Reg No. - CHHBIL/2010/41479ISSN - 2582-919X
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said: Maha Kumbh is an endless flow of inner consciousness, here flows the triveni of knowledge-devotion-karma
Sri Sri Ravishankar – Photo: ANI
How widespread is the culture of Maha Kumbh and its global glory. To understand the power of Sangam and the eagerness of the world to connect with the deep roots of knowledge on this shore, Amar Ujala spoke to him in detail on various aspects related to this event. Presented here are excerpts from Anup Ojha’s conversation with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar…
In the Maha Kumbh Mela of Sangam coast, which is world famous as the intangible heritage of humanity, not only the sages and saints from the country but also from Asia to Europe are painting the sheets of sadhana in the confluence of knowledge-devotion-dispassion. After the Mauni Amavasya incident, international spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Maharaj has also arrived at the Maha Kumbh to teach the art of living to the world community. How widespread is the culture of Maha Kumbh and its global glory. To understand the power of Sangam and the eagerness of the whole world to connect with the deep roots of knowledge on this coast, Media spoke to him in details on various aspects related to this event. Presented here are excerpts from a conversation with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar…
Question: The diversity of the whole world has been colored in the color of Sanatan devotion on the Sangam coast. Is Maha Kumbh really a great sacrifice of unity?
Answer: See, whether it is the era of kings and emperors or the period of slavery for hundreds of years, this flow of faith never stopped. A big reason for this is that Kumbh is not caused by any external force. Instead of any external system, Kumbh is the name of the consciousness of the inner soul of man. This consciousness awakens automatically. This consciousness draws people from every corner of India to the banks of Sangam. People from villages, towns and cities have set out towards the holy place. Such power of collectivity, such a gathering is rarely seen anywhere else.
Coming here, saints, sages, wise men, common people all become one. Everyone is taking a dip in the Triveni together. Here the difference of castes ends, the conflict of sects ends. Crores of people get connected with one goal, one idea. This time also, during the Maha Kumbh, crores of people have gathered here from different states. Their language is different, castes are different, beliefs are different, but coming to Sangam city, they all have become one. That is why Maha Kumbh is a great sacrifice of unity.
Question: How will you express the culture of Maha Kumbh?
Answer: Maha Kumbh is a fair of the confluence of all the sects and religions of the world with different views, opinions, men and eunuchs. In this fair, everyone is singing bhajans, kirtans and worshipping God in their own way. No one is stopping anyone. Nor is anyone pressurizing anyone. This Maha Kumbh is a message of humanity and love for the whole world. People from all over India are giving the message of unity in diversity here. This is Maha Kumbh.
Question: You have always been teaching to love each other, to live together, to express peace and brotherhood. The world is burning in the fire of war. Will you give any message to the warring countries from this Maha Kumbh?
Answer: Many countries of the world are fighting among themselves over religion, borders and grooms. Such countries are hell-bent on destroying each other. Such people should learn from Maha Kumbh. This is a fair of love and unity. Here only people of opposite views meet.
Question: What will you say about the power of Sangam?
Answer: Prayagraj is not only the confluence of three rivers, but it is also the confluence of Sadhna, Seva and Satsang. So many sects are doing Satsang in one place according to their own way. No one is throwing stones at anyone. There is a confluence of tolerance here. Here we are respecting all sects.
Question: Even after the Mauni Amavasya accident, the crowd did not reduce. What do you think about the eagerness to touch the nectar-like drops of Sangam?
Answer: Despite so much trouble, we are standing firm. Our faith is firm even after such a big incident. We are standing on the banks of the confluence of knowledge, devotion and karma. Here is the wonderful union of Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati. Ganga is the symbol of knowledge, Yamuna is the symbol of devotion and Saraswati is the symbol of karma. Who would not want to take a dip in this triveni of knowledge-devotion and karma.
Question: Who will you hold responsible for this accident?
Answer: The Mauni Amavasya accident is being investigated. After the investigation, it will be known who is responsible. The people of the whole country are together in this hour of disaster. The pain of the victims is the pain of the whole country. We will pray that the minds of the victims and the affected get peace. It is a great shock. People have lost their loved ones. Every person in the country is sad. I would like to say that it is not necessary to bathe only in the Sangam. Bathe wherever Ganga or Yamuna is visible. Bathing in the fair area itself is virtuous.
Question: What is your opinion on the issue of formation of Sanatan Board and dissolution of Waqf Board in Maha Kumbh?
Answer: I was called to the Dharma Sansad, but I could not go there. I do not know what opinion has been formed among the saints so far on what should be done about both Sanatan Board and Waqf Board. I have not gone to Dharma Sansad, so it would not be appropriate to say anything on this right now.