Kumbh Mahakumbh

Author: Ed. Ratna lahiri

Publisher: Shubhi, Rs 995

This is not an ordinary book. The essays are, in fact, a profound synthesis of ancient thoughts which are carried out even today, writes Mandira Ghosh

Simhasth Kumbh Mahaparv was celebrated and rejoiced in the holy city of Ujjain, on the banks of river Kshipra, in the Indian State of Madhya Pradesh. It was completed yesterday (May 21). The Kumbh Mela is one the largest spiritual gatherings in the world. The Simhasth Kumbh Mahaparv is based on the celestial line up of the planets and the signs of Zodiac which occurs in every 12 years. All Hindu devotees wait to celebrate it.

Why such euphoria about the Kumbh and Mahakumbh MelasIJ

This has been explained in detail in Kumbh Mahakumbh, edited by Ratna lahiri, in this appropriate time. She with other authors have explained the myth and science behind the mela for which the Hindu devotees wait and celebrate. The volume is mythological, spiritual, sacred, and very practical at the same time.

Kumbh Mahakumbh contains four essays — ‘Pilgrimage Centers and Festivals’ by Vidya Niwas Mishra, ‘The Astrological Implications of the Kumbh Mela’ by Ramnaresh Tripathi, ‘Experiencing Sacred Space and Sacred Time’ by Ratna lahiri, ‘Mythological associations’ by Ratna lahiri and a perspective titled ‘The Major Puranas on The Different Versions of the Story’ (which are compiled from open sources in the public domain). The prologue is written by lahiri. Many unknown facts related to the festival are explained in the book in a very lucid language.

It is believed that during Samudra Manthan or the churning of the oceans, a pot or kumbh or ambrosia (nectar — amrit) was found. Gods and demons struggled to own it. At the instance of lord Indra, the king of gods, his son Jayanta tried to run away with the pot but was followed by some demons. During the struggle for its possession, a few drops of nectar dropped in four places — Haridwar, Prayag, Ujjain and Nasik. Kumbh Mela is celebrated at each of these places. Devotees take bath in holy rivers to get rid of sins and ask for salvation.

In the prologue, Ratna lahiri, begins, “The Sanskrit word Samudra Manthan literally means churning of the oceans — in this case, the Ocean of Milk (Ksheer Sagar). The word manthana, also implies churning of the mind, specially of a deeper state of concentration, in order to analyse and weigh the pros and cons of the problem and to find appropriate solutions. Such is the churning of this ocean that it yields many other gems in search for the ultimate pot of nectar — the final solution to the problem”.

The symbology in detail gets apparent in the celebrated book. This pot of nectar is kumbh and where the ambrosia or the nectar is dropped are the places where the Kumbh Mela and Mahakumbh Mela are held. The fascinating essays which are spiritual, mythological, practical and above all sacred and scientific, are also written in a lucid manner by some renowned scholars who delve deep into the Indian tradition of intellect to attain supreme knowledge.

This is not an ordinary book. The essays are a profound synthesis of ancient thoughts that are carried out even today. On the banks of the same Kshipra, Kalidas may also have dipped in the river. Thousands of devotees, risking even their lives, come to the towns where the Kumbh and Mahakumbh are held.

In the ocean of mind, both positive and negative thoughts and energies are constantly in conflict. Human mind is complicated and thus churning goes on in the mind to evolve for mortals to find a rightful, enlightened existence, according to the authors.

Ambrosia cannot be seen anywhere. One just knows and hears about it. According to Mr Tripathi, the waters of the Ganga and other water bodies related to the Kumbh are the visible ambrosia. Astrologically speaking, ambrosia implies the subtle vibrations arising out of the energising effects of the Sun and the other planets and during this configurations produces bountiful wealth and life giving properties.

According to the authors, these life giving vibrations have a magnetic flow and are available during the festival. The central area of the body, the region of the navel, is the kumbh or the pot. In the mythological stories, the word kalashodadhi or ocean in a pot are found. The word kumbh engulfs all gods, the creatures, and all the holy places of pilgrimage. We are indeed fortunate to be born in this holy land.

The authors have also explained that the Kumbh Mela is not just a North Indian phenomenon. It is also celebrated in South India at Kumbakonam. It is strange that North Indians are unaware of this South Indian festival. The reality is that holy bathing every 12 years has taken place since hundreds of years.

There is also a famous saying that has been quoted by Mr Tripathi: “Yeh Pindey, Tad Brahmandey” — whatever exists within our limited physical body is also reflected in the universe. How to harmonise these two and draw energy from them is one of the mystical implications of the Kumbh festival. If I am to interpret and translate the meaning of the word kumbh, I will mention that the everflowing water that is the elixir of life of the sacred Indian rivers, is put to a limit by an auspicious pot. Thus infinite has turned finite in a kumbh.

The mystical aspect of kumbh is that the human body has six power chakras and the body is the sixth entity created of passion, anger, obsessive attachment, ego and indolence. In the body of kumbh these enemies can be defeated after evolving through the six chakras. According to the editor, Prayag is ajnya chakra and man can progress spiritually after touching the various chakra centres. The outer and inner worlds reflect each other.

Kumbh Mela and the astrological, scientific and mythical implication has a deeper and inner meaning and that according to the authors depends upon one’s guru and path.

The authors have analysed,  interpreted and given a detailed knowledge to us very scientifically. Indeed, our sages and masters were great environmentalists and great scientists.

It is also believed that the four drops of nectar fell on places where the melas are held in appropriate time. These place are calculated by the astrologers and the time and space are appropriate for complete health — mental and physical wellbeing. Healing takes place in the human bodies by the self perpetuating Divine law or Rta. Healing, which is so essential for human life.

Myth combines with culture, history combines with nature, science combines with spirituality and thus results in Kumbh Mahakumbh. I congratulate the authors and the editor for enlightening us with the details of the reasons and the science behind the Kumbh Mela. It is just not an ordinary fair but an extraordinary synthesis of sublime thoughts from several fields that happens every 12 years and we wait for it. One year of gods is equivalent to 12 years of humans, we are told and thus the unbearable wait for Mahakumbh to arrive.

The story of the churning of oceans is found in several literatures of India as well as abroad. In popularity, it is next to the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The sources are mostly from the Padma Purana, Vishnu Purana, Shiva Maha Purana, Skand Purana, Bhagwat Purana, Agni Purana as well as from the two epics.

Indeed, the puranas are our treasures. According to the authors, kumbh is also mentioned in the Natya Shastra of Bharat Muni. On the whole, the editor and the writers have done a commendable job for bringing a comprehensive volume on all aspects the Kumbh-Mahakumbh which is so significant for Indian thought, life and culture.

The reviewer is the author of 10 books including The Cosmic Dance of Shiva , Impact of Famine in Bengali literature, Benares: The Sacred City-in Verses and Hymns