Mr. and Mrs. Bhavesh Bhai Bhandari, esteemed residents of Himmatnagar, Sabarkantha district, Gujarat, have garnered significant public attention through their remarkable decision to relinquish their entire lifetime earnings in pursuit of a monastic life. Mr. Bhandari, hailing from a prosperous family in Sabarkantha, enjoyed a privileged upbringing and subsequently pursued a career in the construction industry, overseeing projects in both Sabarkantha and Ahmedabad. The Bhandari family has deep-rooted ties to the Jain community and has regularly engaged with monks and devotees. However, they have now made the extraordinary choice to forego their comfortable existence, foregoing modern conveniences such as fans, air conditioners, and mobile phones.
The unexpected nature of their decision has led to widespread discussions on various social media platforms. Furthermore, the decision is made even more noteworthy by the fact that their 16-year-old son and 19-year-old daughter also chose to embark on the path to becoming monks in 2022, serving as a profound source of inspiration for Mr. and Mrs. Bhandari.
In a ceremonious procession in Himmatnagar, Mr. and Mrs. Bhandari, alongside 35 others, have pledged to lead a life of discipline. Reports suggest that they will formally embrace their life of renunciation at the Himmatnagar Riverfront on April 22.
Their act of renouncing their affluent lifestyle echoes the story of a nine-year-old girl from Gujarat who pursued a similar path last year, forgoing material comforts on her journey towards spiritual enlightenment. Devanshi, the daughter of Dhanesh and Ami Sanghvi, relinquished a life of luxury to pursue a spiritual calling at a tender age. Supported by her father, a prosperous diamond merchant, she eventually took ‘diksha’ in the presence of Jain monk Acharya Vijay Kirtiyashsuri and hundreds of others at a venue in Vesu locality of Surat. Despite her youth, Devanshi displayed a profound interest in spiritual life, even walking approximately 700 km with other monks and adopting their lifestyle before formally becoming a monk.
These tales of individuals forsaking opulent lifestyles in favour of seeking spiritual fulfilment serve as poignant reminders of the diverse paths that individuals choose to pursue in their quest for meaning and purpose.
Drawing from authoritative sources, the admirable choice made by Mr. and Mrs. Bhavesh Bhai Bhandari, alongside the compelling journey of Devanshi, serves as compelling examples of the transformative power of spirituality and devotion. As such, their stories compel us to reflect on our own priorities and values, prompting us to contemplate what truly brings contentment and fulfilment in our lives.