Veer Teja

Veer Teja Ji, or Tejaji, is a Rajasthani folk deity. He is considered to be the eleventh incarnation of Shiva and worshipped as a deity in all of Rajasthan (rural and urban).[1] Veer Teja was born around 29 January 1074, in Kharnal, Rajasthan, India. His parents, Ram Kunwari (mother) and Tahar Dev (father), were Jats.[2] In India, Veer Tejaji, due to his sacrifice, is known as the God of Snakes.[3]

Veer Teja
Snake biting Teja Ji on tongue
AffiliationDeva, Avatar of Shiva
Weaponspear
GenderMale
Personal information
Born1074
Kharnal, Nagaur (Rajasthan, India)
Died1103
Parents
  • Tahar Dev (father)
  • Ram Kunwari (mother)
SiblingsRajal
SpousePemal

History

Tejaji was born around January 29, 1074, in Kharnalia village of Nagaur district in the Nagvanshi Kshatriya Jat family.[4] At the age of just 9 months after birth, Tejaji got married to 6-month-old Pemal in Pushkar, Ajmer. Tejaji was known for his unwavering commitment to truth and his dedication to social service, animal welfare, and women's protection. His life's purpose was driven by these principles. One day, when Tejaji went to his in-laws' house riding the mare 'Leelan' to pick up his wife Pemal, he learned that bandits were threatening the cows of Lachha Gurjari. He fearlessly confronted them to safeguard the animals.[4][5]

While Tejaji was going to confront the bandits, he rescued a snake engulfed in flames,but the snake became angry at him and wanted to bite Tejaji because the snake was separated from his mate, and that's why snake was engulfed in flames. Undeterred, Tejaji spoke calmly to the snake, explaining his mission to protect the cows. He made a promise to the snake that it could bite him upon his return.[6]

Tejaji valiantly defended the cows, but he sustained injuries in the process. When he approached the snake to honor his promise, it hesitated upon seeing his wounds. Yet, to uphold his commitment, Tejaji extended his tongue and declared that it was unwounded. Moved by Tejaji's sacrifice and determination, the snake reluctantly bit his tongue, and Tejaji died on August 28, 1103 (Bhadrapada Shukla) in Sursura, near Kishangarh. His wife, Pemal, also sacrificed her life for him. Seeing Tejaji's commitment, the snake gave him a boon. Since then, due to the boon, Tejaji has been worshiped as the god of snakes.[2][7]

Commemoration

In September 2011, India Post released a commemorative stamp depicting Tejaji.[8]

A Rajasthani language movie titled Veer Tejaji, based on the life of Tejaji was made in the 1982.[9]

Every year there is a tradition of celebrating Teja Dashmi festival on the tenth day of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month.[10][11]

Further reading
  • Madan Meena: Tejaji Gatha (Hadoti & Hindi), Kota Heritage Society, Kota, 2012 ISBN 978-81-8465-686-2 (Published under the World Oral Literature Project, University of Cambridge, UK)

See also
  • Tejaji Temple at Kharnal, Nagaur - place where Tejaji was born
  • Tejaji temple at Paner, Ajmer - place where Tejaji was married
  • Tejaji Samadhi sthal Temple, Sursura - place where Tejaji attained Nirvana

References
  1. ANI (16 September 2016). "Rajasthan celebrates unique snake festival to bring good fortune". India.com. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  2. "Veer Tejaji Maharaj : जाट देवता के इस मंदिर में गले में सांप लटकाकर आते हैं पुजारी, मानते हैं कलयुग का चमत्कार". Zee News (in Hindi). Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  3. "In India, getting bitten by a snake seen as good luck". Reuters. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  4. अजमेर, सुमित सारस्वत (4 September 2022). "सांप को दिया वचन निभाया, अब लोक देवता के रूप में होती है इस गौ रक्षक की पूजा". www.abplive.com (in Hindi). Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  5. "कौन है वीर तेजाजी, जिनके नाम से बोर्ड का गठन करने जा रही राजस्थान सरकार". Navbharat Times (in Hindi). Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  6. "Veer Tejaji – A Great Warrior and Folk Deity, who sacrificed his life for Cow protection !!". Trunicle. 19 February 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  7. "राजस्थान के इस जिले में लगता है तेजा मेला, जानें वीर तेजाजी का पूरा इतिहास | Teja Dashmi 2018- Veer Tejaji History in Hindi". Patrika News (in Hindi). 15 September 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  8. Rajasthan Voice: Thursday, September 8, 2011, Special postage stamp released on Folk deity Veer Teja
  9. Veer Tejaji (1982) ⭐ 8.2 | Drama, retrieved 25 September 2023
  10. Webdunia. "16 सितंबर, गुरुवार को तेजा दशमी, क्यों और कैसे मनाई जाती है, जानिए लोक कथा". hindi.webdunia.com (in Hindi). Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  11. "Veer Teja Dashmi : तेजाजी को मिला था सर्पों के देवता बनने का वरदान, एक वचन के लिए दिया था बलिदान". ETV Bharat News (in Hindi). Retrieved 25 September 2023.


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