasya-vrata
Sannyasis are generally meant to travel all over the country for preaching work, but during the four months of the rainy season in India, from July
through October, they do not travel but take shelter in one place and remain there without moving. This non movement of the sannyasi is called
Chaturmasya-vrata. When a sannyasi stays in one place for these four months, the local inhabitants of that place take advantage of his presence to
become spiritually advanced.
During these four months, saintly persons who are accustomed to travel from one place to another to propagate Krishna consciousness remain at
one place, usually a holy place of pilgrimage. During these times, there are certain rules and regulations which are strictly followed. It is stated in
the Skanda Purana that during this period, if someone circumambulates the temple of Vishnu at least four times, it is understood that he has
travelled all over the universe. By such circumambulation, one is understood to have seen all the holy places where the Ganges water is flowing,
and by following the regulative principles of Chaturmasya one can very quickly be raised to the platform of devotional service.
Chaturmasya Period
The Chaturmasya period begins in the month of Ashadha (June-July) from the day of Ekadashicalled Shayana Ekadashi, in the fortnight of the
waxing moon. The period ends in the month of Kartika (October-November) on the Ekadashi day known as Utthana Ekadashi, in the fortnight of
the waxing moon. Some Vaishnavas also observe it from the full-moon day of Ashadha until the full-moon day of Kartika. That is also a period
of four months. This period, calculated by the lunar months, is called Chaturmasya, but others also observe Chaturmasya according to the solar
month from Shravana to Kartika. The whole period, either lunar or solar, takes place during the rainy season.
Below is the list of food items which should not be eaten during the Chaturmasya
Fasting
Month Items to be avoided Exceptions
From
Shravana Shak Red and Green Spinach. All Coriander Leaves, Methi Leaves, Pudhina,
varieties of Shak (Green leafy Curry leaves. Cabbage can be taken as it is
vegetables) not a Shak.
Bhadra Curd / Any item in which curd is the If little curd (two or three spoons) is added
Yogurt major ingredient: Kadi, Pacchadi, in Sabji to get taste, it will not break the
Butter milk, Lassi vow. Charanamrita should be honoured
even if it contains curd in it.
Ashvina Milk Any item in which milk is the Milk Sweets (like Peda, Rasagulla,
major ingredient: Sweet Rice Sandesh), Milk products (like Paneer,
preparation using milk, Milk Cheese) since milk is transformed and used.
Shakes, Ice Creams, Condensed Charanamrita should be honoured even if it
Milk contains milk in it.
Health implications
• In monsoon all three doshas as per Ayurveda (movement, metabolism and structure) are vitiated.
• Light diet and less oily food are advised, as digestive power is weak. Weak digestive also leads to stomach upsets.
• Ground worms come to the surface and contaminate underground and surface vegetables.
• Community feasts, marriages, social functions, gatherings are therefore prohibited in this season.
• Snake come open and snakes bites are common. Nagpanchmi represents not to kill them unnecessarily as most of them are not poisonous.
• Green leafy vegetables are avoided in Shravan month, Curd in Bhadrapad, Milk in Ashwin and Pulses (split variety) and oils in Kartik month.
• In rainy season Vata dosha is aggravated. Green vegetables aggravate Vata and hence are avoided.
• In Bhadrapad month Pitta accumulates and hence Pitta producing foods are avoided (curd and fermented foods).
• One should abstain from tea, coffee, sugar, rice, wheat etc and avoiding garlic and onion as it can stimulate unnecessary excitements and cause
indigestion.
• Chaturmas is the time to meditate, read spiritual scripture, and strengthen inner immunity by meditation.
• In Chaturmas the negative thinking and emotions are common due to vata imbalance and hence most agreements and important celebrations
are avoided during this period.
Sri ChAturmAsya Sankalpam (of the Sri Vaishnavas)
and standards in ALL the Vaishnava sampradayas:
A brAhman is called a ‘dvijan’ ie one with two births. Just like how UpAkarmA is
considered very important for a brAhman, ChaturmAsya Sankalpam is considered
very important for a SanyAsi (yathivara). The number of chaturmAsya sankalpams
observed by a yathivara is used a measure of a sanyAsi’s age in thuri-Ashramam (i.e.
after becoming a sanyAsi) and not his actual age. Our shAstras require that if a
yathivara who is of older age meets a younger yathivara who has observed more
chaturmAsya vrathams, the older yathivara should prostrate in front of the younger
yathivara. This is because the number of chAturmAsya vrathams observed by the
younger yathivara is more than the older yathivara and hence is considered elder in
position.
In the 4 months of Aavani, Purattasi, Aippasi and Karthigai, it normally rains heavily
in India. This helps in enormous procreation of many insects and other tiny living
creatures in the soil during this rainy season. Because they are everywhere on the
ground, they are harmed immensely by the people treading upon them and even gets
killed. As Thiruvalluvan beautifully summarizes the yathi dharmam in a KuraL:
"uRRa nOy nORRal Uyir KurugaN Seyyamai, aRRe thavathiR guru" about a
sanyasi's dharma, the sanyAsis have undertaken an “ahimsa dharmam” towards all
living beings, they avoid any harm to these insects and worms by stopping all
sanchAram in these months and by taking a vow to stay in that place for this 4 month
period. This vow is called ChAturmAsya Sankalpam.
There is a veda vAkyam which says “pakshA vai mAsA:” i.e. a paksha (15 days) can
be considered as a month. Since it is very difficult nowadays for yathis to stay in a
place for 4 months due to their sishyas wishes for their achArya to undertake
sanchAram constantly and reach out to them, the sankalpam is nowadays undertaken
by yathivaras for 4 pakshams i.e. 2 calendar months instead of 4 calendar months.
This vratham is generally started on the Pournami following Aani- AmAvAsyai and
completed on the Pournami day following Aavani-AmAvAsyai.
On the day of the beginning of this vratham, the yathivaras complete their nithya
karmas and bhagavadh arAdhanam. A small piece of soily land will be consecrated
and purified with AvAhanam and aradhanam to Sri Boovaraha Perumal and Sri
Bhoomi Piratti. Sishyas will congregate in this place and chant Bhoo sooktha veda
parayanam during the aradhanam. After the ArAdhanam, the achArya yathivara will
collect this soil himself required for their anushtAnams during the period of the
vratham. After this, the yathivara will undergo thirumudi viLakkam (shave), will have
bath and then perform special aradhanam again. After the ArAdhanam, yathivara will
be joined by all the sishyas in reciting pancha shanthi. After the completion of this
veda parayanam, both the AchArya and his sishyas will undertake a sankalpam (vow).
First the AchArya will say
meaning “I undertake this chaturmAsya vratham from Aadi Pournami till Aavani
Pournami”
After the Acharya undertakes the chAturmAsya sankalpam with the above words, the
sishyas gathered will tell the AcharyA the following verse
meaning “You (the AchArya) please kindly stay in this place with all happiness and
bless us for an opportunity to serve you. We vow to serve you to the best of our
abilities”
In Kshira vruta milk and food prepared using milk like khova etc... are not permitted.
Kshiravruta sankalpa mantra:
More information from the Madhwa line citing all manner of PurANas HERE:
Gaudiya Math:
Iskcon's: Standard: by Nayana-ranjana Dasa
Brahma Madhwa Vaishnava followers of Madhwacharya:
Iskcon's Standard:
"One who passes the Caturmasya season without observing religious vows, austerities
and chanting of japa, such a fool although living should be considered to be a dead
man." (Bhavisya Purana)
If one can't follow the things given below, at least one should follow the following
basic rules:
"In the month of Sravana (July, August) one should refrain from eating spinach. In the
month of Bhadra (August, September) of yogurt, in Asvina (September, October)
milk. In Karttika (October, November) meat and urad dahl." (Skanda Purana, Nagava
Khanda)
Various vows and austerities during Caturmasya and their respective results:
"O King, one who is My devotee and is fixed in vow, whether man or woman, for the
purpose of dharma, should accept these various austerities and observances. I shall
now describe to you all of them along with their respective results.
"In this way one who performs this vrata for the satisfaction of Lord Kesava becomes
satisfied himself. O best of the Pandavas, among My devotees, he who accepts these
vows and austerities during the Caturmasya goes to My abode at the time of death, of
this there is no doubt."
Visnu Rahasya (Lord Brahma to Narada Muni): "If one accepts all these Vaisnava
austerities and observances with devotion, one attains the supreme destination, O
Narada. One who desires within himself to execute all these Vaisnava austerities and
vows, his sins obtained within one hundred births are destroyed. If one is exclusively
devoted, peaceful, takes daily bath, is fixed in vow and worships the Lord during
these four months, he goes to the abode of the Lord. He who accepts the austerity of
sleeping on the ground this time when the Visnu Deity is sleeping in yoga nidra
underwater, he goes to the abode of Laksmi."
Gaudiya Math:
http://gaudiya.net/purebhakti/calendar/caturmasya.htm
First month: No leafy vegetables such as spinach, salads of all types, cabbages of all
types, kale, leafy herbs such as coriander, mint, parsley, curry, and powdered leafy
herbs.
Second month: No yogurt (if one requires for health, it can be mixed with water)
Third month: No milk (if required, it can be mixed with lemon juice).
Foods that can be taken all days of the year, including Ekadasi and Caturmasya:
-All fruits (fresh and dried), all nuts and oils made from nuts.
-Potatoes, pumpkin, cucumber, radish, squash (but no loki), green papaya, lemon,
jackfruit, avocado, olives, coconut, buckwheat, all sugars.
-All milk products except pure milk and yogurt during Caturmasya and sweets with
starches on Ekadasi.
The ChaturmAsya is important not only to the ascetic but to all. The word Yati,
though it ordinarily means ascetic, etymologically means all those, who strive for
salvation by performing the duties enjoined on them by the Sastras and dedicating the
results thereof to God.
Asked by his consort, the goddess of earth, Sri VarAha replies as follows:
“The so-called four months are the most beloved period of mine. It is one of baths and
vows, japas and homas, gifts and sacrifices. What is done in MAgha is a 1000 times
greater than what is done in other months, and that done in VaisAkha is a thousand
times greater than that done in MAgha and that done in CAturmAsya is definitely
greater than that done in VaisAkha”.
The six months of UttarAyaNa are the daytime of gods and the months of
DakSiNAyana are their night time. Once, the gods, who had assembled before the
Lord Sri Hari on Mount Meru, took leave of Him as their night set in. Just then, the
goddess of their night (DakSiNAyana) in the guise of a lady of dark complexion, with
an axe in hand fell at the feet of god and said, “Oh merciful one! UpanayanAs,
marriages and other auspicious celebrations are banned during my period; I am
branded as an inauspicious one and censured by all. I pray that I may be spared or I
shall end my life”. The gods too pleaded on her behalf and Lord Sri Hari was pleased
to grant her the following boon:
“The first 4 months of hers; viz., SrAvaNa, BhAdrapada, Asvina and KArtika shall be
more auspicious than all the other months. Any good deeds like japa, vow, gift and so
on done in these months shall yield an infinitely greater merit than done in other
months. Even in these four, each day is more meritorious than the previous and shall
reach its climax in KArtika”.
The gods and goddess of DakSiNAyana were all pleased and went to their respective
places. From then, the CaturmAsya is hailed supreme and so we must make the best
use of this period and be benefited in all ways.
The CaturmAsya commences on the Sukla ekAdasi of ASADha and concludes on the
Sukla ekAdasi of KArtika. Lord Sri Vishnu (upendra) is supposed to be sleeping
throughout, with His consort Lakshmi on the bed of Sesa in SvetadvIpa, of the ocean
of milk. As he goes to bed on the Sukla ekAdasi of ASADha, it is called sayana
ekAdasi; As he turns on His side on the Sukla ekAdasi of BhAdrapada, it is called
Parivartana ekAdasi and when He wakes up on Sukla ekAdasi of KArtika, it is called
UttAna ekAdasi. [A note of caution has to be sounded about His sleep. It is not like
our sleep, which is the outcome of tamoguna].
We may take up other vows also, such as, giving up jaggery, oil etc., making an
honest confession of our sins and in a penitent mood we may take the vows of
Gopadma Vrta, lakshapradaksina, LakshanamaskAra and so on. Having observed all
the vows, we must dedicate them to God on the Sukla dvAdaSI of KArtika (utthAna
dvAdaSI), praying for His pardon the lapses and ensure the perfection of the same.
However, the sAstras are considerate and have made provisions for the expiation of
the sins caused by our non-observance of the vows in the form of vanabhojana in the
KArtika month.
AcAryAh SrimadAcAryAH
Santu me janma janmani
[As always, erors if any, are mine. Learned members please pardon and correct]
Keshav Bhat
Dear Haribhakthas,
Today, first Ekadashi of Aashada is also the first day of Chathurmasya. For
the next four months (until the first Ekadashi of Karthika) it is believed
that Lord goes into a "yoga nidra" (Spiritual sleep?). During the next four
months Maadwas practice some strict vrathas:
Murthy
After the daily rituals are over, the Swamiji holds a tray containing sacred clay and
firewood, and addresses the assembled devotees thus.
To this the householders present reply, `Please do stay here and grace us by your
presence.'
During the next two months the scholars chant the Vedas, Ramayana, Mahabharata,
Bhaagavata and the works of Sriman Madhvacharya.
During the Ekaadashii fasting days of this period a special worship known as jaagara
puujaa takes place in the nights. After the raatri puujaa the Swamiji carries on his head
a tray containing a tuLasii. He dances chanting the glory of the Lord. The musicians
and attendants dance and sing devotional songs and then the scholars chant the sacred
epics until late into the night. (Ekadashii nights are meant to be spent awake in the
study of scripture and chanting of prayers, etc., in addition to the whole day and night
being spent fasting.)
These arrangements are made so that the chanting of the sacred texts can be heard
from the time the devotees take their bath in the Madhva-sarovara until they leave the
temple after taking the darshana of Sri Krishna.
Apart from the chaaturmaasya, the chanting of sacred texts takes place every day in
the chandrashaalaa. As well as this, special chanting takes place in the simhaasana.
They also take place everyday throughout the year in the chauki during the time of the
mid-day meal.
Shri kRuShNARpanamasthu
http://www.salagram.net/ChaturmasyaSankalpa.html
More information from the Madhwa line citing all manner of PurANas HERE: