Text 169) Sri Madhavendra Puri’s Devotional Service 87

TEXT 169

NABI YRS NGC Ct |
Teno ca DigattD etacre af I Sua Hi

grisma-kala-ante punah nilacale gela
nilacale caturmasya anande rahila

SYNONYMS

grisma-kaéla—of the summer season; ante—at the end; punah—again;
nilacale—to Jagannatha Puri; gela—went; nilacale—in Jagannatha Puri; cdatur-
masya—the four months for vows; anande—in great pleasure; rahila—remained.

TRANSLATION

At the end of summer, Madhavendra Puri returned to Jagannatha Puri,
where he remained with great pleasure during the whole period of Catur-
masya.

PURPORT

The Caturmasya period begins in the month of Asadha (June-July) from the day
of Ekadagi called Sayand-ekadasi in the fortnight of the waxing moon. The period
ends in the month of Kartika (October-November) on the Ekadasi day known as
Utthana-ekadaéi in the fortnight of the waxing moon. This four-month period is
known as Caturmasya. Some Vaisnavas also observe it from the full-moon day of
Asadha until the full-moon day of Kartika. That is also a period of four months.
This period, calculated by the lunar months, is called Caturmasya, but others also
observe Caturmasya according to the solar month from Sravana to Kartika. The
whole period, either lunar or solar, takes place during the rainy season. Catur-
masya should be observed by all sections of the population. It does not matter
whether one is a grhastha or a sannydsi. 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 Aévina, 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 dahl and urad dahl are also considered
nonvegetarian. These two dahls 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.
