Shriram Sharma Acharya

Born On: September 20, 1911
Born In: Anwalkheda, Agra
Died On: June 2, 1990
Career: Seer, Philosopher, Scholar, Visionary, Reformer
Nationality: Indian

Globally acknowledged as a Brahmarshi, Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya was an eminent seer, sage, and saint of imminent emergence of the golden era of peace, goodwill, harmony, and understanding amongst all humanity races. He was a celebrated figure known for transforming the significance of Gayatri Mahamantra and making it available to all people, irrespective of race, caste, creed, and sex. This great holy reformer spent his entire life creating a path of self-exploration, self-awareness, and self-transcendence. His distinct excellence talks of his encouragement of people's bodily, mental, intellectual, and spiritual potentials through their conscious and unconscious minds. What the determination of a single person began decades before has brought several millions of people under Gayatri Pariwar, which is expanding till date through contributions by numerous members.

Birth & Childhood
Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya was born to Pt. Roopkishore Sharma and Mata Dankunvari Devi in the village of Anvalkheda near Agra in Uttar Pradesh. Though he was born in a wealthy Brahmin family, he was highly moved by the development and welfare of the common masses. This proved true when he took a brave step towards supporting an untouchable woman suffering from leprosy against the approval of his family. On consultation with physicians and vaidyas, he obtained medicines and dressings for the old woman. This took place when the "Chhut-Achhut" (untouchability) crisis was at hike. Following this, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, a freedom fighter and founder of Banaras Hindu University, solemnized Acharya's Yagyopaveet (sacred thread) ceremony and introduced the Gayatri Mantra to him when the latter was just nine years old.

Early Life
On January 18, 1926, a spiritual guru and great Himalayan yogi, Swami Sarveshwaranandji appeared before Acharya in astral body from the flame of a lamp and instructed the 15-year old boy to recite Gayatri Mantra 24 lakh times each for 24 years (24 Mahapurashcharans). During this period, he visited the Himalayas four times and participated in the Indian freedom movement actively. Thus, Acharya devoted the next 24 years of his life in the rhythmic recitation of the Gayatri Mantra under the strict orders. He visited Shri Aurobindo Ashram at Pondicherry, Maharshi Raman's Ashram at Tiruvannamalai, Santiniketan of Shri Rabindranath Tagore, and even worked with Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. He was imprisoned three times for his active participation in the freedom movement where he met several prominent freedom leaders. It was here that he was nicknamed "Matt" (the Intoxicated) due to his intense dedication and devotion. He was highly fascinated and a great devotee of Goddess Gayatri. With his experiences and practice, he mastered the knowledge of philosophy and science of Gayatri Mantra and yoga.

Literary Career
To highlight the root cause of the ailing state of mankind, Acharya chose writing as the best medium of revealing out his views and beliefs to the world. Through this, he eradicated the blind faith from people's minds and provoked wisdom, strength, and spiritual bliss. His first issue titled "Akhand Jyoti", released in 1940, was the first step towards the initiation of "Vichar Kranti" (Thought Revolution). Over the next two decades by 1960, Acharyaji had edited and translated the 4 Vedas, 108 Upanishads, 6 Darshanas, 18 Puranas, 20 Smritis, 24 Gitas, Yogavashishtha, Nirukta, Vyakaran, and hundreds of Aranyakas and Brahmanas. This translation helped people wipe out all misconceptions, superstitions, and blind customs from their minds. This extreme contribution and recognition towards human culture bestowed him with the title "Vedmurti". He penned the "Pragya Purana" in a simple narrative and conversational style to let the common man understand and imply the eternal principles of happy, progressive, and ideal life. To add on, he wrote over 3,000 books on various aspects of human life, research directions on brain and consciousness, discussions on child psychology and family institutions, cheerful attitude in daily life, and guidelines on mental, emotional, and physical health.

All World Gayatri Pariwar
In 1953, Acharyaji established Gayatri Tapobhumi in Mathura after the completion of the 24 Mahapurashcharans. To launch a global movement for moral, cultural, intellectual, and spiritual refinement and reconstruction, known as Yug Nirman Yojna, Acharyaji organized a grand 1008 Kundi Yagya in 1958. The basic objective of this movement was to improve the individual, family and social values of mankind and alter the current ideologies and concepts of social structure to build a better future for the entire human race. By organizing various activities in Mathura and performing yagnas, Acharyaji managed to build a team of men and women, which led to the birth of "Gayatri Pariwar". This mission included transformation of thoughts and creating mass awareness of cultural values amongst all aspects of human life. The present scenario of increase in the number of marriages without dowry and extravagant shows is a strong evidence of this movement. Upliftment of the social status of women and a self-reliant development of villages are other achievements made by this organization.

Shantikunj
In 1971, Acharyaji established Gayatri Pariwar's headquarters at Shantikunj in Haridwar as Brahmvarchas Research Institute, an academy for moral and spiritual awakening and training. With this, began the revival of ancient spiritual disciplines that were the hallmarks of Indian culture. He resurrected the rishi culture through simultaneous renaissance and expansion of reformative and constructive endeavors. Through this extensive research, Acharyaji discovered the sociological and psychological importance of pilgrimage. In 2002, Den Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya (the Divine Culture University) was established under the sponsorship of Shantikunj to revive the Divine Indian Culture.

Personal Life
He married Vandniya Mata Bhagwati Devi Sharma in 1946. Since then, the couple devoted their entire life towards the spiritual upliftment of humankind.

Death
During the years 1984 through 1986, Acharyaji undertook the spiritual experiment of sukshmikara�a, signifying the sublimation of vital force and physical, mental and spiritual energies, which proved to be highly successful. He wrote a set of 40 books titled "Revolutionary Literature or Krantidharmi Sahitya" that focused on the future and conveyed the message of the birth of a New Era of Truth in the 21st century. Unfortunately, death struck him on June 2nd, 1990 at the age of 78 years. In the following year 1991, a postage stamp was released with an inscription of Sriram Sharma Acharya. Henceforth, his wife Mata Bhagwati Devi Sharma carried out the series of Ashwamedha Yagyas, focusing on the change of the millennium and birth of a new era. She passed away on September 19, 1994.

Notable Works
What am I (Translated 2008, original Hindi Edition 1940)
The Absolute Law Of Karma (Revised 2003)
The Extrasensory Potentials of Mind
The Great Moments of Change
Problems of Today, Solutions for Tomorrow (Translated 2000)
The Life Beyond Physical Death (Translated 1999)
Sleep, Dreams and Spiritual Reflections
The Super Science of Gayatri (Translated 2000)
Gayatri Sadhana: The Truth and Distortions (2000)
Revival of Satyug (The Golden Age) (2000)

Timeline
1911: Born in the village of Anvalkheda, near Agra
1920: Was solemnized with the Yagyopaveet (sacred thread) ceremony
1926: Swami Sarveshwaranandji appeared and instructed a 24-year mission
1940: His first literary work "Akhand Jyoti" was released
1946: Married Vandniya Mata Bhagwati Devi Sharma
1953: Established Gayatri Tapobhumi in Mathura
1960: Completed the translation of various Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas
1971: Headquarters of Gayatri Pariwar set up at Shanktikunj
1990: Died on June 2 in Haridwar, aged 79
1991: Postage stamp released in his honor
1994: Wife Mata Bhagwati Devi died on 19 September
2002: Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya inaugurated