If you have been keen on inner change and personal growth, Chaturmas is the ideal time to perfect it.
The state of our inner world — thoughts, emotions, perceptions, attitudes, triggers, etc. — influences how we engage with the outer world. Sort the inner world, and watch your outer reality align, they say.
While most of us are aware of what needs to be changed, inherent tendencies overpower us. The rational mind is able to take us up to a point and not beyond: time and again, our willpower falls short of what it would take to cross over to the other side. We move in circles, falling prey to weaknesses over and over again.
Often, these deep-rooted tendencies will take more than therapy, relaxation techniques and breathing exercises to get rooted out. As per Hindu thought — that believes in reincarnation — these tendencies are carried forward in seed-form over births, which makes them deeply entrenched. One experiences them and then must overcome them by: a) living out the consequences of actions prompted by them (karma-kshayam), and b) making specific endeavours to erase them.
‘Chaturmasya vratam’ – or Chaturmas vrata – is one such effort.
WHEN AND WHYS OF CHATURMAS
The four-month vow (vrata) begins on Shukla-paksha Ekadashi of the lunar month of ‘Ashada’ and ends on Shukla Ekadashi of ‘Kartika’ (or full-moon nights – Purnima – of both months). It falls usually between July and November. Those who cannot observe the vow for four months can do so for 40 days. Doing anything for 40 days helps stabilise the sadhana — spiritual practice.
Many Indian cultures have celebrations before ‘Devshayani Ekadashi’ and on ‘Devuthani Ekadashi’ — corresponding to before-commencement and after-completion of the Chaturmasya vrata.
Manifold Benefits
According to Satguru Sivananda Murty, spiritual guru and a great exponent of Sanatan Dharma, several benefits accrue from this vrata. One, the merit earned by following the discipline for 110 days is capable of removing effects of bad karmas (paap) of births and can yield lifetimes-worth of punya (merit).
Two, it helps reduce chronic illness. Three, doing this over 12 years can help overcome the six internal enemies or ‘arishadvargas’ — kama (desire), krodha (anger), lobha (greed), mada (ego), moha (attachment), and matsarya (jealousy). These tendencies are what motivate our wrongdoings in thought, word, and deed.
‘CHATURMASYA VRATA’ OR VOW
The observance of Chaturmasya has been laid out in ancient Hindu scriptures such as Skanda Purana https://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/details/skandapurana33.html. Interestingly, there is also evidence of Gautam Buddha staying in one place to observe this four-month period vow. Jains observe ‘Varshayog’ in this period, practising austerities as ordained.
This vrata is for everyone — even ordinary folk — and not just for sanyasis, priests and Brahmins.
It is believed that Lord Vishnu remains in meditative sleep in these months and Lord Shiva takes care of the Universe. It must be remembered that Shiva is the one who guides souls.
CHATURMASYA SIMPLIFIED
Elaborate rituals can appear daunting and disheartening. Here is a least common-denominator programme that still serves the purpose of overcoming weaknesses, developing willpower, gaining inner strength and better health, and becoming a ‘better version of oneself’.
General Principles
Live with rules. Self-discipline, contributory activities, and charity are the keywords.
Need-based activities are prescribed; sense-gratification is to be avoided.
Eat only what is needed for maintenance. Eating less — avoiding eating to satisfy the palate — results in better health.
Avoid hoarding. Look for what you can give away and give freely to those who ask anything of you.
Charity and donations have greater value because earnings of several kinds of people are reduced in the monsoon and it is them we’re helping.
Avoid pleasure trips and extravagant socialising.
Avoid talking too much — in order that we may avoid complaining, lying, or hurting anyone.
Avoid too much work (career-related) — work only enough to make a living.
The Vrata Specifics – Do’s
Wake up just before sunrise. Sleep before 11 pm.
Light a lamp around 6.30pm and pray for the wellbeing of society and country.
Any chanting, good deeds, etc. done in this period have more value. Re-reading something of spiritual nature in this period gives a deeper understanding of the same.
Decide on any spiritual activity to do daily — chanting a mantra, scripture-reading, listening to talks of great saints. Do this strictly at the pre-decided time (be disciplined in sticking to the exact hour and minute each day). Also, set targets for the four months.
Examples:
Reciting the Ramayana three times over the period.
Chanting Gayatri mantra for an hour – at 3.01pm daily.
Reading 10 books on spirituality over 40 days – reading time, sharp 8.30pm.
The numerous festivals in this period must be celebrated as per tradition – they are occasions to obtain Gods’ grace for oneself and our kith and kin, but importantly, pray for the welfare of all beings.
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