07/05/98 - 1898

Catur Masya Made Easy

USA (VNN) - by Ramacandra das

1.Do not eat spinach from July 9 to August 7

2.Do not eat yoghurt from August 7 to September 6

3.Do not drink milk from September 6 to October 5.

4.Do not eat high protein foodstuffs such as masura and urad dals or soya from October 5 to November 3

Catur masya should be observed by all sections of the population. It does not matter whether one is a grhastha 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.

HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada-purport from Chaitanya Charitamrta-Madya 4.169

According to Vedic culture,Caturmasya is to be followed strictly by practicing many difficult austerities. For example,some sadhus eat only once a day.They place their food on the floor(usually unspiced kicchari),put their hands behind their backs and accept only what they can eat by once bending down.As soon as they sit up again,their meal is over.Prabhupada did not invite us to perform such austerities,but he did order us to avoid the prohibited foods for each of the four months.Therefore,we should follow this order strictly.If someone wants to perform more austerity,he can follow the spirit Srila Prabhupada mentions:"...during the four month period of Caturmasya,one should practice giving up all food intended for sense enjoyment."

Excerpt from the book 'From Copper to Touchstone' by H.H.Satsvarupa dasa Goswami.

Following steps one through four as above indicated gives you the oppotunity to please Sri Guru. By pleasing Guru spiritual enlightennment is obtained. Simple and sublime.

Hare Krsna

Ramacandra das