Shriram Sharma

Shriram Sharma Acharya
Title	Vedmurti, Taponishtha, Yugrishi
Personal
Born	(1911-09-20)20 September 1911 Anwalkheda, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Died	2 June 1990(1990-06-02) (aged 78) Shantikunj, Haridwar, Uttrakhand
Religion	Hinduism
Spouse	Bhagwati Devi Sharma
Children	Om Prakash Sharma, Mrityunjay Sharma, Shailbala Pandya
Parents	Pandit Roopkishore Sharma (father) Dankunwari Devi (mother)
Notable work(s)	Siddha Sadhak of Gayatri Mahavidya; Author of more than 3000 books; Interpreter of entire Vedic scriptures – Vedas, Upanishads, Smritis, etc.; Reviver of Rishi traditions; Pioneer of scientific spirituality; Thought Revolution Movement; Yug Nirman Yojana (Campaign for Era Transformation)
Organization
Founder of	All World Gayatri Pariwar (AWGP), Brahmvarchas Shodh Sansthan
Religious career
Guru	Swami Sarveshwarananda
Website	awgp.org
Honors	Shriram Matta, Light of India (1964), Postage stamp of India (1991)

Shriram Sharma Acharya, also known as Vedmurti Taponishtha Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya, dedicated his life to elevating human consciousness, culture and civilization by synthesizing science with spirituality.^[1][2][3] He founded All World Gayatri Pariwar and Brahmvarchas Shodh Sansthan (in 1979).^[4][5]

He embarked on a spiritual journey at the age of fifteen, undertaking 24 Mahapurushcharans, each consisting of rhythmic recitation (japa) of 2.4 million Gayatri Mantras,^[6] and later actively participated in India's independence movement.^[7][8] He propounded the 100-point program of Yug Nirman Yojna (Campaign for Era Transformation) for societal upliftment and reformation of the era.^[9][10][11] His endeavors included extensive research on the syncretic propositions of science and spirituality,^[12][13] the revival of Rishi traditions,^[14][15] supervision of large-scale Gayatri sadhana and Yajna,^[3][16] translation of entire Vedic scriptures,^[15][4][17] and writing over 3000 enlightening books on every aspect of human life.^[2][3][18] His vision is encapsulated in the phrase, "Hum badlenge, Yug badlega. Hum sudhrenge, Yug sudhrega" ("We will change, the era will change. We will improve, the era will improve")^[19] — continues to inspire generations.

Shriram Sharma Acharya (revered as “Gurudev'' by his disciples) was born in Anwalkheda village (Agra district of Uttar Pradesh, India) on Ashwin Krishna Trayodashi Vikrami Samvat 1967 (20 September 1911) as the son of Pandit Rupkishore Sharma and Dhankunwari Devi. His concerns for the welfare of the common masses were clearly evident since his childhood when, as a small boy, he took the brave step of nursing an old ‘untouchable’ woman, suffering from leprosy, against the disapproval of his family and society.^[2][20]

His inclination towards spiritual practice started appearing in his childhood. At the age of nine, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya performed his initiation of the Gayatri mantra and the sacred thread ceremony (yajnopavit).^[6][21]

At the age of fifteen, on the auspicious day of Vasant Panchami festival, 18 January 1926, Shriram Sharma’s Guru, Swami Sarveshwarananda, appeared before him in astral form from the flame of the deepaka during his Gayatri Upasana.^[2][6] This divine encounter revealed his past three births as Sant Kabir, Samarth Guru Ramdas and Ramakrishna Paramhansa and the objectives of his present birth, igniting his spiritual journey.^[6][22][23] Following his Guru’s instructions, he devoted the next 3 decades of his life to intense spiritual practices with the strictest of disciplines, performing 24 Mahapurushcharans, each consisting of rhythmic recitation of 2.4 million Gayatri mantras.^[6][7] His autobiography, “Hamari Vasiyat aur Virasat” (My Life - Its Legacy And Message), reflects his profound surrender to his Guru and acknowledges that all his accomplishments resulted from his Guru’s grace and guidance.^[1]

Troubled by the pain of foreign rule, young Shriram joined the freedom movement in 1923-24 in response to Mahatma Gandhi’s call.^[3] Later, on his Guru's instructions, he participated in India’s freedom struggle to imbibe the practical life lessons of (1) wisdom, (2) honesty, (3) responsibility and (4) courage.^[7] From 1927 to 1937, he actively volunteered as a freedom fighter during which he was jailed several times as part of the freedom struggle. He wrote revolutionary poems and articles regularly published in the ‘Sainik’ newspaper titled ‘Matta Pralap’.^[8] During a freedom movement at Jarkhi, near Anwalkheda, British soldiers tried to snatch the tricolor flag while beating him. Young Shriram fainted from the beating, yet he held the tricolor flag firmly between his teeth.^[8][24] His intense love and devotion towards the motherland earned him the name “Shriram Matta”.^[7][8] Post-independence, Shriram eventually withdrew from all political activities and endeavored to free the nation on the moral, intellectual and cultural front on his Guru’s instructions.^[7]

Shriram Sharma Acharya climbed the arduous and mystic heights of the Himalayas four times and stayed there for specific sadhanas and future plannings under his Guru’s guidance, Swami Sarvershwarananda. The first of his journeys was in 1937,^[25] and subsequently in 1959,^[26] 1971^[14] and 1984.^[27] The objectives behind these journeys were to meet Himalayan sages, take guidance on the next steps and re-energizing the self. Interestingly, the first of these journeys was also supposedly a test of Shriram’s endurance, willpower and perseverance by his Guru. He wrote vividly about these journeys in his books, and stated the purpose of his journeys:

“My sadhana was intended to acquire energy for initiating a New-Era of harmony and peace for humanity.”^[28]

In 1933, a new phase of his life began when he traveled extensively all over India. He went to Shantiniketan to meet Rishivar Rabindranath Tagore, Arunachalam to meet Maharshi Ramana, Pondicherry to meet Sri Aurobindo, and Sabarmati Ashram to meet Mahatma Gandhi.^[3]

Realizing the potential of inspiring literature and its relevance in the present era of intellectual evolution, Shriram Sharma Acharya chose writing as the principal tool for uprooting evil tendencies and blind faith from people's minds and arousing indwelling wisdom, strength and spiritual bliss.^[2] After his first Himalayan journey, he published the first issue of a magazine named “Akhand Jyoti” (translation: An Eternal Flame) in 1938, to enunciate the scriptural and scientific aspects of spiritual philosophy.^[2][4][29]

(translated from the Hindi text) “…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 (illusion). The mission of the Akhand Jyoti is for every lion to recognize his true nature…”^[30]

This was the beginning of “Vichar Kranti Abhiyan” (translation: Thought Revolution Movement).^[9][31] It was a unique movement of gradual enlightenment of thoughts, transformation of attitude and advancement of human psychology up to the divine plane of spirituality.^[2] For this, he proposed four pillars of spirituality – sadhana (spiritual practice), swadhyaya (self-study), saiyama (self-discipline) and seva (service).^[10][32] Along with the magazine, he carried the movement forward with his books. With an intent of guiding the seekers to explore the reality of ‘Self’ through specific disciplines of meditation and contemplation, the first book he published was “Main Kya Hoon?” (translated in English: “What am I?”).

“There is only one highway to true happiness and peace in life, and that is ‘Self-Knowledge’.”^[33]

In 1943, he married Bhagwati Devi, and ever since, they dedicatedly pursued the mission of spiritual upliftment of humankind.^[2]

After the completion of  24 Mahapurushcharans, the Gayatri Tapobhumi in Mathura was established on the occasion of Gayatri Jayanti in 1953.^[2] It was built at the penance place of Maharishi Durvasa to spread theism, spiritual philosophy and Gayatri in the whole world, making a person realize the dignity of human life and freeing society from distortions.^[3] Initiated with the amalgamation of pious water from 2400 pilgrimage sites, 2400 crore hand-written Gayatri mantra, Akhand Agni (uninterrupted fire—brought from the Himalayas) in the Yajnashala and the contribution of millions of sadhakas, the Gayatri Tapobhumi became a hub of spiritual practice.^[2][3] To purchase the Tapobhumi’s land and its construction, Shriram Sharma Acharya sold all his property bonds, and Bhagwati Devi, who steadfastly supported him in every step of his life, sold all her jewelry.^[26]

From 1955 to 1971, the land of Mathura witnessed a series of great yajnas like Mahamrityunjaya yajna, Vishnu yajna, Narmedha yajna, etc.^[3][16] In 1958, he organized a grand-scale Sahastra (1000) Kundiya Gayatri yajna, which served as a base to launch the “Yug Nirman Yojana” (translation: Movement for the Reconstruction of Era).^[2][34] The objectives of this mission are to reform the individual, family and social values of humankind, and to change prevalent ideologies, concepts of morality and social structure for a better tomorrow.^[2] The yajnas at such scales had not happened since Mahabharata.^[3] After his second Himalayan journey, he propounded the manifesto Yug Nirman Yojana and Yug Nirman Satsankalpa (translation: Solemn Pledge of Reconstruction of Era) in 1963, with the declaration of "Hum badlenge, Yug badlega. Hum sudhrenge, Yug sudhrega.”, i.e.,

“(If) I will Change Myself, (then) The Era will Change. (If) I will Correct Myself, (then) The World will Correct.”,^[3]

implying that the power to change the world is inside all of us and starts from us only.

Through various activities in Mathura, including the performance of large yajnas, he gathered a team of dedicated men and women. This congregation of people, who had come together and had the same vision and mission as Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya, was collectively referred to as “Gayatri Pariwar” (formerly known as “Pragya Pariwar”).^[2][4][35] In the present, the Global Gayatri Pariwar Fraternity (AWGP) has 150 million members and 5000 centers worldwide.^[36][37]

During his third journey to the Himalayas, he received guidance pertaining to the revival of Rishi traditions. Shriram Sharma Acharya pioneered the resurrection of the Rishi traditions of various Rishis of the Vedic age. By absorbing the knowledge and wisdom of the divine culture of India that had spread to the rest of the world emanating from these rishis, he nurtured and re-established the foundational elements of the Indian culture and the roots of its divine nature once again in a new scientific light through several activities of the Gayatri Pariwar.^[2][14][15]

In 1971, he instituted the Yug Nirman Yojana’s headquarters at “Gayatri Tirth – Shantikunj” (Haridwar, India), with the aim of creating a living model of India’s ancient Rishi Parampara (lifestyle of ancient sages) in the contemporary world.^[4][38] It was built at the place of penance of Maharishi Vishwamitra as a spiritual epicenter for moral and spiritual awakening and training. Here, he began the revival of ancient spiritual disciplines that were the hallmarks of Indian Culture, organized various sessions for awakened souls such as Prana-repatriation, Chandrayan, Kalp and Sanjeevani sadhana, Jeevan-sadhana, Yugshilpi sessions, etc and conducted training sessions for women empowerment.^[3]

On Gayatri Jayanti in 1979, he established “Brahmvarchas Shodh Sansthan”, a research centre of scientific spirituality in Haridwar, India, with the vision of researching the syncretic propositions of science and spirituality.^[4]

(translated from the Hindi text) “Due to not meeting the criteria of empiricism, science has denied the existence of the soul, the supreme soul and the power of karma. If this assertion is accepted, then there remains no solid foundation for idealism, morality or social order, and selfishness prevails as the supreme intelligence. In such a situation, disorder and rampant misconduct will continue to prevail everywhere. The reaction to the rejection of spirituality will cause chaos in society akin to that caused by ghosts and demons. In this dire situation, the reinstatement of spirituality is not possible solely through faith. It must also be proved true in the crucible of science and empiricism.”^[12]

He envisioned an educational institution that aims to infuse new life in the education system and nurture selected youths to carry his mission of societal transformation, about which he wrote in the Akhand Jyoti magazine, March 1964,

“There is a need for an educational institution, which could mold its students into noble and enlightened human beings – selfless, warm-hearted, compassionate and kind.”^[39]

In 2002, his admirers and followers achieved his vision by establishing a university named “Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya” in Haridwar, India.^[40]

After returning from his fourth and final Himalayan journey, on the occasion of Rama Navami in 1984, Shriram Sharma Acharya started the practice of Sukshmikaran sadhana (peak of spiritual efforts) under the direction of his Guru for – (1) purification of the atmosphere, (2) refinement of the subtle environment, (3) ushering in of a new era, (4) neutralization of the danger of mass destruction and (5) creation and development of divine humans (Dev-manav), which was successfully completed on the Vasant Panchami in 1986.^[27][41] During Mahakumbh (Kumbh Mela) in 1986, he invoked and consecrated the seven sages – Bhagiratha, Parashurama, Charaka, Valmiki, Yajnavalkya, Vishwamitra and Vasishtha in Shantikunj.^[4] And from Ashvin Navaratri in 1988, he started a twelve-year collective Mahasadhana, with the aim of:

“The rise of divinity within human beings, and the descent of heaven-like environment on Earth”.^[42][43]

Shriram Sharma Acharya entered into subtlety and announced in 1985 to wrap up all his activities within five years. On the day of Gayatri Jayanti, 2 June 1990, he voluntarily shed his physical sheath while chanting the Gayatri mantra.^[2][3]

Understanding the enormous problems and crisis of the era through deeper depths, Shriram Sharma Acharya encouraged eroding of the root cause hidden in the subtle environment (sukshma vatavarana). He attempted colossal refinement in every dimension of the gross and sublime environment of life through the spiritual experiments of Gayatri Sadhana and Yajna.^[16] He resurrected the philosophy and science behind the Gayatri and its mantra, compiled in an encyclopedic book named “Gayatri Mahavijnan”,^[44] and revived the practice of yajna along with its philosophical teachings and science, making it available for all.^[45][46]

(translated from the Hindi text) “The essence of Indian culture is rooted in Gayatri, the source of righteous knowledge. Yajna is considered the father of Indian spirituality. Gayatri symbolizes virtuous thoughts, and Yajna symbolizes righteous actions. Together, they promote goodwill and virtuous conduct, serving as a pathway to global peace and human welfare, thereby increasing the prospects for the well-being of all living beings.”^[46]

Numerous small and grand yajnas have been organized since the advent of the Yug Nirman campaign. The “Sahastranshu Brahm Yajna” performed on the Gayatri Jayanti 1953, after the completion of his 24 divine Mahapurushcharans, was the first spiritual experiment of grand participation of people from all parts of the society. A series of distinct yajnas in Vedic tradition commenced in 1955 in which the Mahamratuojaya Yajna, Rudra Yajna, Visnu Yajna, Sata Chandi Yajna, Nava-Graha Yajna, Ganapati Yajna, Saraswati Yajna, JyotiÌstoma Yajna, AgniÌstoma, the Gyana Yajna of the four Vedas, etc. were performed with the participation of more and more Gayatri Sadhakas. The year 1956 marked the 108 Kundiya Yajnas and grand Narmedha Yajna to mobilize the collective power and enthusiasm of the sadhakas dedicated towards social reformation and welfare of the masses.^[16]

The next major experiment of spiritual refinement was “Brahmastra Anusthana” in 1957. This involved yearlong Mahapurushcharans of 2.4 million Gayatri Mantra japa and 2.4 million ahutis in yajnas jointly performed by thousands of sadhakas. This was aimed at protecting humankind from the ill omens to avert the potential natural calamities, epidemics, regional wars, etc. that year. The same year first congregation of the All India Gayatri Pariwar was organized to enlighten the members with details of Gayatri Vidya and the true spirit and scientific aspects of Yajna.^[16]

The Sahastra (1000) Kundiya Gayatri MahaYagya conducted in November 1958 to commemorate the purnahuti (completion) of the Brahmastra Anusthana was a beginning to revive the Rishi tradition. Thereafter, a large number of novel experiments of Vedic yajnas have been performed including the daily yajna at the individual and familial levels, collective yajna at the level of colonies, towns and cities, and the series of Grand Deep Yajnas, Bajpeya Yajnas, and Ashwamedha Yajnas. These experiments continue to expand, and the teachings of the philosophy of yajna and the scientific process of agni-yajnas are made so simple and easily adaptable in today’s circumstances, that everyone – the rich and the poor, the erudite and the illiterate, can adopt and perform them without any barrier of caste, creed, religious faith etc.^[16]

Shriram Sharma Acharya prioritized karma over caste. He worked to break the Brahmin caste’s monopoly in performing Vedic rituals and initiated Harijans (formerly untouchables) to the Gayatri Mantra and the sacred thread ceremony (yajnopavit) and trained them as priests to conduct rituals. This was a revolutionary step.^[47]

Although, in ancient history, women in India used to recite Vedic hymns, during the medieval period, women were largely declared unfit to do Vedic recitations. Many prominent religious leaders supported this view. Amidst this, Shriram Sharma not only initiated women into the Gayatri Mantra but also performed the yajnopavit ceremony for them and trained them as priests. Despite strong opposition from orthodox religious leaders, he formed a group of Brahmin women (Brahmavadini) across the country. As a result of this historic revolution, today, millions of women across the nation recite the Gayatri Mantra.^[47][48]

In Gayatri Mahavijnan, he extensively referenced the Vedic scriptures, like Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Brahmanas, Smritis, and various other scriptures showing that women have rights to perform Vedic recitations and rituals, and hence the Gayatri mantra.^[49]

Shriram Sharma Acharya restored the lost legacy of the Rishis at Gayatri Tirth – Shantikunj. Modern and contemporary executions of these Rishi traditions in light of related sages are mentioned below:^[14][15][4]

3.1 Rishi Vishvamitra: Vishvamitra is revered as a devotee and researcher of Gayatri Mantra. Shriram Sharma Acharya based his penance around Gayatri Mantra and the same was followed by all his disciples in Shantikunj and elsewhere. He wrote extensively about the philosophy and science of Gayatri, the meaning of its mantra and the power of its japa in an encyclopedic book named Gayatri Mahavijnan.

3.2 Rishi Bhagiratha: Bhagiratha is known for bringing the sacred river Ganges from heaven upon the earth, by performing a penance. In the 20th Century, lost in the intoxication of material science, humans had begun to experience torment from sin and suffering. To amend this, through his intense penance, Shriram Shamra Acharya incarnated the supreme flow of knowledge and wisdom, Ritambhara Prajna that has the potential to resolve the crisis, instilling faith within through the campaign of Vichar Kranti (Thought Transformation).

3.3 Brahmarshi Vasishtha: Vasistha is credited for harmonizing the Dharma framework with his effective guidance to political and economic systems. Shriram Sharma Acharya continued his work by manifesting the divine plan of era transformation (Yug Nirman Yojana). By making the Dharma framework effective and authentic, a mission was undertaken to bring all sections of society under a common vision and mission, thereby ensuring the potential realization of ‘global unity’, ‘global language’, ‘global religion’, and ‘global culture’.

3.4 Rishi Yajnavalkya: Yagyavalkya had researched yajna and its efficacy in promoting the good health of living beings, vegetation and the environment. Shriram Sharma Acharya revived the lost and neglected tradition of yajna and made the Yajnic process accessible to all households. He initiated a movement to make life Yajna-oriented by validating, through research and experimentation, the principles of yajna and its scientific effects on life and the environment. The scientific experiments were conducted in the Brahmvarchas Shodh Sansthan to assess yajna's effect on the environment, the human body and psychology. He expanded the Yajnopachara method (Yajnopathy) to prevent physical, mental and spiritual ailments through Yajna practices. The same is further taken in Yagyavalkya Center of Yagya Research at Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya.

3.5 Rishi Parashurama: Parashurama is known for the eradication of misconduct and the establishment of cosmic equilibrium. For the same purpose, Shriram Sharma Acharya established the Yug Nirman campaign for intellectual and moral revolution, which was made dynamic and effective by the power of austerity. In the latter half of his life, momentum was given to creative movements to enrich the lives of people and make them flourish and vibrant. Through Sukshmikaran sadhana, the talents of the world were compelled to work for the welfare of humanity.

3.6 Rishi Vyasa: Vyasa had written Puranas, the earliest of Indian scriptures, to give guidance to society while keeping it practical. Continuing the tradition, Shriram Sharma Acharya made the Vedic scriptures – the 4 Vedas, 108 Upanishads, and 6 Darshanas, Smritis, Yogavasistha, etc., accessible through simple commentaries and publications. According to the needs of the era, he created Gayatri Mahavijnan and the Prajna Purana “Prajnopanishad”. He established a system for writing, publishing and disseminating thousands of books that inspire and empower individuals with solutions to prevent falling and consequently suffering in life and make use of noble opportunities.

3.7 Rishi Patanjali: Patanjali is known for his research and experiments on the science of Yoga. Shriram Sharma imparted training of hathayoga, kayakalp, asana and pranayama as a mass movement. He pioneered a novel approach to yoga for a healthy and happy life, which is simple and suitable for the masses, and named it “Prajna Yoga”.^[50]

3.8 Rishi Charaka: Charak was one of the principal contributors of Ayurveda, who had researched rare medicinal plants that could help healing. Shriram Sharma Acharya took forward research on the science of lost and neglected vanaushadhis (medicinal plants) by successfully conducting experiments at the Brahmvarchas Shodh Sansthan on the identification and conservation of authenticated medicinal herbs and rare plants. Further, an integrated approach to disease treatment and health promotion was developed and disseminated through the advancement of ekaushadhi treatment system. The consultation regarding the same was carried forward free of cost.

3.9 Rishi Pippalada: Pippalada conducted various experiments around the effect of food on the mind. It is said that he did much of the experiments on himself. Shriram Sharma Acharya applied a similar approach during his 24 Mahapurashcharans, and the same continued for disciples in Shantikunj. He wrote extensively on promoting holistic health and inner strengths through a dietary regimen.

3.10 Rishi Kanada: Kanada is known for researching the scientific aspects of spirituality. Shriram Sharma Acharya established the Brahmvarchas Shodh Sansthan (which now continues through Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya) for the same, with the aim of unfolding greatness within humanity.

3.11 Rishi Valmiki: Valmiki, revered as Adi Kavi, is known for his poetry to awaken the noblest empathy within humans. Shriram Sharma Acharya continued through the creation and positive utilization of Sanskarshalas and inspirational poetry compositions for this purpose.

3.12 Rishi Suta-Shaunaka: Shriram Sharma Acharya continued the tradition of inspirational storytelling of Suta-Shaunaka by resolving human curiosity through the organization of storytelling and Prajna events, like Prajna Purana Katha, fostering continuous inspiration within them.

3.13 Rishi Narada: Righteous guidance through stories, discourses and music was effectively implemented by Narada. Shriram Sharma Acharya took it forward through his counsel, continuing via his works of literature in the present times, Prajna Puranas, Prajna songs and kirtans, to accomplish the process of public welfare and upliftment.

3.14 Rishi Jamadagni: The concept of training students in morality and virtues through penance was a practice of ancient India, and Jamdagni was one imparting it in India. Shriram Sharma Acharya continued the same through sadhanas and training sessions via Gurukul Vidyalaya, Yug Shilpi Vidyalaya, Sanskaras, etc., at Shantikunj Ashram.

3.15 Rishi Bharadvaja: Bharadvaja was known for his wisdom, teachings and development of Indian culture. Shriram Sharma Acharya developed Shantikunj in the same light as a pilgrimage of consciousness, transformed the tendencies within individuals and created a pure environment around.

3.16 Adi Shankaracharya: Adi Shankaracharya is credited for integrating different cultures and awakening the masses by establishing religious institutions in the four corners of India. Shriram Sharma Acharya followed a similar path by establishing and managing thousands of spiritual energy centers in the form of Gayatri Shakti Peeths and Pragya Peeths across India to awaken cultural consciousness.

3.16 Bhagavan Buddha: Buddha is revered for enlightening people and dispelling myths. Shriram Sharma Acharya continued his work of dispelling misconceptions and superstitions among the masses through meaningful implementation of the principles of Dharma. He wrote more than 3000 books to supervise solutions of the present era.

The spiritual teachings of the saints of the Middle Ages, viz, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Sant Gyaneshwar, Samarth Guru Ramdas, Swami Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, etc. concerning the spread of righteousness are being followed in Shantikunj.

The Yug Nirman Yojana is a pursuit that transcends the individual, seeking to unify the whole of humanity through the awakening of inner divinity. This grand vision represents the crown of spiritual ambition, unparalleled in its scope and depth. 

As per plans projected under the Yug Nirman Yojana, the mission has contributed to the upliftment of 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 Yajnas 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 the upliftment of the social status of women, the moral education of children through Bal Sanskarshalas, raising voices against draconian traditions, de-addiction, and integrated and self-reliant development of villages.^[2][4][38]

“Self-refinement is the best service of the society.”^[51]

In the present era of intellectual evolution, Pt. (Pandit) Shriram Sharma Acharya had chosen writing as a principal mode to fight the evil tendencies and blind faith in people's minds and presented solutions to countless problems of today’s era in a practical framework.^[2] His writings are simple yet profound—captivating readers of all intellectual and emotional levels. Whether a farmer tending to crops in the field or an officer shaping policy in an office, his words touched one and all, transcending caste, intelligence and societal position. To spread the literature to every corner of the world, he kept the price of all his books at publication cost or even lower and free from copyrights so that anyone could print them.

He wrote down his thoughts in the form of more than 3000 books^[2][3] covering topics like religion-spirituality,^[52] Gayatri Mahavidhya,^[53] scientific spirituality,^[13][54] life management,^[55] holistic health,^[56] self,^[33][57] family,^[58][59] social development,^[60] Indian culture,^[61] transformation of the era,^[62] women,^[63] etc. His complete works were published in 108 large volumes called Vaangmaya.^[2]

To eliminate misconceptions, superstitions and blind customs, which were propagated in the medieval era by misinterpretations of the Vedas and other scriptures, he translated and compiled entire Vedic literature, including 4 Vedas, 108 Upanishads, 6 Darshanas, 20 Smritis, 18 Puranas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Yogavasistha, and many other, in lucid Hindi language to enable the masses to understand the complex knowledge contained within.^[4][17] Along with this, to provide practical solutions to the problems of present-day life, he also wrote a series of “Pragya Puranas”, in which the philosophy of Upanishads has been explained in the form of tales and stories. This contribution to the world of knowledge and human culture was highly acclaimed and appreciated by savants and saints like Acharya Vinoba Bhave and Dr. S. Radhakrishnan (Second president of Independent India); the distinguished title of "Vedmurti" was conferred upon him in its recognition.^[2][3]

Between 1988 and 1990, he wrote a special set of 20 books (termed revolutionary literature or Krantidharmi Sahitya), which he called the nectar of his entire literature. This set of books highlights the future of the world and conveys the message of the dawn of the new era of truth during the 21st century.^[2]

In 1938, he started publishing his first magazine named Akhand Jyoti, which has been continuously published since 1940 to date in 10 different languages.^[3][64] The magazine revolves around the practical aspects of spirituality in daily life to make it better and around the integration of science with spirituality. Later, he published several other magazines like “Yug Nirman Yojana”, started in 1964, and “Pragya Abhiyaan Pakshik'' with a focus on family, social affairs and women empowerment.^[3]

Shriram Sharma Acharya was convinced that modern humans could not be persuaded to accept the values of life patronized by ancient spirituality until and unless these were proven to be scientifically viable for the welfare of the individual and society.^[2][65] For this purpose, he established the Brahmvarchas Shodh Sansthan, which now continues through the Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya.^[66][12] The research involves Ayurveda^[67] and Yajnopathy,^[68][69] total psychology,^[70][71] the science of mantra and its therapeutic applications,^[72][73] the philosophy and science of yoga,^[50][74] yajna,^[75] sadhana,^[76] mantra,^[77] tantra^[78][79] and spirituality,^[80] Gayatri Mahashakti,^[81] the latent potential of the human beings,^[82][83] etc.

Shriram Sharma Acharya propounded that the guiding principle under Yug Nirman Yojana is a simple chain that starts from the transformation of self, leading to the transformation of the family ecosystem and then finally leading to the transformation of the society at large. In this transformation, true spirituality is very helpful as it cuts across religions and sects, and motivates human beings into righteous actions that will make the world progress toward a sustainable and bright future. To make it simple and understandable for the masses, in 1963, he came up with Yugnirman Satsankalp which became the preamble of all members of the Gayatri Pariwar:^[3][84]

1. Firmly believing in the Omnipresence of God and His Unfailing justice, we pledge to abide by the essential disciplines of divine principles (Dharma).

2. Regarding the body as the Temple of God, we will be ever watchful to keep it healthy and full of vitality by adopting the principles of self-restraint, order, and harmony in our daily lives.

3. With a view to keeping our minds free from the inrush of negative thoughts and emotions, we will adopt a regular program of study of ennobling and inspiring literature (swadhyaya) and strive to be in the company of saints/noble people (satsang).

4. We will vigilantly exercise restraint over the misuse of our senses, thoughts, emotions, time and resources (saiyama).

5. We will consider ourselves inseparable parts of the society and will see our good in the good of all.

6. We will abide by the basic moral code, refrain from wrongdoing and will discharge our duties as citizens committed to the well-being of the society.

7. We will earnestly and firmly imbibe in our lives the virtues of Wisdom, Honesty, Responsibility and Courage.

8. We will constantly and sincerely endeavor to create an environment of loving kindness, cleanliness, simplicity, and goodwill.

9. We will prefer failure while adhering to basic moral principles as against success obtained through unfair and foul means.

10. We will never evaluate a person's greatness by his worldly success, talents, and riches but by his righteous conduct and thoughts.

11. We will never do unto others what we would not like to be done unto us.

12. Men and women while interacting with each other will have feelings of mutual respect and understanding based on purity of thoughts and emotions.

13. We will regularly and religiously contribute a portion of our time, talents and resources for spreading nobility and righteousness in the world.

14. We will give precedence to wisdom over blind traditions.

15. We will actively involve ourselves in bringing together people of goodwill, in resisting evil and injustice, and in promoting reformation.

16. We will remain committed to the principles of national unity and equality of all human beings. In our conduct, we will not make any discrimination amongst people based on caste, creed, color, religion, region, language, or gender.

17. We firmly believe that each human being is the maker of his/her own destiny. With this conviction, we will uplift and transform ourselves and help others in doing so. We believe the world will then automatically change for the better.

18. We have complete faith in the dictum: 'We will change – the era will change', 'We will improve – the era will improve'.

– Recognized as “Light of India” in All Religions' Meeting in Ludhiana, India in 1964.^[3]

– Member of India’s esteemed Sanskrit Parishad from 1976.^[3]

– In 1988, the Uttar Pradesh government awarded him with the Independence Freedom Fighter Honor Certificate and Tamra-patra, along with pension benefits. He returned all the benefits to the administration and deposited the pension into the Harijan Fund.^[3]

– Indian Government and the former Vice-President of India Shankar Dayal Sharma commemorated a postal stamp in his memory on 27 June 1991.^[3][85]

– The former Prime Minister of India P. V. Narasimha Rao unveiled the memorial pillar at his birthplace (Awalkheda, Agra) in 1995.^[3]

– As a member of the National Committee for Ayurveda Development, India, he was given the responsibility of training health workers in Shantikunj for the same.^[3]

– Shantikunj is recognized as a training center for Social Education, Personality Development and Scout Guiding by the Government of India.^[3]

– A National Waterway Project training centre was established at Shantikunj. He was entrusted with the responsibility of conducting programs for the development of land and water conservation in 3600 blocks across 350 districts of the country.^[3]

– Consultant for Natural Disaster Management.^[3]