Be it the festivals of the Kumbh Mela, Ganga Dussehra, Kartik Snaan or the after-death ceremonies performed by Hindus, the preceptors of Hinduism will continue to place heavy emphasis on visiting the waterways or worshipping Ganga Maa by immersing oneself on these special occasions. Why? Do we really believe that one’s sins become washed away? If so, how much? Are we free from our karma? The answer is no, and for far too long these illogical brain-washing explanations give way to the emerging tides of philosophy and spirituality.
If Kartik Nahaan was seen as such much more than this shaky explanation, then the numbers at the waterways would stop dwindling every year that passes, regardless of whether it falls on a weekend or holiday. Again, Hinduism is being marketed! As a result, the product becomes seasonal and one of convenience. Why is Divali given a public holiday and not the other just as important religious festivals? Of course it would be impractical and unconstructive but the point remains, whether we accept it or not, being a Hindu is every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every week, every month, every year! Get the point? If you are, then you understand, if you are not, you wouldn’t have to ask. It comes naturally. It’s a belief system that permeates every cell and atom in the Universe where sooner or later you become attuned to it.
This leads to the concept of immersion. We all have two births, our biological and spiritual. The second birth, as other religions have incorporated, is the immersion or use of water to bring forth and channel one’s life to a higher purpose. This divine act allows the soul to rejoice in the awakening that one has now accepted to rigorously and ritualistically satiate the soul’s desire to attain moksha. Many different types of people, along many different paths undertake this spiritual journey. Some are as swift as a horse and some as slow as a snail. Some take the path through densely populated forests and some journey through unobstructed terrains. We must however appreciate the need to begin moving. Ritualistically immersing ourselves in the waterways is renewing the vow to remain committed to this spiritual journey.
If one were to ask any pilgrim what the best part of visiting India is, they would attest to the experience of bathing in the cool Ganges water as the best. This is perhaps one of the critical differences that demarcate very clearly any other spiritual experience as inferior.
Where else can one literally bathe in the divine’s presence? What other spiritual experience can surpass this? This is why the largest confluence of people on the planet converges on the banks of the Ganga to gain such an experience in their lifetime. Awake and arise! Let not another opportunity go to waste! The festivals that allow people to visit the waterways are probably the most important for awakening in this age of Kalyug. Have you had your bath of spirituality?
Pt. Balram Persad
