Will I be allowed to marry in Chaturmas?

Dakshinayana is the start of negative state of mind

The uttarayana and dakshinayana are not only time periods mentioned in the Vedic literature but also the state of minds. Uttarayana means a period for a positive state of mind and Dakshinayana a period for relatively negative state of mind.

Dakshinayana is the southern transit of the Sun. The Uttarayana and Dakshinayana period is calculated differently in South and North India. In North Indian calendars, Dakshinayana in 2011 begins on June 21. In South Indian calendars, it begins on July 17, 2011. In South India, Uttarayana period starts with Makar Sankranti on January 14 or 15 and ends on July 14 or 15. Dakshinayana is from July 14 or 15 to Makar Sankranti. In North India, Uttarayana period starts on December 21 and ends on June 21. Dakshinayana is from June 21 to December 21.

Bhagwad Geeta talks about Moksha and liberation. Those who believe in the philosophy of rebirth know that once a soul is liberated at death, a person is not reborn. Those who believe that hell and heaven are in this birth only for them liberation means dying peacefully and without sufferings.

The theory of rebirth is well described in Bhagwad Geeta in Chapter 8.

The gist of Lord Krishna’s teaching is:

1.       Whatever you think throughout your life will be your thought at the time of death.

2.       Whatever is the state of mind at the time of death will be the atmosphere you will get in the rebirth. For example if your state of mind is in cruelty at the time of death, you will be born in a cruel family. If you are relaxed, thinking of God or Chanting AUM at the time of death, there are chances your soul will be liberated.

4.       Fire, illumination, daytime, fortnight before the full moon and uttarayana are the paths for liberation. It means these are the periods / ways for spontaneous positive thinking. And the reverse is for dakshinayana

From mental health point of view, this knowledge can be converted into medical prescription. Uttarayana means satwa, healthy state of mind and dakshinayana means a depressed negative state of mind. Performing and attending to Yagna, sitting in well illuminated lights or exposing oneself to the day sunlight can be an adjunct to depression treatment. During the first fortnight of full moon and during uttarayana, the psychotherapy and counseling invariable will work better and the requirement of drugs may get reduced. The reverse will happen in dakshinayana.

In chakra language , from mooladhara chakra to anahata chakra is the dakshinayana path and from anahata chakra to ajna chakra is the uttarayana path. Those who travel on the uttarayana path travel from anahata chakra. Those who travel on the dakshinayana path start from mooladhara.

The Chatur Mas or Four holy months in Hinduism falls during the period of Dakshinayana. Chaturmas begins on July 11 and ends on November 6. It begins on the Ekadasi day in Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashada and ends on the Ekadasi in the Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik. It occurs during monsoon season and most important festivals take place during this period. It’s a four month period for observing fast, rituals, pujas and festivals.

 Chaturmas has folowwing months 

1st Shravan month is dedicated to Lord Shiva, especially the Mondays. Is a month or Vata or air imbalance. The classical song " Savan ka mahina Pavan kare shor" explains the air imbalance in this month. The vata function in the mind is related to emmotional imbalance.

2nd Bhadrapad is the month of festivals including the Ganesh Chaturthi and Janmaasthmi. The month is again related to Vata or air imbalance. The classical Bollywoodsong " tete naina savan bhado phir bhi mera man payasa" explains the state of the mind in savan and bhado months. The state of the mind is negative with chances of more non fulfillment of desires.

3rd Ashwin month include, Durga Puja, Navratri, Diwali etc.

4th Kartik and Diwali celebrations end in this month.

It’s a saying to avoid green leafy vegetables in Shravan month, Curd in Bhadrapad, milk in Ashwin and pulses, the split variety in Kartik month.

No marriages or important functions take place in chaturmas for many reasons

1.         Firstly it is a period of negative state of mind and hence more chances of divorce

2.         For the same reason more chances of infertility

3.         Due to rainy seasons more chances of worms on the surface and infesting the leafy vegetables

4.         Due to Vata ( movement) predominance, leafy vegetables will not be health friendly

5.         Due to pitaa ( metabolism) suppression the digestive fire will be weak

6.         Many people avoid garlic and onion as it can stimulate unnecessary excitements, cause indigestion and distract devotee from pujas and prayers.