Meet Prakash Shah: Mukesh Ambani’s ‘Right Hand’ Who Quit ₹75 Crore Job at Reliance to Become a Monk
Former Reliance VP Walks Away from Wealth and Power to Embrace a Life of Spiritual Simplicity
Prakash Shah, once a trusted aide and Vice President at Reliance Industries, shocked many when he decided to leave behind his ₹75 crore annual salary, corporate status, and luxurious life to follow the spiritual path of a monk.
From Top Executive to Monk
As Vice President of Reliance’s Project Division, Prakash Shah played a key role in the company’s major projects, including the Jamnagar Petcoke Gasification Project, working closely alongside Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest man.
- A graduate in Chemical Engineering, followed by post-graduation from IIT Bombay, Shah’s technical expertise and leadership fueled his rise within Reliance.
- His professional success and wealth made him one of Reliance’s most respected executives, with a life of comfort and high social standing.
A Family Rooted in Spirituality
Despite his corporate achievements, Shah’s family remained strongly connected to their spiritual values:
- His wife, Naina Shah, holds a degree in Commerce and shared his spiritual aspirations.
- One of their two sons had already taken diksha, renouncing worldly life earlier.
- His second son is married and settled, with a child of his own.
The Life-Changing Decision to Take Diksha
The COVID-19 pandemic delayed his long-awaited spiritual transition, but on the auspicious occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, Prakash and Naina Shah finally took diksha together.
- Diksha is a sacred vow in Jainism and other spiritual traditions, symbolizing complete renunciation of worldly attachments to pursue inner peace and moksha.
- The couple now lives a life of simplicity, walking barefoot, wearing plain white clothes, and relying on alms for food.
A Powerful Message of Renunciation
Prakash Shah’s decision has inspired many, as it reflects the profound choice to walk away from wealth, status, and luxury, in search of spiritual fulfillment. His journey highlights the belief that true peace and contentment come not from material possessions, but from inner clarity and detachment.
