Can a Social Media Influencer Meeta Real Yogi at the Kumbha-mela?

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3 mins September, 2026
Can a Social Media Influencer Meeta Real Yogi at the Kumbha-mela?
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It seems that the present Kumbha-mela was  swarming with social media influencers who
wanted to make hay while the sun shone. They wanted to see the spiritual superstars who could boost their media rankings. But just as predicted, many had to be satisfied with unknowns, persons who could hardly fit the description of a “real” yogi. Let us analyze why this happened.

The great spiritual leader, Sripada Adi Sankaracarya is credited with reviving the festival of Kumbha-mela. His advent was in the seventh century AD. Thus, this makes it one of the most ancient celebrations periodically observed by human society. Ancient India had experienced almost ten centuries of continuous Buddhist influence on almost all aspects of social, political, and spiritual spheres of life, and now, in his time, the opportunity was ripe for revival of its original culture.

That was the time when Adi Sankaracarya toured all over India, and not only established the predominance of Vedic scriptures but also laid the foundation of civic life. And one of his key ideas was to unite under one umbrella all those who claim to follow Vedic ideals and thoughts. Thus, he exhorted his followers to celebrate the grand festival of Kumbha-mela.

Vedic Sanatana-dharma also needed warriors to protect itself from physical attacks. And that is why Sankaracarya encouraged the Naga-sadhus to play the role of protecting the tender creeper of Sanatana-dharma. These warrior-monks led a life of extreme austerity and were committed to protecting society.

Today, it seems like most youngsters are clueless regarding this festival. Most of the YouTubers were looking for miracle-men, naked sadhus who had smeared their bodies with ash, those who were brandishing tridents and swords, or some who were simply charlatans.

One youngster asked whether reports of sadhus living for hundreds of years is fake news or reality. It’s actually a fact that there are sadhus who live for many hundreds of years but appear just like a young man of twenty-five. This is the real deal. This is real Hatha-yoga. Such yogis rarely come out, and when they do come it has to be a real significant event. Just as political parties have their major events, these yogis meet after twelve years and in the same places — in Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. Let us understand as to how this is possible.

First of all, these yogis remain alone; they shun society. They have nothing to do with politics, current affairs, stock markets, whatever. This is called ekaki (“alone”). Next is aparigrahah, one does not depend upon anyone. All the YouTube influencers (for all their billions of views) are totally dependent upon the viewership of their fans. Next comes nirasih: they are not dependent on their powers. Who is going to give him even his basic needs of food, clothing and shelter? He is alone in a secluded place like a forest or a mountain. And who is going to give him anything? He doesn’t expect, because he is firmly convinced, “I am not alone. My Paramatma (the Supersoul in the heart) is always with me.”

Do you see how difficult it is for us to perform the real yoga system? What an extraordinary type of life this is — living alone. No friends, family or society. No desires in the mind. No expectation from anyone. Go to a completely secluded place and practice hatha-yoga by controlling the mind and senses, purifying the heart and fixing the mind on one point. These kinds of hardships enable them to go on living for an abnormally long time. Of course, they are not here to brag about it. So, remember, those who brag do not have the practice; and those who have the practice do not brag.

—Syamananda Das

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Can a Social Media Influencer Meeta Real Yogi at the Kumbha-mela?

Can a Social Media Influencer Meeta Real Yogi at the Kumbha-mela?
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It seems that the present Kumbha-mela was  swarming with social media influencers who
wanted to make hay while the sun shone. They wanted to see the spiritual superstars who could boost their media rankings. But just as predicted, many had to be satisfied with unknowns, persons who could hardly fit the description of a “real” yogi. Let us analyze why this happened.

The great spiritual leader, Sripada Adi Sankaracarya is credited with reviving the festival of Kumbha-mela. His advent was in the seventh century AD. Thus, this makes it one of the most ancient celebrations periodically observed by human society. Ancient India had experienced almost ten centuries of continuous Buddhist influence on almost all aspects of social, political, and spiritual spheres of life, and now, in his time, the opportunity was ripe for revival of its original culture.

That was the time when Adi Sankaracarya toured all over India, and not only established the predominance of Vedic scriptures but also laid the foundation of civic life. And one of his key ideas was to unite under one umbrella all those who claim to follow Vedic ideals and thoughts. Thus, he exhorted his followers to celebrate the grand festival of Kumbha-mela.

Vedic Sanatana-dharma also needed warriors to protect itself from physical attacks. And that is why Sankaracarya encouraged the Naga-sadhus to play the role of protecting the tender creeper of Sanatana-dharma. These warrior-monks led a life of extreme austerity and were committed to protecting society.

Today, it seems like most youngsters are clueless regarding this festival. Most of the YouTubers were looking for miracle-men, naked sadhus who had smeared their bodies with ash, those who were brandishing tridents and swords, or some who were simply charlatans.

One youngster asked whether reports of sadhus living for hundreds of years is fake news or reality. It’s actually a fact that there are sadhus who live for many hundreds of years but appear just like a young man of twenty-five. This is the real deal. This is real Hatha-yoga. Such yogis rarely come out, and when they do come it has to be a real significant event. Just as political parties have their major events, these yogis meet after twelve years and in the same places — in Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. Let us understand as to how this is possible.

First of all, these yogis remain alone; they shun society. They have nothing to do with politics, current affairs, stock markets, whatever. This is called ekaki (“alone”). Next is aparigrahah, one does not depend upon anyone. All the YouTube influencers (for all their billions of views) are totally dependent upon the viewership of their fans. Next comes nirasih: they are not dependent on their powers. Who is going to give him even his basic needs of food, clothing and shelter? He is alone in a secluded place like a forest or a mountain. And who is going to give him anything? He doesn’t expect, because he is firmly convinced, “I am not alone. My Paramatma (the Supersoul in the heart) is always with me.”

Do you see how difficult it is for us to perform the real yoga system? What an extraordinary type of life this is — living alone. No friends, family or society. No desires in the mind. No expectation from anyone. Go to a completely secluded place and practice hatha-yoga by controlling the mind and senses, purifying the heart and fixing the mind on one point. These kinds of hardships enable them to go on living for an abnormally long time. Of course, they are not here to brag about it. So, remember, those who brag do not have the practice; and those who have the practice do not brag.

—Syamananda Das