Introduction: The Immense Scale of Kumbh Mela
Nearly 400 million Hindus are expected to visit Prayagraj, historically known as Allahabad, to dip at the Sangam, the sacred confluence of three rivers: Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. This event is considered the most significant human gathering in history.
What is the Essence of Kumbh Mela?
Humanity seeks physical actions to shift from one state of mind to another, moving from a state of agitation to tranquility. Immersing oneself in a river frees the soul from the burdens accumulated in the heart. When individuals dip into the Sangam, they experience a sense of liberation, as if all their wrongs have been washed away.
Symbolic Rebirth and Spiritual Renewal
This event is seen as the birth of a new self within each individual, similar to reincarnation. When Hindus bathe in the river during the Kumbh Mela, they experience a sense of rejuvenation and feel cleansed of all sins, including ill will, guilt, apprehension, revenge, anger, fear, arrogance, malice, hatred, and other afflictions. This act symbolizes the ultimate liberation known as Moksha, which represents total freedom and the opportunity to start life over with a clean slate.
Spiritual Insight from the Jagadguru Shankaracharya
The Jagadguru Shankaracharya, one of the four supreme spiritual masters, explains that while one can shower at home to cleanse the body daily, taking a dip in the Kumbh is to purify the heart. He urges people to remind themselves that they are participating in an act of repentance, referred to as “Praischit” in Sanskrit. Asking God to help them cleanse their hearts and minds so that they can emerge from the dip with a pure heart, embracing and respecting the unique qualities that God has endowed to all humanity.
Interfaith Parallels with Christian, Jewish and Muslim Pilgrimages
This event can be compared to pilgrimages in other faiths, such as Christians visiting Jerusalem and walking Jesus’s paths. Jews praying Infront of the Wailing wall, and likewise, when Muslims travel to Mecca to perform the Hajj, they, too, feel as if they have been cleansed from all sins. Every human being deserves to live freely, and their respective religions have created systems to free them.
Shared Rituals Across Religions
What Hindus regard as reincarnation, Christians see as being born again, and Muslims perceive as being like a newborn baby free from sins. Similar rituals of renewal exist across different traditions. We, as humans, cannot remove our sense of guilt merely through meditation; we need rituals to facilitate that transition. Our Masters, Avatars, Prophets, peacemakers, and others have provided us with pathways to repentance and forgiveness to grant us freedom. Indeed, Humanity seeks physical actions to shift from one state of mind to another, moving from a state of agitation to tranquility.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbukum – The World is One Family
Most Hindus who participate in the Kumbh Mela remain pious, treating all humanity as part of one creation of God, a principle summed up by the phrase “Vasudhaiva Kutumbukum” – The entire world is one family. They genuinely respect the uniqueness of others. Similarly, most Muslims performing the Hajj, as well as Christians and adherents of other faiths, maintain a respectful view of humanity as a unified creation of the same God. They miss out on the great joy and peace that comes to us when we are free from biases.
Addressing Religious Biases
I have been watching clips of a few Hindu holy men and women who subtly express their biases, including the Shankaracharya suggesting that Christians and Muslims do not belong to “their” land. What is the point in going to the Maha Kumbh if you fall prey to the talk by some Acharyas and politicians and come back loaded with disturbed and prejudiced minds instead of peace and tranquility?
The Wisdom Within Hinduism and Other Faiths
Hinduism, like all other religions, is a way of life and full of wisdom, and no one should allow the Acharyas and politicians to dirty Hindu souls. The ultimate goal of Hinduism is Moksha; likewise, the ultimate goal of Muslims and Christians is to go to paradise. What do Moksha and Paradise look like? Moksha is a state of the soul free from tensions, ill-will, and arrogance—it is total peace of mind and soul. Nothing beats the beautiful feeling of love and acceptance of fellow humans, as does going to paradise in Islam, Christianity, and other traditions.
Good News of Interfaith Compassion
My friend Dr. Pandit Sharma wrote, “All Mosques, Madrasas, and Dargahs helped Hindu pilgrims when the Yogi Govt failed to relieve huge crowds in the Kumbh. Muslims provided blankets, food packets, and rooms with all amenities to these pilgrims left unattended by Government machinery.” Dainik Bhaskar, India’s largest Hindi Newspaper, has reported this, while Godi media has ignored it.
The Innate Goodness in Humanity
We are inherently programmed to be good people, and this quality shines through during crises. We naturally act with kindness and compassion, regardless of our faith, ethnicity, race, language, or culture. Please visit www.GoodDeeds.info.
A Vision for a Unified, Peaceful India
I urge my fellow Indians to build a cohesive India where everyone feels secure in their religion, ethnicity, language, culture, and other unique identities. Let’s prioritize harmony over conflict and not allow politicians and television personalities to mislead us. Instead, let’s continue to seek peace and understanding with fellow beings. We are responsible for our peace of mind.
About the Author – Dr. Mike Ghouse
Dr. Ghouse is an Interfaith Wedding Officiant – InterfaithMarriages.org – and a Muslim Wedding Officiant. He is a Muslim, Pluralist, activist, speaker, author, and social scientist. He is the President and founder of the Center for Pluralism and Director of the World Muslim Congress. More on Google.