Astrological and Spiritual Secret of Kumbh

Jupiter, which is a planet many times bigger than the Earth. The planet Jupiter (Guru) is believed to have a profound influence on earth and human life. In Vedic astrology, it is considered the lord of religion, knowledge and spirituality. During Kumbh festival, when Jupiter is in Aries and Sun and Moon are in Aquarius, they influence earth and human life through the water element.

The Kumbh festival is mainly organized depending on the position of the planet Jupiter (Jupiter), also known as Dharma Guru. Kumbh festival is held at four major sites—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. Kumbh is held at each site when Jupiter, Sun and Moon enter specific zodiac signs.

1. Prayagraj (Allahabad) – Kumbh takes place when Jupiter enters Aries, and Sun and Moon are in Capricorn. It is held on the banks of Triveni Sangam in the month of Magha (January-February).

2. Haridwar – Kumbh takes place here when Jupiter is in Aquarius and Sun is in Aries. It is held on the banks of river Ganges

3. Ujjain – Kumbh is held when Jupiter is in Leo and Sun is in Aries. It is held on the banks of Kshipra river.

4. Nasik – Simhastha Kumbh is celebrated here when Jupiter and Sun enter Leo. It is held on the banks of Godavari river.

"प्रयागे तु ललिता देवी, वाराणस्यां विशालाक्षी, विंध्ये विंध्यवासिनी।".

देवी भागवत महापुराण

Kumbh Mela at each place takes place in the following planetary positions:

1. Prayagraj (Allahabad):

· Jupiter – Aries

· Sun and Moon – Capricorn

· River: Confluence of Ganga-Yamuna and Saraswati (Triveni)

· Time: Magha month (January–February)

2. Haridwar:

· Jupiter – Aquarius

· Sun – Aries

· River: Ganga

· Time: Chaitra month (March–April)

3. Ujjain:

· Jupiter – Leo

· Sun – Aries

· River: Kshipra

· Time: Vaisakha month (April–May)

4. Nasik:

· Jupiter and Sun – Leo

· River: Godavari

· Time: Shravan-Bhadrapada (July–September)

The Kumbh Mela is divided into three major categories based on their frequency of occurrence and location is fixed.

1. Purna Kumbh

• Event: Once in every 12 years

• Location: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik (in all four alternately)

• Feature: This is the most common and regular form of Kumbh festival, in which crores of devotees participate.

2. Ardh Kumbh

• Event: Once in every 6 years

• Location: Only in Prayagraj and Haridwar

• Feature: It is also called "Chhota Kumbh", but its spiritual significance is the same as Purna Kumbh. Prayagraj and Haridwar get this specialty because they are considered the most sacred pilgrimages.

3. Maha Kumbh

• Event: Only once in every 144 years

• Location: Only in Prayagraj

• Feature: This is the rarest and holiest form of Kumbh. It is considered the "supreme spiritual event", which comes after 12 complete Kumbh cycles. Participating in this is considered extremely auspicious for attaining salvation.

"अलयायां ललिता देवी लोकानन्दप्रदायिनी।"
भावानन्दः तु तत्रैव सदा स्थितः सुशोभनः।।"

देवी भागवत महापुराण

3. Astrological significance of Kumbh:

Garuda Purana describes that Kumbh Mela is organized when Jupiter (Guru Graha) and Sun are located in a particular zodiac sign.

This special astrological coincidence is considered extremely auspicious for obtaining nectar and purification of the soul.

Spiritual significance of Kumbh described in Garuda Purana

According to Garuda Purana, Kumbh is not just a religious ritual, but a festival of purification of the soul. It has three important elements:

1. Snan (purity and purification) – Bathing in Kumbh removes the impurities of the soul.

2. Daan (merit earning) – Donating in Kumbh increases the virtuous fruit manifold.

3. Sankirtan and Japa (devotion and enlightenment) – Chanting mantras and singing bhajans during Kumbh opens the door to salvation.

Importance of Garuda Purana

· It is considered auspicious to recite Garuda Purana for the peace of the soul after death.

· Listening to it at the time of funeral and Shraddha gives salvation to the soul.

· It is a guiding text to understand the principle of sin and virtue, and karma and its effect.

· It inspires us to adopt virtue and stay away from sins.

"त्रिवेण्या संगमे पुण्ये ललिता तत्र संस्थिता।
सिद्धिदात्री महामाया भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायिनी।।"

कल्पद्रुम तंत्र

Water and celestial influences

Water is an element that is capable of absorbing the pull of planets. The proof of this is the tides in the ocean, which are caused by the gravity of the moon. If the moon, which is a small satellite of the solar system, can have such an impact on the Earth, then the influence of a giant planet like Jupiter will be even more extensive.

Astrological view of Indian sages

Indian sages recognized the effect of this celestial position and gave special importance to bathing in holy rivers during the Kumbh festival.

• It is believed that the flow of knowledge and spiritual energy of Jupiter enters the human body through water.

• When the Sun (symbol of the mind) and the Moon (symbol of the heart) come in Aquarius, Jupiter blesses them from Aries, which awakens spiritual consciousness within the person.

According to the Puranas,

the four aims of human life – Dharma (duty), Artha (wealth), Kama (desires) and Moksha (salvation) – are understood in terms of sin and virtue.

According to the Garuda Purana, Kumbh is not just a religious ritual but a festival of purification of the soul. It consists of three important elements:

• Snan (purity and purification) – Bathing in Kumbh removes the impurities of the soul.

• Daan (merit earning) – Donating in Kumbh increases the merits manifold.

• Sankirtan and Japa (devotion and enlightenment) – Chanting mantras and singing bhajans during Kumbh opens the door to salvation

Effects of Saturn, Sun and Moon

• Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, also known as the "planet of destruction".

• When the Sun (mind) and Moon (heart) come in Capricorn, they destroy the negative effects of Saturn.

• Jupiter energizes the Sun and Moon from Aries, which fills the water with life-giving power and increases the importance of bathing in Sangam during Kumbh Mela.

Difference between Jupiter and Venus

• Jupiter (Guru Graha) is the Guru of the Gods, while Venus is the Guru of the demons.

• When Jupiter enters Aries, it destroys the negative effects of Venus

• Kumbh Mela is organized during this astronomical event, so that people are inspired towards spirituality and pave the way to attain salvation.

प्रयागो मध्यमावेदिः पूर्वावेदिः गयाशिरः।विरजा दक्षिणा वेदिरनन्तफलदायिनी ।। प्रतीची पुष्करा वेदिस्त्रिभिः कुण्डैरलंकृता |समन्त पंचका प्रोक्ता वेदिरेवोत्तराव्यया ।।

वामन पुराण

Spiritual Purpose of Kumbh Mela

• Kumbh is not just a religious ritual, but it is the result of the conjunction of planets and their effects on human life.

• During this time, the water of Sangam becomes especially powerful due to the energy of the Sun, Moon and Jupiter.

• By bathing, meditating and practicing in Kumbh, a person's mind, soul and body receive divine energy.

• According to Garuda Purana, the person who takes bath, donates, chants and does penance during Kumbh, gets free from the influence of the messengers of Yamraj and goes to Vishnu Lok.

The organization of Kumbh festival is not based only on religious tradition, but on scientific and astrological reasoning. During this time, the special position of the planets affects the human body and soul through water. That is why Kumbh Mela is considered a festival of attaining salvation, where bathing in Sangam gives spiritual awakening and mental purity.

Kumbh Mela is not just a holy bath, it is a celebration of history, astronomy, religion, science, and humanity. Kumbh Mela, though an event, but in reality it is a great journey of the union of soul and Brahma. An Amritotsav, which illuminates life with divinity.