Surat, India

In the Jain community, it is highly respected when someone chooses to become a monk. This decision requires following the teachings of Jain Gods and forsaking even basic worldly comforts like air conditioners, fans, beds, electronics, and other gadgets. Recently, Sweety, a 30-year-old woman, wife of a businessman from Karnataka, and her 11-year-old son Hridhan, embraced monkhood. After their Diksha ceremony, they were given new names: the mother was named Bhavshudhi Rekha Shri Ji, and the son was named Hitashay Ratanavijay Ji. For those unfamiliar, Diksha is a solemn ceremony where a person commits to living an ascetic or spiritually disciplined life.

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As per Viveka, a relative of the family who spoke to HT, Bhavshudhi Rekha Shri Ji chose to embark on the path of monkhood while she was pregnant with her son. Concurrently, she also determined that her child would follow in her footsteps and become a Jain monk. Consequently, her son was brought up with the knowledge that he would eventually embrace the monastic lifestyle.

Also read | Indian couple from Gujarat gives up billion-dollar lifestyle to become monks

The mother-son duo's Diksha ceremony took place in January 2024 in Surat, Gujarat with great enthusiasm. They currently reside in Surat itself.

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Watch the video here:

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The video has also gone viral on X (formerly Twitter), getting more than one million views.

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Also read | Who is Gunadhar Nandi Maharaj, the Jain seer who was on 'fast unto death'?

Recently, a prosperous Jain couple from Gujarat also embraced monkhood. Bhavesh Bhandari and his wife conducted a formal ceremony in February to relinquish all their possessions. 

(With inputs from agencies)