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Here is good article some of you may already have seen it!
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Meditations: Drink the nectar
By Swami Chidanand Saraswati
The Hindustan Times
The Mahakumbh is one of the most ancient, yet still living, festivals
in Indian tradition. Even in the Ved, it is described as a tradition
that is well established. Its occurrence is marked by the gathering
of millions of people at one of the four holy places, the auspicious
event occurring at each location once every 12 years. Kumbh 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
the 'Kumbh Mela' far transcends the literal translation.

A kumbh indicates the beginning of an auspicious and holy event. A
Mahakumbh, occurring every 12 years, also signifies knowledge,
happiness and bliss. Our scriptures tell us that the trinity of Gods -
- Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Sustainer) and Shiv (the
Destroyer) -- plus all Goddesses, Mother Earth with her seven
islands, and all knowledge in the form of Rgved, Yajur-Ved, Sama-Ved
and Atharv-Ved exist in the Kumbh. Thus, Kumbh is the symbol of all
that is, and all that exists.

The Kumbh Mela is a celebration of all knowledge and all life. While
the 'Kumbh' refers to an overflowing pot, it also refers to a body
filled with knowledge. So, the nectar of the Kumbh Mela also
manifests in the form of enlightenment which liberates us while we
are still living. The nectar -- or knowledge of divinity -- lies
within this Kumbh (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 'Kumbh
Mela'. The origin of Kumbh Mela lies in the beautiful story when the
Gods and demons churned the ocean in search of the nectar of
immortality. The churning began with the hope of divine nectar
filling the minds of the Gods. However, after a great effort, what
emerged was not nectar, but poison! The Gods and demons knew someone
had to drink the poison and thereby help the historic churning to
continue. No one would agree to sacrifice himself, until Lord Shiv
offered to do so. The sacrifice Lord Shiv made is an example of why
he is called Mahadev and all the other Gods are simply devas.

However, Indra -- the king of the Gods -- knew that the demons were
planning to abscond with the nectar of immortality. So, he got his
son, Jayant, to grab the pot of nectar and run away. The demons
pursued him relentlessly. The long chase lasted 12 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 Kumbh
on the

ground and a few drops of the holy nectar spilled at each place.
These four places have now become the four centres of pilgrimage for
the Kumbh Mela. Indian festivals are not only filled with gaiety and
joy, but they invariably have scientific and historical foundations,
which lead to physical rejuvenation, psychological healing and
spiritual uplift. It is according to scientific methods that the
place and date of each Kumbh Mela is determined. When the planets,
the sun and the moon line up in a particular way, there is an
incredible positive charge in the atmosphere of one of the Kumbh
locations. 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 Ganga, is exceptionally conducive to spiritual
growth, and a person's physical and emotional well-being. The nectar
that the Mahakumbh must disseminate today is a renewed respect for
our earth and her creatures, a rededication to the laws of our
scriptures, and a rekindled fire of spiritual yearning in our souls.

Tuesday, January 23, 2001
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