Introduction
Every month, millions of devotees across India and around the world observe Sankashti Chaturthi, a sacred day dedicated to Lord Ganesha. People fast, chant mantras, perform puja, and wait for moonrise to break their fast, believing this practice removes obstacles and brings peace and success into life.
But an important spiritual question arises:
Is the Sankashti Chaturthi puja method truly correct according to scriptures? Or are people unknowingly following incomplete or symbolic practices that do not lead to lasting spiritual benefit?
According to Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji, most religious rituals today, including Sankashti Chaturthi puja, are based on tradition rather than complete spiritual knowledge. While they may offer temporary emotional relief, they do not grant permanent peace, liberation from suffering, or true connection with the Supreme God.
This article explores the traditional Sankashti Chaturthi worship method, its limitations, and the deeper spiritual truth explained by Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji — guiding seekers toward what he calls the true path of devotion.
What Is Sankashti Chaturthi?
Sankashti Chaturthi falls on the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon phase) each lunar month. The word Sankashti means “freedom from troubles,” and devotees believe that fasting and worship on this day removes obstacles from life.
The day is associated with Lord Ganesha, who is traditionally worshipped as the remover of difficulties and the giver of wisdom. Devotees wake early, observe a fast, perform Ganesh puja, recite Sankashti Chaturthi vrat katha, and break the fast after sighting the moon.
This tradition has been followed for centuries with sincere faith. However, Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji urges seekers to go beyond tradition and ask:
Is this method of worship truly what God desires, and does it lead to permanent spiritual success?
The Common Sankashti Chaturthi Puja Method
Most people follow these steps:
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Wake up early and bathe
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Observe a day-long fast
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Install or worship an idol or picture of Lord Ganesha
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Offer flowers, sweets, incense, and lamps
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Recite Ganesh mantras and vrat stories
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Wait for moonrise and offer water to the moon
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Break the fast and consume prasad
These acts create a sense of devotion, discipline, and inner peace. Families gather, prayers are offered, and hearts are filled with hope.
Yet, Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji teaches that true worship is not about external actions but about correct spiritual alignment with God’s instructions.
Why Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji Questions Ritual-Based Worship
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji explains that most religious practices today are:
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Inherited through tradition, not verified through scriptures
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Symbolic, rather than spiritually transformative
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Focused on external acts, rather than inner realization
He emphasizes that rituals alone cannot remove deep-rooted karmic bondage, which is the real cause of suffering in human life.
According to him, fasting, idol worship, and ceremonial acts may bring temporary comfort but cannot provide:
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Permanent peace
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Freedom from repeated birth and death
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Complete destruction of sins
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True union with the Supreme God
Does Scripture Support Today’s Puja Methods?
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji refers to various holy texts to explain that true worship is:
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Not based on rituals
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Not dependent on physical hardship
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Not focused on symbolic offerings
He points out that the Bhagavad Gita states that worship should be performed according to divine command and under the guidance of a true spiritual teacher (Tatvdarshi Saint). Without such guidance, devotion remains incomplete.
He teaches that God does not desire hunger, pain, or ceremonies — God desires obedience to His method of remembrance and devotion, as outlined in sacred texts.
Is Lord Ganesha Worship Wrong?
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji does not disrespect Lord Ganesha or any deity. He explains that all divine beings have roles within creation and deserve respect. However, scriptures clearly distinguish between:
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Supreme God, who grants salvation
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Deities, who manage limited domains within the universe
According to him, worshipping deities may offer limited worldly benefits but cannot grant permanent liberation. Therefore, relying solely on deity worship — including Lord Ganesha worship — cannot lead to ultimate spiritual success.
This does not make such worship “sinful,” but it does make it incomplete when the goal is full salvation and freedom from suffering.
Why Problems Continue Despite Regular Puja and Fasting
Many devotees sincerely ask:
“If I worship regularly and fast faithfully, why do my problems still continue?”
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji explains that:
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Karmic debts from past lives cannot be erased through rituals alone
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Incorrect worship methods cannot produce complete spiritual results
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Emotional devotion without scriptural knowledge lacks transformative power
Thus, suffering may reduce temporarily, but it returns because the root cause — ignorance of true worship — remains untreated.
The Difference Between Faith and True Knowledge
Faith is powerful, but Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji explains:
Faith without correct knowledge is like a traveler walking with confidence but without knowing the destination or route.
True devotion requires:
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Correct understanding of God’s identity
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Scripturally supported worship method
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Guidance of a true spiritual teacher
Without these, worship remains incomplete — sincere, but spiritually limited.
Who Is the Supreme God According to Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji?
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji teaches that the Supreme God is:
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Eternal
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Birthless
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Deathless
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Beyond karma
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Residing in the eternal realm
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Capable of granting complete salvation
He identifies this Supreme God as Kabir Sahib, based on his interpretation of various scriptures, including the Vedas, Gita, Guru Granth Sahib, Bible, and Quran.
According to his teachings, only Supreme God worship can grant permanent liberation, while deity worship gives temporary worldly results.
What Is the Right Path of Worship?
According to Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji, the true path of worship includes:
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Receiving spiritual initiation from a Tatvdarshi Saint
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Chanting correct mantras revealed in scriptures
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Living a moral, disciplined, and compassionate life
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Avoiding violence, intoxication, dishonesty, and immorality
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Maintaining devotion with humility and consistency
This worship does not rely on fasting, idol worship, pilgrimages, or rituals but focuses on inner remembrance and scriptural obedience.
Why True Worship Is Rare Today
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji explains that true worship is rare because:
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Most spiritual leaders teach symbolic rituals
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Scriptural study is limited among devotees
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Commercialization has replaced truth-seeking
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People fear questioning inherited traditions
As a result, generations follow the same practices without knowing whether they truly align with divine instruction.
The Role of a True Spiritual Teacher (Tatvdarshi Saint)
According to Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4 Verse 34, seekers must approach a Tatvdarshi Saint to gain correct spiritual knowledge.
Such a saint:
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Understands all scriptures deeply
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Practices what he teaches
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Reveals the true worship method
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Seeks no fame or wealth
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Guides souls toward liberation
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji claims that without such guidance, spiritual practice remains incomplete and ineffective for salvation.
Can True Worship Change Life Circumstances?
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji teaches that true worship:
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Gradually destroys karmic bondage
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Brings mental peace and clarity
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Improves relationships and emotional stability
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Creates positive life direction
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Leads to ultimate liberation
Followers report improvements in health, finances, family harmony, and mental well-being — but he emphasizes that worldly benefits are secondary, while salvation is primary.
Sankashti Chaturthi: Ritual or Opportunity?
Instead of viewing Sankashti Chaturthi merely as a fasting day, Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji encourages seekers to use it as a moment of spiritual reflection, asking:
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Am I worshipping according to scripture?
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Do I know the identity of the Supreme God?
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Is my devotion bringing lasting peace or temporary comfort?
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Am I walking toward liberation or remaining in the cycle of birth and death?
According to him, festivals should become gateways to truth — not habits without understanding.
Psychological Comfort vs. Spiritual Freedom
Fasting and rituals provide:
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Emotional satisfaction
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Mental discipline
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Temporary inner calm
But Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji distinguishes between:
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Mental comfort, which fades
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Spiritual freedom, which lasts eternally
Only correct worship can deliver both.
Does God Want Us to Suffer Through Fasting?
Many believe physical hardship pleases God. Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji rejects this idea, explaining that:
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God does not desire hunger or pain
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God desires love, obedience, and remembrance
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God wants souls to be free from suffering, not burdened by rituals
True worship does not require self-torture — it requires correct devotion.
Why Worship Must Be Based on Scripture, Not Tradition
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji teaches that tradition changes over time, but divine truth does not. Worship must be:
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Verified through scripture
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Guided by divine command
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Practiced through knowledge, not emotion
Without scriptural foundation, devotion becomes symbolic rather than transformative.
Real-Life Transformations Through True Worship
Followers of Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji share experiences of:
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Recovery from serious illness
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Relief from long-standing family disputes
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Freedom from addictions
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Improvement in financial stability
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Inner peace and confidence
While individual experiences vary, these stories highlight the potential impact of scripturally aligned devotion.
Can One Respect Traditions and Still Seek Truth?
Yes. Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji explains that respect for culture and tradition is valuable, but truth-seeking is higher than habit-following.
One can respect religious customs while still questioning whether they lead to the ultimate goal of human life — salvation.
The Ultimate Goal: Liberation, Not Ritual Perfection
Most people aim to perform rituals perfectly. Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji teaches that the true goal is not ritual perfection, but:
Freedom from birth, death, suffering, and ignorance — and union with the Supreme God.
Without correct worship, rituals become endless cycles without destination.
How to Begin the Right Path of Worship
For sincere seekers, Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji suggests:
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Study holy scriptures deeply
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Seek guidance from a Tatvdarshi Saint
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Verify spiritual teachings logically
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Accept correct mantra initiation
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Live ethically and compassionately
This path does not require abandoning worldly duties but transforming inner awareness and devotion.
Final Reflection: Is the Sankashti Chaturthi Puja Method Wrong?
According to Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji, Sankashti Chaturthi puja is not sinful, but it is incomplete when the goal is permanent peace and salvation. Rituals, fasting, and deity worship may provide temporary comfort but cannot destroy karmic bondage or free the soul from rebirth.
True worship requires:
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Correct knowledge
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Scriptural method
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Guidance of a true saint
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Devotion to the Supreme God
Without these, spiritual effort remains limited — sincere, but not liberating.
Conclusion
Sankashti Chaturthi is a meaningful occasion, but Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji urges seekers to go beyond fasting and rituals and discover the true science of devotion.
Rather than asking:
“Is my puja perfect?”
One should ask:
“Is my worship correct according to God’s instructions?”
The answer to that question, according to Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji, determines not only temporary peace — but eternal destiny.
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