You must be familiar with the most popular story of the Maha Kumbh. Precisely churning of ocean by Sur (divine beings) and Asur (demons) and falling off Amrit-Boond(Drops of Nectar) on four places on earth namely, Ujjain, Haridwar, Nasik and Prayagraj. And, making Prayagraj a bit more special. I was at the Maha Kumbh for about a fortnight and during my stay there I have also given several interviews to various seekers and media persons acknowledging and explaining this widely known and most popular Indic narrative. Following the process of acknowledging, reiterating, practicing and asserting our traditions is necessary for cultural continuity.
But, equally important is continuous refinement, redefining and relating those traditions to our current ways of living. And, Indic Wisdom (Sanatan Parampara) has no parallel across civilisations in upholding this responsibility of keeping the sanity of humanity intact and saving it from getting lost in belief systems as well as from becoming rootless. Other side of the grand gathering of Maha Kumbh, glimpsed only by those who are intense spiritual seekers can be seen as the most relevant example of this continuous refinement.
In Kumbh, intense spiritual seekers invariably encounter someone who would provide them solutions, direction, and insight, helping them move forward with greater trust and clarity on their spiritual journey. Meeting of such true seekers with sants and seers and receiving the guidance needed for their further progress in their spiritual quest (journey) is also termed as visiting the holiest of the holy places (Teerthraj). This narrative is also popular and perhaps much more credible one as it can be verified by anyone who is a real seeker.
All the knowledge is exploration of various relationships. However, the dimensions of relationships are infinite. Oneness alone can be infinite
Here is a glimpse of one such conversation that took place in my presence. I am a witness to this exchange and am sharing it with you all so that you too, can experience a rare aspect of the Kumbh.
Seeker: Why am I?
Master: “I am Not.” Only That is.
Seeker: Why That is?
Master: Ask this question to That who is.
Seeker: Where will I find That who is?
Master: First in some particular human being you will find inkling and inference (anumaan) of That. Later your story in his/her/they’s association will evolve to become different (provided you stick to your seeking) and you will find that that particular human being is omnipresent. Of course not as human beings but as remembrance, as wisdom, as voice, as consciousness, as presence.
Seeker: You are also a human being. Why can’t You be That for me?
Master: Do you see Me (I) as That?
Seeker : No master, I don’t see you as That.
Master: Then, you are not qualified to ask this question to me (I) and, because of your disqualification, I am not qualified to answer this question to you at this point in time. Those who are qualified to ask, are qualified to receive answers from the one whom they ask this question. When you see I/Me as That, then alone you may ask this question to Me/I/You/That. Because I already see you as That so I can answer this to you. Now, Why can’t you see me as That? Ask yourself this question. That’s the exercise for you for now. We will do the next round of
Satsang when you show me or see me with a solution to this question.
Explanation; when one experiences ‘That’ then on knowing “who am I”, I cease to be; only attributes are experienced by the wisdom /existence by That Self/It Self, experiences, such as how am I, where am I etc.
And I can ask “why am I”only when ‘I’ am, else who will ask whom? Therefore to ask this question that “why am I?” my (I’s or Me’s) presence is a prerequisite. When That asks That self “why am I” then That self knows That self, that why That is. As That is omnipresent and omniscient.
‘This’ or ‘I’ is that state/period of the omniscient/omnipresent in which “This” doesn’t not “That” As That really is. By knowing ‘That’, ‘This’ ceases to be. This is the limit of reasoning based on intellectual understanding. Once this self enquiry part is over then begins a trust based relationship. All the knowledge is exploration of various relationships. However, the dimensions of relationships are infinite. Oneness alone can be infinite. Do you wonder how the phenomenon of ‘exploration of relationships’ can make sense to That who know That self! Before transforming/transcending into wonder None (who?) can wonder. ‘That’ is the irony /miracle / wonder.
