Chaturmasya Vrat is a unique and a glorious tradition that grants us the opportunity to progress more in our spiritual lives. In this period, the devotees increase their devotional activities and austerities to please the Supreme Lord.  The main purpose of Charturmasya Vrat among devotees and other followers of Vedic tradition is to increase their intensity of devotional services and minimize their sense gratification.

 

Read this article to understand about Chaturmasya in detail.

Overview

“Chatur” means four, and “Masya” means month. Chaturmasya is the auspicious four-month long period that begins on the day after Deva Shayan Ekadashi in the month of Ashada (June-July) and ends on the Uthana Ekadashi in the Karthik month (October-November). As per the Vedic calendar, the months of Shravana, Bhadrapda, Ashwina and Kartika fall under this period. These months also coincide with the monsoon season in India.

 

These four months are dedicated to performing devotional services, austerities, fasting, abstaining from specific foods and maintaining a regulated lifestyle.

About Chaturmasya

Chaturmasya is believed to be the day when Lord Vishnu enters the state of yog nidra (divine sleep) in the Khsir Sagar (the ocean of milk) on His serpent Shesh Naga. Since Lord Vishnu, the protector of this universe, retires for His sleep, this day is called Shayan (sleep) Ekadashi (eleventh day). Lord Vishnu awakens from His deep yogic sleep after four months on Uthana Ekadashi in the Karthik month. 

 

In Chaturmasya, devotees and saintly people avoid any type of journey and take shelter in one place, ideally in a place of pilgrimage and perform austerities there. This also allows local inhabitants and seekers of knowledge to gain their association and make swift progress in their spiritual lives.

 

ei-mata mahÄprabhu bhakta-gaṇa-saá¹…ge

cÄturmÄsya goá¹…ÄilÄ kṛṣṇa-kathÄ-raá¹…ge

 

“ÅšrÄ« Caitanya MahÄprabhu spent the entire period of CÄturmÄsya [the four months of the rainy season] in the happiness of discussing topics of Kṛṣṇa with His devotees.” (from CC Antya 10.133)

 

This time span is also considered the most suitable to increase your devotional services to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Apart from fasting, the  Chaturmasya is the ideal time to perform charity, practice gratitude, and meditate. During this time span, rituals such as wedding ceremonies, engagements, buying land, Grih Pravesh (housewarming), tonsuring, and Janeu Sanskar, are also restricted. 

Fasting in Chaturmasya

Let’s understand the different food items that are avoided to be consumed in the Chaturmasya:

 

  1. First Month (Shravana): Green leafy vegetables are avoided in the first month. Exceptions - Coriander leaves, Methi leaves, Pudhina and Curry leaves. However, Cabbage can be taken as it is not Shak.
  2. Second Month (Bhadra): Yogurt and meals that have yogurt as the main ingredient should not be consumed, such as kadi, lassi, buttermilk etc. Exceptions - If little curd (two or three spoons) is added in Sabji to get taste, it will not break the vow. Charanamrita should be honoured even if it contains curd in it.
  3. Third Month (Ashwin): Milk is avoided in the third month of Chaturmasya. Exceptions - Milk Sweets (like Peda, Rasagulla, Sandesh), Milk products (like Paneer, Cheese) since milk is transformed and used. Charanamrita should be honoured even if it contains milk in it.
  4. Fourth Month (Karthik): During the last month of Chaturmasya, Urad dal is avoided. Idli, Dosa or any other preparation containing Urad Dhal should not be taken.

Routine in Chaturmasya

  • Wake up before sunrise.
  • Engage yourself in devotional service, charity and spiritual activities.
  • Chant the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra.
  • Perform daily prayers, chant the holy names of the Lord, and always remember Lord Krishna.
  • Read spiritual texts such as Srimad Bhagavatam.
  • Listen to prayers and spiritual discourses.

 

Benefits of Chaturmasya Vrat

In one of the lectures in Vrindavan, Srila Prabhupada explains the importance of Chaturmasya, referring from the Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.28: Narada’s Instruction on Srimad-Bhagavatam for Vyasadeva-

 

itthaá¹ Å›arat-prÄvṛṣikÄv á¹›tÅ« harer

viśṛṇvato me 'nusavaṠyaśo 'malam

saá¹…kÄ«rtyamÄnaá¹ munibhir mahÄtmabhir

bhaktiḥ pravá¹›ttÄtma-rajas-tamopahÄ

 

Translation: Thus, during two seasons -the rainy season and autumn, I had the opportunity to hear these great-souled sages constantly chant the unadulterated glories of the Lord Hari. As the flow of my devotional service began, the coverings of the modes of passion and ignorance vanished. 

 

Narada Muni explains this verse, “If, by the grace of the Lord and the great-souled devotees of the Lord, a living being becomes fortunate enough to associate with the unadulterated devotees of the Lord and gets a chance to hear the unadulterated glories of the Lord, certainly the flow of devotional service takes place like the flow of a river. As the river flows on till she reaches the sea, similarly pure devotional service flows by the association of pure devotees till it reaches the ultimate goal, namely, transcendental love of God. Simply by hearing from the realized souls, munibhir mahÄtmabhiḥ, for four months during their stay in the cÄturmÄsya period, gradually I developed my Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and then I began devotional service."

 

Following the Chaturmasya Vrata bestows immense benefits as one can please the Supreme Lord easily and attain His divine blessings.