Kailaasa Paramparagatha Mahanirvani Peetham
The Daiva Paramparā (Divine Lineage)
Bhagavan Sri Paramaśiva
Paramaśiva, the Cosmic Source and ultimate Divinity, started the lineage of Akhāḍās with the ascetic warriors (Nāgā Sādhus) along with His direct disciples and descendants - called the Paramaśiva Ganas. ( https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/paramashiva;)
It is from Bhagavan Sri Paramaśiva, the Primordial Source, came forth the most ancient living lineage of ĀdiŚaiva traditions and sanyas (monkhood) called ‘Akhāḍās’ of ascetic warriors who defend the land and Dharma (the Cosmic law). Paramaśiva came down to the sacred city of Varanasi in North India with his empowered direct disciples (Śiva ganas) and sons Śrī Kumara and Śrī Gaṇeśa (king of Gaṇas, followers of Paramaśiva) and established the eternal unbroken spiritual flow of ascetics, forming the first Akhāḍā.
The Original Akhāḍā Structure
Daksha (Son of Lord Brahma) was called Daksha Prajapati as he functioned as the President of humanity during his times. He delivered the Daksha Smṛti - The Do's and Dont's - for Humanity. He organised a massive Yaga (sacrificial fire) for which he deliberately avoided calling his daughter Sati and Her Divine Consort Paramaśiva Himself. When Sati, pulled by parental bonding, went by herself to the Yaga, Daksha further insulted her in front of the entire gathering. Sati unable to withstand the insult of her own father, self-immolated herself in the sacrificial fire. News reached Paramaśiva, who invoked Vīrabhadra to slay Daksha's head.
Daksha fell low in the eyes of all after this incident. The Sapta Rishis refused to henceforth follow Daksha Smṛti as they saw that Daksha was no more integrated to Paramaśiva, (Primordial Hindu Divinity). They requested Paramaśiva to reveal the guidelines yet again to them so they can follow. The sacred spot where Paramaśiva revealed the Agamas to them, is the Daksheshwar temple of Mayapur in Haridwar, where the Kailaasa Paramparagatha Mahanirvani Peetham (spiritual and religious kingdom) is headquartered. Even from during the times of Daksha, this temple was the headquarters of the Peetha.
After revealing the Agamas, Paramaśiva appointed Sage Kapila as the Head of the Mahanirvani Peetha, thus establishing the Mahanirvani Peetha.
Thus, Bhagavān Sri Paramaśiva, the ultimate Divinity, institutionalized the constitution, administration and protection for this enlightened ecosystem on the planet by establishing the ‘Akhāḍās’ (traditions within Hinduism) with His direct disciples and descendants called the Paramaśiva Gaṇas and warrior ascetics (Nāgās) from Varanasi, the most ancient living city of earth. Under His divine ordainment, the spiritual, religious, historical, political, economic and social ecosystems were formally established. (Ref.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akhara).
One of the main responsibilities of the Akhāḍās is teaching and transmitting the great teachings of Shāstras (revealed scriptures from Paramaśiva). Thus the ascetic monks (Nāgās) are called Shāstradharis (Shāstra - the scriptures; dharis - bearers) in Sanskrit. They also use Śastra (weapons) to protect the sacred traditions from external negative forces. Wielding of both Śāstra and Śastra - knowledge of scriptures and weapon - within the scope of the Dharma (Cosmic Law) is the main responsibility of the Akhāḍās.
Lord Śrī Kapila Mahāmuni, the organizer of Akhāḍās - glory and lineage linking Manu, Daksha, Kapila and Dattatreya
Incarnation of Paramaśiva and Lord Viṣṇu, from the Sūrya vaṁśa, the Sun dynasty
Lord Śri Kapila Mahāmuni is the incarnation of Lord Śrī Paramaśiva and Lord Viṣṇu, who appeared in the Sūrya vaṁśa, the sun-dynasty as the son of glorious Prajāpati Kardama, one of the nine sons of Lord Brahma and procreator of human life on planet earth and as the son of Devāhuti, the daughter of the reigning Manu Svayambhuva (the lord of the first manvantara or aeon) the original ancestor of the Sūrya vaṃśa, the Sun Dynasty.
Srimad Bhagavat Purāṇa, the Hindu scripture (purāṇas are scriptures that record the historical happenings of cosmos, of cosmic laws (dharma), of all incarnations) gives detailed accounts about Śrī Kapila’s divine lineage and His purpose:
Anasūyā is the Mother of Bhagavan Dattatreya, the Incarnation (establishing Dattatreya in the lineage of Manu)
अत्रेः पत्न्यनसूया त्रीञ्जज्ञे सुयशसः सुतान्
दत्तं दुर्वाससं सोममात्मेशब्रह्मसम्भवान् ॥ ४.१.१५ ॥
atreḥ patny anasūyā trīñ jajñe suyaśasaḥ sutān
dattaṁ durvāsasaṁ somam ātmeśa-brahma-sambhavān
- Śrimad Bhāgavatam 4.1.15
Translation: Anasūyā, the wife of Atri Muni, gave birth to three very famous sons — Soma, Dattātreya and Durvāsā — who were partial representations of Lord Viṣṇu, Lord Śiva and Lord Brahmā. Soma was a partial representation of Lord Brahmā, Dattātreya was a partial representation of Lord Viṣṇu, and Durvāsā was a partial representation of Lord Śiva.
Devāhuti, the daughter of the Sūrya Vaṃsa (Solar dynasty’s), is mother of Lord Kapila. Lord Kapila Mahāmuni is the Siddhagaṇadhīśa, the emperor of perfected beings (establishing Kapila in the lineage of Manu)
एष मानवि ते गर्भं प्रविष्टः कैटभार्दनः
अविद्यासंशयग्रन्थिं छित्त्वा गां विचरिष्यति ॥ ३.२४.१८ ॥
eṣa mānavi te garbhaṁ praviṣṭaḥ kaiṭabhārdanaḥ
avidyā-saṁśaya-granthiṁ chittvā gāṁ vicariṣyati
अयं सिद्धगणाधीशः साङ्ख्याचार्यैः सुसम्मतः
लोके कपिल इत्याख्यां गन्ता ते कीर्तिवर्धनः ॥ ३.२४.१९ ॥
ayaṁ siddha-gaṇādhīśaḥ sāṅkhyācāryaiḥ susammataḥ
loke kapila ity ākhyāṁ gantā te kīrti-vardhanaḥ
- Śrimad Bhāgavatam 3.24.18-19
Translation: L ord Brahmā then told Devahūti: My dear daughter of Manu, the same Absolute Lord who killed the demon Kaiṭabha is now within your womb. He will cut off all the knots of your ignorance and doubt. Then He will travel all over the world.
“Your son will be the emperor of all the perfected being, Siddhagaṇadhīśa. He will be approved by the Acāryas, the spiritual authorities, experts in transmitting the real absolute knowledge, and among the people He will be gloriously celebrated by the name Kapila. As the son of Devahūti, He will increase your fame.”
Kapila Muni
Depiction of young Lord Kapila Muni, transmitting the Sānkhyayoga to his mother Devāhuti
About 20,000 years back, Śrī Kapila Mahāmuni brought forth the “Science of pure thought currents to humanity called Sānkhya Darśana’’ initiating a revealing this science first to his mother Devahuti. Sānkhya is the naked philosophy of the Truth. Śrī Kapila Mahāmuni lived in Varanasi, who further formed and organized the Akhāḍās, which became the foundation for all other Akhāḍās. Many of the shāstradhāris (the ascetic warriors bearing revealed scriptures) of the Akhāḍās, carried their bodies with spiritual purity and freedom. (Ref.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapila)
Thus was born the naked Nāgā Sādhus of the Mahānirvaṇi Akhāḍā. Śrī Kapila also created the Dasanāmi Sampradāya – the tradition of 10 Sanyāsa names given to various Sanyāsis of the Akhāḍā. द॒शा॒नामेकं॑ कपि॒लं (daśonāmekam kapilam) – meaning among 10 divine names is “Kapila” – says Rig Veda 10/27. (Rig Veda is one of the four main Vedas, the revealed source scriptures in Hinduism) (Ref.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahanirvani_Akhara)
Śrī Kapila Mahāmuni is also known as ‘Sākhya Muni’ or ‘Sānkhya Muni’. The Buddha, in the lineage of Mahānirvani Akhāḍā also came to be known as the ‘Sākhya Muni’ .
Śrī Ādi Śankarācārya - The Reviver and Organizer of the Akhāḍās
Sri Ādi Śankarācārya is an incarnation of Paramaśiva, who descended in the 8th century. He organised and unified the main thought currents (Truth threads) that exist within Sanātana Hindu Dharma, in the form of various traditions or Sampradāyas called Akhāḍās. He is the organizer and reviver of the Dashanami Sampradāya (the monastic tradition), organizing a section of the Ēkadaṇḍi monastics under an umbrella grouping of ten names (‘daśa’ meaning ten, ‘nām’ meaning name in Sanskrit). He also revived and organized the Mahanirvani Akhāḍā. He formally organized it in 748 C.E constituting a democratic structure giving stability and legitimacy to Hinduism’s core spiritual traditions (sampradāya) in the form of the Akhāḍās or Apex bodies of Hinduism. (Ref.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adi_Shankara )
The Ekadandi Sanyāsis (wandering renunciates and monks bearing a single staff) were organised into ten sects or names (daśanāma), which fell under four Mathas or monasteries under the sacred system entirely based on the guru-disciple tradition, where the lineage of each sect was maintained and inherited from Guru to disciple. (Ref.:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dashanami_Sampradaya#%C4%92kada%E1%B9%87%E1%B8%8Dis)
The Deity of Ādi Shankara at Kedarnath Temple, Kedarnath, North India
Image of Ādi Shankara ruling the kingdom seated on Kailaasa Paramparagatha Mahanirvani Peetham, while being worshipped and served by the regent Kings along with his disciples.
All the knowledge and traditions of Sanātana Hindu Dharma (Hinduism) are traced back to the original source, which is Paramaśiva. The Guru-parampara (Guru’s lineage) begins with Paramaśiva as the primordial Guru, who descends as the Incarnation from time to time to transmit, preserve and protect the Science of Enlightenment and the enlightenment ecosystem to for his disciples and humanity at large. This is the Daiva-Paramparā, which is followed by the Rishi-Parampara, where the enlightened seers were able to transmit the direct words of Paramaśiva to the next generation of seekers. Finally, comes the Mānava-Paramparā, where the disciples who received this knowledge maintain and uphold the tradition from one generation to the next.
Background of the Mahanirvani Akhada
Akhāḍās form the core body of the Hindu tradition, they are the oldest and largest Apex body of Hinduism. As of now at least 1 million Sādhus (saints) are dedicated and live under the Akhada Parishad, which is the apex council body of Hinduism with a democratic selection structure of its spiritual leaders, where all the fourteen Akhadas are members.
14 Akhāḍās are accepted widely, as main stream Akhāḍās, but there are many minor Akhāḍās affiliated to these, which function as the sister organizations or subsidiaries, carrying ideological connection yet having their independent identity.
Varanasi or Kashi was the spiritual headquarters of Kailaasa Paramparagatha Mahanirvani Peetham where Sri Kapila Mahāmuni’s Māhā Jīvasamādhi (final enlightened resting place) is located. Haridwar is the current spiritual headquarters
Sectarian Structure of the Sadhus (ORTHODOX SHAIVA SAMPRADAYAS - Shaiva Traditions)
Dashnami Sampradaya
Dashnami Sanyasis are broadly divided into two sections namely, Astra Dharis (weapon-holders) and Shaastra dharis ( scripture holders). Astra Dharis are ascetic warriors and Shaastra dharis a re learned ascetics.
Shankaracharya, the reviver saint of the Dashnami Order, realised that unless there is a warrior class of ascetics who fiercely protect it, the Order re-established by him cannot last long. Similarly, Hinduism had undergone extreme persecution where its scriptures, palm leaf manuscripts, books and such sources of knowledge were stolen, burnt, destroyed and maliciously misinterpreted. There was now a need for the Sanyasis of the country to physically protect against invasions, as well as protect the knowledge and ancient heritage of Hinduism itself. So, he recruited warrior and scholarly Sanyasis to form the ten orders of Sanyasis who came to be known as Dashnami Sanyasis.
Dashnami Naga Sanyasis in particular were imparted military training, as well as expected to be highly knowledgeable in the Hindu scriptures.
A short account of the original Dashnami Akharas is given below:
1. Awahan Akhara:
It was revived in 546 A.D. The tutelary deity is Gajanan Dattatreya. The head office of this Akhara is situated at Kashi (Varanasi) and branches are at Haridwar and Prayagraj.
2. Atal Akhara:
It was revived in 646 A.D. in Gondwana with Ganesh (Paramasiva’s own son) 30 as its tutelary deity. This Akhara has its branches in Haridwar, Ujjain and Baroda, and its head office at Kashi (Varanasi).
3. Mahanirvani Akhara:
It was founded at Jharkand (Vaidyanath Dham) in 748 A.D. with Kapil Muni as its tutelary deity. This Akhara has its head office at Haridwar and branches at Kankhal, Kashi, Nasik and Ujjain.
4. Anand Akhara:
This Akhara was revived in 855 A.D. with Surya Deva (Sun God) as its tutelary deity. The Atal, Anand and Awahan Akharas are affiliated to Nirvani, Juna and Niranjani Akharas respectively.
5. Niranjani Akhara:
It was revived at Kachcha Mandavi in 903 AD. with its head-office at Prayag and branches at Ujjain and Udaipur. The tutelary deity of this Akhara is Kartikeya (or Subramanya - Parasiva’s own son). It is the protective army of Kartikeya that turned into the Niranjani Akhara of Sadhus.
6. Juna or Bhairo:
It was revived in 1145 A.D. at Kama Prayag with Rudravatar Dattatreya as its special deity. Main centres of this Akhara are situated at Kashi, Prayag, Hardwar and Ujjain.
7. Nirvani Akhara:
Nirvani and Niranjani akhada are considered as the leading akhadas from the point of view of the number of members and movable property.Only advanced aspirants are initiated into these Akharas who have already received preliminary instructions from the Guru.
Shankaracharya also organized the Dashnami order, which includes the following ten categories of Sanyasis. (1) Giri (hill) meaning living in the hills (2) Puri (City) meaning living in the city (3) Bharati (goddess of learning) meaning to be established in learning (4) Vana (Wood) meaning living in the woods (5) Parvata (Mountain) meaning living in the mountains (6) Aranya (forest) meaning living in the forest (7) Sagara (ocean) meaning living by the ocean (8) Tirtha (Pilgrimage) meaning travelling, visiting holy shrines and enriching people (9) Ashrama (hermitage) meaning living in a hermitage (10) Saraswati (symbol of knowledge) meaning being blessed by Goddess Saraswati and therefore well established in the ocean of knowledge.
Shankaracharya also established four big monastic centres namely Jyotir Math. Shringeri Math, Govardhan Math and Dwaraka or Sharda Math in North, South, East and West respectively and installed his disciples there to propagate his religious message to the world.
The four great Mathas of the Dashnami order, have in the course of centuries come to adopt certain definite rules of affiliation and organisation. A Sanyasi must first of all enrol himself in a Marhi (recruiting centre). A Math can take members belonging to one Marhi only but all the fifty-two Marhis can become the members of Akharas.
The Dashnami Sanyasis are further divided into two broad sections namely Dandadharis (staff holders) and Paramahamsas (not holding a staff). Out of the ten sub-sects of the Dashnami Order, Sanyasis of only three sub-sects that is, Tirtha, Ashram and Saraswati, hold a staff and the rest called Paramahamsas do not hold a staff. The three Dandi sub-sects initiate only Brahmanas as ascetic disciples but in the rest, persons from Kshatriya (warrior caste) and Vaisya (merchant community) Varnas (castes) may also be initiated.
In Varanasi, the home of Shaiva ascetics, twenty-eight Mathas (monastic centres) are managed by Dandis and fifteen are managed by Paramahamsas.
Dashnami ascetics are graded according to their spiritual attainment into four categories as follows:
1. Kutichaka: He is an ascetic who has renounced the world and lives in a hut engaged in contemplation and worship. He subsists on alms given to him by others.
2. Bahudaka: Such ascetics collect alms in kind but never in cash.
3. Hansa: Such ascetics are well-versed in Vedanta (Scriptural knowledge) and pursue the aim of attaining complete knowledge of the Supreme Being.
4. Paramahamsa: Such ascetics represent the stage of highest spiritual evolution.
Kumbh Mela
Along with the Mahanirvani Akhāḍā, Kapila created the tradition of the Kumbh Mela – till date the world’s largest gathering of humanity and the ultimate celebration of freedom from all bondages of the world. The Kumbh Mela happens even up to 55 days and provides an extremely high energy enlightenment ecosystem where clairvoyance happens and one’s peak possibilities for enlightenment are awakened through various means.
Puranic History of the Kumbh Mela festival - the largest gathering of humanity in the world
Following are extracts from the narration of the story of “the Churning of the Milky Ocean” by His Divine Holiness Bhagavan Nithyananda Paramashivam on 4 Aug 2007:
“It was Narada (Hindu Sage) who started everything. One day, he saw the jewel on the chest of Vishnu, a new jewel - the Shamantaka, a beautifully shining jewel on Vishnu’s chest. And he asked, “Bhagavan, from where did you get that? He said, “Some devotee gave. Varuna raja, King of the Ocean.” Narada thought, “Oh god! Such a pretty jewel.” He went and spoke to Indra (chief of Gods). He told Indra, “Indra, look! Varuna is your servant but he took the Shamantaka and gave it to Vishnu; he did not give it to you.” Indra got very annoyed but he can’t show that directly to Narada because he knows Narada will go and tell Vishnu. So he said, “No, no, no! He gave it to Bhagavan (a term used to refer devotionally to God) , it’s ok, leave it. It should be with Bhagavan.” But immediately he called Kubera (Lord of wealth) and said, “How dare Varuna will hand this over to Vishnu without asking us?” This was because, all the Nidhi (wealth) of the Planet Earth and the Ocean, belong to Kubera. Conch is the wealth of the Ocean. All the things and jewels of the ocean are denoted by the Shankha, conch. All wealth that comes from the land is denoted by the Padma - the lotus. So, both belong to Kubera.
Now Kubera calls Varuna and straight away asks, “How come this did not come to my treasury?” Varuna says, “You are Yaksha, He is Lakshmi.” Yaksha means the one who possesses wealth but neither enjoys it nor lets others enjoy it. Lakshmi means the one who keeps the currency moving; who enjoys and lets others enjoy. So Yaksha gives importance only to hold wealth; Lakshmi means “rotating currency”. Varuna says, “Even if I give it to you, it will only be sitting inside a treasury. No one will ever know, nobody will see it. Don’t you see how pretty it looks on the chest of Vishnu? That is why I offered it at the feet of Vishnu. He is wearing, He is enjoying.”
Kubera makes a petition to Indra saying, “This cannot be accepted. Now we don’t know what all wealth Varuna is hiding, so let us churn (the ocean) and bring everything out. Let us bring the whole thing to the treasury now itself. Nothing should be left with the Varuna Raja.” This is where the problem started. Now, both Indra and Kubera decide to churn Varuna Raja, the ocean and get all the wealth out and put it in Kubera’s treasury; they decided that it should not be left with Varuna anymore. They decided that they will not inform or invite the Trimurtis (Trinity of Paramasiva, Brahma, Vishnu) because the whole plan is against Vishnu!
Varuna falls at the feet of Vishnu saying, “Bhagavan, I don’t know what happened and what they are trying to do. They decided to form a friendship with the Asuras (demons).” Then, Vishnu smiles and says, “Forget it, they will come to me because they have bought trouble. Where else will they run? I will take care.”
Then, the Asuras and Devatas, demons and divine beings decide that the Meru mountain should be the spindle for churning. Meru is the sacred five-peaked mountain of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist Cosmology and is considered to be the center of all the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes. Vasuki, the snake on which Vishnu is resting, was used as the rope.
The rope is Vishnu’s, the Spindle is Paramashiva’s! Now, they discuss what to do, and how to get both these items from Vishnu and Paramashiva. They need to get the two items without telling them because they may ask for their share of whatever comes out. They finally decide to send Narada as their representation. Narada goes and says to Vishnu, “Bhagavan, we need your Vasuki and the hill of Paramashiva for churning the ocean.” Vishnu says “What is there, please take it.” Similarly, Paramashiva also gives the Meru mountain to Narada Muni.
As always, Narada begins to stir some trouble. He goes and slowly tells the Devatas, “See, the Devatas are leaders, so hold Vasuki’s head, not the tail. So, now the fight starts, to see who will hold the tail of Vasuki and who will hold the head. All the Devatas say, “We are superior, we will hold the head.” The Asuras say, “Are we lower than you? We will hold the head!” So, the fight starts. They have already placed the Meru mountain in the ocean, which is sinking every minute that they delay churning. There is an intense fight, and the demons surround the chief of the Devatas, Lord Indra. Now, Narada runs again to Vishnu Loka (Vishnu’s abode). “Oh Lord, see what has happened. Please, you have to do something!” All the devatas run and fall at the feet of Vishnu and say please forgive us, it is Indra’s mistake. Please do something immediately. Then Vishnu says, “Alright, I will do something. Go, I will come.” He waits till Indra’s karma is exhausted, he doesn’t go immediately.
Finally, Vishnu decides to go and says, “As the Devatas are elders, they will only hold the head.” However, the demons try to argue with Vishnu also. They say, “No, we will only hold the head.” Finally, Vishnu says, “Alright, we will come to a compromise. You guys will hold the head. Then, if Amrita (nectar) comes first, Devatas will drink first. Whoever wants to hold the head, they should give priority to the other person for sharing the Amrita.” The Asuras agree to this. Losing wealth for the sake of ego is demonic; it makes one an Asura. Gaining wealth along with ego is being like the Devatas (divine beings). Gaining wealth and enlightenment is like the Rishis (enlightened Sages)!
The Asuras did not even have the idea that they are losing Amrita, Nectar! Vishnu goes and tells the Devatas, “Fools, Vasuki will emit poison if she is used as a rope because she will be pulled this side and that side. He will sweat and his sweat is poison, will you be able to handle it?” The Devatas immediately rush to Vasuki’s tail.
They start churning and the sound which is created deafens the whole world. Treasures within the ocean start to come out. The seahorse, Apsaras (celestial beings of great beauty), Patala loka (subterranean realms of the universe), Kamadhenu (a divine bovine-goddess), Kalpavriksha (celestial wish-fulfilling tree) - all of these began to emerge from the sea. There were so many things coming out of the ocean that many of the Devatas and Asuras ran helter-skelter in trying to grab as much as they could. Finally, Goddess Lakshmi (the consort of Lord Vishnu) came and Vishnu took her.
Suddenly, Vasuki, became very tired. However, both the Devatas and Asuras were both so greedy, that they do not allow Vasuki to take a break. They continued to pull Vasuki, and she became longer. When she became a little longer, the spindle starts to sink. The Meru mountain then started to weigh down Vasuki, and she began to emit poison. The moment poison was spit out by Vasuki, they all left everything and ran away.
The spindle was sinking continuously. Immediately Vishnu took the form of a tortoise and went and held the spindle to save it from sinking further. All the Devatas ran to Paramashiva to save them because Vishnu is already doing the job of holding the spindle. What Paramashiva gave, Vishnu took care of, what Vishnu gave, Paramashiva took care of! Vishnu gave Vasuki so Paramashiva took care of Vasuki’s poison. Paramashiva gave Meru, Vishnu took care of that. So, Paramashiva says, “Alright don’t bother, I will take care of the poison.”
He takes the poison and swallows it. Devi holds Paramashiva’s neck and the poison stays there. This earns Paramashiva the name Neelakantha, or the Blue-Throated one. Even if poisonis added to an enlightened being, not only he does not die, the quality of poison disappears. It becomes divine!
Vishnu balances the tortoise, and finally comes out the Amrita, or Nectar. From below, the Amrita Kalasa (pot of nectar) comes out and the moment it comes out, all their agreement and morality is lost. According to the agreement, Devatas should have the first share, but the Asuras started running to catch the Kalasa (pot) and finish the Amrita themselves.
The Devatas were afraid of what will happen if it goes to the Asuras. The Asuras would not give even the water used to wash that pot to the Devatas. In the gap, Dhanvantari, who is the Lord of Medicine, keeps the Amrita Kalasa secretly hidden in four places on Planet Earth - that is Haridwar, Allahabad, Nasik, and Ujjain (where the Kumbha Mela festival happens!). Twelve years for human beings is one Kshana (time gap between two thoughts) for them. So, in one Kshana, he changed three places.
Finally, Vishnu takes a Mohini incarnation (the form of a beautiful young woman). He takes the form of a seductive woman, and says, “Both of you stop fighting, I will share the Amrita, and give you both.” The moment they see the Mohini, they forget about the Amrita! They arranged themselves in neat rows and Mohini starts serving the nectar to the Devatas first. Nobody had the guts to ask Mohini or question her. However, two demons, Rahu and Ketu, even though they are seduced by Mohini, they are cunning and intelligent. They go and sit on the side of the Devatas. However, not only does she not serve them, but knocks them with the serving spoon, making them lose their heads. That is why they belong neither to the Asuras, nor to the Devatas. They become shadows.
By the time the devatas finish, the Amrita Kalasa becomes empty and Mohini also disappears. Since the Devatas drank the Amrita, the Asuras were not able to kill them. The fight starts again and the Asuras are not able to sustain it. They themselves run and hid under the ocean. The Devatas thus rejoice over their victory.”
Haridwar, Allahabad, Nasik, and Ujjain - These four sacred places, thus, have acquired mystical powers and purity, holding cosmic energies of immortality. Amrita, the nectar is the nectar of immortality. It is because 12 days of Gods are equivalent to 12 years for humans; the Kumbh Mela is celebrated once every 12 years in each of the four sacred places - banks of river Godavari in Nasik, river Kshipra in Ujjain, river Ganges in Haridwar, and at the Sangam of Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati in Prayag, where the drops of nectar fell. Millions of devout, come together to partake in ritualistic bathing and ceremonies to cleanse themselves of all sins at this time.
Peshwai and flag-hoisting
Before the beginning of the Kumbh Mela, the various Akharas enter the city in a ceremonial procession known as peshwai, sometimes also called praveshai. The peshwai is an occasion for residents of the city and tirthayatris (visiting pilgrims) to welcome the Akhara sadhus to the Kumbh Mela. Sadhus who usually eat food only once a day, traditionally eat khichdi (cooked rice and lentils) before the peshwai procession. The peshwai i s a royal procession where the sadhus travel on horses and elephants, with bands playing music. The Mahamandaleshvars or Shri Mahantas of the akharas are seated on vehicles converted into chariots and the Naga sadhus display unimaginable yogic feats and martial skills with sticks, swords and spears. The residents of the city and the tirthayatris packed along the sides in lakhs, cheer them, while some accompany them in the procession.
Shortly after the peshwai, the dharma-dhvaja (“flag of dharma; dharma - Cosmic law") is hoisted by the Akharas. The raising of the flag marks the ceremonial beginning of the Kumbh Mela. The flag is lowered when the Mela ends. The flag raised at Nashik in 2015 was made of five metals (pancha-dhatu) and had engravings of Guru (Jupiter), Surya (the Sun), Chandra (the Moon), Godavari, a crocodile (believed to be the mount of Goddess Godavari), all the eight directions, twelve zodiacs, and the svastika (sacred Hindu symbol for protection). The flag was hoisted at a height of 31 feet from the ground.
Rituals, yogic feats and austerities at the Kumbh Mela
(Ref:http://www.dsource.in/resource/kumbh-mela-ujjain/rituals-kumbh-mela)
The highlight event of the Kumbh Mela is the Shahi Snan - Royal bath. It is the ritualistic dip in the waters of the sacred river flowing in the holy city where the Kumbh Mela is being held. It is the Kshipra in Ujjain, the Sangam (confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati) in Prayag, the Godavari in Nasik and the Ganga in Haridwar. The Naga Sadhus of the Akharas are covered with only sacred ash from head to foot. Naga - means naked. The spiritual practice of living without clothing symbolises the liberation from the delusionary material world and its bondages.
The Sadhus display their lifelong austerities and unimaginable yogic feats during the Kumbh Mela. Sadhus such as the Urdhwavahurs put their bodies through severe austerities, the Parivrajaka Sadhus take a vow of lifelong silence and alert others of their presence through ringing a bell, the Shirshasin Sadhus who stand all 24 hours on their heads and meditate, the Kalpvasis who bathe thrice a day as an austerity. The Kumbh Mela is a splendorous display of the different sects of saints, vairagis (the austere ones), and yogis who have renounced the material world.
Apart from them, one can also see sadhus performing impossible acts such as penance while sitting on a treetop, lifting of one hand hand in the air for 20 years continuously, lifting of one leg and functioning with the support of the other leg for years together, folding of the legs and functioning in that posture for years together, burying the head beneath the ground and continuing to breathe through intake of prana (life energy) through the skin instead of using air as a carrier and breathing through only the nose and many more.
Darshana, or auspicious sight, is an important part of the Kumbh Mela. People make the pilgrimage to the Kumbh Mela specifically to see and experience the religious and spiritual fervor of India and its ascetic communities. The two groups of people that converge in the Kumbh Mela include the Sadhus and the pilgrims. The Sadhus travel to the Kumbh Mela to make themselves available for the pilgrims. The Kumbh Mela is arranged in camps that give the pilgrims access and “darshana” of the Sadhus. Through their powerful yogic practices, the Sadhus articulate the transitory aspect of life. The pilgrims are able to "seek instruction or advice in their spiritual lives." The darshana is an important experience at the Kumbh Mela as it reminds and steers one towards one’s own original purpose of life which is enlightenment.
After the Royal Bath, people visit the temples situated on the banks of the river or near by places.
The Kumbh Mela is the place where for tens of thousand of years both the Shāstradharis (those who are well versed in the scriptures - the intelligentsia) and the Shastradhaaris (bearers of weapons) meet, celebrate and uphold the spiritual teachings.
The Kumbh Mela begins with the immersion of the Kumbh (urn) containing Kapila Mahamuni’s skull into the sacred waters of the Prayagraj (confluence of the three sacred rivers namely Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati). In his memory and living presence, the followers of Hinduism celebrate every twelves years, the liberation that is enlightenment – N irvāṇa, through the Kumbh Mela festival. (Ref.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varanasi)
Types of Kumbh Mela
The Kumbh Melas which follow the Hindu calendar, are classified as:
● The Kumbh Mela that happens every 12 years at a given site is called the poorna Kumbh Mela. The Kumbh Mela at Allahabad is celebrated approximately 3 years after Kumbh at Haridwar and 3 years before Kumbh at Nashik and Ujjain (both of which are celebrated in the same year or one year apart).
● Ardh Kumbh ("Half Kumbh") Mela occurs every 6 years between the two Purna kumbh Melas at Allahabad and Haridwar.
● The Maha Kumbh occurs after 12 Purna Kumbh Melas i.e. every 144 years.
Life of the Nāgā Sādhus (Ascetic Warriors)
Nāgā Sādhus of the Mahānirvaṇi Akhāḍā
Martialism has been associated with monastic traditions in man and monks of the Far East and particularly China, Japan and Korea are well known for martial arts they developed. In India too militant ascetics have a long history and became organized into the nāgā institution that influenced Indian asceticism in a big way. The word nāgā implies nakedness signifying renunciation. An essential rite in the initiation of every Shaiva sannyāsi consists of removing one’s clothing and walking seven steps completely naked, so one breaks the social conditioning and bondage that caused one to cover one’s own body.
The British rulers of India generally curbed this custom but even they could not curb the ferociousness of the nāgã sadhus and allowed them to move in procession through the streets completely naked during the Kumbh Mela.
The life of Naga Sadhus is one of courage, freedom and extraordinary discipline. Nāgā sādhus have powerful yogic bodies that can tolerate extreme temperatures. Their only protection against cold is and their spiritual powers and the vibhuti (sacred ash) they apply freely all over the body.
Most Nāgā sādhus wear rudraksh māla (sacred energy beads) and an iron bracelet (kada), and carry a damaru (Paramashiva’s drum) and a kamanḍalu (water pot). Their only other adornments are weapons of defense, which are part of the akhāḍā culture, which are worshipped every day.
Nāgā sādhus can be identified by their holy trishul (Śiva’s trident), staff, sword, conch and other musical instruments. They admit to their fold only those who are unmarried or who are widowers or in short, who have no family obligations. At the time of initiation into this order, an ordinary ascetic is called Vastradhari (clothes wearer). He serves all his senior ascetics. After the probation of three years, he is promoted to a higher grade. There is no definite time limit for a Vastradhari Naga ascetic to attain full-fledged Nagaship. A candidate may be promoted to the status of Nagaship within two years of his entry into the Order or he may take even twelve years to reach this status. The initiation ceremonies of Nagas take place invariably at the time of the Kumbh assemblage. Mandaleshwaras (chief monastic heads) of different Akharas at an auspicious time initiate the candidates who have completed their period of probation.
The affairs of Nagas are conducted by a body called Ashta Parishad (council of eight members). The president of this Parishad is elected every month. The election of the Ashta Parishad Committee is done once a year.
Protectors of the Nation
The Nāgā sādhus were also well known for another reason: their skill with wielding weapons. Of course the most basic weapon of a Sādhu can be considered to be his staff but Sage Patānjali, some time in the period between 200 BC to 500 A.D., was the first to mention real weapons, specifically an iron lance, in the hands of an ascetic. Banabhatta, a Master of Sanskrit Prose of the 7th century A.D., properly describes war-like Shaiva ascetics in his biography of the emperor Harshavardhana and how they utilised their martial abilities for spiritual as well as mercenary objectives. The first sect to be associated with arms and martial arts was the Shaiva Kāpālikas. There is evidence dating to prior to the 13th century that regiments of armed ascetics from these sects protected the kings in protecting the Nation and a temple high priest of Marwar (Northwest India) maintained a battalion that was bigger than any possessed by feudal lords of the area. The nāgās assumed the role of soldiers of the Hindu faith against several Mughal invasions of India where sādhus who were often butchered by armed Muslim fakirs.
They also fought against Ahmed Shah Abdali defending Govardhan, year 1759 CE. After losing thousands of Naga Sadhus, Abdali withdrew as the Sadhus had no assets to lose except their lives.
The prime general of the Afghans, Sardar Khan; launched an attack on Gokul (Uttar Pradesh in India). Here however, stirred by the atrocities of the invading Afghans, thousands of ash smeared warrior monks barred the way. The grim Naga sadhus armed with swords, matchlocks and cannons had called together their wandering bands to rise in defence of dharma.
In the mid-seventeenth century, the bands of sadhus and assorted holy men coalesced into larger groups often numbering more than 10,000 strong – they provided protection to the temples, the travel routes and even towns and rival armies. For many centuries the monks and disciples began to take up arms amidst the upheavals of northern India and during the fall of the Mughal Empire they emerged as a serious force to reckon with.
One of their notable leaders Rajendra Giri Gosain held such a reputation of bravery that his band of Nagas would contend with over ten times their numbers of enemies with utter abandon and fury. Later times saw some of the larger bands under Himmat Bahadur Anupgir Gosain lead vast armies across the northern Indian plains
The famed Afghan cavalry launched itself against the Nagas to be met with a wild and reckless counter charge by the Nagas. The utter disregard for their own lives displayed by the Hindu holy men sent the initial Afghan attackers retreating in confusion and defeat.
Incarnations in the lineage of MahaNirvani Akhada
BHAGAVĀN ŚRĪ KṚṢNA (22nd Incarnation or Avatār)
The most celebrated and revered, complete incarnation Bhagavan Sri Kṛṣna belongs to the lineage of the Mahanirvani Akhada. Over 5000 years ago, Sri Kṛṣna, in His ultimate teachings in Sri Bhagavad Gita, reveals - ‘सिद्धानां कपिलो मुनि: - siddhānām kapilomuniḥ - of the perfect complete beings, I am Kapila.” (Bhagavad Gītā,10.26), expressing deep gratitude to his lineage.
Śrī Kṛṣna and his brother Śrī Balarāma went to the Hindu school (gurukul) in Ujjaini, North India in a sacred place called the Sandipani Ashram – which was the major center of learning of the Mahanirvani Akhada. After Haridwar and Prayag, the Mahanirvani Akhada spread around the country and during the divine kingdom and reign of Bhagavan Śrī Kṛṣna, Ujjain was one of the most important centers.
GAUTAMA BUDDHA (23rd Incarnation or Avatār)
The Incarnation of Buddha (Siddharth), also comes from the lineage of Mahanirvani Akhada. He took the sacred vows of Sanyāsa (monkhood) at Kailaasa Paramparagatha Mahanirvani Peetham.
There are 52 Madhis or branches in Mahanirvani, one of which is Buddhism. The initiated followers of the Buddha receive the respect and recognition as one of the Madhi (branch) of Nirvani Akhada.
Madhis or Temple Centers - Forerunner of the Akhāḍas
As the Nāgā Sādhus grew in number to tens of thousands, they began forming groups known as ‘madhis’.
All the saints of various madhis in one geographical location would gather together to do arms training (shastra-training) without any differences. Since various madhis were working together as one group, this group was called ‘akhanḍa’ or ‘united’, a term which became ‘Akhāḍā’. The first Akhāḍā to be established was the Atal Akhada, followed by the Awahan Akhada and Mahanirvani Akhada. Today, there are 14 Akhāḍās in Haridwar, each of them headed by a highly revered Ācārya Mahāmanḍaleśvar, who is supported by a number of Mahāmanḍaleśvars.
Mahanirvani Akhada Administration
The spiritual head of Mahanirvani Akhada is known as Ācārya Mahāmanḍaleśvar. He is elected by the Mahāmanḍaleśvars of the Akhāḍā, and his is a lifetime position and responsibility. Currently, the Mahanirvani Akhada has 46 Mahāmanḍaleśvars (spiritual pontiffs). Apart from this, there are administrative positions like Sachiv (secretary), Sri Mahant, Mahant, Karobari / Kothari and Thanapati / Thanedar.
The top administrative body of the Akhāḍā is Shree Panch (the body of five) also known as Pancheshwar, representing Brahma, Viṣṇu, Śiva, Shakti and Gaṇeśa. This body is usually elected every Kumbh Mela by a unanimous decision of senior Akhāḍā members.
The Mahanirvani Akhada as the direct representative of the presiding deity of Sri Paramaśiva governed the whole of Indian kingdom from North to South, East to West with its great ancient kingdoms starting from the Himalayas, the Kuru dynasties at Hastinapura (present day Delhi, India), Kashi, Panchala, Gaya, Magadha, Pundra (Bengal, East), Ayodhya, Kalinga (Orissa), Vidharba, Mallarastra (Maharastra, Central India), Avanti (Ujjain) to Southern kingdoms such as Kanchi, Lanka, to Saurashtra, Dwaraka in the West India.
The Kingdoms of Ancient India (pre-British invasions)
Coronation of HDH Bhagavan Sri Nithyanandam Paramashivam
Recognized in 2007 as the successor spiritual leader of the Mahanirvani Akhada, HDH Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam was declared and coronated by the official leadership of the Sri Panchayati Akhada Mahanirvani as the “1008th Mahāmanḍaleśvar ”. In the 2007 Kumbh Mela at Allahahad (Prayag) in North India, HDH was honored with the royal chariot of the Kailaasa Paramparagatha Mahanirvani Peetham as the Mahāmanḍaleśvar , and enthroned on it, He led the sacred procession of all the 14 Akhadas to the Triveni Sangamam (Confluence of the three sacred rivers) where He took the first dip - Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) and following Him the remaining akhadas and millions of people dipped in the sacred confluence.
The Kingdoms of Ancient India (pre-British invasions)
23 Jan 2007 Kumbh Mela, Allahabad - HDH on a royal procession seated on the kingdom seat bestowed by Mahanirvani Akhada, as the Mahāmanḍaleśvar
The Kingdoms of Ancient India (pre-British invasions)
23 Jan 2007 - HDH is felicitated inside the Mahanirvani Akhada Camp upon return from the Royal Bath
Through a process of democratic selection amongst the 43 Mahāmanḍaleśvars of all the 14 Akhāḍās, He was unanimously elected as the 1008th Mahāmanḍaleśvar of Sri Panchayati Akhada Mahanirvani. This was a monumental rare honor in the history of all 14 Akhāḍās of the Indian Kingdom, having one of the youngest spiritual leaders to receive the title and responsibility thereof, as the Mahāmanḍaleśvar for the kingdom of India.
The 14 Akhāḍās are namely -
1. Sri Panchayati Akhada Mahanirvani
2. Sri Pancha Atal Akhada -Varanasi
3. Sri Panchayati Akhada Niranjani - Prayag
4. Taponidhi Sri Anand Akhada Panchayati - Nasik
5. Sri Panchadashnaam Juna Akhara -Varanasi
6. Sri Panchadashnaam Aavahan Akhada -Varanasi
7. Sri Panchadashnaam Panchagni Akhada -Junagadh
8. Sri Digambar Ani Akhara -Sabarkantha
9. Sri Nirvani Ani Akhada -Ayodhya
10. Sri Nirmohi Ani Akhada -Mathura
11. Nirmal Ani
12, Sri Panchayati Bada Udaseen Akhada -Allahabad
13. Sri Panchayati Akhada Naya Udaseen -Haridwar
14. Sri Nirmal Panchayati Akhada -Haridwar
After the coronation, the Akhāḍās gifted the sacred properties to His Divine Holiness
As a mark of spiritual successorship to the divine kingdom of India, the Akhāḍās gifted HDH Bhagavan Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam with sacred properties of high spiritual heritage.
Sooltankeshwar, near Varanasi is an ancient sacred place where Lord Paramaśiva impressed and installed His divine weapon called ‘shoola’ into the earth. Hindu scriptures reveal that the ancient Varanasi city rests of the divine ‘shoola’ (the trident) of Lord Paramaśiva, and thus is indestructible and eternal city of the Lord.
Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi property was gifted to the previous ruling Atal Akhada Ācārya Peethadheeshwar, Hon. late Sri Sukhdevanandji, who in turn gifted it to the current Ācārya HDH Bhagavan Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam. Manikarnika Ghat is the ultimate space where death becomes liberation and celebration, where the fire at the burning ghats has been lit from ancient times.
Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi
On 12 Feb 2013, His Divine Holiness was declared and coronated as the Successor Ācārya Mahāmanḍaleśvar of the Kailaasa Paramparagatha Mahanirvani Peetham.
12 of February 2013, Coronation celebrations continue as the Akhāḍā leaders and members offer their love and respects to His Divine Holiness on the auspicious occasion
Coronation ceremony
Further coronation pictures of HDH Bhagavan Sri Nithyananda Paramashiva. HDH performs the sacred customary rituals of coronation amidst the senior spiritual leaders and is given the traditional honors during the coronation ceremony with the spiritual leaders of the Mahanirvani Akhada.
Senior Swamis, Ācāryas and Maha Mandaleshwars of Nirvani Akhada offer their love and adoration to HDH on the auspicious occasion
Coronation Document
Mahanirvani Akhada Appointment Letter
Mahanirvani Akhada Coronation Letter Translation