The vast land of Bharat is known to be among the most fertile places on earth. With rich fresh-water resources in rivers, lakes and groundwater, it is not surprising that more than 50% of her land is under cultivation. Such a fortunate situation is only possible because of a rather unique climatic system called the monsoons. Beginning in late June, just before the vedic month of Shraavana, the monsoons are massive, bountiful bursts of rain that drench almost the entire landmass of Bharat for 4 months until the middle of the vedic month of Kaartika. A secondary system called the retreating monsoon then begins and provides rainfall to some areas untouched by the advancing monsoon. It is almost as if the gods watered our entire land ensuring that no area was left dry.

Not surprisingly, these 4 months of rain in Bharat are special and are called Chaatur Maasa (literally ‘four months’).  This special period is considered highly auspicious for the undertaking of a vrata called the Chaaturmasya Vrata. The word ‘vrata’ is derived from the root ‘vrn’ – that means ‘to choose’. A vrata indicates a discipline that one voluntarily binds oneself to for the elevation of the self to a higher state of being. Vratas are the cornerstones of Hindu rituals. They are not limited to any group of people – Any person who makes a sankalpa (or religious resolve) can undertake a vrata.

The Chaaturmasya vrata, which is open to all, technically begins on Gurupoornima day (Aashadha poornima) with the worship of one’s own Guru and a sankalpa to seek higher knowledge through study and instruction. And this sankalpa includes the adherences to purify body (kaaya), speech (vaacha) and mind (manasa) to support that very objective. But where would the laity be able to obtain instruction in esoteric spiritual subjects? Sannyasins – who are the keepers of this knowledge – are known to be itinerant mystics who rarely stay at a place for longer than a day. In fact, it is considered a sin for an ascetic to stay in a given place for longer than a night.

Fortunately, Chaatur maasa is the only time when Sannyasins are allowed to reside at a single place for the entire 4 month period – thus presenting a unique opportunity for people to receive instruction and ennoble themselves. This situation is also very convenient for the sages themselves – since the typhoon like conditions presented by the monsoons makes constant travel extremely difficult and impractical. These luminaries also utilize this fixed period to perform meditations and special yajnas (homas) for the salvation of mankind. Chaaturmasya vrata-adherents from among the uninitiated reap great benefit from these powerful rituals.

Study and meditation during the chaatur maasa period, however, requires support from a purified body and mind. The chaaturmasya vrata, therefore, mandates that the adherent abjure certain foods, give up luxuries he takes for granted and moderate his speech. Just as food is fuel for the body and determines the body’s nature, impressions (received from the five senses) are fuel for the mind and similarly determine the nature of the mind. Both these fuels are also subtly connected with the environment. Foods that enhance the sattvic nature of the body in a particular season can enhance the body’s rajasic nature in a different one.  During the rains – milk, curds and honey are especially prohibited for the vrata-adherents. Vegetables and dicotyledonous pulses are also proscribed.

Purifying the senses and the mind is also of paramount importance. Keeping with enlightened company, speaking the truth and service to all is strictly ordained for the adherents during the chaatur maasa period. There is great emphasis on seva (service) and daana (unselfish giving). Anna daana (giving of food) is considered to accrue the greatest merit during this period. These actions are also self-consistent with the presence of Sannyaasins – in whose service the adherents can busy themselves, and the presence of the needy during the rainy months – hungry people who need to be fed.

It is interesting to note that during the Vedic period, there were yajnas known as the chaaturmasyas. These yajnas were 3 in number – Vaisvadeva, Varunapraghaasa and Shaakamedha – performed at intervals of 4 months. Varunapraghaasa was performed on Aashada Poornima day. And rightly so – since the yajna was designed to propitiate the lord of the waters – so he sent rains aplenty during the coming monsoon months of Shraavna and Bhaadrapada. Shaakamedha was performed on Kaartika Poornima day and Vaisvadeva was performed on Chaitra Poornima day. The Yajamaana of these Yajnas had to adhere to a strict diet and daily discipline. This clearly demonstrates how intertwined the Vedic Yajnas were with forces of nature. Over millennia these Vedic Rites may have gradually morphed into the modern form of the Chaaturmaasya vrata.

Nevertheless, Chaaturmaasya is a hugely important indicator of our Vedic past and the Hindu quest for the higher state of being. Being open to all irrespective of age, gender, varna or ashrama, this vrata should be undertaken with great faith.
Just as the rains from the heavens cause new life to spring up from the ground, may the sadhana during these four months uplift us to higher states of consciousness.