Lesser-known IITians who became popular monks

Lakhs and Lakhs of students dream of getting admission to India's premier engineering college IIT, but only a few are able to fulfill that dream. Students who graduate from IIT have better opportunities waiting for them. But some people don't want the riches of life or the jewel of luxury, rather they want to devote themselves to serving the greater good. We have prepared a list of IItians who chose to give up their high paying jobs to inspire and motivate people to the path of spirituality and self growth. Take a look at them.

Rasanath Das, completed his graduation from IIT Bombay and then went ahead to pursue MBA from Cornell University. He has been profiled in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, CNN and PBS. But Rasanath did not like the glitter of Wall Street, after 2008 he spent 4 years in a monastery and finally embarked on a journey to spiritual enlightenment.

​Khurshid Batliwala, pursued an MSc in Mathematics from IIT Bombay. But after 20 years of his career, he decided that in this life he is meant for more than just numbers and equations. Khurshid Batliwala, certified by the Bach Centre UK- now inspires people on their journey of personal growth and peace. He is a trainer for Craniosacral Therapy with the Sri Sri Tattva Centre of Healing Arts.

Mukundananda graduated from IIT Delhi and further pursued his MBA from IIM Calcutta. After working for some time he realized that his corporate career was not wholesome. To understand the Absolute Truth, he renounced his career and traveled the entire stretch of India. He is now a Spiritual leader and founder of a yogic system called, Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog.

Graduated as a Computer Engineer from IIT, BHU- Aviral Jain had a comfortable job at Walmart. But he did not want this, under the guidance of Vishuddha Sagarji Maharaj, Aviral became a Jain Monk. He transformed his identity and came to be known as Muni Shri 108 Nisang Sagarji Maharaj.

Sanket Parekh was an IIT graduate and was working as a Chemical Engineer in the US, when he decided to quit his high paying job to become a monk. His decision shocked his parents as he was an atheist. He spent two and a half years under Acharya Yug Bhushan Suri to learn the basics.

Prashant Tripathi pursued textile engineering from IIT Delhi and completed his MBA degree from IIM Ahmedabad in 2003. His corporate career felt foreign to him and thus he founded Advait Life Education, a programme aimed at invoking self awareness in youngsters. And thus started his own journey towards a spiritual life.

Mahan MJ completed his graduation and post graduation from IIT Kanpur. He also pursued a PhD in Mathematics from University of Berkley. It was here that he started reading the works of Swami Vivekanand and was highly inspired. In 2008 he earned his monkhood. He is currently a monk of Ramakrishna Order. Along with his spiritual pursuits Mahan MJ also is the Professor of Mathematics at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai.

Pandit Dasa is the President of ISKCON Bangalore and chairman of The Akshaya Patra. But Pandit Dasa was not always a monk; rather he became a full time member of ISCOn while he was pursuing his Chemical Engineering degree from IIT Bombay.

Radheyshyam Das completed his graduation from IIT bombay in 1993 and then worked for many reputed companies. Radheyshyam has served as the President of the Pune branch of ISKCON since 1997.

George Frumkin, an IIT graduate, became Gauranga Das by joining the ISCON at the age of 20. He is a spiritual leader and advocates sustainability and social welfare.