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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline FEBRUARY 06, 2026 | The Indian Eye 32

BOOK REVIEW

MAHAKUMBH:

A Mighty Event, A Mighty Book

“Mega events such as the Mahakumbh… bring upon us the realization that humankind has one unifying
divine core,” writes Yakub Mathew in his recently released coffee table book, ‘Seeking the Infinite’.

ly averring the human soul as the ulti-
mate anthem of mystery. The overlap-
ping waters of three rivers continue to
transfer to the pages of this book ask-
ing for awakening from narrow and
bigoted definitions of religion.
Yakub Mathew states his vision
early on casting the Mahakumbh as an
inter-national heritage not constrained
by geographical borders. Though he
BY USHA AKELLA describes himself as an accidental au-
thor, Mathew is not an accidental seek-
n our times, wherein one feels er. The journey undertaken by a Syr-
pressured to cast her/his lot with ian Christian New York-based banker
ILeft or Right—and other frac- with his beloved wife, and a bevy of 18
tured polarities—and be damned friends to celebrate his 60th birthday
either way, a bold book arrived shin- and life after a dire illness has spawned
ing and fearless at the IAAC ((In- what will be an everlasting tribute to
do-American Arts Council)) Literary the Mahakumbh. That he sought such
Fest 2025 last November to announce an experience to define a rite of pas-
the possibilities of reconciliation— sage in human life is an indicator of the
and harmony. A mighty event rooted predilections of his soul.
in a myth of nectar, and a mighty book Yakub has straddled temporal
exploring the infinite, no less—Seek- and spiritual worlds
ing the Infinite redefines the Maha-
kumbh as one of humanity’s heritages, Mahakumbh book release by Sadhguru at IAAC Literary Festival - author Yakub Mathew (left), aised by a mother widowed
not solely Indian or Hindu. and Suhel Seth who mdoerated the panel discussion at the book launch. young in Delhi, his childhood
The book draws our attention to Ris reminiscent with interac-
water as a fundamental metaphor of tions and mentorship by Mother Te-
purification, unity, and surrender. In The three rivers whose waters be- impeccable standards of production resa and His Holiness Bishop Paulos
its pages the Mahakumbh is recog- come a single stream are read symbol- and embark on an archaeology of Gregorios. Perhaps the first seeds
nized as a clarion call from India of the ically in various fashions but mostly as semantics of the event. Turning the of faith were laid at this time. Also,
truth of one ultimate religion—hu- an emblem of unity. That one of these pages of this book feels like mimick- raised by uncles (P.C. Alexander and
manity. As a reader you can position rivers is mythical (Saraswati) does not ing the journey, by entering the pre- P.M. Thomas) who were public ser-
yourself on the shore of this book, and hamper faith. And that a gathering liminary waters of the first chapter of vants brought Yakub into the ken of
marvel at the timeless ripples of faith of such staggering numbers rolled off ‘Blessings’ by a mystic, Hindu yogis the political and powerful—thus the
ignited by hope for a healed world. peacefully, across nearly two months, and a Cardinal (Sadhguru, Swami two worlds of temporal and spiritual
Immortalizing the Mahakumbh is a miracle. A coffee table book with Avdeshanand Giri Maharaj, Maharaj spanned the orb of his growing years.
in a book stunning photographs laid across 246 Radhanath Swami and His Eminence Yakub Mathew was never to forget
pages and lit by luminous quotes and Cardinal Oswald Gracias), onward to that a delicate balance of human and
edicated to the journey with- narratives, Seeking the Infinite has deeper waters of musings and explo- cosmic forces shapes a life. Schooled
in’, Yakub Mathew’s book immortalized the Mahakumbh as rations. Finally, the reader emerges in St. Xavier’s and St Stephen’s Col-
Daims to capture the gravitas never before. refreshed by India’s eternal reverber- lege, a typical brand of Indian Chris-
of the Mahakumbh—a once in 144 The very dedication states the ating spiritual current. And is remind- tianity contoured by an Indian world
years riverine confluence termed resolution and celebration of para- ed of a tenacious civilization that has view shaped his humanist values, and
Triveni Sangam (reflected in the skies doxes—the outward pilgrimage is ver- neither been afraid to ask the deepest global perspective. After some world
by a rare astronomical configuration itably the turning within to touch an questions, nor hesitated to attempt to travels, he finally went on to navi-
of Jupiter, Sun and Moon/the orbital ineffable shore we carry in our souls. answer them. Answers that have buf- gate his worldly role as a banker in
revolution of Jupiter around the sun) The book in its scope, aim and pro- feted along seemingly contradictory New York City, abiding also by his
in Prayagraj that welcomed an esti- duction is a Mahakumbh of an under- banks of form and formless, faith and inner yearnings. A privileged life has
mated 640 million devotees in 2025. taking unafraid to boldly go toward agnosticism, ritual and dhyana—final- Continued on next page... >>

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