Chaturmas - Bali and Bhooma Devi

Chaturmas

Bali and Dharaani devi’s story – are they inter-related?

One question in exam paper was “Answer any 4 out of 8” and Rajinikanth answered all the eight questions and wrote below “choose any 4 to correct”.

If Rajini can do, can’t I?  can’t I give 2 stories to answer your questions? Well, jokes apart, here’s the explanation…

Yes, story of Bhooma Devi as you’ve rightly noticed explains all the queries that you asked – why 4 months are called ‘chaturmas’? what to do then – as told by Rishis and why? But, I also answered a question that wasn’t asked by you.

Agreed, Bhooma Devi wanted that boon and all that but why those 4 months are not considered auspicious for events like marriages etc in the first place? Because Maha Vishnu is not at Vaikuntam and if such events occur, then the offerings would be offered which have to be taken by Gods and to do that they would have had to go to ‘Patala loka’ where Mahavishnu would be during those months. Then, the question as to why he is there would arise and hence I told the story of Bali Chakravarthi. Because, He is in Patala Loka, the Rathri automatically becomes inauspicious and to remove that it was declared as ‘chaturmas’ fit enough for Theerth, homam, meditation etc as already explained. Yes, both 4 months are the same months as rightly noticed by you Vaibhav.

I hope its clear for one and for all now. Sorry, for not having explained in detail earlier.

And thanks Vaibhav for coming out with your doubt. If its still confusing please ask again, and I’ll try to explain it once more…