"The Caturmasya period begins in the month of Ashadha
(June-July) from the day of Ekadasi called Sayana-ekadasi, in the
fortnight of the waxing moon. The period ends in the month of
Kartika (October-November) on the Ekadasi day known as
Utthana-ekadasi, in the fortnight of the waxing moon. This
four-month period is known as Caturmasya. Some Vaishnavas also
observe it from the full-moon day of Ashadha until the full-moon
day of Kartika. That is also a period of four months. This period,
calculated by the lunar months, is called Caturmasya, but others
also observe Caturmasya according to the solar month from Sravana
to Kartika. The whole period, either lunar or solar, takes place
during the rainy season. Caturmasya should be observed by all
sections of the population. It does not matter whether one is a
grihastha or a sannyasi. The observance is obligatory for all
asramas. The real purpose behind the vow taken during these four
months is to minimize the quantity of sense gratification. This is
not very difficult.
In the month of Sravana one should not eat spinach, in the
month of Bhadra one should not eat yogurt, and in the month of
Asvina one should not drink milk. One should not eat fish or other
nonvegetarian food during the month of Kartika. A nonvegetarian
diet means fish and meat. Similarly, masura dal and urad dal are
also considered nonvegetarian. These two dals contain a great
amount of protein, and food rich in protein is considered
nonvegetarian. On the whole, during the four-month period of
Caturmasya one should practice giving up all food intended for
sense enjoyment."
(A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Sri Chaitanya
Charitamrita. Madhya-lila 4.169. purport.)
Notes:
Urja vrata - means restricting eating.
The term "spinach" in India refers to green leafy vegetables
of that nature.
The yogurt fast is fasting from eating yogurt by itself.
Yogurt used as a binding agent for cake is not included.
Milk fast means refrain from drinking milk. Milk sweets, milk
by-products are okay.
In the fourth (last) month, Ashvin Shukla Dashami to Kartik
Shukla Dwadashi one should not partake dicotyledon grains (grains
breaking in two parts) like gram, tur urad, masur etc., Similarly,
one should not eat fruits or vegetables containing lot of seeds.
This also applies to tubors as ordained. Thus reason for making a
list of prohibited items seperately for each of the four months is
in the nature of dietary discipline, and declared as daily regimen
("Nityavrata") by the scriptures.
During Festivals of the Lord (ie Balaram's App, Sri Krishna
Janmastami, Radhastami, etc) all preparations are offered to the
Lord and chaturmasya vrata of restrictive honouring of even foods
in the above categories does not apply. (yes one can honour Urad
dal kachoris that have been offered to Srila Prabhupad on his
Tirubhav)
Also during the Purushottam Adika masa there is no observance
of chaturmasya.
Chaturmasya means "four months", which is the duration that
Vishnu sleeps.
Ekadasi, Asadha 11 (July 20, 2002). The time the "Vishnu goes
to sleep" for four months.
Naga Panchami, Sravana 5 (Aug 12, 2002). The cobras are
appeased at this festival, which is dedicated to the serpent
Ananta, on whose coils Vishnu rested when he created the
universe.
"Vishnu lies on Ananta", Bhadra 14 (Sept 19, 2002).
Celebration of Vishnu lying on the cobra Ananta.
"Vishnu wakes". eleven days after new moon in [Agrahayana].
Vishnu wakes.
