Spiritual Journey: From America to India
In a remarkable journey of self-discovery, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, born in America, found her spiritual calling in Rishikesh, India. Originally pursuing a Ph.D. at Stanford University in 1996, her life took an unexpected turn when she visited India and couldn’t bring herself to leave.
Although spirituality wasn’t on her radar at the time, Sadhvi had always maintained a vegetarian diet, much to the amusement of her friends. Intrigued by India’s cultural fascination with vegetarianism, she delved deeper into the country’s rich traditions after stumbling upon Rishikesh in a travel guidebook. The religious practices and serene atmosphere of Rishikesh captivated Sadhvi. Immersing herself in the rituals, from chanting mantras to bathing in the sacred Ganga, she gradually embraced the lifestyle and found solace in its simplicity.
During her daily walks to the Ganga Ghat, she couldn’t help but notice an ashram that piqued her interest. Gathering the courage, she approached the ashram’s inhabitants and expressed her desire to live there and practice the rituals. Though the decision ultimately rested with Saint Chitanand Muni, the ashram’s head, Sadhvi eagerly awaited his return to Rishikesh. After patiently waiting and finally meeting Guruji, Sadhvi expressed her deep longing to dedicate her life to spirituality. However, Guruji advised her to return to America and complete her education before fully committing to the path.
Back in America, she shared her aspirations with her family, who initially opposed her decision to become a saint. Determined to follow her calling, Sadhvi arranged for her parents to meet Guruji during his visit to America. Eventually, her parents became convinced and supported her transformative journey. Since then, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati has resided in India for over 25 years, authoring the book ‘Hollywood to the Himalayas’ to chronicle her remarkable transformation.
Re- reported from the article originally published in DNA.
