A sneak peek into the holy Shravan month: significance, stories & festivals

14-year-old Vaishali is having a chat with her Dad about the holy Shravan month. Her questions continued to spill forth: 
Why is Shravan month considered the holiest month?
What is the importance for spiritual seekers?
Why do people fast in this month and what is to be done in this month?

Explore all this and more through their conversation.

Do you know what month it is, Vaishali? 

July, Dad! Are you having STML?

STML?

Short-term memory loss! 

Haha. No, no. Actually, I meant, do you know what month it is in the Hindu calendar?

Oh, nope then!

It is Shravan Maas (month).

What does that mean?

This month is called Shravan because the full moon (Purnima) occurs against the Shraavana star (nakshatra). It is the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar. It usually falls between July and August in North India and August and September in South India.

Oh, how come it falls at different times?

It is because we follow different calendars all over the country. Some of us follow lunar (based on the moon), some solar (based on the sun), and others lunisolar or Jovian (based on Jupiter). 

So, when is Shravan month in 2020 for us?

Based on the lunar calendar, Shravan month falls between July 21st and August 19th in Karnataka.

What is the significance of Shravan month, Dad, that you are bringing it up now?

Well, Shravan month is considered the holiest month of the year. It also has something that you, with an artistic eye, will appreciate.

What is that?

I will tell you in a bit. First, let me tell you why Shravan month is an auspicious time. As legend would have it, it was the time that Lord Shiva saved the world by swallowing poison.

Oh, when did Lord Shiva do that?

Do you remember reading the story of the churning of the ocean? 

Oh, yes!

Is that why people worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati at this time? As they saved the world?

Yes. But, beliefs of people vary from place to place. Some also worship Lord Krishna, Balarama, Hayagriva, and so on. 

But, are these beliefs restricted to only some parts of India?

No, not at all. Shravan Purnima is known by different names all over the country. It is called Avani in Tamil Nadu and Narali Purnima in Goa, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, where a coconut (nariyal) is offered to the sea – to mark the beginning of the fishing season. It is called Kajari Purnima in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, which marks the end of the Kajari festival, when some crops are sown as water is in abundance.

Wow, it seems to be a pan-India event!

Yes! Shravan Maas is also auspicious because there are so many festivals that fall in this period.

Let me think. There is Rakshabandhan. 

Yes, you’re right! There are a host of them, actually. Some of them like Rakshabandhan, Jandhyam/Janai Purnima, Hayagriva Jayanthi, Pavitropana, and Balaram Jayanthi fall on Shravan Purnima Day. Apart from these, there are others that fall in the Shravan Maas - Krishna Janmashtami, Onam, and Garuda/ Nag Panchami. 

Such an eventful month, Dad! So many festivals and activities! That must mean varieties of food too, right?

Of course! But, most people eat only vegetarian food at this time. 

Naturally, because it is festival time.

Yes. But, there is a practical angle to it. It is partly because it is difficult for the fishing community to venture into the waters in the rainy season. And, it is also the time that fish lay eggs, so if left to themselves in this season, it is believed that those who live in the coastal regions will reap the benefits year-long.

Oh, that’s interesting! These practices were pragmatic! But, what about other communities? Do they follow any specific food pattern?

Yes! India is a diverse nation, so there are several practices in vogue. While it is best to eat a sattvic diet to purify the body and calm the mind, the main lesson to learn from our ancestors is that we should live in sync with nature. Food is a function of season and region. So, we should eat those fruits and vegetables that are available in the region we live in, and those that are in season. This will ensure that we avoid preservatives and chemicals, and stay healthy naturally. 

I’ve actually heard some practices like you should not eat food items like leafy vegetables and eggplant.

Yes, this is exactly what I was saying. During the rainy season, eggplants are infested with worms; so, you should avoid eating them. Again, green, leafy vegetables have to be boiled well and cooked to ensure there are no germs in them. 

That makes sense. 

What other dos and don’ts have you heard of during Shravan Maas?

Hmm…that we should chant mantras, meditate, read scriptures and undertake fasts. Why should we do all these? 

I will come to that in a moment. First, let me tell you that the word, ‘Shravan’, has another meaning. 

What is it?

You will love this meaning! Shravan means ‘to listen’ in Sanskrit. 

Listen to what?

You should actually ask ‘to whom’, Vaishali! 

Okay, to whom?

To the elders of the household. 

(Rolling her eyes) Agh!

Before we get into why this is important, tell me what sort of season it is now.

Rainy season.

Exactly. Since it is the rainy season, everyone spends a lot of time indoors. It’s like nature’s way of telling us not to venture outside now. Our ancestors used to set up their daily routines and timetables in accordance with nature. This was called rta - being in sync with nature.

Rta…is that Sanskrit?

Yes. ‘Rta’ means ‘order or pattern in the cosmos’. Rta was followed by the Ritwiks – ancient Indians who followed nature. In fact, ‘rituals’ and ‘rhythm’ both come from rta.

Oh, I had no idea!

Yes, there is a lot of treasure buried in some of our texts that are waiting to be unearthed. Anyway, Shravan month is a great time for all the members of the family to bond with each other – especially in today’s hectic times. 

Like when we watched Mahabharata and Ramayana together at the beginning of the lockdown.

Yes, exactly! Great epics! Similarly, children also spend time listening to traditional scriptures read by the elders of the family. It reinforces our age-old and time-tested values and traditions: the sense of family and togetherness, and the conformance to nature and her gifts. Knowledge talks help us gain perspective, and meditation helps us feel peaceful within as we connect to our ‘self’. So, Shravan month provides a great opportunity for spiritual seekers.

By any chance, does Shravan Kumar have anything to do with Shravan Maas?

Yes! Shravan Kumar was the epitome of a dutiful and obedient son. Do you remember his story? 

Yes. Shravan Kumar’s parents were blind. One day, to quench the thirst of his parents, he went to a lake to fill his pitcher. The sound of the pitcher filling with water attracted the arrow of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya, who was hunting there then. He ended up killing Shravan Kumar, mistaking him for an animal, drinking water.

Yes, correct. It was an unfortunate event that led to King Dasharatha also being separated from his son in a pitiful manner like Shravan’s parents. 

That was sad.

Yes. But, Shravan Kumar remains the epitome of a boy who listened to his guru - his parents in this case. The Shraavana nakshatra in the sky glows during this month as a reminder of the stories of Shravan, Mahabali, and Garuda.

Oh, I see.

Is there anything else you want to ask about Shravan Maas?

Why do people fast, Dad? I thought festival time is for eating! 

I know, right?! But, if you think about it, fasting helps you enjoy your feast more! It is an integral part of our culture. In fact, it is believed that we should fast once a fortnight to cleanse and detoxify our system. 

So, often?

Yes. It is meant to keep both the body and the mind in balance by preventing over-indulgence of the sense organs. During Shravan Maas, people keep fasts on Mondays and these are called Shravan Somvaar. Every Monday, people undertake some form of fast – it may be a one-meal fast, fruits and milk-only fast, a water-only fast or a fast without even water like Nirjala Ekadashi. Similarly, some people keep fasts on Tuesdays and others on Thursdays as well.

A fast without water sounds very difficult to do, Dad.

Yes, but very essential, as our digestive system also needs a break from time to time.

I never thought about that! 

Yes, we have come to take our bodies for granted. 

I guess so. (With eyes twinkling) Um, Dad, you also said something about me having an artistic eye. 

Haha! Yes, okay I get it. Change the subject! Well, nature is at its best at Shravan Purnima. I felt that you will find the perfect setting for your paintings. Imagine this: dark skies with heavy foreboding clouds about to shower their bounties any moment; the night sky is also overcast, so you cannot see any stars. Then suddenly, through a small parting in the clouds, the moon peeps out shining radiantly a la sun on dark earth!

(Clapping her hands) Oh, wow!

Isn’t it?! That is the scene on Shravan Purnima. Let me describe some more. Lower your gaze to the water bodies – the lakes and rivers brimming, courtesy the rain gods. You can see the bloom of flora – the lotus and the water lily with their majestic petals spread out as if offering to be umbrellas to the lakes! And then, as the moon allows us a glimpse - a darshan (auspicious sighting) if you will, you are doubly-blessed – you can see it in the sky and the lake – as a reflection! As it appears intermittently, escaping the ominous clouds every now and then, the sight feels mystical!

I feel like painting right now, Dad!

Such is the beautiful night of Shravan Purnima!

I will look forward to seeing it this time! When is it?

August 3rd in 2020.

Great! I will have my easel, canvas, and palette ready! Thanks, Dad!

Read more on the deeper meaning of Lord Shiva and how his consort, Goddess Parvati, complements him perfectly here.

If you would like to learn to meditate during the auspicious Shravan Maas, join the Online Meditation and Breath workshop here.

Based on inputs from articles written by D K Hari and D K Hema Hari, authors and founders, Bharath Gyan. For more information on India, you can follow the founders of Bharath Gyan on Twitter @bharathgyan  

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