Every month, millions of devotees observe Sankashti Chaturthi with great faith. They fast, pray, visit temples, chant mantras, and worship Lord Ganesha believing that this sacred observance removes obstacles, brings success, and grants peace. The very name “Sankashti” means freedom from troubles, and “Chaturthi” refers to the fourth day of the lunar fortnight.
But an important question remains unanswered in most religious discussions:
Does ritual worship alone truly solve human problems permanently, or does real benefit come from something deeper?
According to Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj, while sincere devotion and rituals offer emotional comfort and temporary relief, they do not provide permanent freedom from suffering. He explains that only Tatvagyan (true spiritual knowledge) — based on authentic scriptures — leads to real peace, liberation, and freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
This article explores:
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The traditional practice of Sankashti Chaturthi
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Why rituals feel beneficial
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Their limitations according to scriptures
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Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj’s explanation of true devotion
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How Tatvagyan provides the real solution to human suffering
What Is Sankashti Chaturthi?
Sankashti Chaturthi is observed every month on the fourth day after the full moon (Krishna Paksha Chaturthi). On this day, devotees:
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Observe a strict fast until moonrise
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Worship Lord Ganesha with flowers, sweets, and prayers
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Chant Ganesh mantras
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Listen to vrat kathas
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Break the fast after seeing the moon
This vrat is especially popular among people facing obstacles in life — financial problems, career struggles, health issues, delayed marriage, or mental stress.
The faith behind it is simple:
“If I worship Ganesh Ji sincerely, my problems will go away.”
While devotion itself is noble, Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj asks a deeper spiritual question:
“Do these rituals remove only temporary difficulties, or do they remove the root cause of suffering?”
Why Do Rituals Like Sankashti Chaturthi Feel Effective?
Many devotees genuinely experience positive changes after observing Sankashti Chaturthi. They feel:
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Hopeful
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Mentally stronger
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Emotionally peaceful
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More disciplined
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Spiritually connected
This happens because:
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Faith improves confidence
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Fasting increases self-control
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Prayer calms the mind
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Community worship creates emotional support
These effects are real and meaningful at the psychological and emotional level. However, Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj explains:
Mental relief is not the same as spiritual liberation.
Temporary peace does not mean permanent freedom from suffering.
The Real Problem of Human Life
Human life is not only about solving daily problems. Even after solving one problem, another appears — illness, financial loss, separation, fear, aging, and ultimately death.
According to Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj, the real problem of human life is:
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Repeated birth and death
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Accumulation of karmic bondage
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Ignorance of the true Supreme God
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Wrong method of worship
Until these root causes are removed, suffering continues in one form or another, regardless of how many rituals or fasts one performs.
What Is Tatvagyan (True Spiritual Knowledge)?
Tatvagyan means true, complete spiritual knowledge — knowledge of:
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Who God truly is
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What is the real purpose of human life
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What is the correct method of worship
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How liberation can be attained
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How the soul can escape the cycle of birth and death
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj teaches that Tatvagyan is not based on:
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Blind belief
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Emotional faith
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Cultural tradition
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Self-created rituals
Instead, it is based on:
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Authentic scriptures
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Logical reasoning
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Consistent spiritual evidence
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Teachings of complete spiritual masters
Without Tatvagyan, devotion remains incomplete.
What Do Scriptures Say About Ritual Worship?
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj explains using holy scriptures that:
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Rituals give limited and temporary results
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Worship of demigods leads to short-term benefits
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Only worship of the Supreme God gives eternal liberation
For example, the Bhagavad Gita explains that:
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Those who worship gods receive temporary results
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Only devotion to the Supreme Being leads to ultimate benefit
This does not disrespect any deity. Instead, it clarifies the spiritual hierarchy and the purpose of different forms of worship.
Lord Ganesha is a respected divine being with important cosmic responsibilities, but:
He is not the Supreme Creator who grants salvation.
Therefore, worship of Ganesh Ji can bring worldly benefits but cannot grant liberation.
Is Sankashti Chaturthi Worship Wrong?
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj does not call ritual worship wrong or sinful. He teaches that:
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Every sincere devotion gives some result
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Faith and prayer are always better than atheism
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Respecting deities is good
However, he explains:
Incomplete knowledge leads to incomplete results.
Just as half medicine cannot cure a serious disease, partial worship cannot cure the soul’s deepest problem — bondage to birth and death.
So Sankashti Chaturthi is not wrong, but:
It is not the complete solution.
Why Fasting Alone Cannot Grant Real Benefit
Fasting disciplines the body and mind, but it does not:
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Destroy karmic bondage
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Remove ignorance
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Grant liberation
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Free the soul from rebirth
Scriptures clearly state that:
Salvation is attained through correct devotion, not physical suffering.
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj emphasizes:
God does not desire hunger; He desires true knowledge and correct worship.
Thus, fasting without Tatvagyan remains spiritually incomplete.
Lord Ganesha’s True Role According to Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj
In popular belief, Lord Ganesha is worshipped first because he is considered the remover of obstacles. Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj explains that:
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Lord Ganesha is a powerful and respected divine being
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He performs important cosmic functions
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He grants certain worldly benefits
However:
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He himself operates under the Supreme God
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He is not the creator of the universe
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He does not grant salvation
Therefore:
Worshipping Ganesh Ji can help with worldly matters, but only worship of the Supreme God grants eternal peace and liberation.
Temporary Relief vs Permanent Solution
Let us understand the difference:
| Ritual Worship | Tatvagyan-Based Worship |
|---|---|
| Emotional comfort | Spiritual liberation |
| Temporary relief | Permanent freedom |
| Tradition-based | Scripture-based |
| External rituals | Internal transformation |
| Limited results | Unlimited benefit |
Sankashti Chaturthi belongs to the first category — emotionally meaningful but spiritually limited.
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj teaches:
True benefit does not come from ritual worship but from correct spiritual knowledge and true devotion.
Why Do Problems Return After Ritual Worship?
Many devotees sincerely ask:
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“Why do difficulties return even after years of fasting?”
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“Why does suffering continue despite devotion?”
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“Why does peace not last?”
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj explains:
Because ritual worship treats the symptoms, not the disease.
The disease is ignorance of the Supreme God and incorrect worship. Until this is corrected, suffering continues in different forms.
What Is the Real Solution According to Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj?
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj teaches that the real solution to human suffering is:
Correct worship of the Supreme God Kabir, as described in all major scriptures, under the guidance of a complete spiritual master.
According to him:
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God Kabir is the eternal Creator
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He alone is immortal, omnipotent, and supreme
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He alone grants salvation and eternal peace
This worship is:
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Simple
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Free from rituals
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Based on true mantras
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Guided by scripture
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Focused on inner transformation
What Is True Bhakti (Devotion)?
True bhakti, according to Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj, consists of:
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Correct Knowledge (Tatvagyan)
Knowing who God truly is and how to worship Him correctly. -
Correct Method of Worship
Worship taught by a complete Guru, not self-made rituals. -
Moral Living
Truthfulness, compassion, humility, non-violence, purity. -
Regular Naam Jaap
Chanting the true name of God as given by a true spiritual master. -
Selfless Service
Helping others without ego or expectation.
Without these, devotion remains incomplete.
Why Tatvagyan Is More Powerful Than Rituals
Rituals change behavior temporarily.
Tatvagyan changes consciousness permanently.
Rituals focus on external acts.
Tatvagyan transforms the inner soul.
Rituals aim at solving worldly problems.
Tatvagyan aims at ending the cycle of birth and death.
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj explains:
True spiritual knowledge removes ignorance, and ignorance is the root cause of all suffering.
When ignorance ends, suffering automatically ends.
Sankashti Chaturthi — A Starting Point, Not the Destination
Sankashti Chaturthi can inspire:
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Faith
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Discipline
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Devotion
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Hope
But Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj explains:
It should be the starting point of spiritual inquiry, not the final destination.
Instead of asking:
“Will this fast solve my problems?”
One should ask:
“What is the correct way to attain permanent peace and salvation?”
The True Meaning of “Obstacle Removal”
Traditionally, obstacles mean:
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Financial problems
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Career issues
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Health troubles
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Family conflicts
But Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj redefines obstacles as:
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Ignorance of God
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Wrong worship
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Karmic bondage
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Fear of death
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Attachment to temporary pleasures
True obstacle removal means:
Freedom from birth, death, disease, and suffering — not just worldly troubles.
What Happens Without Tatvagyan?
Without true spiritual knowledge:
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Souls remain trapped in rebirth
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Suffering continues endlessly
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Peace remains temporary
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Satisfaction remains incomplete
Even heaven (swarg) is temporary according to scriptures. After enjoying heavenly pleasures, the soul must return to Earth.
True liberation lies beyond heaven and hell — in Satlok, the eternal realm of the Supreme God.
What Is Satlok According to Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj?
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj explains that:
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Satlok is the eternal, sorrow-free, disease-free realm
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There is no aging, death, fear, or suffering
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Every soul there remains in permanent bliss
This is the true destination of the soul — not repeated rebirth in this world.
Ritual worship, including Sankashti Chaturthi, cannot grant access to Satlok because:
It lacks Tatvagyan and complete devotion.
Why Has True Knowledge Been Forgotten?
Over time:
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Symbolism replaced meaning
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Ritual replaced knowledge
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Tradition replaced scripture
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Emotion replaced logic
As a result:
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Worship became ritualistic
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God became distant
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Spiritual goals became worldly goals
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj’s mission is to:
Restore original spiritual knowledge based on authentic scriptures.
Do We Need to Reject Tradition?
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj does not ask people to reject culture or festivals. He teaches:
Culture is for social life.
True devotion is for spiritual liberation.
One may:
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Celebrate festivals
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Respect traditions
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Honor deities
But for salvation:
Correct worship of the Supreme God is essential.
Thus, Sankashti Chaturthi may continue as cultural devotion, but it should not be mistaken as the ultimate spiritual path.
Real-Life Transformation Through Tatvagyan
Millions of followers of Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj report:
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Freedom from addictions
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Reduction in anger and stress
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Improved family harmony
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Moral transformation
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Inner peace and purpose
Most importantly:
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They gain clarity about life’s meaning
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They feel spiritual satisfaction
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They experience hope for eternal liberation
These changes come not from fasting but from:
True spiritual knowledge.
Why People Still Feel Unsatisfied After Ritual Worship
Many devotees sincerely confess:
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“I have fasted for years, yet problems return.”
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“I pray daily, yet fear and anxiety remain.”
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“I worship sincerely, yet peace does not last.”
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj explains:
Because ritual worship changes circumstances occasionally, but Tatvagyan changes destiny permanently.
Without Tatvagyan, worship remains incomplete.
The Ultimate Goal of Human Life
According to Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj:
The ultimate goal of human life is not wealth, success, fame, or even heaven — it is liberation from birth and death and eternal residence in Satlok.
Every human birth is precious because:
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Only humans can attain salvation
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Only humans can understand spiritual knowledge
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Only humans can practice true devotion
Wasting this life in incomplete worship is:
A spiritual loss.
How to Begin the Path of True Devotion?
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj advises sincere seekers to:
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Study authentic scriptures deeply
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Understand who the Supreme God truly is
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Seek a complete spiritual master
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Receive true Naam initiation
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Practice disciplined, knowledge-based devotion
This path does not require wealth, rituals, caste, or status — only sincerity and truth-seeking.
Sankashti Chaturthi — Ritual or Reality?
Sankashti Chaturthi is a meaningful tradition. It reflects humanity’s deep desire for divine help and protection. But according to Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj, rituals alone cannot solve life’s deepest problems.
Temporary comfort is not eternal peace.
Emotional relief is not spiritual freedom.
Tradition is not truth unless supported by scripture.
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj invites seekers to move beyond ritual worship and embrace Tatvagyan-based devotion — the only path that leads to permanent peace, liberation, and freedom from suffering.
Conclusion: The Real Benefit Lies in True Knowledge
Sankashti Chaturthi teaches discipline, devotion, and faith. But Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj reveals:
Real benefit does not come from ritual worship — it comes from true spiritual knowledge.
True freedom does not come from fasting, offerings, or ceremonies.
True freedom comes from knowing God, worshipping Him correctly, and living according to divine wisdom.
The real question is not:
“Did my fast remove today’s problem?”
The real question is:
“Is my worship leading me toward eternal freedom or temporary comfort?”
When one seeks Tatvagyan instead of ritual alone, spiritual life begins — and with it begins the journey toward permanent peace and salvation.
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