Meet man who quit high-paying job to become sadhu, his father was army commander in US, in Mahakumbh as…

According to Mahant Ravindra Puri, president of the Panchayati Akhara and head of the Akhara Parishad, Tom's journey began with a deep interest in spirituality at the age of 15.

A man named Tom, the son of a former senior U.S. Army officer and an IT professional, has embraced a spiritual life in India. Now known as Vyasanand Giri, he has joined the Niranjani Akhara during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. On Sunday, he was officially initiated as a Mahamandaleshwar during a grand ceremony where he was honored with mantras and saffron robes.

According to Mahant Ravindra Puri, president of the Panchayati Akhara and head of the Akhara Parishad, Tom’s journey began with a deep interest in spirituality at the age of 15. Inspired by the teachings of Adi Shankaracharya and later guided by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, he decided to leave his career and family life behind to follow the path of sannyasa. Over the years, he dedicated himself to yoga, meditation, and studying Hinduism and Sanatan Dharma, frequently visiting Rishikesh.

Puri elaborated on Tom’s spiritual journey to becoming Mahamandaleshwar Vyasanand Giri, stating, “Mr Tom used to work in the IT sector. Sometime later, he was driven by the pull of spiritualism and decided to embrace Hinduism. Subsequently, he took sanyas. He started doing yoga and meditation, researched a lot on Hinduism and Sanatani culture, and often visited Rishikesh over the last couple of years and met me.”

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After proving his commitment to the spiritual path, Tom was given the name Vyasanand Giri and appointed as a Mahamandaleshwar. Mahant Puri explained that this significant position in the akhara order is reserved for individuals who have mastered meditation, yoga, and self-discipline. It also signifies a willingness to protect Sanatan Dharma, even at great personal sacrifice. Once the akhara was confident in his readiness, Vyasanand Giri was formally inducted.