Mahakumbh Exemplifies Unity In Diversity

The Great Kumbh Mela, Mahakumbh 2025, to be held from Jan 13 to Feb 26, will carry an aura of blissfulness. Its celebration will create a force field of spiritual energy that can alter the mental environment of participants and those who fall into the range of its energy field.

Celestial bodies are believed to have a bearing on human affairs and terrestrial events. In the Sanatan tradition, an auspicious time for every important venture is determined by relating planetary movements to life on Earth. The foremost planet that fixes the time of Kumbh is Brihaspati, Jupiter, which is associated with learning and wisdom. Since Brihaspati moves through one zodiac sign in one year, it returns to the same sign after 12 years.

Kumbh Melas are held on the banks of sacred rivers, Ganga in Haridwar, Shipra in Ujjain, Godavari in Nashik, Maharashtra, and Triveni Sangam, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and invisible Saraswati in Prayagraj. These are places where, according to Puranic lore, the divine ambrosia spilt from the celestial Kumbh pitcher, discovered during the churning of the ocean, during a fight between gods and demons for its possession.

Mahakumbh 2025 is being held at Prayagraj after a cycle of 12 kumbhs, 144 years. It has heightened significance in view of its range, scale, and govt facilities that surpass normal kumbhs held once every three years, Ardh Kumbhs held every six years, and Purn Kumbhs held every 12 years at auspicious locations.

Metaphorically, Kumbh typifies the human body that contains the nectar of wisdom. 'All the deities are enshrined in him, as cows in a cow shed,' says Atharvaveda, XI.8.32. So, it must be purified since it is the means to fulfil one's dharma, assigned duties, in life.

Hindus do not regard rivers as just sheets of water but as embodying the primeval element of nature that purifies and vitalises everything. Water is regarded as a cleanser for the body and the mind and is a witness to man's activities. Rigveda, X.98 invokes the blessings of water thus:

'Whatever sin is found in me

Whatever wrong I may have done

If I have lied or falsely sworn

Waters, remove it far from me.'

A holy dip undertaken with faith during an auspicious planetary occurrence, along with mantra-jap, chanting of a holy syllable or prayer, is said to brush off negative energy, exonerate sins, fulfil wishes, and render salvation.

Shuchita, purity, of the mind, intellect and soul, is essential for spiritual growth. While the body is cleansed by water, the mind and intellect by true knowledge and positive thoughts, the soul is uplifted by satsang, true company, bhajan-kirtan, chanting of the Divine Name, seva, selfless service, dhyan, meditation, and darshan, a glimpse of holy men. Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj provides an ideal ambience for antahkarana shuddhi, purification of conscience.

Mahakumbh exemplifies the Vedic ideal of unity in diversity by bringing together proponents of different Sanatan traditions, who showcase their uniqueness, prowess and authenticity through presentations, discourses and debates. It is Parliament of Sanatan Dharma that offers multiple perspectives on religion, culture, and spirituality.

Authored by: Satish K Kapoor