Shrāvana Māsa: July 11 – August 9

Varshā rtu, which begins with the start of Shrāvana māsa, is the lifeblood of the subcontinent, literally and metaphorically. A season of dramatic beauty and almost violent transformations, Varshā rtu is perhaps the most eagerly awaited season in the annual cycle of seasons.

Beyond its mercurial beauty and the cooling relief it provides after the scorching heat and dust of Summer, Varshā rtu is poetically seen as the longed-for season of union between the earth and the sky. But it is the impact of water on the land in terms of agriculture and rejuvenation of water bodies after the dehydrating intensity of Grishma rtu that makes Varshā rtu arguably the most important of all seasons. A good season of rains, for the Vedics, meant that all was in order, the natural rhythms of the earth remained intact, that the sacred and the secular were in harmony.

With the waters that Shrāvana māsa brings, finally the thirst-filled calls of the Peacock and the Chataka bird are answered and in response we are gifted with the magnificent spectacle of Peacocks dancing in the rain. Indeed, to Shrāvana māsa, there is an almost indescribable beauty – the moisture-laden air after the relentless heat eases something deep in our senses and bodies. The change in light is particularly striking. After the relentless brilliance of the Sun and its dazzling light in Grishma rtu, now suddenly the world is bathed in tones of blue and grey, with the occasional dazzle of golden light when the Sun manages to break through the grey, rain-laden clouds.

Rituals of Wellbeing

The season of rains offers reprieve from the scorching heat and dehydration of Summer. From scarcity, in Grishma rtu, the water element slowly but surely becomes the dominant element as the month of Shrāvana progresses. Usually, it is in the month of Shrāvana that the second half of the solar year begins. The first half, Uttarāyana, is the time of the Sun’s energy. And the second half, Dakshināyana, is seen as the time of the Moon’s energy. And the element of the Moon is water. Starting with Dakshināyana, over the course of six months, as lunar energy begins to dominate so too does the element of water.

The predominance of the water element has a distinctive impact on our digestive ability – in the Ayurvedic understanding our digestive fire or Agni becomes weak during the season of rains. Thus, all three doshas – Pitta, Vata and Kapha can become vitiated during this season.

To align our bodies with the season and build the immunity that Dakshināyana (solar half of the year) encourages, we need to nurture our bodies during the two months of Shrāvana and Bhadrapada. Because our digestion capacity weakens, it is important to eat foods that support rather than overload our digestive system. Here are some simple and traditional ways to support our digestive Agni and nurture our bodies in this month:

• Tastes: Sour, salty and sweet are the three tastes that are recommended in this month. Foods with a sour taste such as the fruit Amla offer the elements of Earth and Fire, while a salty taste offers the elements of Water and Fire. A sweet taste combines the elements of Earth and Water. Foods that have an unctuous quality are also recommended. As per many experts Cow Ghee is the best to consume in this category of unctuous foods.
• Honey: The regular consumption of small amounts of Honey is also traditionally recommended during the monsoon season.
• Ginger:  This warming spice encourages our digestive Agni. A cup of Ginger tea – a teaspoon of freshly grated Ginger steeped in hot water, before a meal (ideally lunch or dinner) can gently stimulate digestion, thereby strengthening our digestive fire.
• CCF (Coriander, Cumin & Fennel Tea): A tridoshic tisane – CCF tea, can be consumed once a day to strengthen the digestive fire, increase the elimination of waste and improve gut health, decrease bloating, acidity and flatulence, and help with inflammation.To make CCF or Coriander, Cumin & Fennel Tea combine a teaspoon each of Coriander, Cumin and Fennel seeds in a saucepan. Add 2 cups of water, cover and simmer on a low flame till the quantity of water reduces to half. Strain and drink the tea.

Self Care & Shrāvana

Varshā, the first season in the Dakshināyana half of the year, is the time of turning our focus inwards, a time of emotional and inner growth. And meditation is ideal at this time. We all have our own preferred meditation ritual. What is important is that we turn to it with regularity and make our meditation practice a routine. Incense, sound bowls, fragrant fresh flowers, diyas, all of these can be fantastic aids that help us frame our meditation rituals. If you want to better understand and explore meditation practices, we invite you to read and follow our new bi-monthly Paro’s “Meditation Series” on Sutradhar.   

Festive Rituals of Shrāvana

Shrāvana and Bhādrapada are the months considered sacred for Shiva and his consort Parvati. Many devotees of Shiva fast on Mondays (the day of Shiva) during this season as a ritual practice. In each of the three Teej celebrations in North India a different aspect of Shiva and Parvati is celebrated. In Hariyali Teej, with its emphasis on the colour of fertility – Green, it is the union of Shiva and Parvati that is being celebrated. Here they are also Prakriti and Purush, the earth and the sky, which come together in Varshā rtu. This year Hariyali Teej falls on July 27. Kajari Teej will be celebrated on August 12 and Hartalika Teej on August 26.

Snakes, which are sacred to both Shiva and Vishnu, will also be celebrated and ritually worshipped in the month of Shrāvana on Nag Panchami, on July 29. On this day traditionally the twelve snakes of Hindu mythology are worshipped and their idols and real snakes (in the case of certain communities) are propitiated with milk and greeted with prayers.

Shrāvana māsa will come to an end with two beautifully different festivals on Shrāvana Purnimā – August 9. The first is the widely celebrated bond between brothers and sisters – Raksha Bandhan. The second is the Nāriyal Purnimā festival celebrated in coastal Maharashtra. On this day, in a ritual that clearly goes back to the Vedic era, they invoke the energy of Varun and seek his blessings. Varun, a deity of forgotten significance today, was once counted amongst the most powerful of the gods.

To him, the god of all waters, the fisher folk celebrating this festival offer coconuts. And ask for protection for when they are out on the sea and for a bountiful catch for the year. And to acknowledge the abundant offerings of the earth and the sea they plant a tree as a part of the festival.

May your Shrāvana be bountiful and blessed.