Period to fill one’s spiritual treasure

– Pujya Bapuji

(ChaturmÍsa: 1st July to 26th November)

Lord Vishnu is completely absorbed in the state of meditation during the chaturmÍsa period commencing from Deva Shayani EkÍdashi (when God sleeps) until Deva Uthi EkÍdashi (when God is awake) (ChaturmÍsa lasts five months due to Purushottama mÍsa, intercalary month, this year.) So, for ardent followers of Sanatana Dharma, these months hold special importance for worship. Donation of food, water, milk, curd, ghee, buttermilk, cows, and reading of the Vedas, and performance of Hawan give great rewards and benefits during ChaturmÍsa.

In the Skanda Purana (Brahma Khanda, ChaturmÍsa mahatmya: 3.11) it is written as -
gÕ_©… gËH$Wm M¡d gËgodm Xe©Z§ gVm_² &
{dîUwnyOm a{VXm©Zo MmVw_m©ñ`gwXwb©^m &&

“True dharma, Quality Stories in Praise of Vishnu, Pure hearted Service to Self-realised saints, having Darshan of Saints and satsang, Bhagavan Vishnu’s worship and sincere interest in charity are all said to yield excellent results during the ChaturmÍsa Period.”

Things to do in ChaturmÍsa

During ChaturmÍsa, wake-up every morning whilst the stars are visible in the sky; have darshan of the stars. The person who consumes food just once in 24 hours during this period is rewarded with the fruit of performing an Agnishtoma Yajna. Take only sattvic food that can be offered to the fire sacrifice, during ChaturmÍsa. Practice Brahmacharya. Eating food served on a PalÍsh pattala (plate made of leaves of PalÍsh, Butea frondosa) during ChaturmÍsa, destroys great sins and awakens Brahma BhÍva. Eating food served on a pattala made from the leaves of a banyan tree is also said to be meritorious. The person who eats food served on a pattala made from leaves of PalÍsh throughout the ChaturmÍsa period becomes wealthy, handsome and respectable.

Use of Panchgavya (a mixture prepared by mixing five ingredients – cow dung, urine, milk, curd and ghee) is very effective in removing all diseases and sins and giving cheerfulness. In ChaturmÍsa, if someone consumes milk as their only food, he gets great strength in sadhana and devotional practice, or if only fruit is consumed by someone, his grave sins are destroyed.

During these days Pitta is aggravated. Consumption of Gulakanda or Triphala churna, bathing after applying Fuller’s earth on the body, and drinking milk pacifies Pitta. If you offer oblations of sesame seeds and rice in the fire sacrifice, you become healthy (disease-free).

Things to be avoided during ChaturmÍsa

Jaggery and materials for sense enjoyment should be avoided in ChaturmÍsa. The person who avoids curd in this period goes to Gauloka after death. Giving-up salt is even better. Avoidance of slandering others is praised in many scriptures. In ChaturmÍsa, slandering others is considered a grave sin causing enormous fear. Auspicious events that are done for the fulfillment of desire or motives such as marriage etc., are prohibited during these four months.

You must fill the spiritual treasure

A cloudy atmosphere, drizzling rain and blooming natural beauty are conducive to sadhana and devotional practice and encouraging; hence one should not miss this opportunity of doing penance, sadhana and devotional practice. A person can set a easy or difficult Niyama of doing sadhana or devotional practice according to his capacity. During this period, you won’t feel much hunger. Fasting, meditation, japa, peace, happiness, a vow of silence, remembrance of God, pure and sattvic diet, bathing, charity – all these are especially beneficial, meritorious and success-giving. Resolve in ChaturmÍsa: ‘In 8 months, we do worldly business; in winter we build physical health, and on other days, we fill the treasure with money, but in these 4 months we will fill our spiritual treasure.’