“In 2013, I became a full time Monk to serve God and people of his creation in a country where I never thought I would think of anything other than making money and having a good time for myself”

In early 2007, I arrived in Australia from India, driven by the pursuit of a better life both economically and in terms of day-to-day quality as a student.

My migration led me to delve deeper into the teachings of ancient India when I began learning the Bhagavad Gita at the local ISKCON temple in Melbourne. This transformative experience changed my perspective on life, revealing the potential it holds for inner happiness and peace—a pursuit many of us strive for.

Fortunately, I have not encountered any discrimination so far, and I find Australians to be very accommodating. In 2013, I made the decision to become a full-time volunteer monk, dedicated to helping and serving people on their spiritual journeys. For the past 10 years, I have been a resident monk (Brahmacari) at the Hare Krishna temple (ISKCON). I take pride in sharing the profound wisdom of India with friends from my homeland and individuals from various nationalities who seek a life beyond the ordinary struggle for existence.

Although I miss the homemade food from my mother and the companionship of like-minded saintly people, I believe that balancing the needs of immigrants and the demands of life can be achieved by addressing both outer and inner requirements. To support this, proper techniques and guidance are essential, and our temple has initiated various forums and channels to impart their importance.

Since the early 2000s, amid the student boom in Australia, our temple has been distributing free nutritious meals three times a day to anyone who walks in. This initiative caters to people from diverse backgrounds, including backpackers, international students, and those without a home. Additionally, we provide teaching programs based on the ancient Indian wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, offering practical tools for applying these time-tested teachings in everyday life.

We extend our support to almost four universities in Victoria, distributing meals and assisting students facing similar challenges. Being the sole member of my family to migrate has impacted them, particularly since I am the only son, and my parents are growing older.

My journey so far has instilled in me self-dependency, confidence to face trials, a sense of God consciousness, and honesty with myself.