Chaturmas : The significance of four-months!

 

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What is Chaturyamas?

Chaturmas is a sacred period lasting four months, beginning on Shayani Ekadashi, the eleventh day of the fourth month of the Hindu lunar calendar, and lasting until Prabodhini Ekadashi or Dev Uthani Ekadashi, the eleventh day of the eighth month of the Hindu lunar calendar.

What is special about Chaturmas?

Within this holy season, significant celebrations include:

• Radha Govinda Jhulana Yatra
• Balarama Jayanti
• Guru Purnima
• Shri Krishna Janmashtami
• Nandotsava
• Raksha Bandhan
• Srila Prabhupada  Appearance day
• Ganesh Chaturthi
• Lalita Shashthi
• Radhashtami
• Shri Vamana Dwadashi
• Shrila Jiva Goswami Appearance day
• Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura – Appearance day
• Acceptance of Sannyasa by Srila Prabhupada
• Srila Prabhupada’s Arrival in the USA
• Navaratri (Durga Puja )
• Dasahra (Vijayadashami)
• Shri Krishna Sharadiya Rasayatra
• The appearance of Radha Kunda, Snana Dana
• Bahulashtami
• Shri Virabhadra – Appearance
• Diwali, Dipa Dana, Dipavali, Kali Puja
• Bali Daityaraja Puja
• Go Puja, Go Krida, Govardhana Puja
• Champa Sashthi
• Gopashtami, Gosthashtami
• Jagaddhatri Puja
• Shri Krishna Rasayatra
• Tulasi Saligrama Vivaha (marriage)
• Shri Nimbarkacharya – Appearance

These months have a massive significance in Sanatana dharma, Hindu dharma, Jainism, and Buddhism.

As you can see in the above list of some of the festivals and appearance days of great Vaishnavas of all time you can understand the huge significance this auspicious period carries for devotees who want to make advancements in their spiritual lives. 

Significance in Sanatana Dharma:-

a)The Bhavishyottara Purana claims that King Mandhata's realm had a three-year drought. He failed to come up with a way to appease the rain gods. He followed the advice of Sage Angiras to keep the Devshayani Ekadashi vow, which delighted Lord Vishnu and caused rain to fall throughout the realm.

b)According to multiple legendary accounts from Sanatana Dharma, beginning on Devshayani Ekadashi and lasting for four months, Lord Vishnu enters a deep state of meditation during Chaturmas. Hindu religions hold high regard for Lord Vishnu's Yoga Nidra phase. Lord Vishnu sleeps in Kshir Sagar (the ocean of Milk or the cosmic ocean) on Shesh Naga (Ananta sesha). Lord Shiva looks over the universe while he is away, which is why the Chaturmas begin with Sharavan when followers sing an ode to him. Devotees also observe fasts during this time to obtain the blessings of both.

Bhagwan Vamaji in the Vaman Avatar begged Bali Maharaj, who was performing Yagna, for land in just three steps. Vamanji took on a large, colossal form when Bali Maharaj promised to give him three steps of land, and he measured the entire earth and sky with just his two steps, leaving nothing in the universe for the third.

After committing himself to Vamanji for the third step, Bali Maharaj descended to the Sutal Lok while Vamanji maintained his third step on him. Bali Maharaj's dedication and devotion greatly pleased Lord Vishnu in the guise of Vamanji, who instructed him to request the boon.

"Always give me your darshan and stay with me," demanded Bali Maharaj. Lord Vishnu has so been residing in the Sutal Lok with Bali Maharaj.

Later, Laxmiji visited Sutal Lok and begged Bali Maharaj to transfer Lord Vishnu back to Vainkuth Lok. Bali Maharaj complied but also requested to stay with Laxmiji in Sutal Lok for four months. Following this pledge, Lord Shiv and Brahmaji did as well.

Therefore, during the four months of monsoon, Lord Vishnu remains in Sutal Lok and grants Bali Maharaj darshan; during the following four months of winter, Lord Shiv; and the following four months of summer, Brahmaji. Lord Vishnu stays with his devotees and grants them his darshan during these four months of the monsoon.

Fastings in 4 Holy Months Of Chaturmasya:-

First Month – Sravana 
The first month of Chaturmasya Vrat is known as Shaka Vrata. Shukla Paksha Dwadashi day in the Ashada month marks the start of Shaka Vrata, which concludes on Shukla Ekadashi day in the Shravan month. Fasting should be done from Green leafy vegetables(eg. Curry Leaves, Spinach, Fenugreek Leaves, Coriander Leaves,  Mint Leaves, etc.)

Second Month– Bhadrapada 
The second month of Chaturmasya Vrata is known as Dadhi Vrata. Sravana Shukla Paksha Dwadashi marks the start of Dadhi Vrata, which ends on Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha Ekadashi.
Fasting should be done from Yoghurt, curd, sweet curd, etc.

Third Month– Ashwin 
The third month of Chaturmasya Vrata is known as Ksheera Vrata.
On Shukla Paksha Dwadashi of Bhadrapada month, Ksheera Vrata begins. Fasting should be done from Milk.
 
Fourth Month– Kartik (Damodara Month) 
The fourth month of Chaturmasya Vrata is known as Dwidala Vrata.
Ashwin month's Shukla Paksha's Dwadashi day marks the beginning of the period, which finishes on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi. Fasting is done from Urad Dal.

A  few shlokas from the scriptures for Chaturmas Fasting:-

(1)

vārṣikāṃścaturo māsān vāhayet kenacinnaraḥ ।

vratena na cedāpnoti kilbiṣaṃ vatsarodbhavam ॥

Meaning:-A form of fasting should be observed during the annual Chaturmasa to prevent seasonal illnesses.

(2)

Kartika vratinam vipra yathokta karinam naram

Yama dutah palayante simham drstva yatha gajah

Srestham visnu vipra tat tulya na satam makhah

Krtva fratum urje svargyam vaikuntham kartika vrati

(Padma Purana)

Meaning:- According to Suta Goswami, The Yamadutas, Yamaraja's messengers, flee from anyone who observes the Kartika-Vrata in accordance with the prescribed norms and regulations, just as an elephant flees when it sees a lion. Because someone who observes the Kartika-Vrata travels to the spiritual world, it is even greater than offering one hundred big sacrifices that would get one to heaven.

(3)

Sulabha mathura bhumau praty abdam kartikas tatha

Tathapi samsarantiha nara mudha bhavambudhau

Yani sarvani tirthani nada nadyah saransi ca

Kartika nivasanty atra mathure sarva mandale

(Padma Purana)

Meaning:-Even though Mathura is easily accessible from this planet, the Kartika month is clearly visible, and the oceans, rivers, and lakes all congregate in the Mathura region during this time, those people who are foolish and drowning in the sea of their material existence choose not to benefit from it.

(3)

"Vaisnavo na sa mantavyah samprapte kartike mune

Yo na yacchati mudhatma dipam kesva sadmani"

Meaning:-O wise one, one is not regarded as a Vaisnava if one does not light a lamp in the temple of Lord Keshava during the month of Kartika.”

The best approach to observe the Kartika-vrata is to avoid grains for the entire month, and for the final five days, only consume milk or water. If someone consumes grains throughout the month, they should abstain for the final five days. One should just eat one meal a day as well. This is how it should be done.

"On the whole, during the four-month period of Chaturmasya, one should practice giving up all food intended for sense enjoyment."– A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,(Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya-Lila 4.169)

Who May Perform This Vrata?

Anyone can observe this Vrata, regardless of their affiliation with a Brahmachari Ashram, Grihastha Ashram, Vanaprastha Ashram, or Sannyasi Ashram. Any person from any varna, such as a Brahman, Kshatriya, vaishya, or sudra, may also follow it.

Bhishma Panchak:-

Bhisma Panchaka is the name given to the final five days of the Kartika month. For these five days, Grandfather Bhishma fasted in preparation for his impending death. He gave sermons on the Raj Dharma, Varna (community), Moksha (salvation), and other types of Dharma. Shri Krishna remarked, "Pitamah, I am happy with the righteous teaching you have given from Ekadashi to Purnima," following Bhishma's speech. In the name of Bhishma Panchak Vrat, I commit these five days to your remembrance. Whoever keeps this fast will ultimately find redemption after taking delight in a variety of earthly pleasures. Since that time, Bhishma Panchak is revered.

Regardless of how Kartika-Vrata is observed, the final five days should see intensified devotion.

In order to receive the benefits of the four chaturyamasa fastings, one must observe these days of Bhishma Panchaka fasting. 

Offerings:-

As per the Garuda Purana, the Padma, Bilva, Gandha, Java, and Malati flowers are to be offered to the feet, thigh, naval, shoulders, and head of the lord respectively during the Bhishma Panchak.

Tarpan:-

To honor Bhismadeva, one should ideally bathe in the Ganges or another sacred river each day and recite the mantras.

Dates for Chaturyamas 2022 

Sravana-July 13-August 11

Bhadrapada-August 12-September 9

Ashwin-September 10- October 8

Kartik-October 9- November 8

Bhishma Panchak- November4-November 8

Significance in Jainism and Buddhism:-

Varshayog is practiced by Jain monks during Chaturmas. The monks practice austerities such as fasting and maun vrat. On the day of Guru Purnima, when he first spoke in Sarnath, it is thought that Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon. He continued to teach during these months.

I offer up prayers for every devotee who is celebrating and performing austerities in Chaturmasya this year to achieve spiritual growth.

Hare Krishna🙏

Ast Sakhi Vrind Devi Dasi

References:-

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Bhisma Panchaka. (n.d.). ISKCON Desire Tree | IDT. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://iskcondesiretree.com/page/bhisma-panchaka

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Desk, F. W. (2020b, July 4). What is Chaturmas? Here is all you need to know. Free Press Journal. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.freepressjournal.in/spirituality/what-is-chaturmas-here-is-all-you-need-to-know

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