Chaturmaas as explained by Uttaradi Math.

Chaturmasya is an auspicious four-month period starting from Ashadha Shukla Dashami to Kartika Shukla Paurnima. The months of Shravana, Bhadrapada, Ashvina and Kartika fall under this period. These four months are said to be very pleasing to Bhagavan Vishnu.

There is an interesting conversation between the Varaha form of Lord Vishnu and Dharani Devi occuring in the Varaha Purana about the significance of this Chaturmasya period.

Once Dharani Devi, concerned about the people who take birth in the Kali Yuga who are ignorant, short lived and always afflicted with ailments, approached Lord Varaha and pleaded Him to reveal the method in which even the people of Kali Yuga get great benefits even with very little effort.
Sri Varaha smilingly replied – There is a 4 month period in a year known as Chaturmasya wherein any Dana, Vrata, Japa and Homa performed brings forth countless merits. Compared to the noble deeds performed during other months, those performed in these holy months, would no doubt, yield multifold benefits.

On hearing this, Dharani Devi asked. O Lord, why among the 12 months only these 4 months are so auspicious?

To this Lord Varaha replied – In an year, the 6 months beginning from Ashadha are called Dakshinayana. 6 months beginning from Pushya are termed as Uttarayana. This period of one year for human beings is equivalent to 1 whole day(day/night) for the celestials (Devas). Pushya to Ashadha is the day and Ashadha to Pushya is the night for the Devas.

Once, I was sitting on the top of the Meru mountain. At that time, all the celestials approached and said – “O Lord – currently it is night for us. So, we would take leave of you.

Then a lady dark in complexion wearing white sparkling clothes holding parashu in her hand came forward, prostrated and spoke to Lord Varaha – O Lord, I am ratri who is the abhimanini of this part of the year. I am sad that during this time, no auspicious events like Marriage etc take place. All people dislike me and term be as being inauspicious. There is not point in continuing my life like this. I would like to end my life unable to bear this insult. I can only live if you bless me”.

All the devas also prayed – “Oh Lord! Kindly show mercy on Ratri whereby she will become happy”.

Heeding to the prayer of all the Devas Lord Varaha granted boon to Ratri devi.

Lord Varaha spoke – “Oh Ratri, you have three Yamas(1 Yama = 4th part of night or 2 months). Out of these three yamas the first two yamas (4 months i.e Chaturmasya) would henceforth become dearer to me. Any pious deed performed during these two Yamas (Chaturmasya) brings forth immense merits. Among these four months of Shravana, Bhadrapada, Ashvina, Kartika, the merits accrued would increase day by day. That is the reason why the last Month, Kartika is most beneficial in all respects. Hearing this, Ratri Devi became very happy and returned to her abode".

Lord Varaha continued - "Oh Dharani, that time onwards, this chaturmasya period became very dear to me. I benevolently grant great merits to anyone who performs noble deeds like Snana, Dana, Vrata, Homa, Japa during this period”.

Chaturmasya is also a period in which Lord Narayana enters into Yoga-Nidra. This does not mean that Lord Narayana sleeps like us mortals. Even, the demigods are called Animishas because they have no sleep. What to speak of Lord Narayana, the creator of all these demi-gods? Therefore, this is to be understood to be just another playful sport of the Almighty.

The Lord is the presiding deity for all the four months with his Sridhara, Hrishikesha, Padmanabha and Damodara forms respectively.

This is great opportunity to enhance once spirituality and take a step forward
in the direction of Moksha. Our scriptures ordain us to make the following
noble ten-fold resolutions during this period.

1. Satsanga
2. Dvijabhakti
3. Guru, Deva, Agni Tarpana
4. Gopradana
5. Vedapatha
6. Satkriya
7. Satyabhashana
8. Gobhakti
9. Dana Bhakti
10. Dharma Sadhana

Anna Dana
Among the several danas one can perform during this period, anna dana is greatly praised as the most important dana accruing great merits.

Control of senses
Any vrata imposes restrictions on the food that can be partaken. This is for us to reduce our dependence on the external material world and realize the inner spiritual power. This is a great way for achieving control of the senses which is a very important factor in a persons spiritual development.