Four Bangalore women set to take the path of ascetics

There is a certain confidence in her eyes that belies her age. As a 21-year-old when Shilpa Bhagracha speaks of her decision to take deeksha, a vow to renounce worldly pleasures and lead a life of austerity, there’s not a flicker of doubt. In fact, with her simple example she brings out the co-relation between pleasure and suffering. “Eating my favourite ice cream may give me pleasure.

But if I have too much of it, I will fall ill,” Shilpa says, adding, “Everything in life is similar. All attractions end up giving you pain.”
Dressed like a bride in a heavily sequined saree, mehendi adorning her hands, she seems anything like a sadhvi. “I am not renouncing the world to end my suffering, but to ensure that I do not become a cause for anyone’s pain,” she says.

Twenty-three-year-old Shilpa Srisrimal from Shimoga is determined to follow the “right path”. “This is the right way to lead life, causing the least amount of pain to those around us,” she says.

On Saturday, when they take deeksha, they will perform loch, where they will pluck out their hair as a symbol of non-dependence on anyone as well as strength to bear pain. In fact, renouncing worldly pleasures include walking barefoot, hoping to not harm any living thing under their feet.

Following the main Jain principle of ahimsa (non-violence) these young girls want to devote their lives serving people by preaching the principles of Jainism. For 22-year-old Preeti Kanunga from Hubli, her mother is her pillar of strength. A self-confessed free-spirited girl, Preeti says she didn’t have any knowledge of the religion until she attended a preaching session in Mumbai two years ago. She maintains that she won’t miss anything, but on insisting says her favourite food is paani poori.

The oldest among the four who will take deeksha on Saturday at Maratha Hostel is 50-year-old Manju Daga from Jaipur. “I have always wanted to take deeksha. Now with my son married and well-settled I feel this is the right time to leave this world of pain,” she says.

The young girls seem detached after the few years of training before taking deeksha. Vastimal, Shilpa’s father, was overwhelmed by his daughter’s decision. “I feel blessed to have a daughter who wants to serve the people,” he says.  Preeti’s mother, Madhu, masking her sorrow looking at her daughter’s hennaed hands, says, “I feel proud to be Preeti’s mother. She has chosen to serve mankind.”

After the girls take deeksha, their parents will have to seek for darshan. For the four women, this is a way to lessen the burden of the world. They feel by renouncing worldly ways, “we will at least not cause pain in the world”. The event is being organised by Shree Jain Ratna Hiteshi Shravak Sangh, and the women will be guided by Mahasati Sri Gyanlataji Sadhvi and her fellow sadhvis.