The rutus (seasons) of Varsha (monsoon), Sharad (autumn) and Hemant (winter) fall in the period of Dakshinayan (the southernly declination of the sun). In these three seasons the days of Holy festivals are relatively more, especially in the monsoons.
Due to the rains, the incidence of diseases are high, hence more attention needs to be paid to health. The Holy festivals result in occasional fasts and consumption of sattvik food, in addition to a restriction to a certain extent on outside food. According to Spirituality, lesser availability of sunlight in the rainy season increases the strength of negative energies, thereby increasing the Tama component. This increase in Tama component is harmful for us and hence, to counter that, we need to increase our Sattva component. Celebrating festivals helps in increasing the Sattva component. Also, the period of Dakshinayan is otherwise unfavourable from sattvikta point of view. Hence, in the name of Holy festivals we in fact get an opportunity of increasing sattvikta.
The four sacred months of Chaturmas are Ashadh, Shravan, Bhadarvo (Bhadrapad) and Aso (Ashwin). Chaturmas begins on Ashadh sud Ekadashi, also known as Dev Podhi Ekadashi, when Bhagwan Vishnu descends into the Kshirsagar – the ocean of milk – to guard King Bali’s kingdom for four months. This stemmed from King Bali’s immense sacrifice by offering to Bhagwan three strides of land, which included himself. Chaturmas ends on Kartik sud 11 – Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi, when Bhagwan Vishnu awakens, rather returns to Vaikunth from Bali’s kingdom. During Chaturmas the shastras prescribe extra bhakti along with vrats to please
Aware of man’s inherent instinct of gluttony rather than self-denial, sages of the bhakti shastras recommended fasting as a form of sadhana to strengthen the mind and atma by controlling rasna – the sense of taste. The weather during Chaturmas proved conducive for this. Specifically, the damp and humid air and the polluted run-off water into rivers and lakes induced water pollution and insect infestation of vegetation. The heat during the final month of Jeth in the summer and the dampness during the monsoon aggravated all three humours of the body, namely, vata, pitta and kapha (Charak Samhita, Sutrasthan 6/33). This would induce illness and mass disease. Hence, the shastras advocated vrats. The Bhavishyottara Puran states that curbing the senses during Chaturmas leads to Bhagwan’s proximity and moksha. And the most important utsavs during Chaturmas are celebrated by fasting and bhakti. Bhakti diverts the indriyas from worldly pursuits towards the Divine. Forms of bhakti rituals which encourage the mumukshu to introspect on his spiritual progress towards moksha are katha and dhyan.
Chaturmasa vrat
This Vrata can be observed by anyone whether they belong to Brahmachari Ashram, Grihastha Ashram, Vanaprastha Ashram, and Sannyasi Ashram. Also, it can be observed by any person belonging to any varna – Brahman, Kshatriya, vaishya, sudra.
Chaturmasya Includes 4 Holy Months –
First Month – Sravana (Fasting from Green leafy vegetables)
The first month of Chaturmasya Vrat is known as Shaka Vrata. Shaka Vrata begins on Shukla Paksha dwadashi day in Ashada month and ends on Shukla Ekadashi day in Shravan month.
ONE SHOULD NOT EAT – Spinach, Coriander Leaves, Fenugreek Leaves, Mint Leaves, Curry Leaves, etc.
Second Month– Bhadrapada (Fasting from Yoghurt)
The second month of Chaturmasya Vrata is known as Dadhi Vrata. Dadhi Vrata begins on Sravana Shukla Paksha Dwadashi and ends on Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha Ekadashi.
Third Month– Ashwin / Ashwija (Fasting from Milk)
The third month of Chaturmasya Vrata is known as Ksheera Vrata. Ksheera Vrata begins on Shukla Paksha Dwadashi in Bhadrapada month.
Fourth Month– Kartik (Fasting from Urad Dal)
The fourth month of Chaturmasya Vrata is known as Dwidala Vrata. It begins on Dwadashi day in Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month and ends with Kartik Shukal Ekadashi.
The Real Purpose behind the vow taken during these four-months, is to minimize the quantity of sense gratification. One should perform spiritual activities in these four months as much as possible. This Vrata is not very difficult. The person observing this fast is considered to be good and best. Every auspicious and spiritual activity becomes more fruitful in these four months. Vaishnava observes this fast by chanting the names of Lord Krishna.
As per Padma Purana, one can achieve great spiritual advancement with these activites.
Temple Cleaning- The person who serves by doing temple cleaning will get enjoyment for seven births.
Those who bathe the Lord with milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar become prosperous in the world and go to heaven and get enjoyment like Indra.
The person who donates 28 or 108 earthen pots filled with tila to qualified Brahamana becomes free from all sins accumulated by body, words, and mind.
One who sings for the pleasure of Lord Vishnu in Chaturmasya attains the Gandharva Loka.
The one who circumambulates the temple attains the abode of Krishna sitting in a swan plane.
The person who renounces Jaggery will get a son or grandson.
The process or rules for following Chaturmasa is known as Chaturmasa Niyama
Wake up before sunrise and take bath.
Chant early in the morning before sunrise
Chant more number of rounds than regular days.
Follow Celibacy (Brahmacharya) for four months.
Give a donation to the temple as per your capacity
Read Prayers of Srimad Bhagavatam-(Gajendra Moksha Lila, Prayers of Kunti Maharani, Gopi Geet)
Read and Meditate on Bala Lila from Krishna book, Bhagvat Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam
The eight Ekadashi falling in these four months should be followed strictly.
One should worship Tulasi Maharani and do Circumambulation to Tulasi Maharani.
One should offer Tulsi Leaves to Lordship.
One should engage himself to Vaishnava Sewa (Invite them for Prashad, chant with them, and do other spiritual activities with them)
Take target to at least read one book of Srila Prabhupada in this Chaturmasya.
Read Vaishnava Bhajan with meaning.
One must visit Pilgrimage.
Taking responsible service to help and promote this Krishna Consciousness movement.
Daily pray and thank Krishna before going to sleep.
What We Should Not Do In Chaturmas?
One should not break four regulative principles (No Meat eating, No gambling, No Intoxication, No illicit sex)
One should not criticize others.
One should not sleep on the bed but can sleep on the floor with proper bedding.
One should avoid excessive sleep.
Few auspicious activities deny in Chaturmaas for ex- Wedding Ceremonies, Buying land, etc.