Special on Chaturmas Commencement-06 July 2025

Mahesh Chandra - Delhi

Chaturmas is an opportunity to grow the crop of spirituality

- Mantra Maharshi Dr. Yogbhushan Maharaj -

The cycle of creation is in continuous motion-summer, rain and winter are synonymous with it. One of these seasons, the rainy season- is very important not only from the environmental point of view, but also for the spiritual and religious world. In Jainism, this period is called “Chaturmas” or “Varshayog”, in the Jain tradition, the time from Ashadhi Purnima to Kartik Purnima and in the Vedic tradition, the time from Ashadha to Asoj is called Chaturmas. During this time, the monks of both Digambara and Shvetambara traditions remain seated at one place. This rule is also related to natural reasons-like animals and birds are born more in the rainy season, due to which wandering can violate non-violence. In fact, in today's busy, stressful, violent and materialistic era, Chaturmas inspires us to self-evaluate and have inner peace. This time is capable of turning the society towards environmental balance, ethical lifestyle and spiritual contemplation. If the youth imbibes this, then positive changes can come in the society.

In fact, in olden times, the rainy season became a resting period for the entire society, but the organized sects of sanyasis, Shravaks, bhikshus etc. developed it as a period of sadhana. Therefore, according to the prescribed rules, they used to start their Varshavasa or Chaturmas on a fixed date and in the same way, they used to end it on a fixed date. Due to the increase in wealth and grains, this time full of achievements is also considered the best from the point of view of self-realization, attaining self-glory and growing the crop of spirituality. One reason for this is that Jain saints and sages who constantly travel on foot also stay at one place at this time. Religious awakening increases due to their inspiration. People get training in the art of happy, peaceful and holy life. The householder also gets a unique opportunity to worship the soul in their proximity.

Jainism is a highly disciplined and ascetic tradition, in which self-purification, non-violence, restraint and meditation are considered paramount. Chaturmas has a special place among the various religious activities throughout the year. This is the period of meditation like introspection, penance, self-study and fasting, in which both the Shravaks and the Sadhus and Sadhvis move towards their spiritual progress. During this period, the Shravaks spend more time in religion, worship, fasting, self-study and charity. This becomes a period of self-introspection and change in lifestyle. Festivals like Paryushan festival, Dashlakshan festival, Anant Chaturdashi come in Chaturmas, which provide an opportunity to understand the depth of religion. At this time, many fasts like Ekaasan, fasting, many types of sacrifices are followed. This increases spiritual strength and restraint. In Chaturmas, religious texts are explained in depth through the discourses of the monks, which helps the devotees to progress on the path of knowledge and wisdom. The spirit of restrained life and detachment is awakened in this period, which reduces worldly attachment.

Jain Chaturmas is not just a religious tradition, but a beautiful process of spiritual upliftment. This period gives us an opportunity to look within, recognize our mistakes and move towards a balanced, non-violent life. This unique tradition of sadhana and restraint has the ability to give spiritual direction not only to the Jain society but to the entire humanity. Chaturmas is the soul of religious culture. This period connects the society together- it nourishes the spirit of collective sadhana, restraint and service. Serving the saints, taking care of sick and old monks, arranging food and accommodation, helping in satsang and self-study- all these tasks become a part of religion for the Shravaks. Chaturmas is not only the Amritkaal of the life of ascetics, but it is a time of awakening and new consciousness for the entire society. These four months are the best time to sow the seeds of religion, water the water of service, heat it in the sun of restraint and develop the tree of faith. Chaturmas is successful only when the mind, speech and body are pure. It is expected that everyone should take a resolution - to adopt this Chaturmas not only as a mere observance of tradition, but as a medium of spiritual development and social dedication.

In Hinduism, Chaturmas starts from Devshayani Ekadashi and continues till Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi of Kartik. During this time, Lord Vishnu is immersed in Yog Nidra, therefore, any auspicious work is prohibited. During this period, in the month of Ashadh, Lord Vishnu had taken the form of Vaman and had taken the entire universe as donation from King Bali in three steps. He had promised King Bali to protect his netherworld. As a result, Lord Hari guards King Bali's kingdom in all his forms. It is said that Lord Vishnu goes into sleep during this period. Although every person gets three hundred and sixty-five days to live every year, but this period of Varshavas inspires us to live with a vigilant mind. This period calls for the vigilance of character building so that no wrong step is taken. This period provides such a season and environment in which we are ready to polish our mind so much that every moment of time can be lived with awareness. For saints, this period is a rare opportunity to be situated in the soul with Gyan-yoga, Dhyan-yoga and Swadhyay-yoga. They are ready to take full advantage of it. They touch the heights of spirituality during the Chaturmas stay, they practice to reach Samadhi by curing the ailments, diseases and ailments. They are eager not only for self-welfare but also for the welfare of others. This is the reason that the Shravak community also gets a new vision of life from them. It determines a healthy lifestyle. The aura inspired by the spirituality and purity of the saints fills the entire environment with atoms of peace, light and happiness. Due to this, all the paths of life are filled with light. Public consciousness becomes free from physical, mental and emotional tensions. It gets relief from conflicts and dilemmas. Emotional health is achieved.

During the rainy season, all the devotees try to move from the soul to the Supreme Soul, from lust to worship, from ego to the ego, from attachment to detachment, from enjoyment to yoga, from violence to non-violence, from outside to inside. That area is considered fortunate where the Sadhus and Sadhvis spend their Chaturmas. Their proximity means that along with external changes, internal changes also take place. Chaturmas is a powerful medium to give positive directions to life. It is a ritual of self-introspection. Chaturmas is an invaluable heritage of culture.

The importance of Chaturmas is considered important for establishing peace and harmony as well as for material achievements. There are many such incidents in history where Chaturmas or rainy season and the intense sadhana of the saints have led to many miracles. The area where the situation is adverse. When the public is a victim of conflict, unrest, anarchy or cruelty of an oppressive ruler, then to solve that problem, the Sadhus and Sadhvis, who are symbols of peace and equality, have been organized for Chaturmas there and change has been seen to happen. Because a saint is actually one who gives peace to others. There is a need to keep this cultural tradition intact. We should be proud and proud of such traditions where every morning of life spreads the sunshine of success and every evening opens new dimensions of worship of character religion. Because this is the tripathaga of non-violence, peace and co-existence, resonating Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram, it grows the crops of light in the fertile soil of society. (The author is a spiritual guru, Soham Yoga promoter and founder of Dharmayog Foundation.)

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