At the heart of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, where millions gather at Triveni Sangam seeking spiritual awakening, one person stands out Baba Abhay Singh, popularly known as ‘IIT Baba’. An alumnus of IIT-Bombay and an aerospace engineer, his remarkable transformation from academia to asceticism has caught the eye of visitors to this beautiful spiritual temple.
“I’m from Haryana, I went to IIT, then I switched to Arts from Engineering. That didn’t work either, so I kept switching, and later I came to the ultimate truth, meditating in his unusual way,” IIT Baba told the news. ANI agency, thinking in his unusual way.
Apart from his engineering works, he studied photography at a prestigious institute, further diversifying his intellectual journey.
IIT Baba said that his conversion to spirituality was due to his search for deeper knowledge and truth.
Speaking to India Today TV, Baba Abhay Singh revealed that he faced a difficult childhood and a difficult family relationship, saying that he was not treated well by his family. When he started to pursue photography, they often teased him, calling him crazy. This treatment led him to occasionally consider leaving home to seek a better life.
Despite these challenges, his curiosity and eagerness to explore different aspects of life kept him motivated to learn and grow in every phase. He said he found solace in exploring everything from explaining the beauty of Sanskrit to revealing the complexities of the human mind.
“I began to explore how Sanskrit was written and composed and what made it so special. I became curious. There was also a change in thinking. The question was how the mind works and how to get rid of unnecessary thoughts,” he said. explains.
His spiritual philosophy transcends the boundaries of conventional religion.
Rejecting sage labels or mahantIIT Baba emphasizes inner freedom. “I’m in a completely fluid state, I’m free, I can do anything,” he said.
He said his struggle with severe depression made him go deeper into his self-examination.
“I was very depressed, I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking the same thing, then I thought, what is this process, what is the brain, why can’t I sleep, what is this mind. Then I studied psychology.”
Focusing on the teachings of ISKCON and the philosophical understanding of J. Krishnamurti, Abhay began to reconcile science and spirituality.
He said his love of travel photography revealed new ideas, encouraging his spiritual evolution. “I don’t want to be stuck, I don’t want to stop. If a man is not stuck anywhere, he is free,” he said.
Today, IIT Baba is channeling his scientific expertise into spiritual guidance. He promotes yoga, Vedic sutras, and spiritual practices to those who seek them it is moksha (salvation).