Meet The Sadhu Whose Parents Gave Him Up When He Was 10 Months Old

This baal naga has been raised by sadhus after his parents gave him up to a dharmguru when he was just 10 months old

Janakpuri, a Bal Naga sadhu.

(Photo: The Quint)

Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam

Who are Baal Naga sadhus? What's their story? 16-year-old Janakpuri is associated with the Juna Akhada.

He has been raised by sadhus after his parents gave him up to a dharmguru when he was just a 10-month-old baby.

“In my village in Rajasthan, there is a custom of donating children to saints in temples. My guruji’s ashram was in the same village where I was born. My mother had decided that if she ever had two children, she would donate one child to any sadhu. When I was very young, I was donated to my guruji. I was 10 months old then.”

Janakpuri, Baal Naga Sadhu

Janakpuri Wants to Be an Orator, Preacher

Apart from being a sadhu, Janakpuri also goes to school. Currently, he is in Class 10th. He says, “My goal in life is to finish my 12th standard first and then train myself to be an acharya so that I can study and learn more about the Shastras. I want to become an orator and a preacher. I want to impart the right knowledge to people. My goal is to become a preacher.”

“I Miss My Mother, But...”

Remembering his mother, Janakpuri became emotional and said:

“Sometimes, I miss my mother. But the other saints and sadhus, and my guruji, provide me with whatever I need. They take very good care of me. They make sure I don’t miss my home or family. Every 2-4 years, if I wish to and if we visit Rajasthan then I get to meet my family. I speak to them only for a few minutes. I only enquire about their well-being. I don’t know them very well.”

Janakpuri, Baal Naga Sadhu

This Baal Naga Is Kohli’s Fan

Janakpuri’s other Baal naga friends said that they love to play cricket. While speaking to his friends, Janakpuri said, “There is one mahatma who can stop eating roti for the sake of cricket (unclear). Several mahatmas are fond of cricket. They can give up on food for the sake of cricket.”

Janakpuri usually doesn’t play cricket but he is a big fan of Virat Kohli.