The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, held at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, has drawn millions of devotees braving the cold to take a holy dip. Amid the spiritual fervor, Abhay Singh, famously dubbed ‘Engineer, IITian Baba,’ has become a prominent figure. A former aerospace engineer from IIT Bombay, Abhay’s unique approach to explaining spiritual concepts through visual presentations has gained him widespread attention on social media. However, he recently addressed the ‘IITian Baba’ label in a candid social media post.
Abhay Singh on Being Called ‘IITian Baba’
Abhay took to Instagram to question the use of terms like ‘maharaj’ or ‘baba,’ urging people to understand the meaning of such titles before assigning them. He stated:
“How do you tell someone what you are? No words can do it, so you use placeholder titles. Anyways all of that is immaterial- the more the samsara throws negativity, the more closer I get to Shiva. Why is everyone interested in IIT label? It doesn’t reflect me, it reflects the mindset of society.”
Have you ever looked at why certain stories or labels attract you more to clicking on a video? Finally the, humanity is collectively going in a madness direction.”
‘Humanity Is Going Mad,’ Claims Abhay Singh
In another Instagram story, Abhay reflected on the media’s role in shaping perceptions. He suggested that the labels and questions people focus on are mere projections of societal curiosity and the media’s attention-grabbing tendencies. He wrote:
“Have you ever looked at why certain stories or labels attract you more to clicking on a video? Finally, humanity is collectively going in a madness direction.”
Why Abhay Singh Left Engineering
In an interview with PTI, Abhay explained how his study of science eventually led him to spirituality. He shared that while science helps unravel the physical world, its deeper exploration inevitably points toward spiritual truths. Originally from Haryana, Abhay said his quest for truth drove him to shift paths repeatedly. He remarked:
“I come from Haryana, I went to IIT, then changed to Arts from Engineering. That also didn’t work, so I kept changing until I arrived at the final truth.”
Exploring Sanskrit and the Mind
Abhay also delved into his journey of learning Sanskrit. Fascinated by its composition and uniqueness, he began exploring the language, which eventually shifted his focus to understanding the workings of the mind and overcoming unwanted thoughts.
Leaving a High-Paying Job for Spirituality
Abhay shared in an earlier interview with CNN-News18 that he once earned ₹3 lakh per month in Canada. Despite his impressive earnings, he left his job in 2019 to embrace spirituality, driven by a battle with depression and a desire to find deeper meaning in life. Reflecting on his personal struggles, he revealed that his fear of marriage stemmed from witnessing his parents’ tumultuous relationship, despite being in a four-year-long relationship himself.
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