“The journey of a kid mesmerized by Shiva to finding his Guru”.
Part 2 –
Imagine, what would you do?!
If one day, you were to pack your belongings, bid good-bye to everyone you love,
Leave everything you know and get on a plane,
Not knowing when you may return home?!
Some journeys begin not with footsteps, but with the courage to let go, isn’t it? Well, having completed my graduation in Baroda, India, on the 9th of August, 2004, I left behind the warm cocoon of home, the cherished chaos of family and friends, the iron-willed brotherhood of my beloved ‘desi akhada’ at Yogniketan gym as well as my spiritually charged sacred haven of Shiva/Shakti abode, Pavagadh (see Part 1)
At just 22 years young, with a suitcase full of dreams and a heart full of ambition, I set off for the Great Southern Land, the Land Down Under, Australia, to pursue my Master’s degree in Environmental Management at Flinders University, South Australia.
“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.”
William Faulkner (1897 – 1962)
I vividly remember that magnificent, mesmerizing moment when I stepped outside that Boeing ‘Qantas’ plane, gazing into the crimson-red sunset sky (sunset is still my favourite colour) of Australia, that appeared to be welcoming me into its uncharted, unmapped, infinite horizon. A horizon marked with a new beginning, a new possibility and a new adventure awaiting to begin, whilst transiting between countries, schools and life.
“The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.” – Tom Bodett
This incredible journey from India to Australia, has been a living embodiment of various life lessons, experiences and worldly wisdom that has touched, nourished and enriched my soul. A journey of various ups and downs, of hardships and majestic leisure’s, of friendships, faith & fatherhood. A journey from a rupee to a dollar, from a migrant to a citizen, from a boy to a man.
And it was amid this relentless journey of pursuit, fuelled by grit, sacrifice and dreams, that I finally crossed a monumental milestone etched in the heart of every immigrant: the elusive Australian Dream – Buying my 1st home in Australia on my 30th birthday in October 2012.
The joy of finally owning a piece of earth was profound… but heartbreakingly short-lived. Just weeks later, due to ‘Office Politics’, I was made redundant from my role as an Environmental Scientist. The joy of ownership was eclipsed by a storm I never saw coming.
Life abroad is not a Bollywood fairytale – Forget the Karan Johar glamour, reality here comes with taxes, rent, eternal bills (Water, Electricity, Gas, Phone, Internet, Rent, Car payments etc) levies, and pressure that doesn’t pause.
What hurt more than financial collapse, though, was silence. Friends vanished, fearing I might ask for help. Society claps when you rise but disappears when you fall. Living under your parent’s roof is a cushion compared to stepping out into the real world? That’s where life teaches you bitter truths of survival, resilience, and self-belief.
With zero income and to make ends meet, my brother and I volunteered at the Hare Krishna ISKCON temple, not for religion, but for free meals and a bit of hope.
Amidst temple bells and happy chants, I stumbled upon the Srimad Bhagavatam that bought to life my childhood hero Shiva, and the incredible Vedic science of how our Rishi-Munis were not just spiritual sages but scientists experimenting with consciousness and the Universe through their dhyana (deep meditation), sadhana (spiritual practice) and tapasya (penance).
What began as spiritual curiosity turned into deep research. The temple library became my university. That hardship became my rebirth.
And in one of those divine synchronicities, I found myself connected to one of India’s biggest name, owner and franchise of Rudraksha – Neeta Singhal CEO of Rudraksha Ratna and Chakra Yog.
There are no accidents in this perfect Universe, they say?! Well, I was invited as a speaker to speak on Rudraksha, Spirituality and Personal Development at Rudraksha Ratna’s Mumbai main centre in October 2013 and again in May 2015. Some photo proofs as follows:
It was then during our private lunch that Neetaji told me about ‘Om Swami’ who is also from Australia and has been a speaker at their centre. She shared with me Om Swamiji’s book ‘If Truth be Told’ and his journey from Australia to the Himalayan Caves to meeting Mother Divine.
At first, I felt it was a big baloney and that this was just another monk in the mix who is out there to deceive, defraud and delude people. (Pardon me for saying this Sri Hari & Om Swamiji).
However, with an open mind I thought I will give it a read anyway and I went to crossword the next day to check out the copy and behold! I was not only hooked, absorbed and obsessed with each page, but I ended up reading the whole book from start to finish as if I had completed a journey from birth to death of a lifetime. It felt surreal. It felt dreamlike. It was a complete shock to my system.
Keeping the whole experience to myself, I continued with life coming back to Australia, having changed my career now to an ‘Environmental Health Officer’ working for Local Government / Council, whilst pursuing my book writing, bodybuilding passion on the side and searching for ‘Thee One’ as I was the notorious eligible bachelor like Salman Khan teasing my friends and family members who were married, tied down with responsibilities, changing diapers of their babies and kids; whilst I was ardently travelling to different countries across the world, taking selfies, posting 6 pack abs photos on social media and enjoying all the attention that ‘Life and Lovely Ladies’ had to offer at the time.
-I absolutely love the fact that how Maya / Illusion can clothe us into its hypnotic comfort clutches without even us knowing.
Isn’t it?
My dear reader, hope you understand what I mean?-
Amongst this full on crazy chaotic party culture, societal / parental pressure and the attractiveness of financial freedom, I always use to listen to Swamiji’s You-tube videos every morning driving to work (still do) and somewhere somehow His words describing the famous phrase of the Bhagwad Gita, rang a bell in my head, heart and soul.
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज |
अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुच: || 66||
sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śharaṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣhayiṣhyāmi mā śhuchaḥ
TRANSLATION
Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.
Call it luck, destiny or randomness, but it was because of this tiny flame of fire (aka Swamiji’s words of wisdom) that I decided to dedicate / surrender atleast my ‘Bodybuilding’ journey to Lord Shiva. I decided to put aside the attention, the ego, the lust of my body and dedicate / surrender this physical transformation as a spiritual gift for Shiva. All of a sudden, the past memories, the past passion and love for Shiva erupted like a volcano and I wanted to become a humble servant and warrior like Karna (my fav. Mahabharata character) or Arjuna and gain Shiva’s ultimate weapon called the ‘Pashupatastra’.
And guess what happened by the end of that journey?!
I not only won in the South Australian INBA, ABN & NABBA/WFF State Titles, but also won a bronze medal representing Australia at the INBA Mr Universe Fitness Title of Natural Bodybuilding in October 2018.
But the best of all, I ended up finding my Parvati, my Shakti, my wife Dr. Mahima in this journey. (More of this journey together @ https://www.indusage.com.au/as-the-adage-goes-behind-every-successful-man-there-is-a-strong-woman-stands-tall-and-true-read-ahead/)
Was this simply destiny?
Was this Shiva’s or Om Swamiji’s lela?
Let’s find out finally in Part 3 🙂