Shriram Sharma
Shriram Sharma Acharya, also known as Vedmurti Taponishtha Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya, was a renowned yugrishi who devoted his life to elevating human consciousness, culture, and civilization through the synthesis of science and spirituality. He founded the and the .
His spiritual journey commenced at the age of fifteen, during which he completed 24 Mahapurushcharans—each involving the rhythmic recitation of 2.4 million Gayatri mantras. He subsequently played an active role in India's independence movement. Acharya also proposed the 100-point program of Yug Nirman Yojna for societal upliftment and reformation of the era.
His endeavors encompassed extensive research on the syncretic relationships between science and spirituality, the revival of Rishi traditions, and the revelation of the philosophy and science underlying the Gayatri Mantra and Yajna. He supervised large-scale Gayatri sadhana and Yajna, interpreted entire Vedic scriptures, and authored over 3,000 books on various aspects of human life. His vision is encapsulated in the phrase, "Hum badlenge, Yug badlega. Hum sudhrenge, Yug sudhrega", which continues to inspire successive generations.
Life
Early childhood
Shriram Sharma Acharya, revered as "Gurudev" by his followers, was born in Anwalkheda village in the Agra district of Uttar Pradesh, India, on Ashwin Krishna Trayodashi Vikrami Samvat 1967. He was the son of Pandit Rupkishore Sharma and Dhankunwari Devi. His early concern for the welfare of the underprivileged was evident even in his childhood; for example, as a young boy, he cared for an elderly woman afflicted with leprosy, despite disapproval from his family and society. His spiritual inclination also emerged at an early age. At the age of nine, he was initiated into the Gayatri mantra and underwent the sacred thread ceremony, performed by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya.First audience with Guru
At the age of fifteen, on January 18, 1926, during the Vasant Panchami festival, Shriram’s guru, Swami Sarveshwarananda, is said to have manifested in astral form from the flame of a deepak during his Gayatri upasana. This divine encounter revealed his three previous births—Sant Kabir, Samarth Guru Ramdas and Ramakrishna Paramhansa—as well as the objectives of his present life, thereby initiating his spiritual journey. In accordance with his guru’s instructions, he subsequently devoted three decades to intensive spiritual practices, adhering to strict disciplines and performing 24 Mahapurushcharans. His autobiography, “”, reflects his profound surrender to his guru and attributes all his accomplishments to his guru’s grace and guidance.Indian Freedom Movement
Troubled by the pain of foreign rule, the young Shriram joined the freedom movement in 1923–24 in response to Mahatma Gandhi’s call. In accordance with his Guru’s instructions, he participated in India's struggle for independence to acquire practical lessons in wisdom, honesty, responsibility, and courage. From 1927 to 1937, he actively volunteered as a freedom fighter and was jailed on several occasions for his involvement in the movement. He also composed revolutionary poems and articles, which were published in the newspaper Sainik under the title "Matta Pralap."During a freedom movement at Jarkhi, near Anwalkheda, British soldiers attempted to seize the tricolor flag while assaulting him. Despite fainting from the attack, he maintained a firm grip on the flag by holding it between his teeth. His profound devotion to his motherland earned him the nickname "Shriram Matta." Post-independence, Shriram withdrew from active political engagement and devoted himself to the nation’s liberation on moral, intellectual, and cultural fronts, as guided by his Guru.
Himalayan Journeys
Shriram Sharma Acharya ascended the Himalayas on four occasions, during which he practiced specific sadhanas and made plans for the future under the guidance of his guru, Swami Sarveshwarananda. His first ascent occurred in 1937, followed by journeys in 1959, 1971, and 1984. These journeys aimed to meet Himalayan sages, seek further guidance, and rejuvenate himself. Notably, the initial journey also served as a test of his endurance, willpower, and perseverance, as set by his guru. He documented these experiences in his writings, recording the purpose of each journey.“My sadhana was intended to acquire energy for initiating a New-Era of harmony and peace for humanity.”
The vision of “Thought Revolution Movement”
In 1933, Shriram embarked on extensive travels across India, marking a new phase in his life. During these journeys, he visited Shantiniketan to meet Rishivar Rabindranath Tagore, Arunachalam to meet Maharshi Ramana, Pondicherry to meet Sri Aurobindo, and Sabarmati Ashram to meet Mahatma Gandhi. Realizing the potential of inspiring literature and its relevance to contemporary intellectual evolution, he chose writing as the primary means to counteract evil tendencies and blind faith, while awakening the inner wisdom, strength, and spiritual bliss of individuals. Following his first Himalayan journey, he published the inaugural issue of the magazine "Akhand Jyoti" in 1938 expound upon the scriptural and scientific dimensions of spiritual philosophy.“...All the qualities of God are filled within humans. However, just as a lion cub living among sheep begins to see himself as a sheep, similarly, the condition of humanity has been ensnared by the influence of Maya. The mission of the Akhand Jyoti is for every lion to recognize his true nature...”This marked the beginning of the "Vichar Kranti Abhiyan". The initiative was designed to gradually enlighten minds, transform attitudes, and elevate human psychology to a higher spiritual plane. To this end, he proposed four pillars of spirituality: sadhana, swadhyaya, saiyama, and seva. In addition to the magazine, he advanced the movement through his writings. His first book, titled "Main Kya Hoon?", was intended to guide seekers in exploring the reality of the ‘Self’ through specific disciplines of meditation and contemplation.
“There is only one highway to true happiness and peace in life, and that is ‘Self-Knowledge’.”In 1943, he married Bhagwati Devi, and together they devoted themselves to the mission of spiritual upliftment for humankind.
''Yug Nirman Yojana'': A Global Movement
After completing 24 Mahapurushcharans, Shriram Sharma Acharya established the Gayatri Tapobhumi in Mathura on the occasion of Gayatri Jayanti in 1953. The center, constructed at the site of Maharishi Durvasa's penance, was intended to propagate theism, spiritual philosophy, and the teachings of Gayatri worldwide, thereby assisting individuals in recognizing the dignity of human life and alleviating societal distortions. To purchase the land for the Tapobhumi and finance its construction, Shriram Sharma Acharya sold his property bonds, while his devoted supporter, Bhagwati Devi, sold her jewelry. Initiated with a confluence of sacred water from 2,400 pilgrimage sites, 2,400 crore hand‐written copies of the Gayatri mantra, and an unbroken fire brought from the Himalayas to the Yajna-shala—along with contributions from millions of sadhakas—the Gayatri Tapobhumi evolved into a prominent hub of spiritual practice.Between 1955 and 1971, Mathura witnessed a series of significant yajnas, including the Mahamrityunjaya yajna, Vishnu yajna, and Narmedha yajna, among others. In 1958, a grand Sahastra ''Kundiya Gayatri yajna was organized,'' an event unprecedented since the time of the Mahabharata. It served as the groundwork for the launch of the “Yug Nirman Yojana”, a mission aimed at reforming individual, familial, and societal values while transforming prevailing ideologies, moral concepts, and social structures for a better future.
Following his second Himalayan journey, Acharya introduced the Yug Nirman Yojana manifesto and Yug Nirman Satsankalpa in 1963, declaring, "Hum badlenge, Yug badlega. Hum sudhrenge, Yug sudhrega.”, which translates as: “ I will Change Myself, The Era will Change. I will Correct Myself, The World will Correct.” This declaration implies that the power to change the world resides within each individual and starts with our own actions.
Through various initiatives in Mathura, including large-scale yajnas, Acharya assembled a dedicated group of men and women. This collective, united by a shared vision and mission under Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya, became known as the “Gayatri Pariwar”. Today, the Global Gayatri Pariwar Fraternity comprises approximately 150 million members and 5,000 centers worldwide.