Today (Shayani Ekadashi) marks the beginning of the Chaturmaas (4 Month) period. Many of you would be surprised that I am writing about this as I am normally not associated with these kind of topics.
Things have changed for me over the last couple of years. I do not want to belong to the group of people who without trying to understand (what is practiced and preached in our religion and philosophy), simply say “I don’t believe in all these things”. I don’t feel ashamed or backward in trying to practice whatever is possible.
Another reason for me getting into such religious rituals could be the inspiration I get by watching my muslim friends and neighbors here in Riyadh, attending their prayers with full sincerity and the importance that they give to it. Though it is very difficult to express your religion openly here, I quietly pray within the four walls of my Studio Apartment.
Now back to Chaturmaas, I started going through this Vrata last year and was pleasantly surprised that I did not find it difficult in adhering to it, given the weather here in Riyadh. I did a little bit of reading about Chaturmaas in the net and found it interesting. Some of my Indian friends in KSA were surprised that such a Vrata exists. Hence, I have decided to write about it for their knowledge. Please try it for few days, if not as a Vrata, atleast as a good dietary program. I felt more healthy, physically and mentally within the first few weeks of starting the Chaturmaas Vrata last year.
I am not a scholar or expert in this topic but I will try to reproduce whatever I have read in the net about Chaturmaas. For those who like food, I will try to post some interesting Vrata Foods. Many people might think Vratas are difficult to perform. A look at the possible dishes that can be prepared during the first month (Sakha Vrata) will surely interest some of them to carry out this Vrata.
What is Chaturmaas?
The Chaturmaas is the period in which Lord Vishnu Commences his resting period, from this day on Sheshnag, the thousand-headed Serpent. The Lord sleeps for this period of four months and awakens on Prabodhini Ekadashi or Utthana Ekadashi in the Kartik Maas (October-November). These four months of rest in the Hindu calendar includes the remaining days of the current month of Ashada and carries on during the months of Shravan, Bhadrapad, Ashwin and Kartik (till Uthana Ekadashi).
In ancient period, the Saints and Rishis who were travelling across the world preaching the dharma and religion, stay in one place during the Chaturmaas, a practice carried out by present day Pontiffs as well. Another reason is also the monsoon. The Chaturmaas period is normally the monsoon season. The rain water rejuvenates nature. The Insect world breeds in abundance. If the Saints and Rishis walk, they will unknowingly step on all these living creations and kill them. To avoid this sin, they remained in one place for the entire rainy season.
Another story on Chaturmaas states that this Vrata came into existence because of Asura King Bali. Through his observance of Dharma he usurped the position of Indira and became the ruler of all the worlds. Lord Vishnu met him in the form of Vamana Avtar (Brahmin Boy) and asked for a boon to give 3 steps of land to perform a Yagna. King Bali granted the wish thinking how much could a dwarf like person take. But the lord in Vamana Avtar grew to immense size and in two strides had covered the entire universe and still had one more step to take. In order to keep up his promise, King Bali offered his own head for the Lord to keep his third step. Lord Vishnu in Vamana Avtar took the third step on his head and sent him straight to hell. But Lord Vishnu was very impressed with King Bali’s devotion and adherence to Dharma and decided to grant him a Boon. King Bali asked the Lord to join him in hell for four months in a year. During Chaturmaas, Lord Vishnu decides to fulfill his devotees request.
To be continued……
Things have changed for me over the last couple of years. I do not want to belong to the group of people who without trying to understand (what is practiced and preached in our religion and philosophy), simply say “I don’t believe in all these things”. I don’t feel ashamed or backward in trying to practice whatever is possible.
Another reason for me getting into such religious rituals could be the inspiration I get by watching my muslim friends and neighbors here in Riyadh, attending their prayers with full sincerity and the importance that they give to it. Though it is very difficult to express your religion openly here, I quietly pray within the four walls of my Studio Apartment.
Now back to Chaturmaas, I started going through this Vrata last year and was pleasantly surprised that I did not find it difficult in adhering to it, given the weather here in Riyadh. I did a little bit of reading about Chaturmaas in the net and found it interesting. Some of my Indian friends in KSA were surprised that such a Vrata exists. Hence, I have decided to write about it for their knowledge. Please try it for few days, if not as a Vrata, atleast as a good dietary program. I felt more healthy, physically and mentally within the first few weeks of starting the Chaturmaas Vrata last year.
I am not a scholar or expert in this topic but I will try to reproduce whatever I have read in the net about Chaturmaas. For those who like food, I will try to post some interesting Vrata Foods. Many people might think Vratas are difficult to perform. A look at the possible dishes that can be prepared during the first month (Sakha Vrata) will surely interest some of them to carry out this Vrata.
What is Chaturmaas?
The Chaturmaas is the period in which Lord Vishnu Commences his resting period, from this day on Sheshnag, the thousand-headed Serpent. The Lord sleeps for this period of four months and awakens on Prabodhini Ekadashi or Utthana Ekadashi in the Kartik Maas (October-November). These four months of rest in the Hindu calendar includes the remaining days of the current month of Ashada and carries on during the months of Shravan, Bhadrapad, Ashwin and Kartik (till Uthana Ekadashi).
In ancient period, the Saints and Rishis who were travelling across the world preaching the dharma and religion, stay in one place during the Chaturmaas, a practice carried out by present day Pontiffs as well. Another reason is also the monsoon. The Chaturmaas period is normally the monsoon season. The rain water rejuvenates nature. The Insect world breeds in abundance. If the Saints and Rishis walk, they will unknowingly step on all these living creations and kill them. To avoid this sin, they remained in one place for the entire rainy season.
Another story on Chaturmaas states that this Vrata came into existence because of Asura King Bali. Through his observance of Dharma he usurped the position of Indira and became the ruler of all the worlds. Lord Vishnu met him in the form of Vamana Avtar (Brahmin Boy) and asked for a boon to give 3 steps of land to perform a Yagna. King Bali granted the wish thinking how much could a dwarf like person take. But the lord in Vamana Avtar grew to immense size and in two strides had covered the entire universe and still had one more step to take. In order to keep up his promise, King Bali offered his own head for the Lord to keep his third step. Lord Vishnu in Vamana Avtar took the third step on his head and sent him straight to hell. But Lord Vishnu was very impressed with King Bali’s devotion and adherence to Dharma and decided to grant him a Boon. King Bali asked the Lord to join him in hell for four months in a year. During Chaturmaas, Lord Vishnu decides to fulfill his devotees request.
To be continued……
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