November 7, 2024
As a consultant specializing in Dhaarmik land, legacy, and estate planning solutions, it is essential to acknowledge the profound cultural and spiritual values that have shaped the traditions of Bihar. One of the most revered and unique spiritual practices of this region is Chhath Puja, a festival that not only holds deep historical roots but also represents the enduring bond between the land, nature, and divine forces. Chhath Puja is a living legacy that ties generations together through rituals, beliefs, and the worship of Surya (the Sun God)and Chhathi Maiya—a divine mother figure associated with fertility, health, and protection. This festival dates back thousands of years, with its roots deeply intertwined with the Vedic era and legends from the Mahabharata
In this blog, we explore how this timeless festival is not only a symbol of Bihar’s agricultural prosperity but also a spiritual practice that has transcended generations, with its roots tracing back to the Mahabharata era, Vedic traditions, and regional myths. This exploration serves as a vital link to understanding the deep connection between the people, the land they live on, and their inherited spiritual practices.
The Vedic Roots of Sun Worship
Sun worship in India has its origins in the Vedic period, making it one of the oldest forms of nature worship in Hindu culture. The Rigveda, one of the oldest sacred texts in the world, contains hymns to Surya, the Sun God, depicting him as the source of life, health, and prosperity. Surya is celebrated for driving away darkness and ignorance and is invoked for physical and mental healing.
The reverence for Surya as a powerful cosmic force laid the foundation for structured sun worship rituals that remain a central part of Chhath Puja. Early Vedic rituals included offerings to Surya at dawn and dusk, meditative practices, and austerities, all of which closely resemble the Chhath Puja rituals observed today in Bihar.
In the Mahabharata era, Yashoda, Krishna’s foster mother, performed a variety of protective rituals that aligned with the spirit of Shashthi Devi’s worship. The Bhagavata Puranarecounts how, after attacks by the demoness Putana and other demonic threats, Yashoda took special measures to ensure Krishna’s safety. These acts were inspired by a mother’s desire to protect her child and invoked the same protective qualities embodied by Shashthi Devi.
Mahabharata Legends and Chhath Puja
The Mahabharata, one of India’s greatest epics, recounts stories of devotion to Surya and his blessings, many of which are said to inspire Chhath Puja practices.
1. Karna: The Devotee of Surya
The most prominent connection between sun worship and the Mahabharata is through Karna, one of the epic’s most remarkable characters. In the Mahabharata, Karna is often referred to as Suryaputra (Son of the Sun), a title reflecting his divine parentage. Karna was born to Kunti through a divine boon from the sage Durvasa, allowing her to invoke any god to bear a child. She invoked Surya, and thus Karna was born with the gifts of divine armor (kavacha) and earrings (kundalas) that protected him in battle.
He is known for his unwavering devotion to Surya and is said to have worshipped the Sun God from a young age, seeking his blessings to become an invincible warrior. His connection to Surya, both as his father and as a deity, is crucial to his identity and power. Every day, he performed rigorous prayers to the Sun God, dedicating his mornings to offering alms and showing unparalleled generosity. This spirit of devotion to Surya is mirrored in Chhath Puja, where devotees immerse themselves in the sun’s energy, offering water and prayers at sunrise and sunset, seeking health, strength, and prosperity.
Given Karna’s devotion to Surya, there are numerous regional myths and legends that depict him as a symbol of Sun worship. In certain parts of India, particularly in Anga Desh (modern Bihar), which is traditionally believed to be Karna’s kingdom, there are local shrines and temples dedicated to Surya, like Deo Sun Temple, and Surya Mandir @ Gaya . Nine out of the twelve ancient Sun temples of India are located in the state. These are the Devark temple and Umgark temple in Aurangabad, Balark temple and Ongark temple in Nalanda, Awalarktemple and Punyark temple in the countryside of Patna, Handark temple in Nawada and Tandwark temple and Dakshinark temple in Gaya. These places have become important pilgrimage sites for those who worship Surya and seek his blessings for health, prosperity, and vitality.
2. Draupadi and the Pandavas: The Quest for Divine Sustenance
Another connection to the origins of Chhath Puja is found in the story of Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas. During their exile in the forest, the Pandavas faced hardship and scarcity of food. Draupadi, a devoted wife and spiritual woman, prayed to Surya for help. Surya blessed her with the Akshaya Patra, a vessel that provided an endless supply of food each day until Draupadi herself had eaten.
Draupadi’s devotion to Surya symbolizes the idea of relying on divine blessings during times of adversity, a theme central to Chhath Puja. Today, devotees perform Chhath Puja with faith that Surya will protect, nurture, and provide for them in the same way he supported Draupadiand the Pandavas.
One of the most significant festivals associated with Kartikeya is Skanda Shasti, which is still widely celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and other southern states. Interestingly this coincides with Chaath Vrata. In ancient Bihar, similar festivals would have likely been celebrated in honor of Kartikeya, particularly in rural and forested areas where folk traditions and nature worship played an important role.
Chhathi Maiya and Local Beliefs
Chhath Puja also honors Chhathi Maiya, a goddess associated with children, health, and protection. While the worship of Surya finds its roots in the Vedic tradition, Chhathi Maiya is a local goddess revered in Bihar and neighboring regions. In the festival, Chhathi Maiya is invoked as a protective mother figure, adding a nurturing dimension to the rituals. She is believed to be a form of Shashthi Devi, a goddess associated with fertility and child protection in Hindu mythology.
The rituals performed by Yashoda for Krishna embody the protective spirit of Shashthi Devi. While Shashthi Devi is not mentioned explicitly by name in the Mahabharata or BhagavataPurana, the essence of her worship can be seen in these ancient practices. The attack on Krishna by Pootna is believed to have happened when he was barely 6 days old. Yashoda’srituals reflect a maternal instinct shared by countless women who rely on Shashthi Devi’s divine protection to keep their children safe. In the absence of formalized rites, these acts of devotion became a way for mothers to seek Shashthi Devi’s blessings in the Mahabharata era, a practice that has endured across centuries.
By invoking Chhathi Maiya alongside Surya, Chhath Puja becomes more than sun worship; it represents the union of cosmic and nurturing forces. This dual worship of Surya and ChhathiMaiya embodies the holistic balance of nature’s power and maternal care.
The Rituals of Chhath Puja: A Connection to Ancient Practices
Chhath Puja is marked by rigorous discipline and adherence to ritual purity, similar to the dedication shown by Karna and Draupadi in their worship of Surya. The festival spans four days, involving fasting, standing in water to honor Surya, and offering prayers and water (arghya) to the rising and setting sun.
Each aspect of the Chhath Puja rituals connects back to ancient practices:
• Purity and Fasting: Devotees observe strict purity and fast for days, reflecting the intense austerities associated with Vedic sacrifices and the devotion of Karna and Draupadi.
• Arghya Offerings: Offering water to Surya at sunrise and sunset symbolizes gratitude and surrender, drawing from Vedic rituals of giving arghya, or water offerings, to deities.
• Sunset and Sunrise Prayers: Worshipping at dawn and dusk aligns with ancient belief in these times as powerful spiritual moments when the sun’s energy can be harnessed for renewal and healing.
In modern estate planning, observing the principles of purity and self-discipline in ChhathPuja can serve as a metaphor for the moral and spiritual discipline that should guide the management and transfer of wealth, land, and legacy. By incorporating these values into one’s Dhaarmik estate plans, individuals ensure that their family’s future is protected by both divine and earthly laws.
Surya Worship in Ancient Bihar and the Development of Chhath Puja
Bihar, with its fertile plains and agrarian lifestyle, has long held the sun in special regard. In an agricultural society, the sun’s role is paramount, and Chhath Puja likely evolved as a way to honor Surya’s importance to the farming cycle, timing it after the Kharif harvest in October-November. This timing reflects both a thanksgiving for the harvest and a plea for continued prosperity.
Over centuries, sun worship in Bihar took on the distinct cultural form of Chhath Puja, blending Vedic rituals, local folklore, and the influence of the Mahabharata’s legends. The festival has grown beyond a mere agricultural ritual to symbolize resilience, purity, and unwavering faith in divine blessings.
As part of an estate planning strategy, investing in or preserving land near these sacred places ensures that the divine energy associated with Surya and Chhathi Maiya is passed down as a living legacy, which connects the family to both the earth and the divine.
Conclusion: Chhath Puja’s Timeless Connection to Ancient India
Chhath Puja remains a cherished and powerful tradition, with roots that stretch back to the Vedic and Mahabharata eras. From Karna’s devotion to Surya, Draupadi’s prayers for sustenance, to the nurturing blessings of Chhathi Maiya, Chhath Puja embodies ancient values of gratitude, endurance, and faith.
For millions today, Chhath Puja is more than a festival; it is a testament to their heritage, a link to the divine, and a celebration of life’s essential forces. The enduring power of ChhathPuja lies in its ability to connect worshippers across millennia, tying modern devotees back to the ancient tales, values, and beliefs that define India’s spiritual landscape.
Incorporating these sacred traditions into Dhaarmik land and estate planning offers a unique opportunity to preserve not only physical wealth but also the spiritual legacy of one’s family. By honoring these ancient rituals and values, we ensure that the divine blessings of Surya and Chhathi Maiya continue to protect, nurture, and prosper future generations.
BhooVaanijyak Ashank
BhooVaanijyak Ashank, a consultant, on Land, Legacy & Estate Planning Solutions, for residents and visitors of NCR, is an avid pilgrim, and frequently runs his private DhaarmikReal Estate Tours. To stay connected visit BhooVanaiyak.in or reachout at Namaskar@Bhoovaanijyak.in or Visit our website –
https://bhoovaanijyak.in/
