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Maha Kumbh Mela - Message of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swamiji of Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam

14-01-2025

गङ्गे च यमुने चैव गोदावरि सरस्वति । नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरि जलेऽस्मिन् संनिधिं कुरु ॥

Bharat is a holy land with ancient civilization, rich culture, a land of saints and seers, an embodiment of human values and virtues, a land of penance, sacrifice and service.

Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, who reside in Kailash and Vaikunt have protected the people of this land, vedas and dharma by manifesting as avataras. It is in this holy land that the holy Ganges flows. Of the seven sacred rivers, Ganges holds supreme. There are references about Ganga in various scriptures including the Vedas. The banks of the Ganga are known for performing various religious practices including yoga sadhana.

Charati bhuvane Sankaracharya rupaa

Lord Shiva incarnated as Adi Shankara in Kerala. In his life span of 32 years, he traversed the length and breadth of Bharatavarsha not once but multiple times covering the 12 jyotirlingas, 51 shakti peethas and also visiting the Pashupathinath temple in Nepal.

He also visited various holy rivers and has composed ashtakams (8 shlokas) glorifying the Holy rivers such as Gangaashtakam, Yamunaashtaka, Narmadaashtakam.

The Holy Ganges is not just a river but worthy of worship.

Ganga jalalava kanika pita

Geyam gita naama sahasram

Deyam sripati rupamajasram

Neyam sajjana sangechittam

Deyam dinadanayacha vittam

Ganga jalalava kanika pita

By drinking the Holy waters of the Ganges, even a few drops, transforms the human life to be fruitful and our birth’s purpose is attained.

Puskhar-annual festivals are celebrated across India to worship the rivers. Pushkarams are celebrated annually in the banks of rivers like Kaveri, Bramhaputra, Godavari, Narmada, Krishna, Tamarabarani etc. Similarly in the banks of Ganges, the Maha Kumbh is performed once in twelve years. 

Adi Sankara laid down the principles and rudiments and blessed the festival which is being followed till date by various seers who propagate the Karma, Bhakti and Jnana marga. During this period of the kumbha mela - 40 days the seers following the teachings of Adi Sankara including the various Akhadas, Dasanamis, propagate the teachings of our tradition and culture with the first and foremost of the practice being Shravanam ( listening ). Following the principles laid down in our ancient scriptures will establish Unity, Security and Peace to our Nation. We cannot imagine Bharata Varsha without Dharma. The progress of our Nation, be it - Spiritual or Economic is possible only by Dharmaacharan. 

Adi Sankara from his childhood has composed various texts like the Kanakadhara Stotram, written Commentaries ( Bhashyam) on various Advaita related subjects and teachings. To make the teachings of Adi Sankara and his works such as the Bhaja Govindam, Viveka Choodamani, Prashnottara Ratna Mala etc a reality, the numerous sadhus and devotees organize various programmes during the Kumbh. 

To participate in Kumbh and receive the blessings of Gangal jal or to have a dip in the Holy Ganges will definitely bestow His divine grace on all those who participate in the Kumbh. This is being organized by the combined efforts of the Government, Sadhus and devotees at large. 

About 36 years ago ( 3 Kumbh Melas ago), H H Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamiji had arranged a chartered flight to carry the Holy waters of the Ganges for His revered Guru Sri Chandrasekherendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamiji from Prayagraj to Kanchipuram. His Holiness Pujyasri Mahaswamiji had the Ganga Snan on the very same day.

Under the aegis of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, a Sankara Vimana Mantapam has been constructed at Prayagraj. Devotees can have the darshan of Sri Kamakshi Devi, Sahasralingam and Balaji Venkateswara here.

As part of the Kumbh Mela, the Kanchi Mutt has organized Chaturveda parayan, Homams, Pravachan ( Ramayana Katha by Sri Govind Dev Giriji) and Annadaanam etc at the banks of Ganges.

TTD ( Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) under the guidance of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam has also organized various programmes as part of Kumbh Mela.

All devotees who are believers of the Santana Dharma, should participate in the Kumbh to their own mite and be the recipient of the divined blessings of Ganga and Triveni, we pray Gangadhara Parameshwar for this benediction.

Maata cha Parvati devi

Pita devo maheswaraha

Bandhavaha shiva bhaktaascha

Sva desho bhuvanaht trayam

As portrayed in the shloka by Adi Sankara, there is a sculpture in Cambodia depicting the same. On the banks of this Holy Ganges, Adi Sankara pronounced numerous preachings. The banks of the river is also the seed bed of knowledge bordering on enlightenment.

The kumbh signifies positive omen, as said by (poet ) Sri Harsha Kavi :

Kalasham jalasambrutam puraha

Kalamham sa kalayaam

Ba bhuva saha

It also prophecies a bright future to our country. 

गंगा गंगेति यो ब्रूयात, योजनानां शतैरपि। मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यो, विष्णुलोके स गच्छति॥
Ganga gangeti yo bruyaat 

Chanting of the very name of Ganga invokes bleesings. There are temples in South India - Gangamma Devi Shrines, signifying that it is not restricted to one part of the country but to the entire Nation.

We pray Devi Ganga to bestow her perennial blessings on all

धर्म की जय हो, अधर्म का नाश हो प्राणियों में सद्भाव हो, विश्व का कल्याण हो! हर हर महादेव...।।

Dharma ki jai ho
Adharma ka naash ho
Praani yo me sad bhaavana ho
Vishwa kaa kalyaan ho
Go maata ki rakshaa ho
Hara hara namah Parvati pataye
Hara hara mahadev