Caturmasya, Cāturmāsya: 19 definitions
Introduction:
Caturmasya means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
Alternative spellings of this word include Chaturmasya.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Puranic EncyclopediaCāturmāsya (चातुर्मास्य).—A penance (Vrata) which continues for four months. During this period, the Vedas are to be studied with pure heart. The Pāṇḍavas did this penance at Gayā. (Mahābhārata Vana Parva, Chapter 95).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) Cāturmāsya (चातुर्मास्य).—Sacrifice, performed by Bharata.*
- * Bhāgavata-purāṇa V. 7. 5.
1b) (personified) born of Savitā.*
- * Bha. VI. 18. 1.
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Dharmashastra (religious law)
Source: Sacred Texts: The Grihya Sutras, Part 2 (SBE30)Cāturmāsya (चातुर्मास्य) refers to one of the seven Haviḥsaṃsthās or Haviryajñas (groups of seven sacrifices).—Hārīta says: “Let a man offer the Pākayajñas always, always also the Haviryajñas, and the Somayajñas (Soma sacrifices), according to rule, if he wishes for eternal merit”.—The object of these sacrifices [viz., Cāturmāsya] is eternal happiness, and hence they have to be performed during life at certain seasons, without any special occasion (nimitta), and without any special object (kāma). According to most authorities, however, they have to be performed during thirty years only. After that the Agnihotra only has to be kept up.
Source: Shodhganga: Vaikhanasa Grhyasutra Bhasya (Critical Edition and Study)Cāturmāsya (चातुर्मास्य) refers to a “sacrifice performed every fourth month” and represents one of the various rituals mentioned in the Vaikhānasagṛhyasūtra (viz., vaikhānasa-gṛhya-sūtra) which belongs to the Taittirīya school of the Black Yajurveda (kṛṣṇayajurveda).—The original Gṛhyasūtra of Vaikhanāsa consists of eleven chapters or “praśnas”. Each praśna is subdivided into sub-divisions called “khaṇḍa”. But only the first seven chapters deal with actual Gṛhyasūtra section. Cāturmāsya is one of the seven haviryajñas.
Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Source: Pure Bhakti: Bhagavad-gita (4th edition)Cāturmāsya (चातुर्मास्य) refers to “the four months during the rainy season (August to November) in which the practice of certain prescribed austerities is very potent for spiritual development”. (cf. Glossary page from Śrīmad-Bhagavad-Gītā).
Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts1) Cāturmāsya (चातुर्मास्य) refers to the “four-month period” (when Viṣṇu is in His divine Contemplative Slumber), as discussed in the fourteenth chapter of the Īśvarasaṃhitā (printed edition), a Pāñcarātra work in 8200 verses and 24 chapters dealing with topics such as routines of temple worship, major and minor festivals, temple-building and initiation.—Description of the chapter [pavitrotsava-ādi-vidhi]: During the four-month period [cāturmāsya] when Viṣṇu is in His divine Contemplative Slumber [yoganidrā], a “purifying ceremony” [pavitra-ārohaṇa] is done to rectify lapses of worship and morals during the preceding year (1-13). The narrator, Nārada, then states where it is to be done (14-17); [...]
2) Cāturmāsya (चातुर्मास्य) refers to the “four months” associated with the Śayanotsava-festival which is celebrated in Āṣāḍha (July/August), as discussed in chapter 14 (Caryāpāda) of the Padmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna, yoga, kriyā and caryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [pavitra-ādi-utsava-vidhi]: Brahmā wants to know about the festivals that are to be observed during the various months of the year. [...] In the āṣāḍha-month (July/August) will come the śayanotsava of the Lord—which will last throughout the following four months, which period is called cāturmāsya. It is the time for the observance of various vratas (25-30a). The remainder of the chapter is largely given over to particular festive celebrations. First among these to be taken up are the pavitrotsava-festivities, which are to be done mainly in the cāturmāsya-period, śrāvaṇa, or alternately in bhādrapada or āśvayuja-months (September/October, October/November). [...]
3) Cāturmāsya (चातुर्मास्य) refers to a period of special days suitable for worship, as discussed in chapter 16 of the Viśvāmitrasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 2600 Sanskrit verses covering topics such as initiation (dīkṣā) and the construction, decoration and consecration of temples and icons, as well as routines of regular and special worship cycles.—Description of the chapter [viśeṣa-divasa-yajana]: Kāśyapa asks how he should worship Hari on certain special days (1-2a). Viśvāmitra begins by saying that on the tenth day of the bright fortnight of either jyeṣṭha or āṣāḍha month one should address the Lord and say he wishes to honor Him with the cāturmāsya mode of worship. For this a special maṇḍapa-pavilion is needed; it will contain a cakrābjamaṇḍala, and be furnished with certain necessary pots as well as a kuṇḍa-firepit. [...] The Ācārya who thus initiates cāturmāsya worship must further satisfy Vaiṣṇavas present by giving them gifts (54). [...] During this cāturmāsya period, Viśvāmitra says, certain observances are to be maintained-namely, kṛṣṇajayantī-celebrations during śrāvaṇa-month.
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
India history and geography
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryCāturmāsya.—(SII 11-1, CITD), the season consisting of 4 months, viz. grīṣma consisting of the pūrṇimānta months of Caitra, Vaiśākha, Jyeṣṭha and Āṣāḍha, varṣā consisting of Śrāvana, Bhādrapada, Āśvina and Kārttika; and hemanta consisting of Mārgaśīrṣa, Pauṣa, Māgha and Phālguna. This was the official division of the year which was popularly divided into six seasons, viz. grīṣma (Jyeṣṭha-Āṣāḍha), varṣā (Śrāvaṇa-Bhādra- pada), śarad (Āśvina-Kārttika), hemanta (Mārgaśīrṣa-Pauṣa), śīta (Māgha-Phālguna) and vasanta (Caitra-Vaiśākha). Some times, the word cāturmāsya specially means the four months of the year, containing the two seasons of varṣā and śarad, i. e. from Śrāvaṇa to Kārttika. During this period, Viṣṇu is supposed to sleep, so that religious celebrations are avoided. During the period, religious mendicants desisted from roving. (EI 7; BL), related to the cāturmāsī or the full-moon day of Phālguna, Āshāḍha and Kārttika; a rite; same as cātur- māsya-vrata. Note: cāturmāsya is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarycāturmāsya (चातुर्मास्य).—n (S) A period of four months; but understood esp. of that included between the tenth of āṣāḍhaśuddha and the tenth of kārttikaśuddha--the four monsoon-months. 2 A sacrifice performed or any rite observed every four months.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishcāturmāsya (चातुर्मास्य).—n A period of four months, in which certain observances are enjoined. A sacrifice performed every four months.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryCāturmāsya (चातुर्मास्य).—[caturṣu māseṣu bhavo yajñaḥ, ṇya] Name of a sacrifice performed every four months; i. e. at the beginning of कार्तिक, फाल्गुन (kārtika, phālguna) and आषाढ (āṣāḍha).
Derivable forms: cāturmāsyam (चातुर्मास्यम्).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryCāturmāsya (चातुर्मास्य).—n.
(-syaṃ) A sacrifice performed every four months. E. catur and māsa a month, yañ aff.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryCāturmāsya (चातुर्मास्य).—i. e. catur māsa + ya, n. The name of sacrifices which ought to be offered every four months, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 6, 10.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryCāturmāsya (चातुर्मास्य).—[neuter] a cert. sacrifice (lasting four months); period of four months.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus CatalogorumCāturmāsya (चातुर्मास्य) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—Kh. 59. B. 1, 176. Bik. 115. Bhk. 12. Oppert. Ii, 2328. 5331. 7373.
—Āpast. Peters. 2, 176.
—Hiranyak. Bp. 288.
1) Caturmāsya (चतुर्मास्य):—[=catur-māsya] [from catur > catasṛ] n. (= cāt) a Cāturmāsya sacrifice, [Kāṭhaka xxxv, 20.]
2) Cāturmāsya (चातुर्मास्य):—[from cātura] n. beginning of a season of 4 months, [Mahābhārata xii, 1007]
3) [v.s. ...] [plural] Name of the 3 sacrifices performed at the beginning of the 3 seasons of 4 months (viz. vaiśvadevam, varuṇa-praghāsāḥ, sākam-edhāḥ), [Taittirīya-saṃhitā i, 6, 10; Taittirīya-brāhmaṇa if.; Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Āśvalāyana-śrauta-sūtra; Kātyāyana-śrauta-sūtra; Manu-smṛti] etc.
4) [v.s. ...] mfn. belonging to such sacrifices, [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa xiii, 2, 5; Kātyāyana-śrauta-sūtra xxii; Muṇḍaka-upaniṣad i, 2, 3.]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryCāturmāsya (चातुर्मास्य):—[cātur-māsya] (syaṃ) 1. n. A sacrifice, performed every four months.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusCāturmāsya (ಚಾತುರ್ಮಾಸ್ಯ):—[adjective] that is to be observed for four months.
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Cāturmāsya (ಚಾತುರ್ಮಾಸ್ಯ):—[noun] = ಚಾತುರ್ಮಾಸ [caturmasa].
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Mashya, Catur.
Starts with (+8): Caturmashyakarika, Caturmasya-vrata, Caturmasyabrahmatvaprayoga, Caturmasyacandrika, Caturmasyadevata, Caturmasyadiprayoga, Caturmasyahautra, Caturmasyahautrapaddhati, Caturmasyahautraprayoga, Caturmasyakalpa, Caturmasyakamyeshti, Caturmasyakaumudi, Caturmasyamahatmya, Caturmasyanvila, Caturmasyanyaishtikani, Caturmasyapaddhati, Caturmasyaprayashcitta, Caturmasyaprayoga, Caturmasyaprayogakarika, Caturmasyaprayogasamgraha.
Full-text (+40): Caturmashyakarika, Caturmasyayajin, Pashukacaturmasya, Caturmasyadevata, Caturmasyapaddhati, Caturmasya-vrata, Caturmasi, Caturmasyatva, Caturmasyacandrika, Caturmasyakaumudi, Caturmasyavidhi, Caturmasyaprayoga, Caturmasaka, Pancasamvatsarika, Pancadashavarshika, Sakamedha, Parvan, Caturmasyasutra, Caturmasyamahatmya, Vaishvanara.
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Search found 60 books and stories containing Caturmasya, Catur-masya, Catur-māsya, Cātur-māsya, Cāturmāsya, Caturmāsya; (plurals include: Caturmasyas, masyas, māsyas, Cāturmāsyas, Caturmāsyas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Sacrifices of Rajasuya, Vajapeya and Ashvamedha (study) (by Aparna Dhar)
Details of the Cāturmāsya Sacrifice < [Chapter 5 - Minor sacrifices and their Political Significance]
Dichotomic interpretation of the Cāturmāsyas Sacrifice < [Chapter 6 - Dichotomic interpretation of the Major and Minor sacrifices]
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 6.10 < [Section III - Details of the Hermit’s Life]
Verse 9.20 < [Section I - Husband and Wife]
Verse 4.26 < [Section VI - The Harvest-Sacrifice]
Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 235 - Importance of Dāna in Cāturmāsya < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]
Chapter 81 - Greatness of Śrī Daityasūdana < [Section 1 - Prabhāsa-kṣetra-māhātmya]
Chapter 69 - The Greatness of Karkarāja Tīrtha < [Section 1 - Avantīkṣetra-māhātmya]
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 1.2.136 < [Part 2 - Devotional Service in Practice (sādhana-bhakti)]
Bharadvaja-srauta-sutra (by C. G. Kashikar)
Vasistha Dharmasutra (by Georg Bühler)
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