Chaturmasya Vrata

(From the letters of Srila Gurudeva)

 

23 July: Chaturmasya Vrata is observed by all – Karmis, Jnanis, Yogins and Bhaktas – for the attainment of their respective ends. It is a kind of penance. But there is difference in the mode of sadhan, as the ends of Karmis, Jnanis, Yogins and Bhaktas are different. The ultimate goal of Bhaktas is to get love for Sri Krishna (Krishna – Prema).

 

Supreme Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, our Most Revered Param Gurudeva and our Most Revered Gurudeva, observed Chaturmasya Vrata only to teach us that we should also observe this Vrata.

 

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu observed Chaturmasya Vrata at Purushotham Dham and at the house of Sri Venkat Bhata in Ranganath Dham by spending the whole time in Krishna-Katha.

 

Listening and chanting of the Holy Name, Form, Attribute and Pastimes of Sri Krishna should be mainly performed. Along with this we should also observe exoteric rules as enjoined in the scriptures as far as practicable.

 

Gourd (Louki), Bean (Kidney bean, along-size bean), Brinjal, Patal (a kind of vegetable), ‘Kalmishak’ and ‘Purnishak’, two kinds of herbs (Leaves of plants) are prohibited in the four months of Chaturmasya. ‘Kalmishak’ and ‘Purnishak’ are not available in your side, so you are not to bother about this. All leaves of plants are prohibited in the month of ‘Sravan’, curd is prohibited in the month of ‘Bhadra’ and milk in the month of ‘Ashwin’ and all kinds of tasteful food prohibited in the month of ‘kartik’. There are other rules also. You are to know these by personal contact.

 

(Chaturmasya begins from 26/7/7 (day of Unmilani Mahadvadashi Fasting) for those, which begin their fast from Ekadashi, and for those which begin their fast on Purnima, date is 30/7/7)