Karni Mata Katha – Chapter 6: The Tale of the Rats

The Tale of the Rats

After Karni Mata's connection with the Rathores was established, her glory began to spread everywhere. People were amazed by her miracles and were eager to receive her blessings. In this chapter, we will learn how the rats are considered so sacred in Karni Mata's temple in Deshnok and what the secret behind it is. This tale is connected to the rebirth of Lakshman, which is extremely important for the devotees of Karni Mata.

The Rebirth of Lakshman

Once, Karni Mata adopted her foster son, Poonja Ji. Poonja Ji was a brave and courageous young man. One day, Poonja Ji's younger brother, Lakshman, drowned in a pond and died. Grief spread throughout the family. Karni Mata's heart was filled with sorrow. She loved that child dearly. The grieving family members fell at the feet of the Mother and began to pray.

Karni Mata said in a calm voice, "Do not cry. Lakshman is not dead. He will stay with me now." Everyone was surprised to hear her words. She further said, "Lakshman will be reborn, and he will reside in my temple as a rat. And not just Lakshman, all my Charan descendants will be born as rats in my temple after death."

The Sacred Place of the Rats

As per Karni Mata's word, rats began to reside in the temple in Deshnok. These were not ordinary rats; they were called 'Kaba' and were considered the rebirths of Karni Mata's descendants. Thousands of Kaba roam in the temple, and devotees consider them sacred. They are fed milk, sweets, and grains. The Kaba roam freely in the temple without any fear, and devotees believe that if a Kaba touches their foot, it is an auspicious sign.

Killing or harming the Kaba in the temple is considered a sin. People ensure that they do not accidentally crush any Kaba. It is a result of Karni Mata's grace that rats have received so much respect and sanctity. Devotees believe that their ancestors reside in these rats, and serving them is, in fact, honoring their ancestors.

The Importance of Kaba

The importance of Kaba in Karni Mata's temple is incomparable. It is not just a tradition but also a deep spiritual belief. People come from far and wide to have the darshan of these rats. They believe that Kaba bring happiness, prosperity, and peace into their lives. Karni Mata explained to her devotees that death is not the end of life but a new beginning. She also proved that the divine resides in every creature, and we should respect all beings. With this mysterious and inspiring event, we will now move towards the story of Karni Mata's farewell, where the final stage of her life arrives, and she leaves her devotees forever. The next chapter will tell the poignant story of her farewell.