Gujarat monk renounces spiritual life to look after disabled parents

AHMEDABAD: It was a tearful moment for Lilabhai and Bhikhiben Gol on Sunday when their elder son, Sadhu Dharmaputradas, 28, returned home. The couple – both having disabilities — had moved Gujarat State Legal Services Authority (GSLSA) last month demanding maintenance from their son, accusing him of shunning his duties towards them and demanded over Rs 20 lakh which they had spent towards his education and other expenses.
Read Also: Disabled Ahmedabad couple sues son, who is now a sadhu, for ‘compensation’
After the first counselling on September 10, the couple and their son were to meet again on September 24. After three long years Dharmaputradas will now return to being Dharmesh Gol, and start living with his parents.
“I have given a letter to ISKCON about my decision and it is my wish to satisfactorily serve my parents. I will continue seeking the spiritual path – which I used to do earlier. It is now up to the family to maintain status quo. I had my reasons to choose the life of a sadhu,” Dharmesh told TOI.
His parents are elated. Lilabhai Gol, who retired as assistant director from ESIC in Ahmedabad, said the only thing they wanted was their son’s happiness. “We never wanted to get in his way. However, we maintain that our decision to approach the authorities was justified as Dharmesh was not listening to us. At the moment, we are happy just from the fact that he is living with us after a gap of three years,” he said.
‘I will shun sadhu robes to don corporate attire’
We had to seek legal counsel after Dharmesh severed all ties with us. We have a younger son who shuffles in and out of jobs. Thus, we sought support from Dharmesh,” said Lilabhai. On Sunday, the mood was heavy at Gol household in Gota after initial euphoria as the parents and their son were in the process of coming to terms. A number of friends and relatives paid a visit . Dharmesh said he was ready for reconciliation. “I have taken the first step. Now it is up to my family. I will shun my sadhu robes to don the corporate attire if it brings happiness to my parents,” he said, when asked if he would rejoin the religious organization.
Battle of wills
For the legal counsellors, the case of Lilabhai, Bhikhiben and Dharmesh posed a dilemma. “Dharmesh is a highly educated professional – he completed his MPharm from National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali. His parents felt that they would have an easy retired life with Dharmesh graduating and landing a job at a prestigious pharmaceutical firm in Ahmedabad. However, in the same year – 2015 – he decided to leave home and join ISKCON,” said a legal counsellor close to the development. When the parents blamed the sect of ‘brainwashing’ their son, the counsellors asked the couple to refrain from such claims as Dharmesh was an adult with a free will. The counsellors however had asked the Bhadaj temple authorities and Dharmesh to find a middle path where they can help his parents who said that they could not sustain themselves on the Rs 30,000 pension of Dharmesh’s father. Dharmesh had accused his parents of mental harassment and abduction attempt.