Maha Kumbh: Why IIT graduate gave up high-paying US job and turned to spirituality

At the grand Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, where countless devotees converge in search of spiritual awakening, stories of profound transformation are making waves. One such inspiring tale is that of Acharya Jaishankar Narayanan.

An IIT graduate, Narayanan had a thriving career in the United States, but his life took an extraordinary turn when he embraced the profound teachings of Vedanta and left his high-paying job behind.

Here’s a closer look at his extraordinary journey.

‘IIT felt like a big achievement, but…’

Narayanan’s remarkable journey began at the esteemed IIT-BHU, where he earned his engineering degree in 1992. He soon embarked on a professional career, starting with Tata Steel.

In 1993, however, his life took an unexpected turn when he moved to the United States. It was during this time that he encountered the transformative teachings of Swami Dayanand Saraswati. This pivotal meeting introduced him to Vedanta, the profound Indian philosophy centred on self-realisation and eternal happiness.

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“I met Guru Ji for the first time, and after listening to his ‘pravachan’ I became interested in Vedanta,” Narayanan told ANI.

By 1995, Narayanan returned to India with a renewed sense of purpose. He immersed himself in a residential course at the Gurukulam, dedicating years to the rigorous study of Vedanta and Sanskrit. His dedication bore fruit, as he became a respected teacher of these ancient disciplines.

Over the past 20 years, he has continued to teach at the Gurukul, sharing the wisdom he gained through his spiritual journey.

Reflecting on his experiences, Narayanan admitted that while academic achievements like gaining admission to IIT initially felt monumental, their significance faded over time.

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“All achievements feel big only for the time being, but after some time it feels normal and you start working for your next target,” he explained to ANI. “When I joined IIT, it felt like a great achievement, but there were so many others like me who cracked the entrance exam to get there. It didn’t feel like a big deal after that.”

#WATCH | Delhi: On his journey from IITian to Vedantacharya, Acharya Jaishankar Narayanan says, " I am a disciple of Swami Dayanand Saraswati... I lived in the Gurukulam for three years. Before that, I studied engineering at IIT-BHU for 4 years. I passed out in 1992 and worked at… pic.twitter.com/cBmfv3WoXr

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2025

Embracing spirituality

In a conversation with IANS, Acharya Narayanan explained his spiritual journey through Vedanta.

Reflecting on the universal search for happiness, he shared, “Despite all material achievements, I found that people, whether in India or the US, were unhappy. True happiness is not found in the material world but in self-knowledge and realization, as taught in Vedanta.”

He explained that salvation and eternal happiness, central to Indian culture, are attained through self-awareness, not reliant on the afterlife.

“Only happiness mixed with sorrow can be obtained. After that, it will go away. Sorrow remains because you cannot stop what you have from leaving. Union and separation will keep occurring. In such circumstances, we must consider what is eternal in life. Only that which transcends space and time is eternal. The scriptures show our true nature. This is the subject of Vedanta,” he said.

He also commented on the case of Abhey Singh, an IITian-baba who rose to popularity this Maha Kumbh. He urged people to focus on a person’s present path rather than their past.

“Like rivers that become pure despite their origins, a saint’s current actions should be valued more than their history. The stories of sages like Valmiki remind us of the transformative power of Dharma,” he told the news agency.

The story of Kumbh’s famous IIT Baba

Among the most discussed figures at Prayagraj’s Maha Kumbh 2025 is Abhey Singh, famously known as the “IIT Baba.” A graduate of IIT Bombay, Singh’s transition from aerospace engineering to a life dedicated to spirituality has drawn widespread attention.

Hailing from Sasarouli village in Haryana, Singh followed a traditional academic route, excelling in his studies at IIT Bombay and later securing a high-paying job in Canada, earning an annual salary of Rs 36 lakh.

However, despite his success, Singh struggled with depression while living abroad, which led him to question the purpose of life and the workings of the human mind. Seeking answers, he quit his job and returned to India to explore spirituality.

Recently, Singh’s spiritual journey took a contentious turn when he was expelled from the Juna Akhara. He faced allegations of misconduct, including using abusive language towards his guru, Mahant Someshwar Puri, and accusations of drug use made by fellow ascetics.

In an interview with India Today, Singh denied the accusations, claiming they were baseless and motivated by jealousy over his rising popularity.

“They think I’ve become famous and might expose something about them, so they’re spreading nonsense, claiming I’ve gone for secret meditation,” he said, asserting that he remains actively involved in the religious gathering.

Singh also criticised Mahant Someshwar Puri, who had earlier referred to Singh as his disciple. Refuting this claim, Singh stated, “I had already clarified there is no guru-disciple relationship between us. Now that I’ve gained recognition, he’s positioning himself as my guru,” as quoted in a report by Aaj Tak.

With input from agencies