Acharya Prashant explains the Vedic meaning behind the Kumbh Mela by delving into the mythological story of the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) from the Puranas. He states that both the Gods (Devtas) and the Demons (Asuras) are forms of the ego, sharing a common desire to escape death and attain immortality. The Gods, though egoistic, are oriented towards the Truth and seek refuge in Mahadev (Lord Shiva) when defeated. The Demons, on the other hand, have a misdirected, narcissistic ego and follow their guru, Shukracharya. The churning of the ocean is a metaphor for self-reflection (Atma-Manthan), and the ocean itself represents the ocean of existence (Bhavsagar) or the mind. This process is arduous, symbolized by the use of the Mandrachal mountain as a churning rod and the serpent king Vasuki as the rope. The support of Lord Vishnu in the form of a tortoise (Kurma avatar) signifies that self-knowledge is impossible without the grace of the supreme power. The first thing to emerge from this churning is the deadly poison 'Halahal', which represents the inner filth and fear that surfaces at the beginning of a spiritual journey. This is a perilous stage where many seekers retreat. Mahadev consumes the poison to save the world, holding it in his throat, which earns him the name 'Neelkanth' (the one with a blue throat). This act embodies 'Shivatva' (the quality of Shiva), the capacity to absorb the world's negativity without being tainted. Following the poison, various temptations emerge, such as the Airavata elephant, the Kamdhenu cow, and Apsaras, which are illusions (Maya) meant to distract the seeker. Finally, the pitcher (Kumbh) of nectar (Amrit) appears, leading to a conflict between the Gods and Demons. To resolve the conflict, Lord Vishnu assumes the form of Mohini, an enchanting woman, and deceives the demons, giving the nectar to the Gods. This illustrates that even Gods can be deceitful. The story of Rahu and Ketu also originates here, as a demon in disguise drinks the nectar and becomes immortal despite being decapitated. The drops of nectar are said to have fallen at the four locations where the Kumbh Mela is celebrated. The true essence of the story is that 'Amrit' is the soul, representing freedom from death. The search for Amrit is the process of negating the false self. One who gets stuck on fear (poison) or temptations (divine gifts) remains trapped in the cycle of death. The entire narrative is an internal, spiritual process.