Veer Tejaji (29 January 1074 - 28 August 1103)[1] also known as Tejaji Maharaj, or simply Tejaji, was a great warrior, social reformer, cow protector and folk-deity in Rajasthan. In rural parts of northern Rajasthan, he is revered as a deity and is considered to be one of Lord Shiva's eleven primary incarnations.[2][3] He is mainly worshipped in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat.[4] He is commonly known as the God of Snakes in Rajasthan, because it protect against snake bites or also worshipped as Dhauliya Veer.[5][6]
Early life
Veer Tejaji was born on 29 January 1074, in the family of Tahar Dev, a Dhauliya Jat, chieftain in Kharnal, Nagaur and Ram Kunwari in Kharnal village of Nagaur district in Rajasthan.[7]
As per the historians, it is believed that Ram Kunwari, Tejaji mother, got a boon from Nagaraja and gave birth to a baby named, Teja Ji. His parents were worshippers of Lord Shiva.[8]
Story
Halsotia: The Sacred Duty
In the rural heartland of Rajasthan, tradition dictated that the chieftain Tejaji, must initiate the plowing of fields after the first monsoon rains in the month of Jyestha. This ritual, known as “halsotia,” held immense significance. Tejaji embraced this duty with unwavering determination, ready to turn the soil and honor age-old customs.[1]
Bhabhi’s Taunts and the Quest for Pemal
Tejaji’s mother urged him to perform the ploughing, known as Halsotia, because his father and brother were out of village due to some work. So,Tejaji started ploughing his fields and his sister-in-law was responsible for bringing him food in fields during ploughing (locally known as “Chhak”), one day she arrived late. Frustrated, Tejaji’s anger flared when she taunted him about his wife’s absence- Pemal (Tejaji wife) was still at her father’s home. Determined to rectify this perceived shame, Tejaji resolved to retrieve his wife from her in-laws’ abode. Before bringing Pemal back, Tejaji faced another task: reuniting with his sister, Rajal. Pemal had requested that Rajal be there to welcome her.[1]
War with Meenas
When Tejaji was on his way to bring his sister, Rajal back he encountered some meena dacaits. In fight Tejaji emerged victory and proceeded to Tabiji, Ajmer, securing permission from his sister’s husband, to bring Rajal back to Kharnal.
Journey to Paner
When Tejaji arrived at his in-laws house, he found his mother-in-law was busy in milking cows. His entry on his leelan mare startled the animals, disrupting their peaceful routine. Unfortunately, his mother-in-law failed to recognize him because Tejaji was married to Pemal when he was only nine months old. Tejaji's mother-in-law gave Tejaji a curse that he would be bitten by a black snake for disturbing her cows.[1]
Tejaji’s anger flared, and he decided to return to Kharnal without Pemal. However, Pemal was upset by her mother's reaction and requested that her father and brother stop Tejaji. Lachha Gujari, Pemal’s brother, stepped forward and shared the story of Pemal’s suffering to Tejaji. Then Tejaji stayed at Lachha’s Gujari house, where he met Pemal for the first time.[9]
Lachha Cows Incident
When Tejaji and Pemal are talking to each other at Lachha House, a knock is echoed by Lachha Gujari. Lachha urgently informed Tejaji that the Meenas from Chang had stolen all her cows and requested help from Tejaji. Without hesitation, Tejaji mounted his Leelan and rode off alone to confront the dacoits who had taken Lachha's cows.[10]
When Tejaji was on his way to confront the dacaits, Basak Naag, a snake, was burning in the fire, and Tejaji saved him from burning. That snake cursed and wanted to bite him. Tejaji assured that he would come back after taking Lachha cows back.
After that, Tejaji fought with the Meenas in the valley of Chang, about 15 km from Sursura. He killed all 350 Meenas in the fight and got back the cows of Lachha Gujari.[11]
Death of Teja Ji
Tejaji, after returning cows to Lachha, produced himself before Basak Naga, the snake, and asked the snake to bite his body. Basak Naga did not find any unwounded places on Tejaji's body, and then Tejaji asked him to bite on his tongue. Basak Naga gave a boon to Tejaji that he will be a deity of Kalyug and will be worshipped. That’s why Tejaji is also called a man of words. Tejaji died on Bhadrapada Shukla Dashmi Saturday, V.S. 1160, or 28 August 1103 at the age of 29. The date of the martyrdom of Tejaji is celebrated as Teja Dashmi.[11][9][12]
Tejaji is also known as God of Snakes, because of this when anyone gets bitten by snake, then there are rituals to visit Tejaji temple and seek blessings from Tejaji.[3] Apart from being called as God of Snakes, Tejaji was also a great protector of cows.[13]
Commemoration
In Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, Teja Dashami is celebrated on the Dashami Tithi (tenth day), Shukla Paksha (bright phase of the Moon) in the month of Bhadrapada. The festival commemorates the greatness of Teja Ji Maharaj, and the sacrifice he made to honour his words. Today, on Teja Dashami, know more about Teja Ji Maharaj, who is worshipped by his devotees and hailed as a nobleman. He is believed to be eleventh incarnation of Lord Shiva.[14]
In September 2011, India Post released a commemorative stamp depicting Tejaji.[15]
Rajasthan Government has constituted Rajasthan State Veer Tejaji Welfare Board for farmers. The board will have seven members including the chairman and vice-chairman. According to the officials, the board will aim to take stock of the condition of the farmers’ society and suggest measures to remove the backwardness of the farmers.[16]
A Rajasthani language movie titled Veer Tejaji, based on the life of Tejaji was made in the 1980s.
In November 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Tejaji Temple in Kharnal village, Nagaur, Rajasthan.[17]
Personal life
Tejaji married Pemal, daughter of Raimal, chieftain of Paner village in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan. He was just nine months old at the time of marriage, while Pemal was six months old, and they got married at Pushkar Ghat on Pushkar Purnima in 1074. His wife, Pemal, and his sister, Rajal, practiced sati pratha when Tejaji sacrificed his life for cows.[18]
Gallery
This section includes pictures of some temples dedicated to Veer Tejaji.
Teja Dham at his death place in Sursura, Ajmer
Tejaji temple at Palot village
Tejaji parents, Tahar Dev and Ram Kunwari Devi
See also
References
Further reading
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