Meet the person who left a high paying job and became a monk, father was an army commander in America, participated in Maha Kumbh…

UP News. A man named Tom, who is the son of a former senior US Army officer and an IT professional. He has adopted spiritual life in India. Now known as Vyasanand Giri, Tom has joined the Niranjani Akhara during the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. He was officially ordained as Mahamandaleshwar during a grand ceremony on Sunday. Where he was honored by chanting mantras and wearing saffron clothes.

At the age of 15…

According to Mahant Ravindra Puri, president of Panchayati Akhara and head of Akhara Parishad, Tom's journey began at the age of 15 with a deep interest in spirituality. Inspired by the teachings of Adi Shankaracharya and later under the guidance of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, he started walking on the path of asceticism. For this he decided to leave his career and family life behind. Over the past few years, he devoted himself to yoga, meditation and the study of Hinduism and Sanatana Dharma. Visited Rishikesh often.

decided to adopt Hinduism

Puri explained in detail about Tom's spiritual journey of becoming Mahamandaleshwar Vyasanand Giri that Mr. Tom used to work in the IT sector. After some time, he became attracted towards spirituality and decided to adopt Hinduism. After this, he took retirement. He started doing yoga and meditation, did a lot of research on Hinduism and Sanatani culture and in the last few years kept coming to Rishikesh often and met me.

#WATCH | Prayagraj, UP | Pattabhishek of Vyasanand Giri Maharaj was done at Niranjani Akhara in the presence of Swami Kailashanand Giri Maharaj. Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs also performed the ritual pic.twitter.com/rKxppUOx1Q

— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2025

Tom was given the name Vyasanand Giri

After proving his commitment to the spiritual path, Tom was given the name Vyasananda Giri and appointed Mahamandaleshwar. Mahant Puri told that this important post in the Akhara is reserved for those persons. He has mastered meditation, yoga and self-discipline. It also shows the desire to protect Sanatan Dharma, no matter what sacrifices they have to make for it. When the Akhara was confident of his readiness, Vyasanand Giri was formally inducted.