hindu blog says:-
How to do or observe Chaturmas Vrat?
Many people avoid non-vegetarian food during the four month period.
Some people observe flexible fasting – eating just one meal or two, or just one meal on particular days in the month.
Certain food items like jaggery or oil is avoided during the period or in any one of the four months. Some people avoid salty and sweet preparations.
Those people who plan to undertake serious vows and fasting avoid garlic and onion as it can stimulate unnecessary excitements.
There are no hard and fast rules regarding the Chaturmas Vrat. It is often left to the devotee to decide how he/she wants to spend the four months.
Most people decided to read the Mahabharata or Ramayana or Gita or Bhagavad Purana during the fourth month period. Some people make it a point to visit temples daily and indulge in spiritual activities.
The four months is of great importance to Lord Vishnu devotees as this period is believed to be the night of Vishnu. Vishnu devotees listen to his stories and spend time in helping the poor and in cleaning and maintaining Vishnu temples.
Food Avoided During the Four Months
Importance is given to maintaining a healthy body during the four months, as the first two months are the peak monsoon season. Due to this reason, in some regions people avoid green leafy vegetables in the Shravan month. Curd, or yoghurt, is avoided in Bhadrapad month.
Milk is avoided in Ashwin month. Pulses are avoided in Kartik month. Again there are no strict codes regarding food. It all depends on the person how he/she wants to observe the Chaturmas Vrat.
Shaka Vrata – First month of Chaturmas Vrat
The first month of the four month Chaturmas Vrat is known as Shaka Vrata. Shaka Vrata begins on Shukla Paksha Dwadasi day in Ashada month and ends on Shukla Ekadasi day in Shravan month. Shaka Vrata 2020 begins on July 2 and ends on July 30. During this one month fruits, vegetables, spices and dry fruits are avoided by Hindu communities that observe the Chaturmasya Vrata.
All dals or pulses are consumed during the one month period. Black pepper, jeera, rava, sesame, ghee, milk, curd and butter are consumed.
Vegetables and fruits are not used during Shaka Vrata. Also avoided are mustard, red chillies, turmeric, tamarind, methi, coriander, curry leaves, ginger, green chillies and lemon.
The belief is that the four month Chaturmas Vrat is kept to flush out toxins and regain health. This is the reason why spices and dry fruits are avoided during the first month.
The importance of the Chaturmas Vrat is mentioned in the Varaha Purana.
The next cycle of Vrata is known as Dadhi Vrat – Shravan Shukla Paksha Dwadasi to Bhadrapad Shukla Paksha Ekadasi.
Ksheera Vrata during Chatur Masa
Ksheera Vrata is observed during the third month of the Chatur Mas and is observed mainly in South India by certain Hindu communities. The month long Vrata is dedicated to Srihari Vishnu. Ksheera Vrata in 2020 begins on August 30 ends on October 27
. Ksheera Vrata begins on the 12th day of the Shukla Paksha or waxing phase of moon in Bhadrapad Month. During this one month food prepared using milk are avoided by Hindu communities that observe the Chaturmasya Vrata.
The Vrata begins on the Shukla Paksha Dwadashi in Bhadrapad month.
All food made from milk is avoided in the month. Paneer, curd, butter, ghee etc are avoided.
The belief is that the four month Chaturmas Vrat is kept to flush out toxins and regain health. This is the reason why certain particular food items are avoided during the four months.
The next cycle of Vrata is known as Dwidala Vrata – Ashwin Shukla Paksha Dwadasi to Kartik Shukla Paksha Ekadasi.
Dwidala Vrat during Chaturmasya
Dwidala Vrat is part of the Chaturmasya Vrata and is the last phase of the four-month Chaturmas Vrat. Dwidala Vrata begins on the Dwadashi day in Shukla Paksha (12th day during waxing phase of moon) of Ashwin month and ends with Kartik Shukla Ekadasi. In 2020, Dwidala Vrat begins on October 27 and ends on November 26. Dwidala Vrata is also known as Bhaubeej Vrat.
Dwidala here implies those grams, lentils and seeds that break into two equal parts. Such lentils and grams are avoided during the period. Those lentils that are avoided are black gram, green gram, bengal gram, masoor al, horse gram, red gram, etc,.
Some people also avoid green leaves during the period and those plants that produce vegetables with numerous seeds.
Dwidala Vrat is only observed by some Hindu communities.
Bahubeeja Vrata in Kannada Culture
Bahubeej Vrat starts from Ashwayuja Dwadashi (12th day during the waxing phase of moon in Ashwin month) and ends on Karthika Shuddha Dashami (12th day during the waxing phase of moon in Kartik month). Bahu Beeja ends on the Vijayadasara Aradhana Day, and is the last phase of the Chaturmasya Vrata. Bahubeeja Vrata in 2020 is from October 27 and ends on November 26.
During this period items made of Dwidala or Bahubeeja are to be avoided. Dvidala refers to any seed or vegetable which when broken or fried splits into two halves. Examples of such items are dals (pulses) and green peas.
Bahu Beeja refers to any fruit or vegetable that contains multiple seeds and is covered by an external skin. Examples of such items are apples, grapes, pomegranate, and cucumber.
People observing Bahubeeja Vrata usually consume banana and all banana products like Banana Kai (balekai - plantain), Baledindu, Bale Flower, etc. People also consume during the period Dantu soppu, Doddapatre Soppu, Agase Soppu, Karimevu, Genasu, Suvarna Gadde, Shame Gadde, Coconut and Hasi shunti.
Bahubeeja Vrata is also referred as Dwidala Vrat.
Bharateeya culture has given special importance to every season and month of the year, according to the atmosphere during particular time period of the year. Puranas have suggested Vratas to observe for the inner purification, spiritual
upliftment, good health and a peaceful life. The Vratas are in various forms, types, and with different intensity, easy to difficult, so that everybody can walk on the path of Yogashastra with ease to reach the JeevanMukti.
Chaturmas are the four sacred months that fall in the rainy season according to the Indian climate. These are Aashadh, Shravan, Bhadrapad, Kartik. Chaturmas begins with Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi (which is today) and ends with Kartik Shukla Ekadashi.
The Vratas followed during Chaturmas are called as Chaturmasya Vrata.
Vratas teach us a controlled life which help us control emotions. We grow with emotional and physical health.
Vratas are not just for women, everybody who wants to live a more peaceful life can observe them.
I read more about Chaturmasya Vrata in PadmaPurana and decided to share the Vrata which can be practiced in today’s fast life.
Let’s see which are they…
Chaturmasya Vrata:
Fast : Fast can be observed depending on the physical health of the Vrati - the person who is following the Vrata. One can take the meal just once, or decide to eat only specific foods or not eating particular foods. In the current fast pace of life it’s difficult to maintain the health, the work life balance following hard fast Vrata.
So, one should try not to take any extremely difficult Vrata which may harm their health. Also, if you decide to observe Fast do take doctor’s advice before starting it. Main purpose of fast is some control on eating habits (which is now known as dieting
)and to recite the Name of Bhagwan and spend time in Bhajan - Keertan or Yogabhyas. So, if fasting completely do not serve these purposes, they shouldn’t be observed.
Mostly women work staying hungry and damage the health for various Vratas, which is not good for health. Working women have to take the extra load of household work and professional duties, so any Vrata at the extreme intensity shouldn’t be observed.
Maun / Silence : This Vrata is not just useful for spiritual goals but it improves our efficiency too. Staying silent saves lots of energy and improves concentration at work. Staying silent doesn’t mean you shouldn’t speak a single word. Complete silence may hurt you. But we can make habit to speak less, to speak what is important, truth and needed to speak. Maun can be observed in morning before starting the routine, when we spend time in Dhyana, Sadhana or Puja, also before going to bed. One can decide a few hours of Maun daily for these four months.
If you try these I am sure you will not be ready to break this habit again. Don’t force yourself for anything hard but the time which you can spend peacefully - silently. For better practice, tell everybody in the family that you have decided to stay silent during this particular time, so that nobody will disturb you.
The biggest benefit of Maun is that you get the time to know yourself, to know your hidden qualities which are just ignored by you because you were too busy and engaged in the unnecessary activities. Maun gives you time for discovering more creative ideas. Being more focused means more work done and less stress.
For the beginning you can start even with only 10 to 20 minutes of Maun.
In today’s era of whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, one can spend time in living the beautiful moments of life, spending less time on social media can also be termed as Maun.
Maun during Meals: According to Padmapurana, eating silently is equivalent to observing Fast. Due to addiction of TV and serials many people take dinner in front of TV, children love to eat while watching cartoons. But this habit doesn’t let us enjoy the food.
The negative, sad news of news, or negativity in serials affect our mind and we can’t enjoy the taste of the food. Samartha Ramdas Swami has said that meals is like Yagya - As Jatharagni is produced when we are hungry, when we eat we do Yagya, so it should be done divinely.
Silence during eating may help in a calm mind and better emotional health, and help in digesting the food as mind is formed by what we eat. Silence doesn’t mean just shutting the mouth, the important thing is that enjoying the food and stay calm at least an hour without multitasking like checking mails, facebook, uploading photos of your food.
Japa / Recitation: Reciting the name of Bhagwan or reciting hymns daily can be another Vrata. Needless to say that Hymns which praise the Lord brings instant peace in the mind and makes the devotee happy. A heart filled with the devotion of Bhagwanji, is the heart with humanity and kindness.
Danam: When we stop eating particular grain or food or fast for four months at the end of the Vrata we are supposed to donate the same to somebody. Just imagine how beautiful this system is! When we stop eating something as part of Vrata, we save it for four months and then are supposed to give to the needy.
This is written in almost every Purana, for Udyapan of almost every Vrata. They have tried to maintain the social economic balance. Puranas are written when there wasn't any socialism or communism. In current economy of globalisation despite high growth rate, in many countries the gap between poor and the rich is increasing. This is happening because we are forming the systems without the base of Dharma.
Vrata and Dana can be done by everybody at the level they can do. So everybody can donate little or more to maintain the economic balance.
Controlling Anger: We know how much anger is harmful for the health. It also hurt relationships. For the Chaturmas one can take the pledge to control the Krodh - Anger.
Most Important Vrata:
Dhyana: PadmaPurana says by Dhyana you will achieve the Brahmapada. Being Yogi is the highest achievement of the human life.
n my childhood, one of my wish is to visit Rayar mutt on all dwadashis and important thithi’s to have shaka vrata food during every chathurmasya. Trust me it is so delicious and unique!
I admire our ancient traditional system. When we look at the scientific reason behind this vrata, We are speechless. What a wonderful way of healthy living, our traditions has shown us!
During Dakshinayana punyakaala the heat from the sun will be reduced when compared to Uttarayana punyakaala( the moon will have more power)
As the power of Sun is getting reduced and Moon’s power is getting increased, the heat some restrictions in our food. This vratha is called as “Shaka vratha”.
Shaka means vegetables. The vegetables, tamarind, green chilies, pickles, fruits would have high heat, and the way in which Vegetables are grown with high heat is not good for health. As such, during this period vegetables are not allowed as per ayurveda too. The energy which we require for functioning our body can be easily received through the permitted items in this shaka vrata
From Ashada Shudda Ekadashi to Shravana Shudda Dashami
Permitted Food items:
Toor dal, Moong dal, Urad dal, Whole green moong, Sesame seeds, Black pepper, cumin seeds, Jaggery, Rava, wheat flour, Rice flour, Amchur powder, Milk, Yougurt(Curd), butter, Sugar, Mango fruit, Ghee .
Not Permitted:
All vegetables, all leaves(Curry leaves, coriander leaves, spinach), Mustard, Tamarind, Chana dal, Besan, Ginger, Green chillies, lemon, coconut, Red chillies. Oil, chilly powder, Turmeric powder
I have listed few of the recipes which would benefit our visitors. When it comes to spice level, Green or red chillies are not allowed, replace it with pepper. when it comes to tempering, mustard seeds are not allowed , replace it with cumin seeds. And there is no Tamarind. You can use Amla powder or Amchur powder
Kosambari
Soak Moong dal in water. Drain the water and add salt to the Dal.
Temper with Cumin seeds(Jeera)
Palya
Toor dal palya:
Soak required Toor dal in water.
Grind it with Pepper and salt coarsely
In a pan, Add some oil. Temper with Cumin seeds, Urad dal and Add the grinded mixture and saute till it becomes separate
Whole Green moong gram palya:
soak green moong gram for 3 to 4 hours. Then Steam it in cooker
add some salt and temper with Cumin seeds
If you need some spicy flavor, add some pepper powder
Chithranna
Temper Jeera and Urad dhal in Ghee and Add Some Urad dhal powder and salt as required with the cooked rice
Instead of Urad dhal powder, You can also add Til/Sesame seeds powder
Powder/Pudi varieties
Dal pudi:
Dry roast 1 cup of toor dal
slightly roast 1 tbl spoon pepper and add required salt
Grind it nicely
Urad dhal pudi:
Dry roast 1 cup of Urad dal
slightly roast 1 tbl spoon pepper
Grind it nicely
You can use this powder for preparing kootu, chithranna, palidya or as a side dish to Idli/Dosa
Sesame powder:
Dry roast 1 cup of Urad dal separately
Dry roast 1/2 cup of sesame seeds/til separately
Dry roast 1 ladle of pepper separately
Mix together and grind it
You can use this powder for preparing chithranna, or as a side dish to Idli/Dosa
Fried items
ambode
soak toor dal for 1 to 2 hours
grind it with pepper and salt
make the mixture into even round patties. Fry it in deep oil
Urad dhal vada:
soak Urad dal for 1 to 2 hours
grind it with pepper and salt
mould mixture into even shaped round vadas by applying some oil in banana leaf/or on a ziplock cover . Fry it in deep oil
Dahi vada
Add tempered jeera seeds and required salt to the thick curd.
Now add the fried urad dhal vada listed above in this curd mixture
pepper vada:
soak Urad dal for just 15 mins
grind it with pepper and salt
add hot oil to the grinded mixture and add little bit of baking soda(Optional – Just for getting crispy vadas)
mould mixture into even shaped round vadas by applying some oil in banana leaf/or on a ziplock cover . Fry it in deep oil
Maida bonda:
for 3 portions of Maida, Take one portion of rice flour.
add pepper powder, salt
Use thick sour curd to bind this mixture
fry it in deep hot oil
Payasa
Milk kheer:
Take required cups of Milk and start boiling it
Add some ghee roasted and coarsely grinded rice to this boiling milk
cook the rice in Milk itself
Add sugar as per the taste level
approximately for 1 cup of rice, minimum 4 to 5 cups of milk is required and same or double the amount of sugar to rice is recommended
appala karada payasa
Add little bit of water and ghee to rava and mix it into a nice mixture and leave it for an hour
Make into round circles like what we normally do for poori
Use Ghee for perfect taste to fry the appalam (You can also use oil)
After frying it, break it into small small pieces and cook it with milk
add sugar (For rava, add one and half cup of sugar to that)
Boil for some time and if need add more milk
Saaru
Roast pepper and Cumin seeds in little bit of ghee
Cook Toor dal in cooker
mash the dal with required water for saaru consistency
add the grinded powder to this and add salt
Temper with cumin seeds
You can add some amla powder(Already available in market) for getting some sour taste
Kootu
Soak green moong for sometime and cook it in pressure cooker
cook toor dal
add green moong , toor dal and required urad dhal powder and salt
boil it for sometime
Temper with cumin seeds
You can add some amla powder for getting some sour taste
Majjige palidya
1. add amla powder to curd with required salt and temper with cumin seeds
2. Fry some ambode in small small bonda shapes and soak it in required curd with salt and temper with cumin seeds
Sweet/Desserts
Rava kesari
Rava ladoo
moong dal ladoo
Ashoka halwa
jangri
jilebi
wheatflour halwa
Maida cake
dhoodh peda
palkova
basandhi
(Just remember for any of these sweets, Nuts are not allowed)
tiffin items
idli
dosa
adai(Instead of red chillies add pepper and Chana dal is not allowed)
rava upptiu
rava idli
chapathi
n my childhood, one of my wish is to visit Rayar mutt on all dwadashis and important thithi’s to have shaka vrata food during every chathurmasya. Trust me it is so delicious and unique!
I admire our ancient traditional system. When we look at the scientific reason behind this vrata, We are speechless. What a wonderful way of healthy living, our traditions has shown us!
During Dakshinayana punyakaala the heat from the sun will be reduced when compared to Uttarayana punyakaala( the moon will have more power)
As the power of Sun is getting reduced and Moon’s power is getting increased, the heat some restrictions in our food. This vratha is called as “Shaka vratha”.
Shaka means vegetables. The vegetables, tamarind, green chilies, pickles, fruits would have high heat, and the way in which Vegetables are grown with high heat is not good for health. As such, during this period vegetables are not allowed as per ayurveda too. The energy which we require for functioning our body can be easily received through the permitted items in this shaka vrata
From Ashada Shudda Ekadashi to Shravana Shudda Dashami
Permitted Food items:
Toor dal, Moong dal, Urad dal, Whole green moong, Sesame seeds, Black pepper, cumin seeds, Jaggery, Rava, wheat flour, Rice flour, Amchur powder, Milk, Yougurt(Curd), butter, Sugar, Mango fruit, Ghee .
Not Permitted:
All vegetables, all leaves(Curry leaves, coriander leaves, spinach), Mustard, Tamarind, Chana dal, Besan, Ginger, Green chillies, lemon, coconut, Red chillies. Oil, chilly powder, Turmeric powder
I have listed few of the recipes which would benefit our visitors. When it comes to spice level, Green or red chillies are not allowed, replace it with pepper. when it comes to tempering, mustard seeds are not allowed , replace it with cumin seeds. And there is no Tamarind. You can use Amla powder or Amchur powder contd.
How to do or observe Chaturmas Vrat?
Many people avoid non-vegetarian food during the four month period.
Some people observe flexible fasting – eating just one meal or two, or just one meal on particular days in the month.
Certain food items like jaggery or oil is avoided during the period or in any one of the four months. Some people avoid salty and sweet preparations.
Those people who plan to undertake serious vows and fasting avoid garlic and onion as it can stimulate unnecessary excitements.
There are no hard and fast rules regarding the Chaturmas Vrat. It is often left to the devotee to decide how he/she wants to spend the four months.
Most people decided to read the Mahabharata or Ramayana or Gita or Bhagavad Purana during the fourth month period. Some people make it a point to visit temples daily and indulge in spiritual activities.
The four months is of great importance to Lord Vishnu devotees as this period is believed to be the night of Vishnu. Vishnu devotees listen to his stories and spend time in helping the poor and in cleaning and maintaining Vishnu temples.
Food Avoided During the Four Months
Importance is given to maintaining a healthy body during the four months, as the first two months are the peak monsoon season. Due to this reason, in some regions people avoid green leafy vegetables in the Shravan month. Curd, or yoghurt, is avoided in Bhadrapad month.
Milk is avoided in Ashwin month. Pulses are avoided in Kartik month. Again there are no strict codes regarding food. It all depends on the person how he/she wants to observe the Chaturmas Vrat.
Shaka Vrata – First month of Chaturmas Vrat
The first month of the four month Chaturmas Vrat is known as Shaka Vrata. Shaka Vrata begins on Shukla Paksha Dwadasi day in Ashada month and ends on Shukla Ekadasi day in Shravan month. Shaka Vrata 2020 begins on July 2 and ends on July 30. During this one month fruits, vegetables, spices and dry fruits are avoided by Hindu communities that observe the Chaturmasya Vrata.
All dals or pulses are consumed during the one month period. Black pepper, jeera, rava, sesame, ghee, milk, curd and butter are consumed.
Vegetables and fruits are not used during Shaka Vrata. Also avoided are mustard, red chillies, turmeric, tamarind, methi, coriander, curry leaves, ginger, green chillies and lemon.
The belief is that the four month Chaturmas Vrat is kept to flush out toxins and regain health. This is the reason why spices and dry fruits are avoided during the first month.
The importance of the Chaturmas Vrat is mentioned in the Varaha Purana.
The next cycle of Vrata is known as Dadhi Vrat – Shravan Shukla Paksha Dwadasi to Bhadrapad Shukla Paksha Ekadasi.
Ksheera Vrata during Chatur Masa
Ksheera Vrata is observed during the third month of the Chatur Mas and is observed mainly in South India by certain Hindu communities. The month long Vrata is dedicated to Srihari Vishnu. Ksheera Vrata in 2020 begins on August 30 ends on October 27
. Ksheera Vrata begins on the 12th day of the Shukla Paksha or waxing phase of moon in Bhadrapad Month. During this one month food prepared using milk are avoided by Hindu communities that observe the Chaturmasya Vrata.
The Vrata begins on the Shukla Paksha Dwadashi in Bhadrapad month.
All food made from milk is avoided in the month. Paneer, curd, butter, ghee etc are avoided.
The belief is that the four month Chaturmas Vrat is kept to flush out toxins and regain health. This is the reason why certain particular food items are avoided during the four months.
The next cycle of Vrata is known as Dwidala Vrata – Ashwin Shukla Paksha Dwadasi to Kartik Shukla Paksha Ekadasi.
Dwidala Vrat during Chaturmasya
Dwidala Vrat is part of the Chaturmasya Vrata and is the last phase of the four-month Chaturmas Vrat. Dwidala Vrata begins on the Dwadashi day in Shukla Paksha (12th day during waxing phase of moon) of Ashwin month and ends with Kartik Shukla Ekadasi. In 2020, Dwidala Vrat begins on October 27 and ends on November 26. Dwidala Vrata is also known as Bhaubeej Vrat.
Dwidala here implies those grams, lentils and seeds that break into two equal parts. Such lentils and grams are avoided during the period. Those lentils that are avoided are black gram, green gram, bengal gram, masoor al, horse gram, red gram, etc,.
Some people also avoid green leaves during the period and those plants that produce vegetables with numerous seeds.
Dwidala Vrat is only observed by some Hindu communities.
Bahubeeja Vrata in Kannada Culture
Bahubeej Vrat starts from Ashwayuja Dwadashi (12th day during the waxing phase of moon in Ashwin month) and ends on Karthika Shuddha Dashami (12th day during the waxing phase of moon in Kartik month). Bahu Beeja ends on the Vijayadasara Aradhana Day, and is the last phase of the Chaturmasya Vrata. Bahubeeja Vrata in 2020 is from October 27 and ends on November 26.
During this period items made of Dwidala or Bahubeeja are to be avoided. Dvidala refers to any seed or vegetable which when broken or fried splits into two halves. Examples of such items are dals (pulses) and green peas.
Bahu Beeja refers to any fruit or vegetable that contains multiple seeds and is covered by an external skin. Examples of such items are apples, grapes, pomegranate, and cucumber.
People observing Bahubeeja Vrata usually consume banana and all banana products like Banana Kai (balekai - plantain), Baledindu, Bale Flower, etc. People also consume during the period Dantu soppu, Doddapatre Soppu, Agase Soppu, Karimevu, Genasu, Suvarna Gadde, Shame Gadde, Coconut and Hasi shunti.
Bahubeeja Vrata is also referred as Dwidala Vrat.
Bharateeya culture has given special importance to every season and month of the year, according to the atmosphere during particular time period of the year. Puranas have suggested Vratas to observe for the inner purification, spiritual
upliftment, good health and a peaceful life. The Vratas are in various forms, types, and with different intensity, easy to difficult, so that everybody can walk on the path of Yogashastra with ease to reach the JeevanMukti.
Chaturmas are the four sacred months that fall in the rainy season according to the Indian climate. These are Aashadh, Shravan, Bhadrapad, Kartik. Chaturmas begins with Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi (which is today) and ends with Kartik Shukla Ekadashi.
The Vratas followed during Chaturmas are called as Chaturmasya Vrata.
Vratas teach us a controlled life which help us control emotions. We grow with emotional and physical health.
Vratas are not just for women, everybody who wants to live a more peaceful life can observe them.
I read more about Chaturmasya Vrata in PadmaPurana and decided to share the Vrata which can be practiced in today’s fast life.
Let’s see which are they…
Chaturmasya Vrata:
Fast : Fast can be observed depending on the physical health of the Vrati - the person who is following the Vrata. One can take the meal just once, or decide to eat only specific foods or not eating particular foods. In the current fast pace of life it’s difficult to maintain the health, the work life balance following hard fast Vrata.
So, one should try not to take any extremely difficult Vrata which may harm their health. Also, if you decide to observe Fast do take doctor’s advice before starting it. Main purpose of fast is some control on eating habits (which is now known as dieting
)and to recite the Name of Bhagwan and spend time in Bhajan - Keertan or Yogabhyas. So, if fasting completely do not serve these purposes, they shouldn’t be observed. Mostly women work staying hungry and damage the health for various Vratas, which is not good for health. Working women have to take the extra load of household work and professional duties, so any Vrata at the extreme intensity shouldn’t be observed.
Maun / Silence : This Vrata is not just useful for spiritual goals but it improves our efficiency too. Staying silent saves lots of energy and improves concentration at work. Staying silent doesn’t mean you shouldn’t speak a single word. Complete silence may hurt you. But we can make habit to speak less, to speak what is important, truth and needed to speak. Maun can be observed in morning before starting the routine, when we spend time in Dhyana, Sadhana or Puja, also before going to bed. One can decide a few hours of Maun daily for these four months.
If you try these I am sure you will not be ready to break this habit again. Don’t force yourself for anything hard but the time which you can spend peacefully - silently. For better practice, tell everybody in the family that you have decided to stay silent during this particular time, so that nobody will disturb you.
The biggest benefit of Maun is that you get the time to know yourself, to know your hidden qualities which are just ignored by you because you were too busy and engaged in the unnecessary activities. Maun gives you time for discovering more creative ideas. Being more focused means more work done and less stress.
For the beginning you can start even with only 10 to 20 minutes of Maun.
In today’s era of whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, one can spend time in living the beautiful moments of life, spending less time on social media can also be termed as Maun.
Maun during Meals: According to Padmapurana, eating silently is equivalent to observing Fast. Due to addiction of TV and serials many people take dinner in front of TV, children love to eat while watching cartoons. But this habit doesn’t let us enjoy the food.
The negative, sad news of news, or negativity in serials affect our mind and we can’t enjoy the taste of the food. Samartha Ramdas Swami has said that meals is like Yagya - As Jatharagni is produced when we are hungry, when we eat we do Yagya, so it should be done divinely.
Silence during eating may help in a calm mind and better emotional health, and help in digesting the food as mind is formed by what we eat. Silence doesn’t mean just shutting the mouth, the important thing is that enjoying the food and stay calm at least an hour without multitasking like checking mails, facebook, uploading photos of your food.
Japa / Recitation: Reciting the name of Bhagwan or reciting hymns daily can be another Vrata. Needless to say that Hymns which praise the Lord brings instant peace in the mind and makes the devotee happy. A heart filled with the devotion of Bhagwanji, is the heart with humanity and kindness.
Danam: When we stop eating particular grain or food or fast for four months at the end of the Vrata we are supposed to donate the same to somebody. Just imagine how beautiful this system is! When we stop eating something as part of Vrata, we save it for four months and then are supposed to give to the needy.
This is written in almost every Purana, for Udyapan of almost every Vrata. They have tried to maintain the social economic balance. Puranas are written when there wasn't any socialism or communism. In current economy of globalisation despite high growth rate, in many countries the gap between poor and the rich is increasing. This is happening because we are forming the systems without the base of Dharma.
Vrata and Dana can be done by everybody at the level they can do. So everybody can donate little or more to maintain the economic balance.
Controlling Anger: We know how much anger is harmful for the health. It also hurt relationships. For the Chaturmas one can take the pledge to control the Krodh - Anger.
Most Important Vrata:
Dhyana: PadmaPurana says by Dhyana you will achieve the Brahmapada. Being Yogi is the highest achievement of the human life.
n my childhood, one of my wish is to visit Rayar mutt on all dwadashis and important thithi’s to have shaka vrata food during every chathurmasya. Trust me it is so delicious and unique!
I admire our ancient traditional system. When we look at the scientific reason behind this vrata, We are speechless. What a wonderful way of healthy living, our traditions has shown us!
During Dakshinayana punyakaala the heat from the sun will be reduced when compared to Uttarayana punyakaala( the moon will have more power)
As the power of Sun is getting reduced and Moon’s power is getting increased, the heat some restrictions in our food. This vratha is called as “Shaka vratha”.
Shaka means vegetables. The vegetables, tamarind, green chilies, pickles, fruits would have high heat, and the way in which Vegetables are grown with high heat is not good for health. As such, during this period vegetables are not allowed as per ayurveda too. The energy which we require for functioning our body can be easily received through the permitted items in this shaka vrata
From Ashada Shudda Ekadashi to Shravana Shudda Dashami
Permitted Food items:
Toor dal, Moong dal, Urad dal, Whole green moong, Sesame seeds, Black pepper, cumin seeds, Jaggery, Rava, wheat flour, Rice flour, Amchur powder, Milk, Yougurt(Curd), butter, Sugar, Mango fruit, Ghee .
Not Permitted:
All vegetables, all leaves(Curry leaves, coriander leaves, spinach), Mustard, Tamarind, Chana dal, Besan, Ginger, Green chillies, lemon, coconut, Red chillies. Oil, chilly powder, Turmeric powder
I have listed few of the recipes which would benefit our visitors. When it comes to spice level, Green or red chillies are not allowed, replace it with pepper. when it comes to tempering, mustard seeds are not allowed , replace it with cumin seeds. And there is no Tamarind. You can use Amla powder or Amchur powder
Kosambari
Soak Moong dal in water. Drain the water and add salt to the Dal.
Temper with Cumin seeds(Jeera)
Palya
Toor dal palya:
Soak required Toor dal in water.
Grind it with Pepper and salt coarsely
In a pan, Add some oil. Temper with Cumin seeds, Urad dal and Add the grinded mixture and saute till it becomes separate
Whole Green moong gram palya:
soak green moong gram for 3 to 4 hours. Then Steam it in cooker
add some salt and temper with Cumin seeds
If you need some spicy flavor, add some pepper powder
Chithranna
Temper Jeera and Urad dhal in Ghee and Add Some Urad dhal powder and salt as required with the cooked rice
Instead of Urad dhal powder, You can also add Til/Sesame seeds powder
Powder/Pudi varieties
Dal pudi:
Dry roast 1 cup of toor dal
slightly roast 1 tbl spoon pepper and add required salt
Grind it nicely
Urad dhal pudi:
Dry roast 1 cup of Urad dal
slightly roast 1 tbl spoon pepper
Grind it nicely
You can use this powder for preparing kootu, chithranna, palidya or as a side dish to Idli/Dosa
Sesame powder:
Dry roast 1 cup of Urad dal separately
Dry roast 1/2 cup of sesame seeds/til separately
Dry roast 1 ladle of pepper separately
Mix together and grind it
You can use this powder for preparing chithranna, or as a side dish to Idli/Dosa
Fried items
ambode
soak toor dal for 1 to 2 hours
grind it with pepper and salt
make the mixture into even round patties. Fry it in deep oil
Urad dhal vada:
soak Urad dal for 1 to 2 hours
grind it with pepper and salt
mould mixture into even shaped round vadas by applying some oil in banana leaf/or on a ziplock cover . Fry it in deep oil
Dahi vada
Add tempered jeera seeds and required salt to the thick curd.
Now add the fried urad dhal vada listed above in this curd mixture
pepper vada:
soak Urad dal for just 15 mins
grind it with pepper and salt
add hot oil to the grinded mixture and add little bit of baking soda(Optional – Just for getting crispy vadas)
mould mixture into even shaped round vadas by applying some oil in banana leaf/or on a ziplock cover . Fry it in deep oil
Maida bonda:
for 3 portions of Maida, Take one portion of rice flour.
add pepper powder, salt
Use thick sour curd to bind this mixture
fry it in deep hot oil
Payasa
Milk kheer:
Take required cups of Milk and start boiling it
Add some ghee roasted and coarsely grinded rice to this boiling milk
cook the rice in Milk itself
Add sugar as per the taste level
approximately for 1 cup of rice, minimum 4 to 5 cups of milk is required and same or double the amount of sugar to rice is recommended
appala karada payasa
Add little bit of water and ghee to rava and mix it into a nice mixture and leave it for an hour
Make into round circles like what we normally do for poori
Use Ghee for perfect taste to fry the appalam (You can also use oil)
After frying it, break it into small small pieces and cook it with milk
add sugar (For rava, add one and half cup of sugar to that)
Boil for some time and if need add more milk
Saaru
Roast pepper and Cumin seeds in little bit of ghee
Cook Toor dal in cooker
mash the dal with required water for saaru consistency
add the grinded powder to this and add salt
Temper with cumin seeds
You can add some amla powder(Already available in market) for getting some sour taste
Kootu
Soak green moong for sometime and cook it in pressure cooker
cook toor dal
add green moong , toor dal and required urad dhal powder and salt
boil it for sometime
Temper with cumin seeds
You can add some amla powder for getting some sour taste
Majjige palidya
1. add amla powder to curd with required salt and temper with cumin seeds
2. Fry some ambode in small small bonda shapes and soak it in required curd with salt and temper with cumin seeds
Sweet/Desserts
Rava kesari
Rava ladoo
moong dal ladoo
Ashoka halwa
jangri
jilebi
wheatflour halwa
Maida cake
dhoodh peda
palkova
basandhi
(Just remember for any of these sweets, Nuts are not allowed)
tiffin items
idli
dosa
adai(Instead of red chillies add pepper and Chana dal is not allowed)
rava upptiu
rava idli
chapathi
n my childhood, one of my wish is to visit Rayar mutt on all dwadashis and important thithi’s to have shaka vrata food during every chathurmasya. Trust me it is so delicious and unique!
I admire our ancient traditional system. When we look at the scientific reason behind this vrata, We are speechless. What a wonderful way of healthy living, our traditions has shown us!
During Dakshinayana punyakaala the heat from the sun will be reduced when compared to Uttarayana punyakaala( the moon will have more power)
As the power of Sun is getting reduced and Moon’s power is getting increased, the heat some restrictions in our food. This vratha is called as “Shaka vratha”.
Shaka means vegetables. The vegetables, tamarind, green chilies, pickles, fruits would have high heat, and the way in which Vegetables are grown with high heat is not good for health. As such, during this period vegetables are not allowed as per ayurveda too. The energy which we require for functioning our body can be easily received through the permitted items in this shaka vrata
From Ashada Shudda Ekadashi to Shravana Shudda Dashami
Permitted Food items:
Toor dal, Moong dal, Urad dal, Whole green moong, Sesame seeds, Black pepper, cumin seeds, Jaggery, Rava, wheat flour, Rice flour, Amchur powder, Milk, Yougurt(Curd), butter, Sugar, Mango fruit, Ghee .
Not Permitted:
All vegetables, all leaves(Curry leaves, coriander leaves, spinach), Mustard, Tamarind, Chana dal, Besan, Ginger, Green chillies, lemon, coconut, Red chillies. Oil, chilly powder, Turmeric powder
I have listed few of the recipes which would benefit our visitors. When it comes to spice level, Green or red chillies are not allowed, replace it with pepper. when it comes to tempering, mustard seeds are not allowed , replace it with cumin seeds. And there is no Tamarind. You can use Amla powder or Amchur powder contd.
