Fasting from Sak

[Guest guest]

PAMHO AgtSP

 

What are we actually supposed to fast from during the first month of

Caturmasya? Is it *anything* green and leafy, including herbs, lettuce,

sprouts, etc., or is it just sak-type vegetables like spinach, collard greens

and the like?

 

Please respond to my private e-mail address 110033.2531 (AT) compuserve (DOT) com

 

I appreciate any authoritative information the devotees can supply.

 

Hare Krsna.

 

Ys, Tulasi-priya dasi

[Guest guest]

Pamho,

Are we required to or supposed to fast during the first month of

Caturmasya?

ys,

Sravaniya D dasi

[Guest guest]

On 18 Jun 1998, Sravaniya dd wrote:

 

> Pamho,

> Are we required to or supposed to fast during the first month of

> Caturmasya?

> ys,

> Sravaniya D dasi

 

Pamho

 

My Guru Maharaja says we should, so I do. Other gurus may not require it.

 

Ys,

Tulasi-priya dasi

[Guest guest]

Madhya 4.169

 

At the end of summer Madhavendra Puri returned to Jagannatha Puri, where he

remained with great pleasure during the whole period of Caturmasya.

 

PURPORT

The Caturmasya period begins in the month of Asadha (June-July) from the day

of Ekadasi called Sayana-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-ekadasi, 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. Caturmasya 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.

 

 

Your servant,

Nrsimha Kavaca dasa