Speech of HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji about the significance of Chaturmasya vrata for SVBC Kannada channel – September 3, 2021 – Mysore
Compiled by Jaya Akkanapragada
On Guru Pournima, Guru pooja is performed to remember all the Gurus and offer our gratitude to all the Gurus who have given us Gnyana. Sage Veda Vyaasa and all his disciples are also remembered and worshipped on this day as part of Vyaasa panchaka. There is a tradition of worshipping all the Gurus in the lineage of one’s Guru. By doing so, one is blessed with complete knowledge. One must pray to Guru, both before undertaking as well as upon completion of any work.
We must contemplate on all the ways we are attaining Gnyana and revise all that we learnt (smarana and manana) as mentioned in the Upanishads. Without Guru, one cannot reach one’s goal. Guru comprises gu representing darkness and ru representing light. Guru Gita mentions that Guru is the very embodiment of knowledge – Gnyaana-svarupa. The day on which Sage Veda Vyaasa took this incarnation, is celebrated as Guru Pournima, since he is is the Guru to all Gurus. On this day, there is a tradition of taking up the Chaturmasya sankalpa – the solemn vow to take up this vrata.
This year on the occasion of the 18th Chaturmasya, we are upholding the tradition here in the Avadhoota datta Peetham.
This vrata begins on the Ekadasi preceding Guru Pournima. The Puranas say that this is a vrata which everyone must follow. While it is compulsory for ascetics or Sanyaasis to follow this, others who are in the Brahmacharya, Grihasta and Vanaprastha stages must also follow this vrata. While there are strict observances to be followed by the Sanyaasis, the puranas and scriptures mention that everyone must take up this vrata keeping their physical constraints in mind. The question of why one must follow this vrata arises, which is answered beautifully by the Shastras.
prāyena prāvriśi prāńi sankulam vartmadriśyate
atas teśām ahimsārtham māsa pakśānām śruti cōdanāt
Chaturmasya heralds the onset of the rainy season. Sanyasis usually constantly travel from one place to another, not staying for more than a day in a village, eating only one meal a day. But during the rainy season, when the earth and water is teeming with new life, the ascetics take a vow to stay in one place and offer their daily worship, so as not to harm these beings. This vow is taken for four months beginning from Aashaada (in July) till Kaartika (in November). But it is not possible to stay in one place for four months, as it is difficult for people of that village to observe such strict rituals for such a long duration. Therefore, keeping all this in mind, the Vedas gave any easy solution. Consider a paksha or fortnight from Pratipadi (the first day of the fortnight) to Amavasya or pournami as a representation of the month.
Sthāsyā mahā caturō māsān atraivāsati vādhake
One can consider either four fortnights or four months and take up this vrata. Chaturmasya is an observance of ahimsa. Anyone who wishes to progress further on the spiritual path must necessarily observe ahimsa along with their sadhana.
With this sloka, ascetics begin their chaturmasya vrata along with their devotees and disciples. Chanting mantras during this time is very beneficial, therefore both Guru and disciples together follow this vrata. There are 4 observances to follow with respect to fasting at this time – dvidala, shaakha, ksheera and kshaara vratas. Dvidala vrata is followed during the first fortnight or month when one does not eat grains and pulses which can be split in two. During Shaakha vrata in the second fortnight or month, one gives up eating vegetables. During the third fortnight or month, one gives up curd and buttermilk, and in the final fortnight or month, one gives up salt and spices. During this time, one must not go across any water bodies – be it a canal, lake, river or sea. One can go near a water body and offer ritual worship. On the day of Bhaadrapada Pournami, one undertakes a Vijaya yatra along with all the disciples and devotees who have observed this vrata, to mark the completion of this chaturmasya vrata.
The Chaturveda yagnya where all the 4 vedas are chanted was performed in the ashrama. This maha yagnya bestows merit equal to performing all yagnyas, and observing all penance and austerities. May all the good work undertaken during this Chaturmasya vrata result in universal well-being and peace! To mark the completion of this vrata, before crossing a water body, everyone gathers in one place and chants the 11th chapter – Vishwarupa Sandarsha Yoga, of the Bhagavad Gita. Sri Krishna – the One who bestowed Bhagavad Gita to the world is remembered on this day, Bhagavad Gita books are distributed, and the significance of the Bhagavad Gita is shared with others.
During Chaturmasya, several rituals are observed since many people – the Guru, disciples and devotees gather in one place. On shayana ekadasi (the ekadasi just before Guru Pournima) when Lord Narayana goes into Yoga nidra, the responsibility of protecting the world is entrusted to the ascetics. When ascetics offer their daily worship, they must pray for universal welfare. Since people gather in large numbers during this time, the ascetics encourage everyone to chant mantras, practice yoga, sing bhajans, read important treatises and observe various rituals during the festivals.
With Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji’s blessings and instructions, the Chaturmasya vrata is being followed for the past 18 years. This year, we observed this vrata in Mysore. Many ascetics across India observe this vrata. We must remember all of them during this time. Sage Narada himself mentioned the power of chaturmasya in transforming his life. During the Guru Parampara puja, Sage Narada is also worshipped since he bestowed music and the Yoga shastras to us. It is because of his grace that Bhagavatam, Ramayana and Mahabharata were bestowed to us. He encouraged Sage Valmiki and Sage Veda Vyaasa to write these great works. Sage Narada, in his life history mentions how in his previous life, he was the son of a servant. One day, some ascetics arrived in their village to observe chaturmasya vrata. Although he was a very small boy, his mother encouraged him to serve the monks. Pleased with his devotion, a monk initiated the young boy and instructed him to chant a mantra. The boy kept chanting the mantra sincerely. One day with the Gurus’ blessings, he had the vision of the Lord in his heart. He then went everywhere in search of the Lord, when suddenly he heard a voice from the heaven – “You shall have the vision of the Lord in your next birth.” In his next life, he was the mind-born son of Lord Brahma, and came to be known as Sage Narada. Such is the greatness of this Chaturmasya vrata.
As mentioned before, this vrata must be observed by everyone, not just ascetics. When one observes this vrata, one will not experience stress or need to go to any retreat. There are many festivals which come during this time including Svarna Gauri vrata, Ganesh Chaturthi, Ananta Padmanabha vrata. Observing fast and participating in these rituals for 60 days, keeps all the stress away during the rest of the year. May you all be blessed with Guru’s grace to observe this vrata which has been bestowed in the Indian tradition!
**Special note for Kriya Yoga students and teachers who were present for the Sadhaka- Bodhaka conference.
Chaturmasya is a significant ritual which must be observed by those on the Kriya Yoga path. By observing this vrata, we stay healthy, our mind will be at peace and we will easily be able to do sadhana. We will easily be able to sit for longer in an asana and breathe mindfully during Pranayanama. During this time, we must chant the mantra given by Guru as many times as possible. Our mind is not the same in the morning as it is in the afternoon, or later in the evening. This shows the effect of time on the mind. Vrata means to take – i.e. the rules which we must lovingly take up.
In ashtanga yoga, yama, niyamas are mentioned. Ahimsa is the most important of these. Ascetics can easily take up this vrata, but those who are transacting in the world must try to observe this vrata either for a period of 15 days or 2 months, depending on their capacity. When we set everything else aside, and take up this vrata, not only does it energize us, but it also blesses us with more energy. The mind becomes cleansed, thus taking us closer to God. As we move closer to God, our energy increases; but when we move closer to worldly matters, our energy decreases. As we observe chaturmasya vrata each year, we are bestowed with more energy.
There are many rules to be followed during certain vratas. For example, those who worship Mother Goddess Santoshi Mata, give up eating sour foods, in order to please the Divine. The Divine is pleased because we have set a boundary for ourselves and stayed within it. You have brought your mind under control, so it does not waver. Therefore, this pleases the Divine and the practitioner becomes even dearer to God. As you keep doing sadhana, you become a sadhu. In Marathi, this word has a very important meaning. Sa means six, dhu means to wipe clean. By wiping away or dusting off the six vices, and doing sadhana, one becomes a sadhu. In kannada, they enquire “aarogyavagiddira?” – are you well? i.e. Have the 6 senses, including the mind gained worthiness? Having taken up a physical body, everyone is plagued by some bodily difficulties. But we must use the senses and the mind – which have been given by God, to serve God. It is true, He has given us the senses to experience and enjoy the world, but if we can turn the senses inward while observing such vratas, and focus on the Divine, our lives gain a purpose and become truly meaningful.
In Potana’s Bhagavatam it is said, “the eye which has seen Your form, is an eye. The hand which has served You, is a hand. Otherwise, it is merely a ladle. The legs which walk toward You and circumambulate Your temple and You, is truly a leg. The nose which has smelt the fragrance of Your tulasi and sandalwood, is a nose. Otherwise, what is the point of a nose which smells all useless things!” All this has been said to indicate that when we turn the mind towards God, all the senses will be well. Then we will truly be healthy. Then we will never have to worry or fear illnesses. If the senses are always focused on works that take us closer to God, we will certainly be healthy. We must undertake works which are useful not just in this life, but in future births as well. Hence the question, “are you healthy?” By observing such practices of self-restraint, we will certainly be healthy.
Some observances may be extreme and difficult to adhere to, while others may be easy to practice. We must draw a boundary for ourselves and turn the mind towards God. Then our lives will gain meaning and a purpose. All beings are living and dying, if we also simply live and die, then what is the point? By observing such vratas, we can make our lives special. No matter what you accomplish, if you cannot win over yourself, then all those achievements will be in vain. No matter what we achieve, we will never be at peace. Obtaining what we desire gives us happiness, not peace, because this happiness will be followed by sorrows because we will want something else next.
When we are in the presence of God, do we desire anything else? If we do desire other things, then have we really seen God? Or have we seen something else, and mistaken it for God? If we truly see God, we will be at peace. Having seen all that has to be seen, there is nothing else we shall desire! We will then remain in that state. Mental peace can only be achieved on the spiritual path. If we gain happiness and it is permanent, that is ‘trupti’ or contentment. But trupti is not shanti. Manas shanti can only be obtained with spiritual sadhana – whether it is undertaking japam, charities, seva, yoga practice, chanting the Vedas, or reading and listening to great treatises. Our ashrama is like a supermarket where Swamiji has made everything available. You pick up whatever you like. When you set out on a trek, you carry a backpack which contains many things which may or may not be used. In the same way, pick up a little bit of all these sadhanas. They will eventually be useful and bestow mental peace.
As you keep doing sadhana, the manas will be cleansed and merge in Paramatma. This is sadhana! We must never forget this. When we do any sadhana, we must keep the mind under control and practice mindfully. While doing sadhana or any karma, we must use our pure mind to think about the impure mind and its actions, and slowly cleanse it until they both become the one pure mind, which eventually merges in Paramatma. Thus, vratas such as the Chaturmasya vrata, greatly help us in this process. May Swamiji’s blessings always be with you to do better sadhana.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta