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Chaturmasya

January 30, 2023

Chaturmasya (Sanskrit: चातुर्मास्य, lit. 'Cāturmāsya'),[1] also rendered Chāturmāsa, is a holy period of four months, beginning on Shayani Ekadashi—the eleventh day of the bright half, Shukla paksha, of Ashadha (fourth month of the Hindu lunar calendar)—until Prabodhini Ekadashi, the eleventh day of the bright half of Kartika (eighth month of the Hindu lunar calendar) in Hinduism.

Chaturmasya
Vishnu sleeps on his serpent, Shesha.
BeginsShayani Ekadashi
EndsPrabodhini Ekadashi
FrequencyAnnual

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 catur (चतुर्), "four",[2] and māsa (मासः), "month".[3]

Zodiac Interpretation

The sun enters the zodiacal sign of Karka (Cancer) and begins to move southwards in the month of Ashadh.

Hinduism

The eleventh day of Ashadha is called Devashayani Ekadashi, because in Hinduism, the deity Narayana is believed to begin to sleep on this day. They are believed to wake up on the eleventh of Kartika, hence called Prabodhini Ekadashi.[citation needed] The period corresponds with the rainy season in India.[4]

It is believed that Narayana is at rest during this period and should not be disturbed, so no auspicious ceremonies, such as weddings and thread ceremonies, are held during the four months' period.[5]

Significance for householders

Chaturmasya, inauspicious for weddings and other celebrations,[4] is 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.[citation needed]

A number of Hindus, particularly those following the Vaishnava tradition, refrain from eating onions and garlic during this period.[6] In Maharashtra, a number of Hindu families also do not eat any eggplant (brinjal/aubergine) preparations.[citation needed]

Significance for Sanyasis

 
A Sansyasi performing Vyasa puja as a part of Chaturmasya rituals

The Sanyasis or ascetics observe Chaturmasya for four fortnights, beginning on full moon day of the month of Ashadha, also known as Guru Purnima or Vyas Purnima, and ending on full moon day of the month of Bhadrapada.[7] Sanyasis are supposed to halt during this period at one selected place (Rains Retreat), and give discourses to the public.[citation needed]

Celebrations

Major Celebrations within this holy period include:

Jainism

In Jainism this practice is collectively known as Varshayog and is prescribed for Jain monasticism.[8] Wandering monks such as mendicants and ascetics in Jainism, believe that during the rainy season, countless bugs, insects and tiny creatures that cannot be seen in the naked eye take birth massively. Therefore, these monks reduce the amount of harm they do to other creatures so they opt to stay in a single place for the four months to incur minimal harm to other lives. These monks, who generally do not stay in one place for long(59 nights for females, 29 nights for males), observe their annual 'Rains Retreat' during this period, by living in one place during the entire period amidst lay people, observing a vow of silence (mauna), meditation, fasting and other austerities, and also giving religious discourses to the local public.[citation needed]

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.[9]

One of the most important Jain festivals, Paryushana, falls during the beginning of this period, which concludes with Forgiveness Day, Kshamavani Diwas, wherein lay people and disciples say Micchami Dukkadam and ask forgiveness from each other.[10] Amongst Jain merchants, there is a tradition of inviting monks to their respective cities during Chaturmasya to give religious instruction.[11]

In Jainism, the third part of the classical Jain text Kalpa Sutra, written by Bhadrabahu I in the 1st century AD, deals with rules for ascetics and laws during the four months (chaturmas) of the rainy season, when ascetics temporarily abandon their wandering life and settle down amidst the laity. This is the time when the festival of Paryushan is celebrated and the Kalpasutra is traditionally recited.[citation needed]

Buddhism

Gautama Buddha stayed at the royal garden of King Bimbisara of Rajgir, whom he had recently converted, for the period of Chaturmasya and gave sermons: this practice is followed by monks to this day. Another reason for ascetics to stay in one place during the rainy season is that the tropical climate produces a large number of insects, which would be trampled by travelling monks.<[citation needed]

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

  1. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (9 February 2017). "Caturmasya, Cāturmāsya: 18 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Spken Sanskrit". Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  3. ^ "Spoken Sanskrit". Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  4. ^ a b Eleanor Zelliot, Maxine Berntsen, ed. (January 1988). The Experience of Hinduism. SUNY Press. p. 335. ISBN 978-0-88706-662-7.
  5. ^ Bhalla, Prem P. (2006). Hindu Rites, Rituals, Customs and Traditions. p. 293. ISBN 9788122309027.
  6. ^ J. Gordon Melton (2011). Religious Celebrations: L-Z. ABC-CLIO. pp. 172–173. ISBN 978-1-59884-205-0.
  7. ^ Sampurna Chaturmas in Marathi
  8. ^ Sangave, Vilas Adinath (2001), Facets of Jainology: selected research papers on Jain society, religion, and culture, Popular Prakashan, p. 139, ISBN 81-7154-839-3
  9. ^ Cort 2001, p. 104.
  10. ^ Roy, Christian (2005). Traditional festivals: a multicultural encyclopedia, Volume 1. ABC-CLIO. p. 356. ISBN 1-57607-089-1.
  11. ^ Mehta, Makrand (1991). Indian merchants and entrepreneurs in historical perspective: with special reference to shroffs of Gujarat, 17th to 19th centuries. Academic Foundation. p. 98. ISBN 81-7188-017-7.

References

External links

  • Jain Chaturmasya begins

January 30, 2023
chaturmasya, sanskrit, cāturmāsya, also, rendered, chāturmāsa, holy, period, four, months, beginning, shayani, ekadashi, eleventh, bright, half, shukla, paksha, ashadha, fourth, month, hindu, lunar, calendar, until, prabodhini, ekadashi, eleventh, bright, half. Chaturmasya Sanskrit च त र म स य lit Caturmasya 1 also rendered Chaturmasa is a holy period of four months beginning on Shayani Ekadashi the eleventh day of the bright half Shukla paksha of Ashadha fourth month of the Hindu lunar calendar until Prabodhini Ekadashi the eleventh day of the bright half of Kartika eighth month of the Hindu lunar calendar in Hinduism ChaturmasyaVishnu sleeps on his serpent Shesha BeginsShayani EkadashiEndsPrabodhini EkadashiFrequencyAnnualChaturmasya 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 Contents 1 Etymology 2 Zodiac Interpretation 3 Hinduism 3 1 Significance for householders 3 2 Significance for Sanyasis 3 3 Celebrations 4 Jainism 5 Buddhism 6 Notes 7 References 8 External linksEtymology EditChaturmasya literally means four months derived from the Sanskrit catur चत र four 2 and masa म स month 3 Zodiac Interpretation EditThe sun enters the zodiacal sign of Karka Cancer and begins to move southwards in the month of Ashadh Hinduism EditThe eleventh day of Ashadha is called Devashayani Ekadashi because in Hinduism the deity Narayana is believed to begin to sleep on this day They are believed to wake up on the eleventh of Kartika hence called Prabodhini Ekadashi citation needed The period corresponds with the rainy season in India 4 It is believed that Narayana is at rest during this period and should not be disturbed so no auspicious ceremonies such as weddings and thread ceremonies are held during the four months period 5 Significance for householders Edit Chaturmasya inauspicious for weddings and other celebrations 4 is 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 citation needed A number of Hindus particularly those following the Vaishnava tradition refrain from eating onions and garlic during this period 6 In Maharashtra a number of Hindu families also do not eat any eggplant brinjal aubergine preparations citation needed Significance for Sanyasis Edit A Sansyasi performing Vyasa puja as a part of Chaturmasya rituals The Sanyasis or ascetics observe Chaturmasya for four fortnights beginning on full moon day of the month of Ashadha also known as Guru Purnima or Vyas Purnima and ending on full moon day of the month of Bhadrapada 7 Sanyasis are supposed to halt during this period at one selected place Rains Retreat and give discourses to the public citation needed Celebrations Edit 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 EditIn Jainism this practice is collectively known as Varshayog and is prescribed for Jain monasticism 8 Wandering monks such as mendicants and ascetics in Jainism believe that during the rainy season countless bugs insects and tiny creatures that cannot be seen in the naked eye take birth massively Therefore these monks reduce the amount of harm they do to other creatures so they opt to stay in a single place for the four months to incur minimal harm to other lives These monks who generally do not stay in one place for long 59 nights for females 29 nights for males observe their annual Rains Retreat during this period by living in one place during the entire period amidst lay people observing a vow of silence mauna meditation fasting and other austerities and also giving religious discourses to the local public citation needed 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 9 One of the most important Jain festivals Paryushana falls during the beginning of this period which concludes with Forgiveness Day Kshamavani Diwas wherein lay people and disciples say Micchami Dukkadam and ask forgiveness from each other 10 Amongst Jain merchants there is a tradition of inviting monks to their respective cities during Chaturmasya to give religious instruction 11 In Jainism the third part of the classical Jain text Kalpa Sutra written by Bhadrabahu I in the 1st century AD deals with rules for ascetics and laws during the four months chaturmas of the rainy season when ascetics temporarily abandon their wandering life and settle down amidst the laity This is the time when the festival of Paryushan is celebrated and the Kalpasutra is traditionally recited citation needed Buddhism EditGautama Buddha stayed at the royal garden of King Bimbisara of Rajgir whom he had recently converted for the period of Chaturmasya and gave sermons this practice is followed by monks to this day Another reason for ascetics to stay in one place during the rainy season is that the tropical climate produces a large number of insects which would be trampled by travelling monks lt citation needed 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 Edit www wisdomlib org 9 February 2017 Caturmasya Caturmasya 18 definitions www wisdomlib org Retrieved 13 November 2022 Spken Sanskrit Retrieved 6 July 2009 Spoken Sanskrit Retrieved 6 July 2009 a b Eleanor Zelliot Maxine Berntsen ed January 1988 The Experience of Hinduism SUNY Press p 335 ISBN 978 0 88706 662 7 Bhalla Prem P 2006 Hindu Rites Rituals Customs and Traditions p 293 ISBN 9788122309027 J Gordon Melton 2011 Religious Celebrations L Z ABC CLIO pp 172 173 ISBN 978 1 59884 205 0 Sampurna Chaturmas in Marathi Sangave Vilas Adinath 2001 Facets of Jainology selected research papers on Jain society religion and culture Popular Prakashan p 139 ISBN 81 7154 839 3 Cort 2001 p 104 Roy Christian 2005 Traditional festivals a multicultural encyclopedia Volume 1 ABC CLIO p 356 ISBN 1 57607 089 1 Mehta Makrand 1991 Indian merchants and entrepreneurs in historical perspective with special reference to shroffs of Gujarat 17th to 19th centuries Academic Foundation p 98 ISBN 81 7188 017 7 References EditCort John E 2001 Jains in the World Religious Values and Ideology in India Oxford University Press ISBN 0 19 513234 3External links EditJain Chaturmasya begins Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Chaturmasya amp oldid 1125368288, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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