Chaturmas

…..contd……..

Once Dharani Devi (Bhoomatha –mother earth) being concerned about the people who took birth in kaliyug pleaded Lord Varaha to reveal a method practicing which people would benefit more with little effort. Lord Varaha said ‘Any Dana, vrata, japa or Homam performed during this period would bring multi-folded benefits. Let this be known to all’. When Bhoomatha enquired as to why only these 4 months had that privilege He replied “Pushya to Ashadha months i.e., six months is the day and Ashadah to Pushya is the night of the Devas (Lenghts of day and night of various Beings already explained in detail in Reiki Meet.) so, during night all celestials take leave of the Lord Vishnu. Once Rathri, the deity of the Night part of the year who was dark and very beautiful approached Lord Vishnu and pleaded ‘ since no auspicious functions /events like marriages etc are not performed during this part of the year, I am called ‘inauspicious’ by all. Please bless me to become auspicious.’ Other Devas also felt bad for her and pleaded the Lord on her behalf.

Lord out of love granted her the boon saying ‘Henceforth 2/3^rd of the time of your rule i.e., 4 months would become dear to me and pious deeds performed during this period would increase day by day’ and hence Karthika month is the most sacred of these months.

Now from this story question as to “why only 4 months as Chaturmas” I hope is answered!

Next query was “What are we to do…..as told by Rishis………..?” well as you already have come to know no major auspicious events happen during Chaturmas. So, it’s the time to meditate, to do japam, study scriptures – in short to go within to find the ‘self’.

Just observe how beautifully everything is linked by our ‘Seers’. Lord Vishnu is the ‘sustainer’ and as such is full of jewellery, pomp etc. He represents ‘sustainer of Life’ and hence all the pomp and show. He caters to our worldly desires and their fulfillment.

But these four months, He goes into Yoga nidra – i.e., He becomes inactive and these months are auspicious for all rituals related to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is the Lord of knowledge – the ‘Adi Guru’ and hence the destroyer of ignorance which is responsible for all our worldly attachments. By gaining ‘knowledge’ – knowledge of self we develop vairagya and realize that all that remains at the end is “ash” – “vibhuthi” – the sacred ash. We are born, grow up and die and then get burnt to turn into ashes. So it is with everything in the world. Ultimately, everything gets converted into “ash”. That is the “last remainder” which is embraced by Lord Shiva – the Lord of Death. Which no one wants and what is thrown away, He takes. That which remains after all is lost is accepted by Him – nay He wants only that and nothing that is perishable and of the world. No doubt “smashan” (graveyard) is His home. A place where no one remains with me and from where I am all alone. He is sitting there telling me “Don’t worry, when the world forsakes you, I am there to take you. You are not alone on the journey from here – I shall be with you.” If this isn’t Love – what is?  And that’s why Hie is called “Love “ in Tamil (language) it’s said “Anbe Shivam” – Love is Shiva.  And that’s why it’s said no one knows to love like Lord Shiva. So true!

........contd..........