Ekam sat, viprah bahudha vadanti! (RV1.164.

46)
There has been some confusion regarding chaturmas in Fiji. I would like to give my humble views
on this issue. Firstly, we need to understand the seasoning differences of northern and southern
hemisphere. In northern hemisphere, the first half of the year has bigger days called uttarayana
and vice versa for dakshinayana – the second half of the year. People in northern hemisphere
who die during uttarayana may get a chance to get into dev-yaan path (based on his/her karma)
with the help of luminous uttarayan deities where eventually he/she will reach the lord’s abode.
In contrast, if they die during dakshinayana then the dark dakshinayana deities take them
through pitra-yaan and eventually they are then reincarnated back on Earth [Chhandogya
Upanishad 5.10.2-5.10.3]. Conversely, the opposite rules should apply for the southern
hemisphere.
In some versions of Skanda Purana’s Brahma Kanda, the significance of Chaturmas is described.
The story goes on to say that lord Vishnu sleeps for 4 months during the rainy season of Indian
subcontinent. During this period Vaishnavs are advised to do tarpan, japa, tapa, dhyana, daan,
sadhana etc. and follow celibacy. There could be two logic reasons for this advice. Firstly, in olden
days it was very inconvenient to travel, build home or perform marriage ceremony etc. during
the rainy season. Secondly, during dakshnayana people must refrain from stressful work that
may lead to tamsik and rajsik karma. If a person dies during this period with non-satvik thoughts,
then he must go through pitra-yaan. However, as explained in Gita (8.6 – 8.13, 9.22, 18.66)
whatever the mind perceives he goes into that abode because in that phase of his life he/she is
mostly dwelling into those thoughts. So who keeps remembering the God while doing his karma
does not need to fear of any downfall.
We advise all Sanatanis in Fiji to carry on with their normal life. There is no restriction on
performing any religious ceremony/rituals.
Hari Om