Bathing in Spirituality

The world is talking about the Mahakumbh, the largest, peaceful, religious congregation of humanity ever.

The Dev-Asura Sangram (battle between the Devas and asuras) had led to the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean). Lord Vishnu, in the form of a tortoise (Kurma Avatar), sat at the pivotal-base of the Mandhrachal mountain in the ocean, and bore the brunt of its drilling movement. The VasukiNag was used as a rope to twirl the mountain. From the Samudra, emerged a pot of Halahal (poison), jewels, precious stones, the Aairavat elephant, Kamdhenu cow, Amrit (elixir of immortality) etc. Lord Dhanvantri emerged carrying a Kumbh (pitcher) of Amrit. The Devas didn’t want the asuras to consume it, lest they become immortal. Vishnuji, in the form of Mohini Avatar whisked it away, spilling four drops of Amrit, on the Earth.

The Devas won the Dev-Asur Sangram. To commemorate their victory, we have the Kumbhmela at either of the four places where Amrit was spilled: Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj- the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, Haridwar at River Ganga, Nasik TriAmbakeshwar at River Godavari and Ujjain at River Shipra.

Vishnuji ran for 12 days, with the Amrit Kumbha. One day of the Devas equals 1 year on Earth. The planetary position prevailing at the Samudra Manthan, repeats every twelve years; hence the Kumbhmela every 12 years! So Poornakumbha is observed every twelve years and Ardh Kumbha, every six years. Jupiter takes 12 years to revolve around the Sun. The Mahakumbha happens after 144 years, when Jupiter completes 12 revolutions.

Sadhus, Aghoris and holy men, congregate in large numbers at the Kumbhmela. Devotees believe that bathing at the Kumbh, washes away sins, cleanses the mind, accrues good karma, leading to salvation. There’s no politics, nor conversions here … just gratitude and reverence for the entire universe and all things therein! They say that one can go to Kumbh, only with Mahadev’s grace.

The churning of the ocean, caused great turmoil on the Earth, before the valuables emerged. The sheer force used to rotate the massive Mandharachal mountain, caused huge tremors, earthquakes, landslides and floods.

It’s time for us to churn our minds; annihilate asuric tendencies and promote daivic tendencies. Humankind’s collective minds need to churn, for a better future for mankind.

We had a blessed spiritual bath at Prayagraj. Driving from Prayagraj airport to Triveni Sangam, was like wriggling through a sea of humanity. Over 63 crores people visited the Mahakumbh. While at the Triveni Sangam, I was overwhelmed, realising that this is where our ancestors too, prayed for salvation. This practice is Sanatana (eternal)!

A spiritual tapestry enveloped the land, air, water and skies. Divinity was palpable all around. The atmosphere was deeply mystical. The air was pure (AQI 48). Everyone looked peaceful and content. A spiritual dip in the Sangam is a symbolic washing away of desires, ego and bad karma. The holy water becomes a conduit to receive divine grace and prepare for an elevated form of existence. Your spirit of surrender, piety and purity, makes the experience magical.

For those who couldn’t make it to Prayagraj, I’m sharing Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s discourse about Mirabai, “ … She then started singing a song telling the mind to go to Prayag, the place where the rivers Ganga and Yamuna meet (Chalo Re Man Ganga Yamuna Teer). She did not mean the geographical location. She meant the place where the two rivers merge in her, between the two eyebrows. The nerve ‘Ida’ is Ganga and the nerve ‘Pingala’ is Yamuna. The nerve between these two is ‘Sushumna’, which is Prayag. She fixed her mind on the place between the two eyebrows. Her mind remained steadfast at that place and that very moment she merged in Krishna. Meera gained such a pure position only because of ardent faith and chanting of God’s name.”

Take a dip in your own Prayagraj!

This piece has been published in Daily world 28.02.2025 and can be viewed here https://epaper.dailyworld.in/Details.aspx?id=159247&boxid=77906&uid=&dat=2025-02-28

Do share feedback :)