Chaaturmaasya Vratha (Concept-Significance)
Concept - Significance & Salient Features
Guruh gurutamo dhaamah satyah
satya-paraakramah
Nimisho-a-nimishah sragvee vaachaspatir-udaaradhiih
India, the birth place of Hinduism is rich in spirituality,
religious cultures, faiths, austerities, customs and traditions that we don’t
find any where else in the world. Bharatha Khanda (Indian sub continent) is known as Karma Bhoomi
which is unique with its significance for Vedic and religious culture and
heritage. It is believed and said that one has to take birth in this sub
continent to attain ultimate salvation of the soul through human form and by
performing austerities that pleases the Almighty God. One such austerity that
is prescribed as a tool for attaining spiritual path for the ultimate salvation
of the soul is observing of Chaturmaasya Vratha which has been given lot of
spiritual and religious significance.
What is Chaturmasam? When does it occur?
In simple terminology Chatur means four. Maasa means Month.
Vratha means observance of religious austerity. Chaaturmaasam means the four
months marathon period of observance of religious austerities called
Chaturmaasya Vratha. Chaturmasam is the sacred period that occurs every year
starting from Aashaada Sukla Ekadasi to Kartheeka Sukla Dasami comprising of
Aashaada (partly), Sraavana, Bhaadrapada, Aaswayuja and Kartheeka (partly)
months as per Hindu lunar calendar that coincides with Karkaataka to Thula
maasam as per Solar Calendar. If Adhika maasam occurs in one of these four
months then Chaturmasam gets extended by one month. While it starts from
Aashaada Sukla Ekadasi for Gruhasthas and others; for Yatis (Ascetics) it
starts from Aaashaada Sukla Poornima. Chaturmasam coincides with the monsoon
season when important Hindu festivals also take place during that period. HINDU LUNAR MONTHS
(Significance)
Significance of Chaaturmaasam
In Hindu calendar we have four spiritually important months viz.
Aaashaada, Kartheeka, Maagha and Vaisakha. To begin with Aaashaada Maasa when
rains will start afresh and a number of creatures (living beings) sprout on the
earth is said to be the appropriate period for sprouting of spiritual knowledge
in the minds of human beings.
One may get a doubt that when we have 12 months in a year; why only
these selected four months are called Chaaturmaasam?
In this regard there is an interesting pouranic reference to
Chaturmasam in Varaaha Purana wherein, Lord Varaaha (Lord Vishnu’s incarnation)
had explained to Goddess Earth (Dharani Devi) significance of Chaturmasam to be
observed during the months of Sravana, Bhaadrapada, Aaswayuja and Kartheeka. We
all know that we have 12 months in a Hindu lunar calendar starting from
Chaithra to Phalguna. Out of these 12 months, 6 months starting from Pushya
(when Sun enters Makara Raasi) to Jyeshta falls under Uttaraayana while 6
months starting from Aashaada (when Sun enters Karkataka Raasi) to Maargasira
falls under Dakshinaayana. Uttaraayana is the day time and Dakshinaayana is the
night time for Devathas.
In order to give significance for performing sacred and pious
deeds during the night time of Devathas, Lord Varaaha gave a boon to Raathri
Devatha that these four months Sraavana, Bhaadrapada, Aaswayuja and Kartheeka
are very holy and dear to him. Who ever performs sacred deeds (Snana, Japa,
Homa, Vratha, Dana etc.) during these months would reap immense benefits out of
it. Merits of performing sacred deeds would increase day by day during these
four months and when it comes to Kartheeka Maasam it is the most holy and
sacred of all the four months.
Chaaturmaasam is the period when Lord SriManNarayana enters into
Yoga-Nidra. It does not mean that Lord SriManNarayana sleeps like mortals. Even
the demi-gods are called Animishas because they have no sleep. Sri Vishnu
Sahasranama stothram (sloka #23) describes Lord Vishnu as Animishah, the one
who is ever awake, ever alert, and ever vigilant; the one who keeps a
continuous vigil on his devotees.
These four months are said to be very dear and pleasing to Lord
Vishnu when He will be in Yoga Nidra (divine slumber) from Aaashaada Sukla
Ekadasi called Deva Sayani or Hari Sayani to Kartheeka Sukla Dwaadasi called
Uttaana Dwaadasi. Thus, when Lord SriManNarayana is in yoga-nidra it is
befitting for us mortals to set aside our mundane materialistic activities and
take part in the special religious and spiritual pursuits.
Lord SriManNarayana is the presiding deity of Chaaturmaasam in
his Sridhara; Hrishikesha; Padmanabha and Daamodara forms respectively. It is
said that Lord Sri Krishna had explained significance of Chaturmasam to
Yudhistira (Dharma Raja). Skandha Purana also refers to the significance of
Chaturmasam and benefits from observing austerities during this period.
To have darshan of an Ascetic (Yati) who is observing
Chaturmaasya Vratha is said to be incredibly valuable. Therefore one should
make a sincere effort during Chaturmasam to visit an ascetic who is observing
Chaturmaasya Vratha and seek his blessings.
Chaaturmaasam is an opportunity
for individuals to enhance their spirituality (awakening and activating the
inner spirit) and to take a step forward in the direction of ultimate
salvation. These four months of Chaturmasam are of great importance to the devotees
of Lord Vishnu. During this period people take part in different vows and
resort to several religious and spiritual austerities to please the supreme
Lord.
It is said and believed that observing Chaturmaasya Vratha confers crore times more merits than observing the rituals during the other months. Incidentally major religious festivals including Pithru Paksha occurs during Chaturmasam. Health significance is also involved in the observance of Chaturmaasya Vratha.
Salient features of Chaturmaasya Vratha
Who are eligible to observe Chaturmaasya Vratha?
Without any discrimination of age, gender, caste, and aasrama
this vratha is meant to be performed by one and all. Brahmana, Kshatriya,
Vysya, Suudra, Women, Gruhasthas; Sanyasis are all eligible to undertake this
vratha. There is no exception whatsoever; this vratha is applicable to the
people belonging to all four varnas and four Aasramas viz. brahmachari,
gruhastha, vanaprastha and sanyasa.
Tapta Mudradhaarana
Mudradhaarana (wearing divine symbols of Lord Vishnu on the
body) with Gopichandana associated with Uurdhwapundra Dhaarana is a common
feature that we come across in Madhwa sampradaya. But, Tapta Mudradhaarana is
prescribed to be performed every year exclusively on the day of Aashaada
Sukla Ekaadasi apart from on certain other exclusive occasions in one’s life
time. Tapta means hot; Mudra means symbol and Dhaarana means wearing. Tapta
Mudradhaarana means an act of getting Divine symbols of Lord Vishnu (Shankha;
Chakra) stamped on one’s body accepted from their respective religious Guru
(Sanyasi) who is qualified to perform. Chaturmaasya Vratha begins with Tapta
Mudradhaarana a ritual generally we come across in Vaishnava Sampradaya; more
predominantly in Madhwa sampradaya. If it is not possible on this day for
reasons beyond human control, then one should strive to get it done at least
once during Chaturmasam.
Tapta Mudradhaarana is
performed using metallic (gold/silver) moulds of wheel representing Sudarshana
Chakra and Conch representing Paanchajanya Shankha of Lord Vishnu. Sudarshana
Homa is performed and metallic moulds are heated in the Yagna before applying
them. Tapta Mudradhaarana is prescribed for men and women of all ages and all
Varnas. Either two or five mudras
(divine symbols of Lord Vishnu) are generally stamped on the body. Sacred
scripts prescribe Tapta Mudradhaarana to be performed at the time of
Jaatakarma (during naming ceremony); Chowla Samskaara (first hair cutting
ceremony); Upanayana; Gaayathri Upadesa; for girls at the time of marriage
apart from every year on the day of Aashaada Sukla Ekaadasi.
Several Puranas and sacred
scripts said to have eulogized the merits and significance of Tapta
Mudradhaarana. It is said that those not accepting Tapta-Mudradhaarana are
not eligible to perform Vedic/sacred duties prescribed.
Tapta Mudradhaarana is an act
said to purify the body in a Vedic way before commencement of any divine
austerity. It is an age old tradition
that also has therapeutic values as it is believed to stimulate the nervous
system and provide immunity to the body apart from the spiritual benefits.
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Yati Chaturmasam
During Chaturmasam Hindu monks (Yateeswaras) undertake Deeksha
and stay at one place (otherwise required to travel) from Aashaada Sukla
Poornima to Bhaadrapada Sukla Poornima for four fortnights and impart spiritual
knowledge to those devotees who come to visit them there by inculcating
spiritual awareness in them. This is called Yateeswara Chaaturmaasa Deeksha.
Significance of starting deeksha on this day of Aashaada Poornima called as
Guru Poornima or Vyaasa Poornima could be perhaps, the day is associated with
great Sage and Lord Vedavyaasa the incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Ascetics suspend their travel at the beginning of Chaaturmaasa
and during that period they do not cross the border of the city/town where they
are sojourning. Learned Yateeswaras engage themselves in teaching and offering
discourses on religious and spiritual matters for the benefit of their
disciples and people in general. It is believed and said that,
the place where these selfless Yateeswaras stay and perform Chaaturmaasa
Deeksha will flourish in wealth, prosperity and spirituality. Having Darshan of
Yateeswara during Chaturmasam is considered to be very efficacious and
meritorious. It is also our tradition to receive blessings of such Ascetics who
observe Chaaturmaasa in a fervent manner for the benefit of the society.
Seemollanghana
Although Chaaturmaasa means four months of duration nowadays it
is performed for two months at one place taking a fortnight as a month as per
Saastras. At the end of Bhaadrapada Poornima the Ascetics (Yateeswaras) break
their sojourn by crossing the border of that city and move on to a nearby holy
place and complete the Chaturmaasya Vratha. This is called Seemollanghana. Seema
means border and ullanghana means violating (crossing). Seemollanghana is also
prescribed for general public which they will generally do it on Vijaya Dasami
Day (Dussera day) by symbolically visiting a Sami Vruksha outside the town
border where they live.
Prohibited activities and items during Chaturmasam
Hair cutting, shaving, nail cutting, participating in sensual
pleasures, sleeping on cot & bed are prohibited. Among the prohibited items
are, Sugar cane, Urad (Black gram), Horse Gram, white mustard, Pumpkin, Water
Melon, Brinjal, Radish, Snake Guard, Onion, Garlic, Non-vegetarian food.
Festivals during Chaturmasam
Most prominent among the festivals that fall during Chaturmasam
are Guru Poornima or Vyaasa Poornima, Naaga Chaturthi, Vara Maha Lakshmi Vratha,
Upaakarma (Sravana Poornima), Sri Krishnashtami, Sri Ganesha Chaturthi; Rushi
Panchami, Anantha Chaturdasi, SharanNavarathri (Devi Navarathri), Vijaya
Dasami, Deepaavali. Apart from this world famous Jagannath Ratha Yaathra (Car
festival) at Purushottama Kshethra (Puri) takes place around this time. Sri
Vaari Brahmotsavam the nine day car festival of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala
hills also takes place during Chaturmasam in the month of Aaswayuja.
Celestial Events and Aaraadhana during Chaturmasam
Dakshinaayana (transit of Sun into Karkataka Raasi) also called
Karkataka Sankramana occurs around Chaturmasam. Aaraadhana of great Saints, Sri
Jaya Theertharu (Teeka Rayaru) of Malakheda; Sri Raaghavendra Swamy of
Mantralayam; Sri Jagannatha Dasaru (Manvi); Sri Vijaya Dasarau (Chippagiri)
also takes place during Chaturmasm.
Pithru Yagna during Chaturmasam
Pithru Paksha the fortnight dedicated to forefathers also falls
during Chaturmasam when we pay our obeisance to fore fathers by performing
sacred rites.
Thus entire Chaturmasam is a period full of festivals and
celebrations out of which majority are Pouranic festivals. It signifies that
Chaturmasam is the time for us to pay our obeisance to the Deities, Saints
(Gurus), and Pithrus (Forefathers). Having taken birth as human being one has
to get discharged from three Runas viz. Deva, Rushi and Pithru and perhaps
Chaturmasam is the best period to do so even otherwise it has to be on a daily
basis.
For austerities and food restrictions during Chaturmasam please click on the below given link...
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