[Dear Readers,

July 14th or  July 15th, 2011 (see calendar)  is the beginning of Caturmasya, the four month period each year from July into November, in which devotees observe certain rules and regulations in order to advance in their bhakti. There are many items that are not allowed during Caturmasya, such as leafy vegetables on the first month, yogurt on the second month, milk on the third month, and mustard oil on the fourth month. Besides this, throughout all four months, tomatoes, eggplants, honey and several other foodstuffs are prohibited. (Please see the rest of the list below). Srila Gurudeva gave this talk on September 13, 2000 in Mathura.]

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to follow all these rules very strictly, but nowadays we see that devotees don't follow. Our Guru Maharaja and Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura were very strong in this regard. Srila Prabhupada said, "Take my photo during the four months of Caturmasya-vrata, to show that I never shave at that time. Always keep it; otherwise so many so-called disciples will say, 'Oh, Prabhupada never observed Caturmasya-vrata'."

By his causeless mercy, Parama-pujyapada Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja gave concessions in the Western countries, and that is the only reason he also used to shave. The Westerners could not follow strictly at that time. That is why he allowed tomatoes and eggplant, that is also why he used to take them, and that is why he also allowed carrots.

I am therefore also giving concessions, not here in India, but in Western countries. If the devotees there like, they can take these items; but we don't take them. We should strictly follow our proper line from Mahaprabhu to Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Thakura and my gurus, Srila Bhaktiprajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja and Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja. In Western countries some concession may be given, but here in India we are very strict. If we cannot follow this, then how can we follow Sri Krsna, and how can we serve Sri Sri Radha and Krsna? Mahaprabhu shaved – after two months – and we follow this.

Restricted foods during the entire four months of Caturmasya:

• Eggplants, tomatoes, loki, parmal, urad dahl, and honey

Particular foods that are restricted during each of the four months:

• First month: No leafy vegetables, such as spinach, salads of all types, cabbages of all types, kale, leafy herbs like coriander, mint, parsley, curry andpowdered leafy herbs and teas
• Second month: No yoghurt (if one requires it for health, it can be mixed with water)
• Third month: No milk (if required, it can be mixed with a drop of lemon juice)
• Fourth month: No mustard oil or sesame seeds

Foods that can be taken all days of the year, including Ekadasi and Caturmasya:

• All fruits (fresh and dried), all nuts and all oils made from nuts
• Potatoes, pumpkin, cucumber, radish, squash, lemon, avocado, olives, coconut buckwheat, all sugars
• All pure milk products (except yoghurt during the 2nd month of Caturmasya and milk during the 3rd month)
• For sannyasis, brahmacaris and vanaprasthas: shaving head and cutting nails is to be done on full moon days ( no shaving on Baladeva Purnima or Purnima at beginning of Kartik )

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