Fwd: The Origins of Kumbha Mela

[Guest guest]

, Rajagopalan Somayaji

<ssrvj wrote:

 

Kumbam simply means pot-Amrtha Kumbam or Amrtha Kalasam means " pot of

nector " .In Hindu Astology,the penaltimate Rasi(Zodaic) is

Kumbam(consisting of Sravista 2legs+Sadhabisham 4legs+ Utthara paalguni

3legs=2.25 constallations(Nakshathiram) in one Rasi(Zodaic).12x2.25=27

constalations starting from Awini.--Guru or Brahaspathi(Jupitor) remains

in one Rasi(Zodaic) for one year and for complete round of 12

Zodaics,Jupitor takes 12 years.Sani(Saturn)takes 12x2.5=30 years.sun

takes 1year.For--1--12--30-- the Lowest Common Multiple(LCM) is=60

years.So Hindus have given importance to 60 years(Shasti

Samvatsaram).when Guru enters one-one Zodaic-a mela is celebrated in one

town or a city-like Kumbakonam/Pushkar/Prayaag etc.when Guru enters and

remains in Kumba Rasi for one year it is called " Kumba Mela " celebrated

on many towns on the banks of the river sri.Ganga like

Prayag(Allahabad)-Kaasi(Banaras)Sri.Suka Sthal etc--Somayaji

 

prasanna kumar groupowner.prasanna wrote: The Origins of

Kumbha Mela

 

Kumbha Mela derives its name from the immortal " Pot of Nectar "

described in ancient Vedic scriptures known as the Puranas. Kumbha in

Sanskrit language means " pot or pitcher'. Mela means " festival " . Thus

Kumbha Mela literally means festival of the pot. Or in this case a

festival celebrating the appearance of the pot of nectar.

 

The ancient origin of the Kumbha Mela is described in the time-

honored Vedic literatures of India as having evolved from the bygone

days of the universe when the demigods and the demons conjointly

produced the nectar of immortality. It is said that the demigods and

the demons assembled on the shore of the milk ocean that lies in the

celestial region of the cosmos. The demigods and the demons made a

plan to churn the milk ocean to produce the nectar of immortality.

They then agreed to share the nectar equally once it was produced.

 

For the task of churning the milk ocean, the Mandara Mountain was

used as the churning rod, and Vasuki, the king of serpents, became

the rope for churning. As the churning began, the Mandara Mountain

began to sink deep into the ocean, at which time Vishnu incarnated as

a great tortoise and supported the mountain on His back. With the

demigods at Vasuki's tail and the demons at his head, they churned

the milk ocean for one thousand years.

 

The churning of the milk ocean first produced a deadly poison which

Shiva drank without being affected. As Shiva drank the poison, a few

drops fell from his hands and were licked up by scorpions, snakes,

and similar other deadly crea & shy;tures. After Shiva drank the poison,

numerous opulent items were produced. First a surabhi cow appeared,

who could yield unlimited quantities of milk. A white horse named

Uccaihsrava was then produced, as well as a white elephant named

Airavata. Then a valuable gem called the Kaustubha-mani appeared

 

Next came the apsaras, beautiful dancing girls, and a host of other

wonderful things appeared from the milk ocean. At last a male person

named Dhanvantari appeared carrying the pot of immortal nectar in His

hands. Seeing Dhanvantari with the pot of nectar, both the demigods

and demons became anxious. The demigods, being fearful of what would

happen if the demons drank their share of the nectar of immortality,

forcibly seized the pot.

 

Wherever the demigods went with the pot of nectar, fierce fighting

ensued. In an endeavor to keep the nectar from falling into the hands

of the demons, the demigods hid it in four places on the earth,

Prayag (Allahabad), Hardwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. At each of the hiding

places, a drop of immortal nectar spilled from the pot and landed on

the earth. These four places are since believed to have acquired

mystical power.

 

Eventually, the demons overpowered the demigods and took possession

of the nectar of immortality. To rescue the demi & shy;gods from the hands

of fate, Vishnu incarnated as a beautiful woman, Mohini-murti, and

approached the demons. When the demons saw the charming beauty of

Mohini-murti, they lost all composure. Seeing Her slender hips,

raised breasts, and pleasing smile, the demons completely forgot

about drinking the nectar of immortality. While the demons were thus

bewildered by Her beauty, Mohini-murti seized the nectar and returned

it to the demigods, who drank it immediately.

 

Sourse :www.indiadivine.org

 

with warm regards

Prasanna kumar