Shriram Sharma Acharya 1

Shriram Sharma Acharya

Pandit Sriram Sharma Acharya

Founder and Patron Gayatri Pariwar

Born Sriram Sharma

September 20, 1911
Awalkhera, Agra, UP, India

Died June 2, 1990

Haridwar

Residence Shantikunj Haridwar, India

Nationality Indian

Ethnicity Hindu

Citizenship India

Known for Founder and Patron of All World Gayatri Pariwar

Home Awalkhera, Agra, India

town

Religion Hindu

Spouse(s) Smt. Bhagwati Devi Sharma

Partner Citizen of World

Website
www.awgp.org

Pandit Sriram Sharma Acharya (September 20, 1911 – June 2, 1990) was an Indian seer, sage, a prominent
philosopher, a visionary of the New Golden Era, and the Founder of the All World Gayatri Pariwar.
He devoted his life to the welfare of people and the refinement of the moral and cultural environment. He pioneered
the revival of spirituality, creative integration of the modern and ancient sciences and religion relevant in the
challenging circumstances of the present times. His personality was a harmonious blend of a saint and spiritual
scientist.
Shriram Sharma Acharya 2

Birth and early life

Pandit Sriram Sharma Acharya was born on the 20th September 1911 as the son of Pt. Roopkishore Sharma and
Mata Dankunvari Devi in Anvalkheda (Dist. Agra, India).[1]
Right from his childhood, Acharyaji showed the yearning and deep commitment for the welfare of common masses
when he took a brave step of nursing an old “untouchable” woman suffering from leprosy against the strong
disapproval and displeasure of his family. She used to work in their household and was called Chapko (confirmation
needed), Acharyaji was curious about her prolonged absence, when she did not show up for a few days. So he set out
in her search towards the outskirts of the village (“untouchable” settlements were usually constructed on the outskirts
of the villages). He found her in a terrible condition, screaming out in pain and agony, the screams suppressed due
the lack of energy and being devoid of food, conditions worse than that of animals, stripped of all human dignity.
The reason for her degradation to a creature of pity was the combined apathy of the residents of the village and her
relatives, but the only one who cared was Acharyaji. He conferred with physicians and vaidyas (traditional Hindu
physicians), procured the medicines, the dressings for her. Took out time daily to bathe her, to apply medicine, dress
her wounds and feed her. This was particularly remarkable during the time when the "Chhut-Achhut"
(untouchability) crisis was at its peak. This event in his life is particularly important as it highlights his belief in
Karm (action, doing, hands-on-approach) in life.
The Great freedom fighter and founder of Banaras Hindu University, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya solemnized his
sacred thread ceremony (Yagyopaveet) and initiated him in the Gayatri Mantra.
At the age of fifteen, his Spiritual Guru, a Himalayan Yogi, Sarveshwaranandji had appeared in his vision during the
worship in the astral form. As per Sarveshwarandji's instruction, Gurudev performed twenty-four lakh times (2.4
million) recitation of Gayatri Mantra each for twenty-four years (24 mahapurashcarañas). He visited Himalayas four
times for higher spiritual attainments and at the same time took active part in India's freedom movement.
Pandit Sriram Sharma Acharya visited Shri Aurobindo Ashram at Pondicherry, Maharshi Raman's Ashram at
Tiruvannamalai, Santiniketan of Shri Rabindranath Tagore and worked with Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram
in Ahmedabad. He was sent to jail thrice for his participation in freedom movement, where he came in close contact
with eminent leaders of Indian freedom movement. Fellow freedom fighters nicknamed him as "Matt" (the
Intoxicated intoxicated, read as: obsessed, completely devoted to the idea of a Free India) on account of his
dedication and devotion[2] . In 1935, he embarked upon the task of social upliftment through spiritual means with the
blessings of Mahatma Gandhi. In 1946, he married VANDNIYA MATA BHAGWATI DEVI SHARMA, and ever
since, the saintly couple dedicatedly pursued the goal of spiritual upliftment of humankind.
Pandit Sriram Sharma Acharya(revered as “Gurudev” by his disciples) was a great devotee of Goddess Gayatri. He
successfully practiced and mastered the highest kinds of sadhanas described in Hinduism. He had deciphered the
hidden science of Tantras. He had attained the supreme knowledge of the philosophy and science of the Gayatri
Mantra and yoga. He pioneered experiments on simple sadhanas, which could be easily pursued by the common
masses.

The yearning for literature

To help people, his aim was to diagnose the root cause of the ailing state of the world today and enable the
upliftment of society. Acharyaji recognized the crisis of faith, people’s ignorance of the powers of the inner self, and
the lack of righteous attitude and conduct.
Realizing the potential of inspirational literature and its importance in sparking an intellectual evolution, he had
chosen writing as the principal mode towards uprooting the evil tendencies and blind faith from people’s minds and
arousing the indwelling wisdom, strength and spiritual bliss.
Pandit Sriram Sharma Acharya initiated the movement of VICHAR KRANTI (Thought Revolution) with the very first
issue of “Akhand Jyoti [3]” in 1940(Jan). By 1960, he had compiled, edited and translated the 4 Vedas, 108
Shriram Sharma Acharya 3

Upanishads, 6 Darshanas, 18 Puranas, 20 Smritis, 24 Gitas, Yogavashishtha, Nirukta, Vyakaran, hundreds of

Aranyakas and Brahmanas with lucid commentaries to enable the masses to understand the knowledge contained in
them. The translation was also aimed at eliminating misconceptions, superstitions and blind customs, which were
propagated in the medieval era by misinterpretations of the Vedas and other scriptures. This contribution to the
world of knowledge and human culture was highly acclaimed and the distinguished title of “Vedmurti” was conferred
upon him in its recognition.
Understanding the modern day psychology of the people, and recognizing the non-relevance, in the present times, of
the mythical characters and the background of life depicted in the Puranas, he wrote “Pragya Purana” in the narrative
and conversational style of the ancient Puranas to preach the eternal principles of happy, progressive and ideal life
with practical guidance relevant to the modern age.
He wrote many books on almost all aspects of human life, whether it be the elucidation of the esoteric aspects of the
subtle science of spirituality, research directions on brain and consciousness, discussions on child psychology and
family institutions, guidelines on mental, emotional and physical health, and cheerful attitude in daily life.[4] In his
analysis we find no place for delusion, confusion or misconception. Through his literature he strikes a chord of
empathy in the reader. The message conveyed in the literature touches the reader’s heart with deep sensitiveness,
producing a sea of change in his attitudes and ideologies.
His discourses manifested similar perfection of eloquence. The simplicity of language in his orations and his ability
to establish a rapport with the audience is said to have had a hypnotizing effect on the listener’s mind. The spiritual
radiance and integrity of his character, faultless synchronicity of his deeds with the principles he preached and the
purity of his sentiments added to the motivating power of his pen and voice.

A Global Movement
On the completion of the 24 Mahapurashcharans, Pt. Shriram Sharma established Gayatri Tapobhumi at Mathura,
India in 1953. He organized a grand 1008 Kundi Yagya in 1958, which served as a base to launch the Yug Nirman
Yojna, a global movement for moral, cultural, intellectual and spiritual refinement and reconstruction. The objectives
of this movement are to reform the individual, the family and social values of mankind and to change the current
ideologies and concepts of morality and social structure for a better tomorrow.
Through various activities at Mathura, including the performance of yagnas on large scale, Acharyaji gathered a
team of dedicated men and women. Thus the organization called “Gayatri Pariwar” was born.
As per the plans projected under the Yug Nirman Yojna, the mission has contributed to the upliftment of the
personal, familial and social aspects of human life. Its major activities include mass awareness and education on
cultural values through small and large scale Gayatri Yojnas and collective projects of social transformation with
people’s voluntary participation. Propagation of ideal marriages without dowry and extravagant shows has been a
significant and trend-setting achievement, especially in the Indian context. Other achievements include upliftment of
the social status of women and an integrated and self-reliant development of villages.
Shriram Sharma Acharya 4

The establishment of Shantikunj

According to the pressing need of the present times, he developed Shantikunj [5], as spiritual center for implementing
the teachings of Great Rishis (Spiritual Scientists) into practice. He established Brahmvarchas Research Institute at
Haridwar, a center for inter communion of science and religion. The prime aim of establishing the Brahmavarchas
Research Institute [6] is to establish the ancient Indian Yogic Philosophy as the science and art of living.[7]
Acharyaji pioneered the resurrection of the rishi culture by simultaneous renaissance and expansion of the
reformative and constructive endeavours of the leading rishis of the Vedic Age. He reviewed the immortal
contributions of the divine culture of India to the rest of the world and endeavoured for nurturing and re-establishing
the foundational elements of the Indian Culture and the roots of its divine nature in new scientific light through
several activities of the Gayatri Pariwar.
As a part of his intensive study of the Indian culture and religious philosophy, he rediscovered the sociological and
psychological importance of pilgrimage. He taught us how the ancient glory and the real purpose of the tirthas
(sacred places of pilgrimage) could be revived in the present times for the welfare of the masses.
The Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya [8] (Divine Culture University) recently inaugurated under the auspices of
Shantikunj is an instrument for the revival of the Divine Indian Culture as per his vision.[9]

Scientific spirituality
Pandit Sriram Sharma Acharya was convinced that modern man could not be persuaded to accept the values of life
patronized by ancient spirituality until and unless these were proved to be scientifically viable for the welfare of the
individual and the society. This was indeed a Herculean task, given the trends of intellectual and scientific evolution
over past millennium and almost simultaneous deterioration of religion and culture, which had resulted in a near total
neglect of spirituality in the human life and the emergence of blind faiths, misconceptions, and prejudices. The
Brahmavarchas Research Institute founded by him in 1979 near Shantikunj stands as a living example of how the
idea of scientific spirituality could be implemented and researched in the modern laboratories.

The dawn of the New Era

During 1984-1986, he carried out the unique spiritual experiment of sukshmikaraña, meaning sublimation of vital
force and physical, mental and spiritual energies. He authored a special set of 40 books (termed Revolutionary
Literature or Krantidharmi Sahitya) highlighting the future of the world and conveying the message of the dawn in of
the New Era of Truth during the 21st Century. On 2 June 1990, he died In 1991 India released a postage stamp in his
honour inscribed Sri Ram Sharma Acharya.[10]
Thereafter, his soulmate revered Mata Bhagavati Devi guided the series of Ashwamedha Yagyas, which accelerated
the pace of global expansion of the mission during the critical juncture of the decade of change of a millennium and
change of an era. She died on 19 September 1994.
Shriram Sharma Acharya 5

Selected works
• What am I, Translated 2008 (Original Hindi Edition 1940) [11]
• The Absolute Law Of Karma, Revised 2003 [12]
• The Extrasensory Potentials of Mind [13]
• The Great Moments of Change [14].
• Problems of Today, Solutions for Tomorrow, Translated 2000 [15]
• The Life Beyond Physical Death, Translated 1999 [16]
• Sleep, Dreams and Spiritual Reflections [17]
• The Super Science of Gayatri, Translated 2000 [18]
• Gayatri Sadhana: The Truth and Distortions [19] (2000).
• Revival of Satyug (The Golden Age) [20] (2000).
• consciouc,unconscious and super conscious mind [21](2000).

External links
• 'Akhand Jyoti' monthly magazine Since 1937 [22] - Teaching of Vedmoorty Taponishth Pandit Sriram Sharma
Acharyaji -Yug Nirman Mission's principal magazine "Akhand Jyoti" - the source of spreading the divine light of
Vedic Scriptures, Ayurveda,Philosophy of Gayatri, Yagya, Holistic Health, Yagopathy, Thought Revolution etc.
• Gayatri Pariwar USA [23]
• Gayatri Pariwar UK [24]
• RK Mission [25]
• Additional Information on Pt. Sriram Sharma Acharya [26]
• Gayatri Shaktipeeth Vatika [27]
• Yugrishi Vedmurti Taponishtha Pt. Sriram Sharma Acharya: Seer-Sage of the New Golden Era [28]
• Literature [29]
• Link to Assorted Literature [30] written by Pt. Sriram Sharma Acharya (English Translations)
• A Postal Stamp on [31] issued by the Govt. of India in honor of Pt. Sriram Sharma Acharya
• Explanation of the Gayatri Mantra [32] by Pt. Sriram Sharma Acharya
• Brief Introduction to Shantikunj, in Haridwar, India [33]
• Pt.Sriram sharma blog [34]

Biography in other languages

• Vedmurti Taponishth Sriram Sharma Acharya - Biography of Sriram Sharma Acharya in Maithili by Binod Bihari
Verma. 2005. Bhubaneswar.

References
[1] http:/ / gurudev. awgp. org/ LifeSojourn/ Chronology/
[2] Indian Post (http:/ / www. indianpost. com/ viewstamp. php/ Alpha/ S/ SRI RAM SHARMA ACHARYA)
[3] http:/ / literature. awgp. org/ magazine/
[4] http:/ / literature. awgp. org/ home/
[5] http:/ / www. awgp. org/ gamma/ EstablishmentsShantikunj
[6] http:/ / www. awgp. org/ gamma/ EstablishmentsBrahmvarchas
[7] http:/ / www. awgp. org/ Establishments/
[8] http:/ / www. dsvv. org/
[9] http:/ / www. dsvv. org/ ?Aboutus/ PatronFounder/
[10] Stamp Issue Date: 27/06/1991, Postage Stamp Denomination: 1.00, Postal Stamp Serial Number: 1458, Postal Stamp Name: SHRIRAM
SHARMA ACHARYA
[11] http:/ / literature. awgp. org/ englishbook/ SpiritualityReligion/ What_am_I/
[12] http:/ / literature. awgp. org/ ?englishbook/ Spirituality& Religion/ TheAbsoluteLawofKarma/
Shriram Sharma Acharya 6

[13] http:/ / literature. awgp. org/ englishbook/ Scientific_Spirituality/ The_ExtraSensory_Potentials_of_mind

[14] http:/ / literature. awgp. org/ englishbook/ AdventofNewEra/ TheGreatMomentsofChange/
[15] http:/ / literature. awgp. org/ englishbook/ AdventofNewEra/ PROBLEMS_OF_TODAY_SOLUTIONS_FOR_TOMORROW/
[16] http:/ / literature. awgp. org/ englishbook/ SpiritualityReligion/ life_beyond_death/
[17] http:/ / literature. awgp. org/ englishbook/ Scientific_Spirituality/ Sleep_Dreams_Spiritual/
[18] http:/ / literature. awgp. org/ englishbook/ GayatriYagya/ SuperScienceofGayatri/
[19] http:/ / www. awgp. org/ english/ books/ gayatri_sadhana_truth_distortions. pdf
[20] http:/ / www. awgp. org/ english/ books/ revival_satyug. pdf
[21] http:/ / www. awgp. org/ english/ books/ super_science_gayatri. pdf
[22] http:/ / www. akhandjyoti. org/
[23] http:/ / www. thoughtpower. org
[24] http:/ / www. svgpuk. org
[25] http:/ / www. missionrk. com/
[26] http:/ / www. gayatrimata. org/ gurudev. htm
[27] http:/ / www. vatikashaktipeeth. com/
[28] http:/ / www. akhandjyoti. org/ ?Akhand-Jyoti/ 2003/ Jan-Feb/ PanditShriramSharmaAcharya/
[29] http:/ / literature. awgp. org/
[30] http:/ / www. awgp. org/ gamma/ LiteratureEnglish
[31] http:/ / www. indianpost. com/ viewstamp. php/ Alpha/ S/ SRI%20RAM%20SHARMA%20ACHARYA
[32] http:/ / www. mypurohith. com/ Rituals/ Gayatrimantram. asp
[33] http:/ / meltingpot. fortunecity. com/ springdale/ 161/ shantikunj/ aboutus. htm
[34] http:/ / www. ptshriramsharma. blogspot. com/
Article Sources and Contributors 7

Article Sources and Contributors

Shriram Sharma Acharya  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=381774503  Contributors: Ajitabhpandey, Ankurmehta83, Anusut, BD2412, BRAHMVARCHAS24, Bharatveer,
CommonsDelinker, Crusoe8181, Discospinster, Faizhaider, Fing2debug, Fratrep, Grafen, Guest9999, Hbent, John Vandenberg, Kayobee, LilHelpa, MarcAurel, Mike Rosoft, Millenniumyogi,
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SlaveToTheWage, TheFeds, Vjdchauhan, Walter Breitzke, Wikidas, Woohookitty, Xnuala, 53 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

File:Pt.ShriramSharma Smiling.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Pt.ShriramSharma_Smiling.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Yug Nirman Yojna,
Haridwar, Shantikunj

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