Chaturmasa: The Nectarine Period for Sadhana

During the four months period of Chaturmasa, Lord Vishnu reposes in ‘Yoganidra’. Therefore this is considered to be a golden period for sadhakas, devotees and worshippers. Adherence to some vow or austerity during this auspicious period brings imperishable merits. Hence a sagacious person should most essentially and deliberately take some vow during Chaturmasa. This time is considered to be auspicious for worshipping Lord Sri Hari.

Lord Vishnu reposes in water during this pious period. So the water is charged with the divine effulgence of the Lord. So taking bath, while reverentially remembering the Lord and chanting His pious name, before the dawn is far more meritorious than the collective merits of taking bath in all the pilgrim centers. Taking a bath by adding a mixture of sesame seeds and amla or bilva-patras (leaves of the wood apple tree) in a bucket of water eliminates all the demerits of the person. Putting a few bilva-patras in a bucket of water and taking bath therewith while reverentially chanting the mantra ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ 4-5 times, is especially beneficial during Chaturmasa. This practice eradicates the adverse effects of the aggravated vata and protects health. However, taking bath for the love of the Lord makes it into a devotional practice.

One, who abstains from intake of salt during these four months, is endowed with success in all his meritorious and altruistic activities.

Being compassionate towards all living beings during these auspicious months is considered to be a essential part of dharma. Donation of food-grains, water and cows, recitation of pious verses from the Vedas, and daily performance of fire sacrifices – all these virtuous deeds are immensely beneficial too. The most meritorious of all these donations is that of food-grains. Faithful abstinence from any thing dear to one brings infinite merits, and one is endowed with infinite happiness. However, infiniteness is best characterized by the Lord Himself.

Meticulous adherence to righteousness, sacred darshana and service of the great men, listening to sacred discourses, penchant for charity, worship of Lord Vishnu, etc. are all considered to be highly salubrious during this period. Donation of milk, curds, ghee and butter-milk bestows immense merits. One, who carry’s out the charitable acts of imparting knowledge, donating land and cows in noble pursuance of attaining divine love, has all his manes emancipated. Pious practices like sleeping on the ground, observing celibacy, fasts, silence, japa, meditation, charity, etc. are especially beneficial during this part of the year.

Taking food in a copper vessel is particularly prohibited in Chaturmasa. It is better to abandon metal utensils. Instead taking food in Palash leaves is considered meritorious. It is harmful to wear black and blue apparels in Chaturmasa.

One should make it a point to refrain from slandering others during these four months. Even lending one’s ears to slander is a sin. Slander is verily a great sin, a great horror and a great misery. There is no other sin greater than slandering others.

A wise man, who observes moderation in diet during the Chaturmasa, has all his sins destroyed, and attains to the abode of Lord Vishnu (Vaikuntha). He, who subsists on only type of cereal during Chaturmasa becomes fortified against diseases. And one, who takes food only once a day, attains the merits of ‘Dwadashah Yajna.’ He who subsists only on milk once a day, attains the merits of ‘Dh\wadashah Yajna.’ He who subsists only on milk or fruits during this period, thousands of his sins are annihilated within no time.

Observance of fast once in a fortnight burns all the toxins accumulated in the body and transmutes the chyle of food consumed during the fourteen days into ‘Ojas’. This adds glory and special significance to the ‘Ekadashi Vrata’. One should observe fast on all Ekadashis during this pious period.

If due to some reason one is unable to abide by these austerities during these four months, then one should observe them at least during the Kartik month (From 5th Oct to 2nd Nov).

Marriage ceremonies and wishful sacrifices are prohibited during these four months, which are meant only for the observance of austerities.

He who whiles away this precious time of Chaturmasa without doing japa, observing vows and spiritual practices is a real fool. On the other hand, he who makes an optimum use of this priceless duration through above pious practices, does as if attain the very pot of nectar. What a wonderful system is provided by the Indian culture! By ordaining the practice of various auspicious and salubrious activities for different seasons and months it gives us a golden opportunity not only for material welfare but also for spiritual. Evolution!