Chaaturmaasya

Every asrama stage in life has its special dharma or duty. For Hindu, Jain and Buddhist renunciates, it is enjoined that a sanyasi should not remain in one place for any length of time. He has to be a parivraajaka or wandering mendicant. The idea is that he should move from place to place, meeting his lay disciples, ministering to their spiritual needs and guiding them to regulate their lives according to the sastras. This may be likened to 8216;8216;mass contact8217;8217;, a term familiar in politics. If a sanyasi remains in one place for a long time, there is the danger of his contracting 8216;8216;attachments8217;8217; or getting involved in local controversies. There is also the adage 8216;8216;familiarity breeds contempt8217;8217; and perhaps that is one of the reasons why a sanyasi is prohibited from staying long at any one place.

This constant movement from place to place may prevent a sanyasi from devoting sufficient time to meditation and other spiritual practices and to the acquisition of aatmajnanam leading to the realisation of the Ultimate Truth. Therefore, he is permitted to remain in one place during the chaaturmaasya period, commencing from the full moon in the month of Aani July 1, this year. This period also coincides with the rainy season, known as praavrt season.

There is a reason behind the selection of this praavrt period for chaaturmaasya. The sanyasa asrama is essentially one of ahimsa 8212; causing no harm to any living being. That is why a sanyasi has to travel on foot. Even if one were to tread unwittingly on an insect while walking, there is every chance of one not causing its death, because the feet are so shaped that the insect can easily wriggle out through the gaps and curves. During the rainy season, numerous insects spring to life and infest pathways. Any travel during this period will inevitably lead to himsa, causing pain or injury to these insects. In fact, while making the sankalpa for chaaturmaasya, a sanyasi has to formally tell the assembled devotees that the praavrt period is on, that he sees a host of insect life praani sankulam everywhere and that if it is not inconvenient for them, he proposes to observe chaaturmaasyam in that place. The devotees, who feel honoured by the opportunity for this kainkarya service, in their turn, request him to remain in their midst comfortably and assure him that they will serve him to the best of their ability.

Extracted from 8216;Acharya8217;s Call8217;, Madras Discourses 1957-1960 of late Paramacharya Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal