Chaturmasya
Chaturmasya | |
---|---|
Begins | Shayani Ekadashi |
Ends | Prabodhini Ekadashi |
Frequency | Annual |
Chaturmasya (
Chaturmasya is reserved for penance, austerities, fasting, bathing in holy rivers and religious observances for all. Devotees resolve to observe some form of vow, be it of silence or abstaining from a favourite food item, or having only a single meal a day.
Etymology
Chaturmasya literally means "four months", derived from the Sanskrit chatur (चतुर्), "four",[5] and māsa (मासः), "month".[6]
Hinduism
Literature
Chaturmasya begins on the eleventh day of the Hindu lunar month of
Followers of the Shaivism sect recall the story of the churning of the ocean of milk. The story is recalls how Shiva saved creation by drinking poison called "halahala" which emerged from the ocean while it was being churned by the asuras (demons) and devas (demigods). The poison was held at his throat to prevent it from spreading to the rest of the body, thus turning it blue.[11]
Observances
Performing lifecycle rites such as weddings is considered inauspicious during chaturmasya.[12] Instead it is seen as a suitable time for householders to have an annual renewal of faith by listening to discourses on dharma, and by meditation and vrata (self-control). Penance, austerities, religious observances, recital of mantras, bathing in holy rivers, performing sacrifices, and charity are prescribed. Fasts and purity during this period help maintain health, for which there is likely a scientific rationale, disease spreading more readily with the onset of monsoon.[11] A number of Hindus, particularly those following the Vaishnava tradition, refrain from eating meals that are oily, salty, sweet or that contain onion or garlic, and eggplant during this period.[11][13]
The
Celebrations
Major Celebrations within this holy period include:
- Guru Purnima
- Krishna Janmashtami
- Raksha Bandhan
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Navaratri (Dasahra – Durga Puja – Vijayadashami)
- Diwali
- Champa Sashthi (Margashirsha bright 6th ) - Per custom in Maharashtra, Chaturmasya ends on this day.
Jainism
In Jainism this practice is collectively known as Varshayog and is prescribed for
During the four-month rainy-season period, when the mendicants must stay in one place, the chief sadhu of every group gives a daily sermon (pravacana, vyakhyana), attended mostly by women and older, retired men, but on special days by most of the lay congregation. During their eight months of travel, the sadhus give sermons whenever requested, most often when they come to a new village or town in their travels.[17]
One of the most important Jain festivals,
In Jainism, the third part of the classical
Buddhism
Vassa is varsha-vas i.e. three-month annual stay observed by Theravada monks. It begins with Asalha Puja. At the end of Bassa, during Kathina, new robes are donated by the laity to the monks.
Notes
- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (9 February 2017). "Caturmasya, Cāturmāsya: 18 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8239-2287-1.
- ISBN 978-1-59884-205-0.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-57607-905-8.
- ^ "Spken Sanskrit". Retrieved 6 July 2009.
- ^ "Spoken Sanskrit". Retrieved 6 July 2009.
- ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
- ^ "Vamana | Hindu mythology | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ISBN 978-1-68538-332-9.
- ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-59884-205-0.
- ISBN 978-0-88706-662-7.
- ^ Bhat, Ramesh V.; S., Vasanthi (2008). "Antiquity of the cultivation and use of brinjal in India" (PDF). Asian Agri-History. 12 (3): 169–178 – via Google Scholar.
- ^ Sampurna Chaturmas in Marathi
- ISBN 81-7154-839-3
- ISBN 978-0-8160-7564-5.
- ^ Cort 2001, p. 104.
- ISBN 1-57607-089-1.
- ISBN 81-7188-017-7.
References
- ISBN 0-19-513234-3