GUEST COLUMN
Dr Sona Kaushal Gupta.
I took a Holy Dip at the Mahakumbh which recently concluded at Prayagraj and felt blessed, happy and empowered doing so. It was a lifetime experience for me and a blend of my faith, beliefs and sentiments. Many raised an eyebrow and asked me how could I do so as a doctor? As a doctor and a psychologist who has read science, biology and mastered medicine and psychology and how the body and mind function, how could I believe in religion and go to the Mahakumbh? Was the water not unhygienic? Were the crowds not intimidating? Does science give me a logical reason to do so? My answer to all these questions was that I have my own personal religious beliefs which I don’t have to justify or explain to anyone. As long as I put aside these beliefs when I am working as a counsellor or while treating my patients and as long as my religious beliefs do not interfere with my work, it’s fine and acceptable.
Let me try and share my views on this holy dip and how it made me feel more enriched. As a medical doctor and a psychologist I have spent years understanding the human mind, body and guiding people towards being more happy ,resilient, healing, loving and being kind to themselves and improving their physical and mental well being. I believe health is a holistic term of mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well being. Yes, my work is rooted in science but I have always believed and advocated that healing is not just about medicine. It is about balance, faith and a deep connection among the mind, body and soul. I am a staunch advocate of the saying, “A doctor treats but god heals”.
When I took a holy dip in the Mahakumbh along with lakhs of other devotees, it was not merely a ritual for me but it was a moment of profound reflection and a blend of spirituality, traditional beliefs and science—an experience which left me enriched in ways I had never imagined. The spiritual significance of the Mahakumbh was not just a religious tour and a bath for me. It was a journey within, an energy field full of devotion, surrender and faith. Millions like me took a holy dip in the sacred Ganga believing in the power of devotion and purification not just of the body but also of the soul.
Faith is an integral part of human existence. It provides us mental strength in adversity, comfort in uncertainty, and resilience when we face great challenges in life. Many people associate faith solely with religion but I believe that its influence extends far beyond the spiritual realm. At its core, faith is about our beliefs. Belief in oneself, in others and in the goodness of life and it plays a significant role in our mental and physical well being. Ironically, this is a fact which is acknowledged even by science today. Faith reminds us that no struggle lasts forever and even in our weakest times we are not alone.
Health studies have shown it to be a combination and tool along with medicines to heal the mind and body from our stress and traumas. I have seen firsthand how faith can transform lives. It’s about trusting in something greater than our immediate struggles. Whether it is faith in god, in the universe, in the law of attraction and manifestation, in destiny or in our own ability to overcome obstacles, this inner conviction has a profound impact on our health happiness and healing.
Life as we all know is unpredictable and no one is immune to hardships be it an illness, a loss, a failure or an emotional distress. However those who have faith are seen to have remarkable resilience to tide through the adversities. They perceive difficulties not as permanent roadblocks but as a part of a larger journey. This mindset fosters perseverance and prevents despair from taking hold of us. In my medical practice, I have observed that patients with a strong faith –whether religious or personal—recover from their emotional trauma and physical ailments much faster. They follow treatment plans more vigorously, maintain hope and find a purpose even in their suffering. Modern research supports the idea that faith has better health benefits. Studies have shown that prayer, meditation and other spiritual practices activate regions of the brain associated with peace and emotional regulation. Faith reduces stress hormones enhances immune function and lowers the risk of depression and anxiety. Faith also teaches people to surrender what they cannot control and lowers their worry and anxiety levels and reinforces our sense of trust in a greater purpose and this psychological shift reduces our stress levels and fosters our emotional well being.
While the holy dip holds a great religious significance, it also has a scientific side to it. The cold water immersion when we dip into the Holy waters of Mahakumbh has been studied for its health benefits also It stimulates the Vagus nerve which helps reduce stress, enhance our mood and also improves our wellbeing and immunity. The sudden plunge into the cold waters releases endorphins creating a natural sense of calm and well being in us. In the face of constant judgement about being superstitious or having some guilt which we need to wash off and purify ourselves or the holy water being dirty and unhygienic, for me taking the holy dip was not about all these petty issues but it was about my faith and beliefs. It was about experiencing a moment of stillness amidst all the outer and inner chaos, experiencing surrender and of connection. It reminded me that while we heal others it’s imperative to heal our own selves first physically, emotionally and spiritually.
In a world of outer chaos we need to bring in inner calm, to pause, to let go, to believe and to embrace experiences that remind us that beyond science and medicine there exists a force –call it faith, energy, universe or god –that plays a vital role in our well being. Standing on the banks of the Ganga, surrounded by hundreds of devotees , chants and the scent of incense and unwavering faith of millions, I felt a sense of calm surrender, peace and unity of humaniy—rich and poor beyond differences of caste, creed or colour. That is why I took a Holy Dip in the Mahakumbh and I will carry its essence with me forever.
(The author is a neuro psychologist, founder of a crisis helpline and designated CBSE counsellor. Views expressed are personal)
