JKP

The Spiritual Significance of Karwa Chauth

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat
28 October 2026
0 Comments

(Speech delivered by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on the occasion of Karwa Chauth)

The Spiritual Significance of Karwa Chauth and Guru by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat

Karwa Chauth originated in connection with the episode of Satyavan and Savitri, which exemplifies the dharma of a devoted wife. According to the Mahabharata, Savitri’s unwavering devotion and determination moved Yama, the god of death, to restore her husband Satyavan’s life. Her story is celebrated as an enduring example of a wife’s love and devotion to her husband.

Many ladies fast for the welfare of their husbands today. They worship Lord Shiva and his consort, Parvati.  Some are observing this fast for their husband’s long life. 

A husband is one who protects. But how can a worldly husband truly protect you? He cannot even protect himself. He falls ill, grows old, and eventually dies. He is bound by the countless karmas (actions) of his past lives, as well as by trigun, trikarm, tridosh, and panchaklesh (material afflictions), and other forms of material bondage.

It is only our Divine Husband who can free us from these material bondages and truly protect us. And He does! If we pray to Him, He will protect us even more.

Therefore, you should observe upvas (fasting) only for your Supreme Husband. What, then, does fasting mean in this context? Just as you fast for your worldly husband and worship Lord Shankar Ji and Parvati Ji, in the same way, you should observe the fast and worship Lord Shankar Ji for the sake of your Supreme Husband, Lord Shri Krishna.

गोपीानां तत्पतीनां च सर्वेषामेव देहिनाम्।

“Gopīnām tat-patīnām ca sarveṣām eva dehinām.”

Shri Krishna was not only the beloved of the gopis; He was also the beloved of their husbands.

गोविन्दे एव पुरुषो, ब्रह्मादेवि स्त्रिय एव हि।

“Govinde eva puruṣo, Brahmādevi striya eva hi.”

Padma Purana

Only Shri Krishna is the Supreme Purusha, whom we call Paramatma. All souls are feminine in their original nature. Depending on their karma, a soul may receive either a male or a female body, but its original nature remains feminine. Thus, even men are feminine in their essential spiritual nature. 

Women are especially fortunate because their physical form is feminine, just as their soul is feminine. Women find it very easy to worship God.  

A man has to think, “I am a woman, I am beautiful, I am of this age, Shyamsundar is looking towards me, now He is coming towards me, and now He is teasing me.” He has to imagine all these things, whereas for women, this comes naturally.

That is why Ved Vyas said:

“कलिः साधु, स्त्री साधुः।”

“Kali sadhu, istree sadhu.”

Kaliyug is very fortunate, and those who live in Kaliyug are fortunate. Women are especially fortunate.

The essence is that all souls are feminine, and their one and only Beloved is Paramatma. From the perspective of our own spiritual interest, we worship both Hari and Guru. We are devotees of both, and we wish for the welfare of both.

Lord Shankar Ji is regarded as the foremost among the devotees of Shri Krishna. This is stated in the Shrimad Bhagwatam, which describes Lord Shankar Ji as the greatest devotee of Shri Krishna.

We should pray to Lord Shankar Ji that our Supreme Husband, Shri Krishna, may always remain happy. May His infinite life be extended by another ten or twenty years! May He always be smiling and remain playful. Keep these sentiments in your heart as you perform the worship. This should be the principal purpose of celebrating Karwa Chauth.

Therefore, you are celebrating this spiritual Karwa Chauth, and you should celebrate it with this very sentiment.

By Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

A brief introduction of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj*

(Known by His devotees as Shri Maharaj Ji)

The original title of Jagadguruttam (Greatest Spiritual Teacher of the World) was bestowed upon Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on January 14, 1957, by Kashi Vidvat Parishad (a council of 500 greatest scholars saints of India). He composed divine texts like Prem Ras Madira, Prem Ras Siddhant, and Radha Govind Geet to lead us on the right path of devotion. He also gave priceless monuments as gifts to the world which include Bhakti Mandir located in Bhakti Dham, Mangarh, Prem Mandir located in Vrindavan Dham, and Kirti Mandir located in Barsana Dham. Shri Maharaj Ji also built hospitals for the impoverished, the Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Vrindavan, Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Barsana, and another one in Pratapgarh. All three help millions of underprivileged to gain free access to medical care. His Kindergarten, School, and College for impoverished girls Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Education is located in Kunda and provides completely free education. To stay updated with all the news and events of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, visit www.jkp.org.in/jkpwhatsapp.