Nagababas the incredibles! ( careful: contains nudity)

End of the dawn on that main bath day showed  me the real  ‘crowd’  of Kumbh. Allahabad  kumbh  has the largest area of all the kumbh  but I felt that even this area is not enough for the Kumbh crowd. There was a sea  of photographers, media people waiting for the Procession of Sadhus to the main bathing arena at Sangam.

As the crowd chanting got louder and louder every one inside the bathing arena  started running around . I had no clue what was going on for five minutes  only to understand that there is a group of Nagababas are coming towards the bathing arena for the bathing.  I saw photographers both Indian and foreign , media people literally fighting with each other to get the nagababas and surprisingly Nagababas who were naked, carrying   trident, sticks, swords    were also showing off their stuff to give  better poses! The whole situation looked like a show-off , a drama , selling the ‘nagababa’ to  the world. I saw some foreign ‘naga baba ‘ showing young naga babas how to pose to people surrounding them! Media persons were also  instructing the babas how to pose , how to scream to create a best shot together  . On the other side where babas were taking the holy dip at Sangam , there was ugly competition to capture the  ‘greatest bathing’  photo . For a moment I felt like Kumbh is all about Nagababas and bathing  nothing else!

I have a high respect on Babas as a Hindu and I follow and admire few babas , pontiffs as well.  But that day I was shocked and shaken  after seeing this ‘ greatest show’ . I have heard and seen  great things about Nagababas . Later I felt very sad  not because of the “greatest show ”  I saw on that day. It was because I am not fortunate enough . I am not fortunate to be in the age where great saints and babas  of India  used to visit Kumbh.

Later I met many babas , spoke to them which made me realize few things. There are many yogis, babas with some amazing powers and knowledge hidden in Himalayas and all over the India . Not all of them wants to be a media center of attraction and choose to be in hiding. It is believed many did not attend the Kumbh at all or secretly attended and left.  I also learnt that some nagas are  fake babas to make some money by attracting tourists and devotees .

Here are some interesting facts:

Who are Nagababas

A class of Sadhu men ( holy men) said to be founded by Great philosopher Shankaracharya in the ninth century with austere lifestyle . They are the  warrior class of Sadhus   and said to be fought against invaders to British ( during British occupation of India ) .Most of them live in isolated hermitages or open sky . Throughout the year they are naked , they cover their bodies with ash and carry trident as they are mostly followers of Shiva. They do not cut their hairs instead curl their hairs . When I have asked they told stories of sadhus who  were living naked even in the Himalayas  under subzero conditions.  It is not that they  always naked they can wear a tiny cloths called loincloth  which are seen with young naga babas often.

Why one becomes Nagababa?

There is no definite piece of explanation as of now but like all the saints and Sanyasis of India Nagababas also seek liberation from worldly illusions. The seek spiritual evolution by union of one’s essence, the brahma . But this lifestyle  is their chosen way of self-control, living away from mainstream culture.

 Why Nagababas live naked?

It is often debated about the nakedness that it helps closer connection with the natural divine self. Nakedness helps in killing the self-ego, pride and love for worldly materials. All distracting, unnecessary possessions, accessories and practices are left behind and only focus on self-evolving to join his self.

 What is initiation of Nagababa?

There is no rule on when one can become naga babas. Finding the right guru is the first step and when the Guru feels he has the ability to become a nagababa he will put them to test such as spending twelve years in Himalayas, or spending twelve years in thick forest. Again there is no rule for the ‘test’s but usually a guru would decide on that. They meet their guru on the decided time to present him their achievements and capabilities. Then the guru decides whether his student is fit or not.

If seen in a different perspective the ’test’ seems fair as all who seek the liberation are not really strong at their will to become a saadhu. If one can wait for twelve years in such difficult situations that itself is a proof for a Guru that his student is eligible for what he is seeking for .

Deeksha or Initiation of Nagababa involves a violent jerk in the penis, causing severed nerves which prohibits erection ability. This ritual is done usually in  Kumbh mela or on special festival occasion or sometime on a fixed date.   As per some saadhus I spoke to, this year they have seen highest number of initiations of young nagababas . There were many non-Indians also who got initiated which was not surprising at all!

How  nagababs are so  powerful  and can achieve such feats which is against science and physical limits?

Subject of naga babas doing some unbelievable things is a known fact to everyone who knows what ‘ Kumbhmela’ is . But how? Not easy to answer but it is their will power and strength which is achieved, practiced by years to perfect. Early days these tricks or feats are required to attract devotees and get the money/ food ( grains ) which is the only way a Sanyasi can get the money. Nowadays I even heard there are some nagababas who are even millionaires!

How does  one become a nagababa ?

There are many debates on this particularly , many faces of debates when someone becomes a nagababa ? I saw hundreds of young Nagababs in Kumbhamela and many told that they are initiated as Nagababas in this Kumbhmela.  I wondered where those people come from ??

If you ask directly to nagababa most of them do not like to talk about their previous life ( poorvashram) . There are many stories I heard from different range of people wonder how many of them are true or all of them are true??

As told by a villager :

The senior nagababas are very powerful. They find out from their power that has the capability of becoming nagababa and give him direction to become nagababa. They ask him to come to Kumbh or any other festival season to some specific location for initiation process.

As told by a Sadhu attending Kumbhmela:

World is full of sorrows and pain. Many who keep looking for truth of life meet these mahatmas (holy men) in such big events like Kumbhmela. They find their guru and  become their follower and slowly Nagababa

As told by a cloth seller came from Varanasi:

Have you heard all those announcements of missing children over mic  all the day ? He asked. I had to nod and start looking at him surprisingly waiting for what he is going to tell next. He said in a lower voice ” Nagababas abduct those kids. They give something to eat which will brainwash the kids. They sacrifice those kids during the nights and remaining kids become Nagababas!”

As told by a local vendor:

Many of these babas are fake! Many of them are agriculturists  in remote villages and they all come here to make money, have fun and exploit people. Do you know the amount of drugs that are being used in Kumbhmela ? Do not go behind them. They will spoil you!

How to become a nagababa ?

Not in my scope but I would say the first step is to Visit Kumbhmela and find your Guru!

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