Page 86 - SBV (English)

26 Çré Bhaktisiddhänta Vaibhava

fortnight, and day. Additionally, he gave dates of Vaiñëava festivals, proper and
improper timeframes for performing saàskäras, and auspicious and inauspicious
timings for undertaking various activities. Throughout his much-traveled life he
undertook journeys only during astrologically propitious times.
Çré Siddhänta Sarasvaté’s astrological explorations never negated his
pursuit of bhakti, which was always the main focus of his life. For any course
of action that he was contemplating he did not rely solely on astrology, but
confidently accepted Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura’s advice as superior even
if it contradicted his own astrological prognosis. Similarly, although he had
demonstrated inconsistencies in Çré P. N. Bagchi’s almanac, the Bengali
household handbook for ritual activities, since Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura
accepted it, so also did Çré Siddhänta Sarasvaté.

Observance of Cätur-mäsya

From 1897, Çré Siddhänta Sarasvaté began to observe Cätur-mäsya.
Although this four-month vow of austerity is enjoined for all followers of the
Vedic path, Gauòéyas had been neglecting it, largely due to erroneous propaganda
of certain präkåta-sahajiyäs that it was merely karma-käëòéya. Taking inspiration
from Çréla Jagannätha däsa Bäbäjé Mahäräja, who rigidly followed Cätur-
mäsya, Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura had reintroduced the vow according to the
directions of Hari-bhakti-viläsa and other çästréya rules meant for curtailing
sense gratification during this period.
Although çästra gives allowance for partial observance of Cätur-mäsya,
Çré Siddhänta Sarasvaté undertook the vow strictly, punctiliously following all
its details. Once daily, before sunset, he would take only rice cooked by his own
hand, with just a touch of ghee but no salt or spices, by the method known as
go-gräsa (feeding like a cow)—eating directly from the ground, with no plate,
by sitting and leaning forward and not using the hands, and eating no more
after once rising from that position. He forswore shaving and paring nails, and
slept minimally, on the bare earthen floor of his hut, without bedding, pillow, or
even a straw mat. By such severe austerity he became emaciated. Although by
such willful neglect of bodily demands he sometimes became very sick, still he
would not consult a doctor. But after Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura reproved him,
asserting that such self-denial was unnecessary, Çré Siddhänta Sarasvaté desisted
from such rigorous practice of Cätur-mäsya.