Surat: Five years ago, monk Bhagyaratna Vijayji, then as 12-year-old Bhavya Shah, sent ripples across the community when he rode a Ferrari to take an auspicious date for his diksha ceremony. On Thursday, his multi-millionaire parents, Dipesh (51) and Pika (46), drove a Jaguar with the same purpose — get a date for a formal renunciation of the materialistic world.
Interestingly, Shahs’ daughter Priya (12) had adopted monkhood a decade back and became Pararthrekha Shriji.
Shah, a successful diamond trader for 30-odd years and having an annual turnover of over Rs 15 crores, will take diksha later this year along with his wife. In spite of their opulence, the couple has already started leading a life of abstinence, walking hundreds of kilometres with other Jain monks.
After winding up his business worth crores, Dipesh has walked over 350km in the first test to monkhood, Pika has covered over 500km on foot with women monks.
Shah had to take a rest owing to an accident that gave him a leg injury.
As part of the monasticism rituals, a diksha aspirant is supposed to lead an ascetic life with monks for a few months, following most of their arduous daily practices. Only after their labour satisfies the monks, a person is then allowed to take oath.
“Years ago, we were clear about our decision for diksha, but social responsibilities held us back. But now, we got the opportunity again. We will accept all the challenges of monkhood with a smile on our face,” Pika told TOI.
Shahs’ elder son Indra got married earlier this year after which, the couple decided to go for diksha.
“When my daughter took diksha, we too wished to follow her path someday. I earned wealth and success, but the search for ultimate peace and happiness never ended. But when we see monks who are always happy, we knew that our search will end through sacrifice and devotion. The couple may take diksha by the end of the year in the presence of Rashmiratna Suriji.
Dipesh’s father Pravin had a well-established jaggery and sugar business in Kolhapur. “But he shifted to Surat, as Jain monks did not frequently visit that part of Maharashtra. While in Surat, he could worship monks regularly and also started diamond business here in 1980,” said Dipesh.
Yagnesh Mehta is principal correspondent at The Times of India, S...
Read MoreYagnesh Mehta is principal correspondent at The Times of India, Surat and reports on crime, politics and health related issues. He has reported on major events that affected Surat in recent years, like the floods in 2006 and bird flu outbreak in Navapur in 2005. He has also covered child labour issues in industries of Surat and on RTI. Painting and rock-climbing are his favourite leisure activities.
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