The Path Less Taken

The recent viral “IITian Baba” at Mahakumbh, an Aerospace Engineer from IIT Bombay who chose the path of ascetism has triggered a debate.

One may argue...What is the purpose of so much education if it cannot be put to good use to earn for the family, serve the society and contribute to the progress of the nation? A precious IIT seat wasted. He chose the easy path – that of escapism from his responsibilities in the garb of “finding meaning to my life”.

But is this path really easy?

There are many instances of learned, successful and affluent people- CAs, lawyers, heirs of billionaire families- who have renounced worldly pleasures and embraced monkhood. It takes a lot of courage, contemplation, fighting tremendous family resistance and sometimes traumatic emotional experiences to go towards this path. 

We have ample talent in our country but how many of the IIT grads do their bit for its progress? Most of them leave abroad for high paying jobs in MNCs and help these corporates make big bucks.

Wealth, power, position, luxury- we all are in a never-ending rat race to “keep up with the Joneses”. Money does buy happiness to some extent I believe. But after you have reached a certain level (which varies from person to person), there comes a point where materialistic pleasures seem meaningless. Especially if they come at the cost of your mental peace, health and company of loved ones. Many of us have felt this futility at some point and have wished to escape from the shackles of responsibilities and live a life just for our own happiness.

But are we able to break free? 

My father came to Udaipur from a humble town in Rajasthan, where most barely passed school, to pursue education against his parents’ wishes. After a successful stint in college politics and being an ardent RSS sevak, he went on to do his PhD in Mathematics from IIT Kanpur. He worked as a Professor in the Middle East for two decades. To this day he jokes that he might have become the CM of Rajasthan had he stayed in politics (to which we thank fate that he pursued academics instead!)

Our parents gave us three sibs an amazing childhood, instilled moral values, made us capable and gave us the freedom to choose the careers and life partners of our choice.

After retirement, back in India, he has immersed himself in spirituality, spending his time reading religious scriptures and following the Jain principles of “Tyag and Tapasya”. On questioning his sudden detachment, he says “I have led a satisfying life and fulfilled all my social obligations but now I want to do what makes me happiest.”

Another example is my brother -a BITS-IIM alumnus working at a high post in a food industry in Kuwait minting money. But what he really enjoys is being an “Art of Living” teacher and conducting breathing and meditation workshops. He says that this is what keeps him sane in this crazy competitive world.

So who are we to judge anyone or to decide which path is right or wrong?

It is painful to see young bright students committing suicides due to immense pressure to excel and crushing parental expectations. We all are in the pursuit of success, the definition of which varies from person to person and also at different phases of life. Ultimately mental peace, contentment, good health and love is all the luxury we need.  

I am a typical Capricorn- fiercely ambitious, achiever, opinionated, practical, stubborn and moody. I enjoy material things and am not religious as per the standard norms. I hate the ritualistic approach to religion and religious fanaticism. Growing up in the Gulf, I have had friends from different nationalities and faiths. I realized that the teachings of all religions are fundamentally the same. Man has made different interpretations and rituals and distorted its actual essence.

Doctors are worshippers at the altar of medicine. I am passionate about my work and grateful to be a healer. We all can do good deeds in the realms of our professions. I do believe in spirituality, karma, compassion, kindness, being a good human and have faith in a Higher power who guides me through life.  

Science and Spirituality can coexist and complement each other. We should try to strike a balance to navigate through life’s trials and tribulations.

So let everyone live and breathe free- each has his own battles – let us not be judgemental. Let them find their path, their calling, their purpose in life….               

                                                                                                               - Dr Angelica