Chaturmasya Vrata

Dear Mr Mahadevan,

     

I am broadly in agreement with the sentiments expressed by you in your usual considered, deliberate manner and ' the waiting period of 4 month-plus ' in it rang the 'chaturmasya' bell in me and so here goes :

The term Chaturmasya means four months. The term Chaturmasya Vrata is a Vrata to be observed for a period of four months. But according to the Vedic dictum पक्षा वै मासाः one ‘paksha’ or a fortnight is taken as one month, and traditionally the Vrata is observed only for two months.
During the rainy season, Sannyasins observe Chaturmasya and stay at one place to meditate on the Absolute Reality and instruct their disciples in the spiritual lore.
('Absolute Reality' may also mean the Supreme Court of India and 'spiritual lore' its befuddled pronouncements).
This is great opportunity to enhance one's spirituality and take a step forward in the direction of Moksha.
Our scriptures ordain us to make the following noble ten-fold resolutions during this period.

Satsanga

Dvijabhakti

Guru, Deva, Agni Tarpana

Gopradana

Vedapatha

Satkriya

Satyabhashana

Gobhakti

Dana Bhakti

Dharma Sadhana  

Anna Dana 

     

Among the several danas one can perform during this period, anna dana is greatly praised as the most important dana accruing great merits.

Control of senses

     Any vrata imposes restrictions on the food that can be partaken. This is for us to reduce our dependence on the external material world and realize the inner spiritual power. This is a great way for achieving control of the senses which is a very important factor in a persons spiritual development.

The four vratas in Chaturmasya 

     During the four months period, certain food items are prohibited. The respective vrata is named after the item that is prohibited during the month. So, the names of the four vratas are

1. Shaka Vrata

2. Ksheera Vrata

3. Dadhi Vrata

4. Dvidala Vrata 

ईश्वरो रक्षतु | लोका: समस्ता सुखिनो भवन्तु ||

P.Ramanathan