Chathurmasya Vratam begins on 11th July, 2011 !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Chathurmasya Vratam begins on Hari Sayani/Deva Sayani Ekadashi -  11^th july, 2011  and ends on Deva Prabhodini Ekadashi/ Uttana Ekadashi – 6^th November, 2011 in the month Karthik.  

Lord Krishna explains to King Yudhishtira about the glories of Chaturmasya Vratam and the austerities should be followed on these days.

Lord Krishna narrated; Chathurmasya Vratam begins on the day of Devasayani Ekadashi and concludes on Deva Prabodhini Ekadashi in the month Karthik.  The Chathur Mas Vrata observed in the four holy months of  Shravan, Bhadrapad, Ashwin and Karthik signifies the worship of Lord Sri Hari, chanting and listening to the glories of Lord during these days  would bring abundance of piety.  Chaturmasya Vrata begins on the day when the Sun settles in the sign Cancer.  On this day Lord Vishnu goes to His Cosmic Sleep (Yoga Nidra) until further changes in the planetary positions occurs,  that is when Sun  takes time to move on to the sign Libra.

Lord Krishna explains to King Yudhishtira about the austerities should be followed on this day.  During the Chaturmasya, the devotees should take bath before sunrise and perform ritual (sacred) bath to the idol of Lord Vishnu/Salagrama with Yoghurt, Milk, Ghee, Honey, Rose water.  After the sacred bath the idol/Salagrama should be decorated with the sandal paste and offerings should be made to Lord in the form of Bhog, incense, Ghee lamp, flowers and fruits.  As a concluding part, the idol/Salagrama rest on a clean white cloth for Lord’s Cosmic sleeps.

Chathur Masya Vratham (austerity) is observed from the day of Deva Sayani Ekadashi or Dwadashi or Purnima or Ashtami or Sankranti day and ends on Uthana Ekadashi/Deva Prabodhini Ekadashi day.  Whoever worships Lord Sriman Narayana with utmost faith and devotion, whoever undergo severe austerities on these four months attain the highest of the piety known as ‘Salvation’.  Whoever engage in worship of Lord or engage in the selfless service of Lord, like cleaning the temple premises and courtyards, decorating and nurturing flowering plants in the temple premises and serving Brahmins with food etc.. It brings never ending happiness in their seven lives.  The worship of Lord Sri Hari with Ghee lamp brings prosperity and makes one’s life fortunate.   Whoever chants Gayatri Maha Mantra hundred and eight times within the temple premises three times a day and whoever abstain from sinful deeds, would be blessed by Maharishi Veda Vyasa himself.  Undoubtedly the worshipper whoever follows the above said austerities attains The Abode of Lord Vishnu .  Whoever donates 28 or 108 pitcher of sesame (Till) to a scholarly person who is well versed in Veda and sacred scriptures at the end of the austerity would be freed from the sins committed by Speech, heart and mind would be freed from their sins and also attains virtuous offspring’s.

Lord Krishna describes the following austerity should be followed during Chaturmasya Vrta.  The worshipper should not sleep on the commonly used comfortable bed and also abstain from any kind of sensual pleasures.  The worshipper allowed to take food only once either in the day or in the night.

Lord Krishna continued, whoever spend time fruitfully in singing and chanting the glories of Lord, attains the celestial world.  Whoever gives up eating Jaggery during these days blessed with virtuous offspring’s and whoever refuse consuming oil would overcome their enemies and achieve beautiful physical features.  Whoever gives up food which have the taste of bitter, pungent, sour, sweet and salt would get rid of bodily odor.  Whoever gives up intake of betel nuts would get rid of their illnesses completely.  Whoever refuse to consume milk and Yoghurt attains the Supreme Abode of Lord Krishna.  Whoever worship Lord Sriman Narayana and engage in self-less service to Him, attains the Abode of Lord Vishnu.

 Jai Sriman Narayana !!