Kumbha Mela Festival of the Nectar of Immortality

Kumbha Mela is one of the most ancient, yet still living, festivals of Hindu tradition. The significance of Kumbha Mela dates back far into history; even in the Vedas it is described a tradition that is already well established. The popularity of Kumbha Mela has only increased over the millennia. Its occurrence is marked by gatherings of millions at one of four holy places, depending on the year. Kumbha Mela is a famous and significant symbol of our proud Hindu heritage.

The meaning of "Kumbha Mela"

Kumbha literally means a pitcher. The reference is to the pot filled with the nectar of immortality that emerged after the gods and demons churned the milky ocean. However, the symbolism inherent when we speak of "Kumbha Mela" far transcends the literal translation. A Kumbho Mela indicates the beginning of an auspicious and holy event. A full-Kumbha, occurring every 12 years, also signifies knowledge, happiness and bliss. Our scriptures say:

The above Sanskrit slokas tell us that the trinity of gods - Brahma ( Creator), Vishnu (the sustainer) and Shiva (the destroyer) - plus all Goddesses, Mother Earth with her seven islands, and all knowledge in form of Rig-Veda, Yajur-Veda, Sama-Veda and Atharva-Veda exist in the Kumbha. Thus Kumbha is the symbol of all that is, and all that exists. Kumbha Mela is a celebration, a festival of the glory of Kumbha.

The Mythological Background of "Kumbha Mela"

The origin of Kumbha Mela is believed to lie in a mythological event in which the gods and demons churned the ocean in search of the nectar of immortality.

The fight between good and evil has existed from time immemorial. According to the legend, the demons were always fighting with their brothers, the gods. However, the gods did not want to fight; they remained peaceful and calm. This did not deter the demons from killing them, though. Hence, the forces of good were falling to the forces of evil. One day, the devas went to Lord Brahma and said, " We are losing so many of our brothers and sisters in the never-ending war with the demons. If this continues, none of us will be left. Please help us." Lord Brahma told them to go to Lord Vishnu.

Lord Vishnu listened to their story and sympathetically respond- ed, 'If you chum the great milky ocean, you will find a gold pot of nectar. The drinker of the nectar will be blessed with the boon of immortality. How- ever, you are not strong enough to chum the ocean yourselves. You must attain the help your brothers, the demons." The gods were in great dis- tress. "But, Lord Vishnu," they said. "If the demons know that the re- ward of churning will be immortality, they will take the nectar all for them- selves. Then we will be in even more trouble. Alternatively, if we hide from them the reason, they will never agree to help us. "

Lord Vishnu assuaged them and told them to simply go and request help from the demons. So, the gods left the abode of Lord Vishnu and successfully convinced their brothers to help with the task. The churning of the great milky ocean by the gods and the demons became a momentous event. The rope required for churning was offered by the snake Vasuki, and Lord Vishnu, Himself, became a huge turtle, on whose back they could easily churn.

So, the fantastic churning began with the hope of nectar filling the minds of the gods. However, after a great deal of effort, what emerged was not nectar, but poison!! The gods and demons knew that in order to continue churning, they could not simply toss the poison aside. Someone had to drink it. So, a conflict began. Who would drink the poison and thereby allow the historic churning to continue? No one would agree to sacrifice himself, until Lord Shiva came forward and said, "I will drink the poison if it will preserve peace and enable my brothers and sisters to attain the nectar of immortality. " The sacrifice Lord Shiva made an example of why He is Maha Deva and all the other gods are simply devas: this selflessness and dedication to the welfare others.

At lost, out of the murky water emerged fourteen precious jewels, eluding Goddess Laxmi and Kalpa-Taru (the wish fulfilling tree), along with many other treasures. At the end, Lord Vishnu, himself, appeared, holding the precious Kumbha in his hands.

However, Indra - the King of the gods - knew that the demons were planning to abscond with the treasure of immortality. So, he immediately signaled to his son, Jayant, who leapt forward, grabbed the pot of nectar and quickly ran away. The demons, however, were stronger and quicker than Jayant and they pursued him relentlessly. lndra Light aid from Jupiter (Guru), Surya (the sun), the moon and Saturn protect his son and preserve the Kumbha. The long chase lasted twelve days, which was the equivalent of 12 years on Earth. During this chase - which traversed the realms of the Earth, the heavens and the moons - Jayant rested only four times. While he rested, he placed the Kumbha on the ground and a few drops of holy nectar spilled onto the Earth in each place. These four places have now become the four centers of pilgrimage for the Kumbha Mela.

The Beginning of "Kumbha Mela"

Indian festivals are not only filled with gaiety and joy, but they invariably have solid scientific and historical foundations, which lead to the utmost physical rejuvenation, psychological healing and spiritual upliftment.

It is according to scientific methods that the place and date of each Kumbha Mela is determined. For example, whenever the planet Jupiter enters the astrological sign, Kumbha at the same time that the Sun and the Moon are in Mesha, the result is an incredible positive charge in the atmosphere of Haridwar. This positive charge affects the water, the air and the entire atmosphere, such that simply being at that special place, and taking a bath in the Ganges, is very conducive to spiritual growth, and physical and emotional well-being.

The Kumbho Mela is not simply a theoretical ritual, followed blindly. Rather, it is a scientific, historical and thoughtful tradition of the Hindu culture.

Why is This Festival called "Kumbha Mela"?

Kumbha Mela stands for the source of divine beauty and knowledge. Since time immemorial, the Indian and Hindu cultures have been cancerned about the welfare of the entire planet. Even in the mythology, the Kumbha Mela meant distribution - not hoarding of the nectar.

However, while "Kumbha" refers to an overflowing pot, it also refers to a body filled with knowledge. So,the nectar of the Kumbha Mela also manifests in the form of knowledge, which liberates us while we are still living. The nectar - or knowledge of divinity - lies within this Kumbha (of our body); it must only be churned to the surface. So, it is due to the faith of the people and the thoughtfulness of our seers, that this holy occasion is named "Kumbhu Mela".

Why and How Kumbha Mela Became a National Event

In order to unite the entire nation of India, a festival must appeal to two distinct strata of society: the intellectual, educated class and the average, less educated and more superstitious class. Religious faith is the basis of unity in spiritually inclined people. Spiritual people seek those things which will help them progress further toward the Ultimate goal. Our sages understood this, and thus the mythological stories appeal to the hearts of the masses, and the philosophical message and scientific basis appeal to the educated mind.

Rishis and sages have always shouldered the responsibility of the social, moral and spiritual upliftment of the country; they dealt with problems of invasions, corruption, lethargy and selfishness. The nectar - which manifests in the form of satsang, knowledge, love and grace - is distributed to all, without any discrimination. The great assemblages of sanyasins, yogis, sages and saints reassure and uplift the nation; hence great masses of people rush to the sacred places at e time of Kumbha Mela. Mahatma Gandhi, in his autobiography, writes,"and then Kumbha Mela arrived. It was a great moment for me. I have never tried to seek holiness or divinity as a pilgrim, but seventeen lakhs of people cannot be hypocrites."

Even today, Kumbha Melct requires no advertising. Indian calendars simply note the time and place of the next Kumbha Mela and millions of people flock there with unshakable faith and devotion. It as if they are responding to a cordial, personal and urgent invitation to attend this function. It is a true miracle of God! One can not even begin to imagine the challenge of organizing such a function and yet it just happens by the grace of the words "Kumbha Mela".

The Significance of Kumbha Mela in Today's World

Scientific and technological advances have put a man on the moon rid a camera on Mars, but they have failed to bring humanity together on Earth. Each year man becomes more and more alienated and he is held more and more as a prisoner unto himself. Kumbha Mela allows people to come out of this mechanistic and materialist life and develop a bond of love with others without any discrimination according to caste, creed or color. Thus, an important aspect of Kumbho Mela is the incredible unity amidst diversity that occurs at these sacred occasions.

Another important element is the distribution of nectar in the form of real knowledge. In life, the ability to discriminate between right and wrong and the strength to follow the path of true Dhorma, require only a little more awareness and unfaltering faith. Kumbha Mela could once again live up to its historical and spiritual significance if - during these great festivals - the higher, educated class would come together to enlighten the masses.

Kumbha Mela in a New Light: The Message for Today

Every nation has its own personality, unique unto itself. Bharat Mota is inherently spiritual by Her nature, and the entire world has long since turned to India for spiritual guidance. However, India has even more to offer the world. Our culture is not only spiritually advanced, but our scriptures have long since taught the messages that are urgent for today's world. For example, India is the only land where rivers, mountains, trees and animals are not only respected, but also worshipped.

In today's age of environmental awareness and ecological conservation, everyone knows that mountains, rivers, and trees are great natural resources which must be preserved, conserved and used wisely. We have seen the devastating consequences of deforestation, over-industrialization and the pollution of our water sources. No one can be blamed for this travesty other than ourselves. Yet, it is Hindu culture that has preached reverence for nature since its inception so many thousands of years ago.

Rivers, especially Ganga, are truly our "mothers." Farming is a primary occupation in India; thus, irrigation is of utmost importance. Ganga and other rivers irrigate not only our farms but also our hearts, minds and souls. However, today, the reverence seems to have become ritualized. People will travel thousands of miles to pay homage to Mother Ganga and to do Aarti on Her banks. However, they will later toss their garbage into the same river!! It is to our sacred rivers that pilgrims flock for the Kumbha Mela; yet we must remember that these rivers and mountains are sacred and treat them as such. The message of the Kumbha Mela of present times must include a renewed care for the land we call "Mother."

Additionally, when we travel to the holy places to wash away our sins, we must remain conscious of what we are doing. At the some time that the Western World is turning more and more to vegetarian- ism, ecological conservation, and spiritual awareness, Indian society seems to be shunning these values, which are so deeply embedded in our heritage. We seem more and more content to ritualistically dip in the water or offer flowers, and less inclined to truly attempt to wash away our sins. So, when we travel to the next Kumbha Mela, or to any holy river for pilgrimage, let us release our vices, our addictions and our sins into the river instead of our garbage. Bathing in these holy waters washes away the sins of our past lives and our acquired karma. However, new sins committed through unscrupulous behavior become like the thickest dirt, which can never be washed.

The nectar that Kumbha Mela must disseminate todya is a renewed reespect for our Earth and her animals, a re-dedication to the laws of our scriptures, and a re-kindled fire of spiritual yearning in our souls. This year, as we celebrate Kumbha Mela just as our ancestors did, we should remember the way in which they lived and the values to which they held. If Kumbha Mela can re-unite us with our sacred roots and with the messages of our scriptures, then it will veritably be giving us the "nectar of immortality." Then, and only then, will we attain true peace and liberation.