Visvarupa Mahotsava
Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja
[July 5, 2020 was the first day of Caturmasya, the four month period each year from July to November, in which devotees observe certain rules and regulations in order to advance in their bhakti. Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja speaks about Caturmasya each year. The lecture below was given on the first day of the second half of Caturmasya at Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha in Mathura, India, on September 13, 2000. Srila Maharaja’s lecture was on the topics of Sri Visvarupa Mahotsava and the sannyasa ceremony of Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Prabhupada.
For those of you who do not have the calendar and would like to follow the austerities of this month, or some part of them, the list is included at the bottom of the lecture excerpt. -ed]
Today is a very sacred day in our line. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took sannyasa and began to search for his brother, Sri Visvarupa. While searching, He found out on this day that His brother had been in Pandarapur, and there he had left his body and had taken samadhi on the bank of the river Bhima. Then, although Mahaprabhu was always observing Caturmasya-vrata very strictly for four months, He shaved off His hair on this day. Before this year, He had never shaved for these four months, nor did He cut his nails. He observed all the rules and regulations of Caturmasya.
There are many items that are restricted during Caturmasya, such as leafy vegetables on the first month, yogurt on the second month, milk on the third month, and mustard oil on the forth month. Besides this, throughout all four months, tomatoes, eggplants, and several other foodstuffs are prohibited. [Please see the rest of the list below.]
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to follow all these rules very strictly, but nowadays we see that devotees don’t follow. Our Guru Maharaja and Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura were very strong in this regard. Srila Prabhupada said, “Take my photo during the four months of Caturmasya-vrata, to show that I never shave at that time. Always keep it; otherwise so many so-called disciples will say, ‘Oh, Prabhupada never observed Caturmasya-vrata’.”
By his causeless mercy, Parama-pujyapada Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja gave concessions in the Western countries, and that is the only reason he also used to shave. The Westerners could not follow strictly at that time. That is why he allowed tomatoes and eggplant, that is also why he used to take them, and that is why he also allowed carrots.
I am therefore also giving concessions, not here in India, but in Western countries. If the devotees there like, they can take these items; but we don’t take them. We should strictly follow our proper line from Mahaprabhu to Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Thakura and my gurus, Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja and Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja. In Western countries some concession may be given, but here in India we are very strict. If we cannot follow this, then how can we follow Sri Krsna, and how can we serve Sri Sri Radha and Krsna? Mahaprabhu shaved – after two months – and we follow this.
• Restricted foods during the entire four months of Caturmasya:
• Eggplants, tomatoes, loki, parmal, urad dahl, and honey
• Particular foods that are restricted during each of the four months:
• First month: No leafy vegetables, such as spinach, salads of all types,
cabbages of all types, kale, leafy herbs like coriander, mint, parsley, curry and
powdered leafy herbs and teas
• Second month: No yoghurt (if one requires it for health, it can be mixed with
water)
• Third month: No milk (if required, it can be mixed with a drop of lemon juice)
• Fourth month: No mustard oil or sesame seeds
• Foods that can be taken all days of the year, including Ekadasi and
Caturmasya:
• All fruits (fresh and dried), all nuts and all oils made from nuts
• Potatoes, pumpkin, cucumber, radish, squash, lemon, avocado, olives, coconut,
buckwheat, all sugars
• All pure milk products (except yoghurt during the 2nd month of Caturmasya
and milk during the 3rd month)
• For sannyasis, brahmacaris and vanaprasthas: shaving head and cutting
nails is to be done on full moon days
[*Endnote: Come with me. Let us join Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in our minds as He went from Puri to South India to search for His brother, Visvarupa. This was only a pretext, however. Actually, Mahaprabhu wanted to make all of South India, and the entire world, pure devotees. He wanted them to all chant and remember Krsna, and be happy forever. (Srila Gurudeva lecture, May 4, 2000)
