Chaturmasa Vrata

Introduction

The Indian sub Continent is unique and the VEDAS describes it as a KARMA BHOOMI. Here several duties are prescribed to attain the ultimate BLISS and this ultimate realization can be attained through the human form only. That is why it is called as SADANA SAREERA. One among the prescribed duty is CHATURMASA VRATA. Every person desires to possess a pure and healthy mind in a pure and healthy body. But very few are fortunate to have it. What is the reason? All persons do not care to know and observe the rules that make for health, purity of body and mind. In fact purity of mind and body go together. Noble thoughts emerge from a pure mind. The observance of this vrata gets rid of various diseases and for enjoying robust health. One of the important factors that is responsible for the well being of the body and mind is the nature of food that one consumes daily. The Upanishads proclaims that the food taken is assimilated in three ways.

1. The useful portion is partly used for the nourishment of the flesh and the bones.
2. The essence of the food goes for the growth of the mind
3. The useless portion gets discharged.

What is Chaturmasa Vrata?

Chatur means - four
Masa means - month
Vrata means - Religious observance

Our sense organs are vital for the function of the body so also it is harmful if it is not controlled properly. The uncontrolled food habits causes havoc to the body and all sorts of disease emerges from it however clean it may be. The prepared foods, persons preparing the food, environmental conditions have an impact on the food. The characters like Bheeshma, Aswathama in the great Epic Mahabharata reflects how their mind gone astray by taking the food from the house of Duryodana. Such is the impact on mind. During these months certain restrictions are imposed on the food to be consumed.

Foods/ vegetables can be classified in to three types namely,

• One which produces good, pious qualities (freshly prepared foods, foods that were sanctified etc)
• One which induced passion anger etc (foods prepared with hot/ spicy/sour etc)
• One which is stale/intoxicating/unhygienic conditions/persons etc (fast/junk foods, hot drinks etc)

Vegetables like Onion, garlic, drumstick, eggplants, radish, and bottle gourd are some of them which induce passion and make one sober.

Accordingly one has to observe this to control the senses for longevity. Among the five sense organs the tongue is most vulnerable and susceptible for the temptation and it is very difficult to control. This is the last sense organ ceases its operation before the death. The human body is compared to horse driven chariot. The five sense organs (Eye, ear, nose, mouth/tongue, and skin) are the horses pulling the chariot. Mind is the string connected to the horse and Intellect is the stick. So to control this skill is required and one gains control by practicing it. The habit of eating in Indian way has been codified in such a way that it ensures longevity, control of mind, anger etc. (Please refer the article cook and eat in divine way)

During the CHATUR MASA one has to give up the habit of eating the following food items namely,

• Sakha Vrata - Avoiding the use of VEGETABLES/FRUITS during the FIRST MONTH.
• Dahi Vrata - Avoiding CURD/YOGURTS and preparations made from it in the SECOND MONTH
• Ksheera Vrata - Avoiding MILK and preparations made from Milk in the THIRD MONTH
• Dwidala Vrata - Avoiding certain green vegetables and pulses/sprouted grains (plants sprouts with two leaves)

Reason for Chaturmasa Vrata

The Indian weather condition has been classified in to six as against four in the western countries and the observations of the vratas prescribed and insulated in accordance with the nature and also to protect the health of the individuals. Apart from this the system helps to gain control over the senses and keeps the BMI ( Body, mind, intellect) in alert conditions always.
The six periods called as RUTHUS each one covering two months in a year.

That is:

The actual CHATUR MASA starts from the second week of July (Ashada sukla Ekadasi) and end in the second week November.(Karthika sukla Dwadasi) In the prescribed month one has to desist from eating the food prepared from these items.

• Ekadasi is the 11th day of the first and second fortnight and
• Dwadasi is in the 12th day of the first/second fortnight of the month.

So during the period of pre-monsoon season (July/Aug) the leafy vegetables tend to rot. Due to lack of sunlight the vegetables will be infected with small / minute insects/worms.) Further at times due to heavy rains the vegetables can not be stored properly. So vegetables must be omitted during the first month.

During the rainy season (Aug/Sept) due to continuous rains the human body is susceptible to cold/fever and digestive disorder. So Curd/ yogurts/ milk to be avoided in the second and third month.

During the post rainy season (Oct/Nov) the grains sprout with two leaves (dycotyledons and many seeded fruits, vegetable/grains) these are to be avoided and only roots/vegetables that grow below the ground can be included for the fourth month.

Only vegetables suited to the climate is recommended. It is proved beyond doubt that our ancestors followed these principles strictly and maintained good sound health.

Moreover the movement of Sun (Solar system) over the Indian Sub Continent moves in two axis i.e. one from Second week of January to second week of July Called as UTHRAYANA (Moving towards north and towards the earth axis) and from July to January as DAKSHINAYANA (moving towards south and away from earth axis) This causes climatic changes and in accordance with nature. All this is controlled by THE LORD. When this period is compared to the divine year of the Lord the four month period relates to the night period of the divine year.

So to get the benefit and move in tune with the nature this observation of self control is prescribed. In the events like Olympic, Taking over of post of a President, Prime Minister etc. any organization or Individuals take a pledge to complete the given task successfully to repose confidence amongst the people. So also there are some rules and regulations to be observed during this CHATURMASA VRATA, of course not publicly but in accordance with one's own conscious.

One may wonder how the foods can be prepared without including either vegetable, pulse, mustard, chilies etc. Due to the lack of culinary experts, style of cooking and non observation of the VRATAS without prospective the specialty cuisines are gradually fading away from our culture and memory. In the speedy mechanical life, glamor for the spicy foods and lack of patience in preparing the foods the traditional style of cooking is fading away. Only those are following the orthodox system still holding this system alive.

In order to preserve the system and to bring out the traditional tasty cuisines and also to keep up the culture alive few of the best varieties are listed below.

Those who are interested in understanding the value of this system and will power to control over your senses these food preparations can be prepared very easily and quickly. More over it gives a good palatable flavor to enjoy. Try your will power and enjoy.