Stage Set for Theological Deliberation

In 1678 C.E., preparations were underway for the Great Kumbh Mela Festival, the greatest riverside religious festival of Hindus, in the City of Haridwar, U.P., India. Pran Nath Ji already knew that the time for the declaration of the Buddha Nish-kalanka Avatar was approaching. In this chapter, we will learn about an event with great historical significance in the Hindu world. As Pran Nath Ji attends this very special event, we will also learn about his work in Haridwar. A brief overview of the major Hindu belief systems, as they were discussed with Shri Pran Nath Ji more than three hundred years ago, will be of special interest to the readers. The discussion will be centered around the explanations given by the spiritual leaders of the individual Hindu Belief and Pran Nath Ji’s questions about eternal salvation for the Jiva.
 
While reading this chapter, one may first consider this kind of discussion completely irrelevant in the modern context. In the pursuit of Eternal Bliss, one may even ask these questions:

Do I have to fall back on these doctrinal parts of our centuries-old belief systems? Can’t we rise spiritually without going through all these doctrines that we no longer really seem to be practising? Why should we compare our faith today with ancient religious practices? Why don’t we compare contemporary with contemporary? Why don’t we prepare ourselves for the kind of Spiritual Awakening that makes sense in the 21st century?
 
Such a concern for a seeker’s soul is valid. With time, our ways of practising these belief systems have changed significantly. One does not have to limit the spiritual quest just to one’s own old-time religious heritage. However, the timeless value of the treasure hidden in all the scriptures must never be underestimated. There is nothing wrong with adopting new ways and ideas. But, to truly arrive on the path of the Supreme Eternal Bliss, one must put faith in all the scriptural Wisdom and strive to find the true common meanings from them. We must do this and then put them in modern perspectives.

Our discussion in this chapter will also help those who want to gain a brief comparative idea between different Hindu belief systems and Nijanand Sampradaya. This discussion must never be regarded as trying to prove one belief higher than the other. The topics discussed here must never be regarded as an attempt to maintain a sense of superiority of Nijanand School/Order. The seeker’s soul should stay away from making such a hasty impression. One must put aside all such prejudices. The focus should be on understanding how Pran Nath Ji’s Divine Wisdom viewed the prevailing belief systems while directing the human souls on the path of Eternal Bliss.

Attainment of Eternal Salvation or Eternal Supreme Bliss Must be the Ultimate Goal

 When we are taught the subject of Religion in school, we are asked to follow some basic rules for studying Religion. First, we are asked to compare equal to equal. One must come out of the habit of comparing our Religion in its ideal form with the actual manifestations of other religions. Here, in this chapter and this book, the emphasis is only on one- and the most important—comparison criteria. The criteria used here is exploring different spiritual planes in different belief systems. In his spiritual exploration, Pran Nath Ji does not regard factors such as customs, codes, culture, and other values that change over time. He says, “There is only one true human value that has never changed or will never change. And this timeless Value is ‘the quest for Self Realization.’ The quest for Eternal Bliss is the supreme goal that must be kept in any human’s mind. Other factors have a role but are not as timeless as this one.

As you read this chapter, you will notice that Pran Nath Ji’s focus has always remained solely on this ultimate human goal. We will also find that Pran Nath Ji sought to see each Hindu Belief system from within. He reached the heart of these belief systems, translating their respective symbols and ritual acts into one common language of eternal salvation.

The Maha Kumbh Mela Festival

What is the significance of the festival of the Maha Kumbh Mela? What does it have to do with our discussion about Buddha Nish-kalanka Avatar? Kumbh Mela is the greatest riverside Hindu religious festival, which occurs once every three years. It attracts millions of devotees and visitors from all backgrounds. The festival is rotated between four holy places of Hindus: Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. The festival began with this mythological incident: One time, Lord Vishnu saved the elixir (Amrut) from the demons and gave it to the vassal gods, Devas, in a pot. The Devas rested the pot at each of the four cities indicated above. This is why this festival is celebrated only in these four places.

Sage Adi Shankaracharya gave a lot of importance to this festival and urged all holy men and spiritual leaders to meet for free exchange of diverse religious philosophies and views. In 1678 AD, Pran Nath Ji attended this festival in Haridwar and had theological exchanges with all Hindu religious leaders and saints. All who attended this festival recognized Pran Nath Ji as the last incarnation, Buddha Nish-kalanka Avatar–the one with the spotless Divine Wisdom. The devotee Sundersath regards this event as one of the most significant events in the Nijanand Order’s history.

The Stage is set for Theological Conferences with All Hindu Acharyas.

In 1678 C.E., Pran Nath Ji reached the Maha Kumbh Mela Festival site with hundreds of his comrades. He conversed with the Spiritual Leaders and Acharyas of all major Hindu faiths, including the Four Sampradayas, Six Darshana, Das Naam Sanyasins, Four Varnas, and Four Ashrams. As discussed earlier, the fear of disturbance from the Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb was ever-present in Haridwar. Therefore, initially, looking at the completely white dress of Pran Nath Ji and his comrades, many Hindus, including some spiritual leaders present at the festival, began suspecting them as non-Hindus or Muslims and secret agents of the Emperor Aurangzeb.

Resolving their suspicion, Pran Nath Ji told them that he was, without a doubt, a Hindu but was interested in learning about a path that could lead to the eternal salvation of his Jiva. He requested all of them to explain their understanding of their faiths. He emphasized that they should explain their belief without ego, mental reservation, or bias. Further, he said, “Please help us in our search for the Supreme Truth God. We all will accept the faith of one who will fully satisfy our quarries. But our condition is that we will not accept anything that might have been invented or guessed by any one of you. Because we all regard our Hindu scriptures as revealed by God, there must be proof in the revealed scriptures for whatever you assert. We refuse to take note of anything that may not have an authority in the scriptures and might have been conceived by you yourself.”

In response to Pran Nath Ji’s proposal, the teachers of all faiths agreed to discuss their respective beliefs with him individually.