Story of Chaturmas

The story revolving the observance of the Chaturmas is very interesting and calls for varied interpretations. Chaturmasa is the holy four months narrated in the Bhagavata Purana. In 2024, Chaturmas Vrat begins on 17 July 2024 and ends on 12 November 2024.

Story of Chaturmas

Chatur Mas story talks about the everlasting conflicts and struggles between Devas and asuras and how Lord Vishnu helped Devas claim back Swarga or heaven. After Lord Indra, the chief of all the devas was dethroned from the seat of heaven due to his pride, the son of the asura king Virochana named Bali took over his place. He managed to redeem himself and purify himself of his father’s sins through a prolonged period of rigorous penance to Lord Brahma and gained the seat of heaven. Devas then seek refuge with Lord Vishnu and prayed to him to help them regain their power and prestige. 


Story of Chaturmas

Lord Vishnu forgave them and incarnated himself as an eight year old boy named Vamana. When he went to see Mahabali, he was received cordially and Bali asked him to make a wish. The wise Lord asked for three steps of land and nothing more. The surprised Bali looked as the size of the little boy’s legs and readily agreed. It is then that Vamana avatar took huge size. He kept his one foot on earth and the other on heaven, and when he asked Bali about where he should place the third, Bali humbly requested him to put it on his bowed head. The Lord put his leg on Bali’s head and pushed him deep into the earth, right into hell. This is how he returned heaven and earth to Devas.

However, Lord Vishnu went to visit Bali in hell as he was extremely pleased with his humility and devotion. On been asked to make a wish Bali said that he would like the Lord and his wife Goddess Laxmi to come to live with him for one-third of a year, as he bore the Lord’s third foot on himself. Lord Vishnu agreed and this phase of the year is thus celebrated with austerity and devotion by Hindus.

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