Jain monk (symbolic picture)Image Credit source: AI
An 18 year old youth has everything he needs to live a luxurious life. He has given up money, status, expensive watches, expensive glasses and jewelry. We are talking. Jash Mehta, 18 year old son of a well-known diamond industrialist in Surat, Gujarat. He is going to become a Jain monk on 23rd November. This teenager is leaving the luxury life to take initiation under the guidance of Yashovijay Sureshwarji Maharaj.
Jash Mehta has secured 70 percent marks in his 10th class studies. He likes playing cricket very much. Apart from this, Jash also has a keen interest in original diamond jewellery, luxury watches, high-end cars and expensive spectacles. His mother said that whatever path Jash is going to choose, the family will fully support him.
What did Jash Mehta’s mother say?
He said, ‘We are proud that he has decided to take initiation. Jaish loved food, traveling and almost everything, including watches, glasses and jewellery. But, he has decided to leave all this.
Actually, Jaish’s spiritual inclination had started about five years ago. He was influenced by his uncle’s initiation. His uncle earlier lived a life of luxury and was not religious in the beginning, but after reading a small book he completely changed. This change had a deep impact on Jaish. He realized that material things cannot support anyone after death and along with his Guru (Gurudev), Jaish gradually distanced himself from worldly things, thereby preparing himself for a life of renunciation.
How difficult is the penance to become a Jain monk?
Becoming a Jain monk is not a small thing. This is a huge penance. One has to renounce all worldly life. Not only this, a Jain monk has to follow the strict rules and discipline of the religion. It includes principles like Ahimsa, Satya, Acharya, Brahmacharya and Aparigraha. To become a Jain monk, it is necessary to have knowledge of the teachings and scriptures of Jainism, rather one has to go to an Acharya and take initiation. At the time of initiation, under the guidance of his Acharya, the person knows and understands the rules of Jainism well, after which he takes a pledge to follow them.
After becoming a Jain monk, a person takes food only once a day. They do not even do things like brushing teeth and teeth and abandon their beds and sleep on the ground. A sage always has three things with him, which include Kamandal, Shastra and Pichhi.