The Holy Man Businessman

Source

TAMIL NADU, INDIA, September 11, 2003: He is a Hindu holy man who has renounced the material world, yet he is also a business tycoon who employs thousands of people. Christian Fabre, or Swami Pranavananda Brahmendra Avadhuta as he is now known, is a French citizen living in India. He became a Hindu holy man, or sadhu, some years ago and now runs an ashram in the south-western state of Tamil Nadu, according to this article on the BBC. He came to India in the 1970’s, and fell in love with its culture, faith and people. After losing his job and his family he was introduced to a Hindu Swami and discovered a renewed faith in himself. He bought four sewing machines and secured some orders from a major French clothing company. Today, his company, Fashion International, has 35 factories which employ 60,000 people. His guru eventually invited him to take up the sannyas — renounce all worldly attachments and focus on the search for enlightenment. Swami says, “My guru made me swear, that as a condition of taking up the sannyas, I must also maintain my business. He said that I should not leave behind my work.” Swami now lives in the ashram in the manner of the other sadhus in his holy order. He does not care for money. “I do not keep a single penny for myself. I divide all my profit between my workers.” HPI adds: This is an unusual report as normally a sadhu would not remain a businessman after taking up sannyas. Perhaps our readers have more information on the Swami.