9 IIT graduates Who Gave Up High-Earning Jobs And Became Monks

In the competitive world of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), where academic excellence opens doors to promising careers, not every IITian continues the said path; some alumni pursue a different route. These remarkable individuals had degrees in engineering and technology but chose to follow a deeper spiritual calling over the pursuit of monetary success. Their story not only alters conventional beliefs about success but also promotes the idea of a path that leads to spiritual awakening. It inspires those who want to take the road less traveled.

These alumni have found fulfillment and purpose in dedicating their lives to spirituality, whether through becoming monks, spiritual teachers, or practitioners of ancient traditions.

Here is a list of 9 individuals from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) who have embarked on a journey to find inner peace and spiritual awakening:

1. Rasanath Das

After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from IIT and an MBA from Cornell, Rasanath began his professional career in strategy consulting in 2000 at Deloitte. From 2006 to 2008, he worked as an investment banker for Bank of America. After that period, the 32-year-old monk entered a monastery for four years and has been pursuing a spiritual journey ever since. He is the co-founder of Upbuild, a leadership development company focused on building cultures of trust in organizations.

2. Khurshed Batliwala (Bawa)

The Youth Empowerment Skills (YES+) program at the Art of Living Foundation and the World Alliance for Youth Empowerment were both founded by Khurshed Batliwala. He graduated from IIT Bombay with a master’s degree in mathematics.
Bawa believes that the largest obstacle a person encounters is his thinking since it prevents him from accomplishing what he is truly capable of. According to him, a person can be in three different states: activity (or rajas), rest (tamas), and a balance between the two (satva).

3. Swami Mukundananda

One of the numerous IIT alumni who has served as a huge inspiration to everyone is Swami Mukundananda. Swami Mukundananda is frequently questioned about what motivated him to leave his engineering career and embark on his spiritual journey.
He began his spiritual journey to comprehend the engineering of the mind and to learn the Absolute Truth. He is the creator of the Dallas, Texas-based nonprofit organization JKYog.

4. Aviral Jain

Aviral Jain was a computer engineer by profession, who became a Jain monk by leaving a job with an annual package of 30 lakhs which is 2.5 lakhs per month salary. After completing his software engineering studies from IIT, BHU, he got a job in Walmart company. He was being paid a yearly salary of Rs. 30 lakhs to work there.
Post quitting his job, Vishuddha Sagarji Maharaj granted him initiation after a protracted time of meditation and penance.

5. Sanket Parekh

Sanket Parekh attended IIT Bombay to study chemical engineering. He also quit his lucrative employment to devote himself entirely to becoming a Jain monk. As per a report in the Times of India, Sanket began to learn about Jainism after his senior, Bhavik Shah, who had taken Diksha in 2013 himself, introduced him to the same.

According to sources, a philosophical turn in their online chat that drew him to the idea of the soul, mind, and body caused everything to change.

6. Acharya Prashant

Prashant Tripathi, aka Acharya Prashant, studied engineering at IIT Delhi. After his schooling, he took admission to IIT Delhi. Later, he was admitted to IIM Ahmedabad for post-graduation. He also spent several years working as a civil servant. Hundreds of volunteers are working under Acharya Prashant’s direction to “Create a new humanity through Intelligent Spirituality.” He has dedicated himself to the cause of Truth and is doing all in his power to make as many people aware of it as possible.

7. Mahan Mj

Mahan Mj, also known as Mahan Maharaj and Swami Vidyanathananda, is an Indian mathematician and monk belonging to the Ramakrishna Order. Presently, he serves as a Professor of Mathematics at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai.
He has been quoted as saying, “I am enjoying being a monk as much as I enjoy my mathematics”.

8. Gauranga Das

Gauranga Das’ inclination for spirituality and religious convictions led to his devotion to monasteries. He is the driving force behind ISKCON Chowpatty, one of the most prosperous Krishna-conscious institutions in the world. He is also renowned in ISKCON as one of the notable IITians.

9. Radheshyam Das

In 1991, Radheshyam Das found his spiritual calling in ISKCON. He earned his MTech. from IIT Bombay in 1993 and later became a prominent figure in ISKCON Pune. He oversaw numerous youth-focused, educational, and international outreach activities. In 1997, he was appointed as the Temple President for ISKCON Pune. Radheshyam Das utilizes his website and YouTube channel to spread the teachings of Krishna consciousness.

The spiritual path of these IIT graduates offers a unique route while challenging conventional success tales. Their quest for enlightenment and inner serenity serves as an important reminder that happiness may be achieved outside of material goals, encouraging others to consider their paths toward fulfillment and tranquillity.

Also read: 15 Famous People Who Studied From IIT And Made India Proud