(Spirit Significance of Ganga, Yamuna and invisible Saraswathi in Maha Shivaratri)
The Maha Kumbha is concluding tonight on the 26th of February 2025, this Maha Shivaratri, which witnessed more than 60 crore people, greatest human presence in this century. Maha Kumbha Mela is one of the largest and most revered religious gatherings in Hinduism, which happened after 144 years. Spanning over 44 days, Maha Kumbha Mela 2025 starts from Makar Sankranti on January 13 and concludes on Maha Shivaratri.
Four Kumbhs
These Kumbh are four kinds: 1. Kumbh Mela (once in 4 Years), 2. Ardh Kumbh Mela
(once in 6 Years), 3. Purna Kumbh Mela (once in 12 Years) 4. Maha Kumbh Mela (once in 144 Years). The central ritual of the Maha Kumbh Mela is the Shahi Snan, or royal bath, where millions of pilgrims immerse themselves in the holy rivers at auspicious times.
People dip in Prayag Raj, which is most considered to be the sacred Triveni Sangam, called Snaan, and consists of Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswathi river. It was earlier called Allahabad before it was renamed by the present Government.
The global presence in India
Australia, Bhutan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Guyana, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico,
Mongolia, Nepal, Netherlands, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States. Etc. had Punya Snaan in Prayag Raj.
Several Akhara’s
Interestingly Kinnar Akhara is an akhara (Hindu religious order) established in 2018 by the hijra community. It is under the Juna Akhada (Shri Panchdashnaam Juna Akhada). The organization showcased itself at the 2019 Kumbh Mela. The organization promotes discussion of Hinduism and LGBT topics.
Significantly, the Supreme Court in 2018 held it was favorable to the LGBT+ community regarding Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. In the context of that ruling, this organization would participate in the 2019 Kumbha Mela. The 2016 Simhast Mela of Ujjain was the first Mela in which the transgender community participated as an organization. At Kumbha Mela in 2019 the organization presented and performed various arts, including plays, music, dancing, and painting. In Maha Kumbha 2025 too they did sacred Snaan.
Like this Akharas such as Digambar Akhara, Juna Akhara, Agni Akhara, Avahan
Akhara, Kinnar Akhara, Mahanirvani Akhara, Atal Akhara, Niranjani Akhara, Nirmohi Akhara, and Udasi Akhara were part of the Kumbha Mela. Several spiritual leaders were part of the festivities. The devotees staunchly believe that bathing at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswathi rivers cleanses sins and leads to salvation.
It includes ascetics (sadhus), pilgrims, and visitors who engage in various rituals such as fasting, charity, and communal prayers. The gathering fosters a sense of unity among participants, transcending differences in caste and creed.
The event also showcases India’s rich heritage through its rituals and practices that are passed down through generations. Beyond its religious implications, the Maha Kumbha Mela serves as a vibrant cultural festival that brings together diverse groups of people. (https://www.jagranjosh.com/general–knowledge/mahakumbh–2025–facts–and–statsabout–prayagraj–kumbh–mela–1736858494–1)
Three x three Sangams
There are three kinds of ‘Three Sangamams’ –
- On the sacred Indian earth,
- Celestial bodies according to Hindu astrology and the Kumbh Mela’s timing and location are determined based on their positions and thirdly
- In the Sahasra Chakras in the human body.
We all call it Thriveni Sangam which means congregation of three rivers the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythological Saraswathi rivers. To decide the location and date of the Kumbha Mela, astrologers and leaders of various akharas (sectarian groups) meet and examine the positions of Jupiter and the Sun. Both Jupiter (Guru) and the Sun are significant celestial bodies in Hindu astrology, and the Kumbha Mela’s timing and location are determined based on their positions.
Nervous Nadi ‘Threeveni Sangam’
The third ‘Threeveni Sangam” happens in the combination of Surya Nadi and Chandra Nadi (Brukiti) at the point where two ‘Nadi’ (roughly similar to the nervous part of the brain and the entire body), which are significantly considered as Ganga and Yamuna, also called ‘Ida’ and ‘Pingala’ while the three Nadi runs through the whole of the body though to be Lord Shiva ever living Parmatma in each every Pranam or an Atma. The point between Ida and Pingala where the Hindus worship with “Gandham” or Chandan (Sanscrit and Hindi or Bottu in Telugu) is considered visible Prayaga Raj of Thri Veni, which includes the invisible Saraswathi called in the nervous system explained as VEGAS. (Explained by Yoga Acharya Dr. Ravindrababu of Nirmal in Telangana)
(https://lokayogaschool.com/blog/chakra/guide-to-sahasrara-chakra-the-seventh-chakra/)
Crown Chakra
The Loka Yoga School said: The crown chakra represents our connection to the divine, as well as your ability to receive wisdom and knowledge. It also helps expand consciousness and connect with a higher power. When this chakra is fully open, it allows us to see the world from a different perspective – not limited by ego or self-interest.
Affirmations are a great way to help you align your thoughts and intentions with the universe’s energy. Some examples of affirmations include:
- I am filled with love.
- I am surrounded by light.
- I am filled with pure love and light.
- I radiate love from within me.
- My crown chakra has opened up, allowing me to be fully connected to the Divine Source of love, peace, and joy.
(These two images are taken from https://lokayogaschool.com/blog/chakra/guide–to–sahasrarachakra–the–seventh–chakra/)
Sahasrara link to Kumbha Sangam
Sahasrara (in Sanskrit called सहस्रार Sahasrāra, and in English called “thousandpetalled”, with many alternative names and spellings) or the crown chakra is considered the seventh primary chakra in Sanatan yoga traditions. The chakra is represented by the colour violet. (Stevens, Samantha. The Seven Rays: a Universal Guide to the Archangels. City: Insomniac Press, 2004)
Once you tap into this chakra, you can reach a state of self-realization and enlightenment. It also allows you to access your intuition, which is essential for making decisions in life.
Śivasaṃhitā and the Tirumantiram
The Sahasrara is described in a few medieval hatha yoga texts including the
Śivasaṃhitā and the Tirumantiram, but not within the Paścimāmnāya and Nath traditions; the Kubjikamatatantra describes only the six lower chakras. The scriptures vary in the position of the Sahasrara; the Shiva Samhita states that it is beyond the body, whereas others place it at the fontanelle or brahmarandhra on the top of the head where the soul leaves the body at death. [Mallinson, James; Singleton,
Mark (2017). Roots of Yoga. Penguin Books. pp. 178–179.]
(Sahasra, by Morgan Phonix work, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahasrara)
Sapta Chakras
The Seven Chakras are: 1. Ajna, 2. Vishuddha, 3. Anahata, 4. Manipura, 5. Svadhishthana, 6. Muladhara and 7. Bindu.
[By Nyo – Taken from the English Wikipedia., CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1724755]
Nirvana-Shakti to Parama Shiva
Here Kundalini passes into the supreme void, which is the experience of asamprajnata or nirvikalpa samadhi, and becomes Shankhini. Shankhini wraps around and absorbs the Supreme Bindu, which is the void; then the Supreme Nada; then Shakti; and then unites with and absorbs Sakala Shiva; before finally being absorbed into Parama Shiva, which is the final stage of nirvikalpa samadhi.
Sushamna Nadi
Is Sushumna the chief nadi? Is it the highest and most sought by the yoginis? The answer is: Yes. In the same way, when some ladies tie their hair we can see two strips of hair outside tied in a crossing way but actually there are three strips of hair, same way in our spine there are three main nadis or nerves called ida, pingala and sushumna where sushsumna is in the middle carrying prana vaayu which contains vital energy for our life whereas ida and pingala will end on the right and left nostrils, Sushumna. In will end on Brahma Randhra which is in the middle of our skull (always closed)
Waking the energy which will be there at the end of the spine called kundalini and making it travel in Sushumna path till it reaches Sahasarara chakra which is situated at Brahma Randhra is one of the ways to attain access to ultimate energy and knowledge in the yogic way.
So yes, making energy travel in Sushumna which is a path for ultimate life energy to travel is the highest goal in yogic tradition. This is according to Ravi Teja Dhavala, Scientist /Engineer at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) (2017–present).
Link to Kundalini Yoga
As Prof. Shiv Bhushan Sharma Explained the science, shape, and size of Hiranyagarbha why is Sushumna Nadi very important in Kundalini yoga?
- There are three main subtle channels of energy (Nadis) in the human body (Jivatma).
- Ida Nadi: The left side of the body. It connects Muladhara Chakra with the left nostril.
- Pingala Nadi: The right side of the body. It connects Muladhara Chakra with the right nostril.
- Sushumna Nadi: It is in the center of the body. It is associated with the vertebral column. It connects Muladhara Chakra, the lowest center of consciousness, with Sushumna Nadi, the highest center of consciousness in the human brain. It leads to Enlightenment and Freedom (Moksha).
- Vahini Nadi: The subdural space around the spinal cord. This is within Sushumna Nadi. It is an ideal Nadi for the third stage of Kundalini Ascension.
- Suryan Nadi: This is associated with the white matter of the ascending sensory tract (Gyan-Indriya) and the descending motor tract (Karma-Indriya). It prepares for the fourth stage of Kundalini Ascension.
- Chandran Nadi: This is associated with the grey matter of the spinal cord. It prepares for the fifth stage of Kundalini Ascension and Kundalini Yoga.
- Brahm Nadi: It is associated with the central canal of the human spinal cord.
- Vaikuntha: It is associated with the ventricles of the human brain. It leads to the internalization of Soul consciousness (Antar Yoga).
- It is called the tenth stage of Akhand Yoga (Integrated Yoga)
