The Maha Kumbh Omnibus Part III

It is very true that all types of charlatans with an eye for quick profit are found in every Kumbh Mela but these people have existed in the world anyway. The blessings of one real saint are all that are needed to transform one's life. It is a fact that atmosphere in the Kumbh Mela is ethereal and very uplifting. Only those who have experienced it can really understand it.
Astrological preconditions for Maha Kumbh
Allegory apart, the real basis of Maha Kumbh is mathematical and based on astrology. For Maha Kumbh at Haridwar to happen, the preconditions are, that transit Jupiter should be in Kumbh Rashi (Aquarius) and Sun must occupy Mesh Rashi (Aries). The third important condition is that it should be an Amavasya (a no Moon day).
Jupiter is the planet of spirituality and in Hindu belief he is the divine planet whose blessings emancipate one from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.  
Aquarius is the Mool Trikon Rashi of Saturn, who is the planet without whose permission nothing connected to the three dimensional world can happen.
Aquarius and Jupiter share a unique relationship. Aquarius is the only sign for which Jupiter owns the houses of both income and wealth. Jupiter therefore becomes a special planet of value for Aquarius.
Jupiter takes twelve years to finish one complete round of all twelve signs. He can therefore come to visit Kumbh Rashi only every twelfth year. This is the reason why Maha Kumbh takes place after intervals of twelve years.
For this Kumbh, Punya Kal or the auspicious time for a holy dip in river Ganga starts at sunrise on April 14, 2010 at 0603 Hrs and ends at 1321 Hrs IST.
It is believed that the unique combination of Sun, Moon and Jupiter alters the subtle energy field on earth and makes it possible for the human mind to connect with the divine without any interference.
Things to do on the day of the holy dip
According to the Hindu Karma Kand, (the ritualistic part of Hinduism), one is required to take a dip in the holy waters of Ganga river and offer prayers to Lord Ganesh and Lord Shiva. He should then donate one, four or eleven pitchers of gold, silver, copper or brass filled with pure Ghee to deserving people. The metal and size of the pitcher is dependent upon the discretion of the donor.
One should also donate new clothes, silver or gold ornaments, and offer food to people. This bestows immense merit on the donor. This is the ritualistic part of the process.
It is far more important to sit in a secluded place near Ganga and focus the gaze at the point between the eyebrows and establish a connection with the inner self or soul which in reality is a spark of the stuff the universe is made of.
The Prana should be sent to the Kootastha and then back to Mooladhar in a continuous cycle. Inhalation taking the Prana up and the exhalation down. The cosmic energy distribution on the day of the dip makes this process easy. Maha Kumbh is an extremely uplifting experience and comes but once in twelve years. It should be made full use of for one’s spiritual uplift.
According to Vishnu Puran, a hold dip during the Punya Kal gives the same blessings as do thousands of Ashva Medh Yagya and hundreds of Vajpeya Yagya.
We have nothing to lose except our Karmic debts on that holy day.

Rajiv Sethi

Your questions and comments are very welcome. I also look forward to hearing from you about topics you want discussed. Please write to me at amvedin@yahoo.com or visit my website at http://indian-vedicastrology.com
I can also be reached at 011-91-(98-99-589211)
This article is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form without the consent of the author. 

The Maha Kumbh Omnibus Part II

Rahu and Ketu were two demons who were a little quicker on the uptake than the rest of their bunch. They saw through the guile that had been planned against them. So they dressed themselves as gods and quietly slipped into their line. Their ruse worked and they drank their share of Amrit. Sun and Moon who were standing next to them penetrated their disguise and told Vishnu of what had happened. Vishnu promptly summoned his Sudarshan Chakra (divine weapon) and beheaded both Rahu and Ketu. It worked only partially. It didn’t kill the duo because they had become immortal. Their heads and torsos were separated but they lived, and since that day have become sworn enemies of Sun and Moon. That is why every once in a while Rahu swallows Sun and Moon. But since he has no torso he can’t keep them in his mouth forever, they emerge out of his throat. This is exactly what happens during an eclipse. Sun, Moon and Rahu must come together to cause a solar or a lunar eclipse. 
This is what is called an allegorical story. So what is the truth? I can make a guess.
Long time ago, their existed two groups of scientists and intellectuals. One group was green and wanted to keep ecology intact. The other group wanted progress at any cost. The ocean refers to the ocean of universal intelligence and churning to research and development. Meru mountain refers to the height of their intellectual and scientific achievement. Shesh Nag the celestial serpent represents wisdom. Their combined efforts produced genetically modified crops, improved breed of horses and elephants or alternatively invented machines that could replace horses and elephants. The toxic venom refers to the pollution that all this research produced. Finally after much research they invented a drug Amrit that could keep one youthful and increase the life span indefinitely. This is just a modern interpretation of the story with an apology to puritans and hidebound intellectuals.
The origin of this story is lost in antiquity and it has been embellished over the ages but it’s basic premise is still true. Indian civilization is great at turning events into lore and passing these down through successive ages. For the sake of those who are curious, I must mention that the number of these stories is astronomical.
Legend has it that since Rahu and Ketu had tasted Amrit and become immortal they were included in the group of gods and accommodated thus. They are not true gods but only deemed to be so. In reality too, Rahu and Ketu are not real planets but only a mathematical point in space. They are elevated to the status of a real planet because they are so powerful in influencing humanity. Allegory again!!!
Historical need for Maha Kumbh
India is perhaps the only country which has over the eons been blessed by spiritually exalted Yogis and sages. It is their blessings which have kept the civilization of the most ancient country in the world intact in its original form. Other great civilizations slowly decayed and either don't exist or exist in a form which is a much altered version of their original past.
Spiritually advanced people renounce the world and retreat to inaccessible places in Himalayan mountains. They do not want the vibrations of the material world to interfere with their spirituality.
Ordinary humans on the other hand do not have enough inclination or the time to involve themselves in spiritual practices and remain busy in mundane activities to satisfy their desire for Arth and Kaam (money and comforts).
Kumbh Mela is a periodical event where the Yogis come down from their retreats and bless the humanity which goes to the Mela to absorb those blessings.  

In the third installment of this article we shall take a look at what one needs to do in a Kumbh Mela.

Rajiv Sethi

Your questions and comments are very welcome. I also look forward to hearing from you about topics you want discussed. Please write to me at amvedin@yahoo.com or visit my website at http://indian-vedicastrology.com
I can also be reached at 011-91-(98-99-589211)
This article is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form without the consent of the author.