Speaker: Srila Prabhupada

Source: The Material World – A Chance

 Maha Kumbh Mela. Night. Tents. Illumination. Electricity.Just like, I’ll give you very nice example. Just there will be a great fair. Just like, we had in this Allahabad, Magha-mela. So because government knew that many people will come to take bath in the Ganges, confluence of Ganges and Yamuna, all of a sudden, a great city, practically, was developed. Those who have seen — so many houses, camps, electric lights, post office, everything. Temporary, created. But as soon as… It is maintained also so long the mela, the fair, is going on. And as soon as the duration of mela is finished, all people go away and the temporary township is also demolished. That we have seen. Similarly, this material world means it is a kind of fair, assembly of so many men. What is the purpose? The purpose is to give them chance, just the Magha-mela is a chance to become purified, to become pious. They take bath in the Ganges. They become, get an opportunity, an auspicious moment to take bath.