“Empowering the Next Generation: Digital Baba’s Journey to Uniting Youth and Spirituality”

Prayagraj: The current Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj, where tradition and faith flourish, has discovered an unexpected advocate for modernity in Swami Ram Shankar Das, widely recognized as Digital Baba.

Through his creative method, he is motivating the younger populace to integrate spirituality into their existence. From broadcasted satsangs to lively discussions about mindfulness on social media channels like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, Digital Baba is demonstrating that ancient wisdom can remain significant in the digital era. His initiatives to blend technology with spirituality are capturing attention across various circles.

A B.Com graduate from Gorakhpur University, Ram Prakash Bhatt recognized his calling for a life as a sadhu when he was just 19. “At the age of 19, I realized that all human connections stem from self-interest,” Swami Ram Shankar Das shared with ETV Bharat during an exclusive conversation. “Be it your spouse, sibling, or even your parents, they care for you out of some self-interest. That’s when I made the decision to pursue true happiness. I wanted to soar like a bird and explore the world.”

It was at this point that a friend played a pivotal role in Baba’s journey. The friend advised the young Ram Shankar Bhatt that since he was not keen on living a conventional life with a job post-education and starting a family, he should consider becoming a sadhu. The friend subsequently introduced Ram Shankar Bhatt to Swami Shivcharan Das Maharaj at Lomash Rishi Ashram in Ayodhya.

“I met my guru in 2008 during my third year of B.Com,” Swami Ram Shankar Das recounted. “In the ashram, I observed the sadhus performing all sorts of humble tasks by themselves. That inspired me to delve into the Upanishads, Ramayana, and the Bhagwat Gita.”

Digital Baba snapping a selfie at the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj (ETV Bharat)

After receiving his initiation from Swami Shivcharan Das Maharaj in Ayodhya, Ram Shankar Bhatt, now Swami Ram Shankar Das, journeyed through various gurukuls across India, including the Vanaprastha Sadhak Gram Ashram in Sabarkantha, Gujarat, Kalwa Gurukul in Jind, Haryana, Sandipani Himalaya Gurukul, Chinmaya Mission in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar School of Yoga at Rikhiapeeth, and Kaivalyadhama Yoga Sansthan in Lonavala, Maharashtra, among others.

Eventually, he found his way to the Nageshwar Maharaj Temple, perched at an elevation of 6,000 feet in Baijnath, Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh.

“I requested the temple authorities for permission to stay for a trial of four months. After that, they could decide,” Swami Ram Shankar Das expressed. Currently, the Nahgeshwar Mahadev Temple serves as Swami Ram Shankar Das’s abode. He has embarked on a mission to instill the core essence of spirituality among the youth.

“My focus is on the younger generation. However, I observed that very few young individuals participate in satsangs (religious gatherings where sacred texts are read, and discussions on religious matters are held),” he noted. “But the youth are significantly active on social media. Thus, I resolved to convey my messages through these platforms.”

Digital Baba now utilizes his social media profiles on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to deliver his messages. “I lack a cameraman, an editor, or any support staff,” he explained. “I respond to inquiries via calls or messages.”

At the ongoing Mahakumbh, Digital Baba engages with the youth along the banks of the Triveni Sangam, equipped with a tripod, a Rode mic, and a phone. He shares his interactions with saints and devotees on his social media accounts.

When asked about the crux of his messages, he stated that there are primarily two.

“We lead an extroverted lifestyle,” he mentioned. “We study, secure employment, and build families. My teaching emphasizes the necessity of understanding oneself on a spiritual level. In the external world, both positive and negative elements exist. Life is seldom balanced. The goal should transcend mere monetary gain. We should aspire to achieve a state free from attachments. Only then can we break free from the cycle of life and death. If you cultivate a mango tree for profit, you will feel the impact of losses. Conversely, if you plant a peepal tree, you do not contemplate returns. That tree offers you shelter. You act for a grander purpose. This distinguishes businesses from NGOs.”

The second essential lesson from Digital Baba is that young individuals must conduct their lives in alignment with “dharam sanskar” (the principles that guide a human’s spiritual journey).

Swami Ram Shankar Das, widely recognized as Digital Baba (ETV Bharat)

“We should navigate our lives with an awareness of social responsibilities, such as cleanliness and ecological conservation,” he elaborated. This principle underlies his interactions with his devotees, which he maintains free from ostentation.

“In religious discussions, individuals often end up having a one-sided conversation directed by the baba,” Swami Ram Shankar Das pointed out. “However, I am not that way. I make myself accessible and engage in one-on-one discussions with anyone interested. I have no conditional fee.”

He remarked that many babas or spiritual leaders have their own pricing structures. Ordinary individuals often cannot afford to arrange religious interactions with such babas as costs can range from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

Expressing his disapproval of babas profiting from wealthy devotees, he questioned the need for such babas to move around the Mahakumbh with security personnel and cars.

“What is the necessity for this?” he queried. “This is merely a display to suggest that you have powerful individuals among your followers. There exists a class of sadhus who resemble corporate entities. They employ their own marketing strategies.”

He stated that true sadhus earn “diksha” for many years before serving humanity. “When individuals donate, authentic sadhus will utilize it for the greater good,” he affirmed.

Currently, Digital Baba boasts around 3.5 lakh followers on his Facebook account, 30,000 on YouTube, 14,000 on Instagram, and 3,000 on X. Additionally, his video content garners millions of views.

“Everyone should lead a life centered around spirituality,” Digital Baba asserts. “In a spiritual mindset, the opinions of others will have no bearing on you. Internal beauty holds paramount importance. When spirituality dominates, society can unite, and disparities such as the caste system will dissipate.”