Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya’s life was exceptional in all terms. During his lifetime several extraordinary events unfolded which can convince any sceptic of the force of spirituality. Here are a few of Acharyaji’s amazing achievements.
The Grand Yagya of 1958:
Acharyaji had completed twenty-four Mahapurascharanas (sadhana of 2.4 million Gayatri mantra japa) in twenty-four years. This had to be followed up with a grand yagya in which 240000 ahutis (sacrificial herbal offerings to fire in yagya) were to be offered. It was decided that at least one hundred thousand Gayatri sadhaks from all over the country should be invited for a grand yagya programme. A big yagyashala (hall) consisting of one thousand yagyakund (pits for sacrificial fire) should be prepared and the requisite number of ahutiscould then be offered by these sadhaksin five days. This yagya was planned for the kartik month of year 1958 from 11th to 15th day of bright half of the lunar month.
The big questions were how to gather so many participants for the yagya, how to arrange for firewood, ghee, herbal materials for offerings, tents for yagyashala and discourses, and how to arrange for accommodation, food, water, sanitation, electricity etc. for all the invitees. There was a need for large grounds for erecting tents. Immense monetary resources were needed for even simple tasks like cooking and serving food. And then there were other considerations like how to send invitations to so many people, and how to arrange for transport for hundreds-of-thousands of people to arrive together on a day and then return together on another.
Acharyaji had only rupees five thousand with him then and the estimated expenses for the yagya were of the order of rupees five million. Ordinary minds cannot even imagine how this could ever be done. Especially at that time when Acharya ji had never raised any public funds earlier and had a support of less than a dozen volunteers. Several days were spent in thinking and planning but nothing concrete could be worked out.
Time came and each problem got solved with divine intervention on its own, one by one. Invitation letters reached to Gayatri sadhaks in every corner of the country. They arrived at the right time – one hundred thousand invitees, along with at least three hundred thousand more onlookers. Arrangements were made to provide food and accommodation to four hundred thousand people. The whole task was accomplished with such beauty and skilfulness that in seven miles radius, seven towns named after the famed seven-rishis of India were set up. The long rows of tents were more impressive than those that are set up during the large Kumbha fairs. Food was prepared in seven large public kitchens and served free of charge to all the visitors day and night. None of those who came was left without food and shelter. Everyone orderly paid sacrificial offerings in the yagyashala. Not a single incident of stealing took place. The food supply from storehouses became inexhaustible. Having heard the news of such a grand function, people from nearby towns rushed in to see the spectacle. The entire population of onlookers exceeded one million. Everyone had only one thing to say that such a grand and well-organized yagya experiment had never taken place earlier. Thousands of loud speakers and electricity generators were utilized to maintain order; each satellite town had telephone connections. Thousands of volunteers came forward and contributed their might. Donation boxes were kept everywhere, small change collected in them became enough to bear several expenses. There was no dearth of any kind of resources.
The whole event can be called the first grand miracle of spirituality. It was as if some divine power compelled all the visitors, volunteers, managers and assistants to witness and play a role in this splendid event.
Genesis of Gayatri Pariwar:
Gayatri Pariwar is a very large worldwide family of people who accept Acharya ji as their guru and follow the path he walked. This pariwar was also created during the 1958
yagya. All the invitees for grand yagya gathered in the discourse hall and became the first members of ‘Gayatri Pariwar’. The membership fee was kept as one rosary of
Gayatri japa and the donation of one hour of time per day for organizational activities and spreading awareness to masses. The huge mission came into being overnight. During the yagya, programmes were formulated for furthering the ideology of upasana, sadhana and aradhana in local contexts. It was not just the whole yagya that was magical, what was much more amazing was the creation of such a big organization with one hundred thousand members, overnight. At the time of farewell, all the members of this newly formed family vowed to devote their time and best efforts for the planned activities. This family has now grown to include several million people from across the world, from all walks of human society.
Another great miracle in the life of Acharyaji was the cooperation and support he got from so many emotionally attached, hardworking individuals. They worked with him as close associates and never asked for any form of pay. This great association began with Bhagawati Devi Sharma, revered wife of Acharyaji. Everyone called her Mataji (beloved mother). The day she came into Acharyaji’s life she became like his shadow. She took the entire onus of managing the mission upon her shoulders. She distributed the nectar of motherly love and affection upon all those who came in her contact. The combination of highly evolved intellect (pragya) of Acharyaji and unflinching pure faith (sraddha) of Mata ji created a great magic. Together they won the hearts of millions. Whoever came in their close contact got convinced that he or she has to play a role in the momentous task of reconstruction of the era. Mataji’s disposition to service, her love, simplicity and managerial acumen had such an impact that all members of the organization began to consider themselves as her sons and daughters. These feelings and love have grown stronger with the years. Acharya ji used to say that Mata ji is like the holy river Ganga; she is divinity herself that has incarnated in feminine form. More than half the credit for Acharyaji’s accomplishments must go to Mataji. This divine association of two great souls can be termed no less than a magic of spirituality.
When the brightness began to spread all around, innumerable people with evolved sentiments became a part of the mission. All the dedicated workers who are currently working at various major organizations of the mission are at least graduate and previously well employed. There are several thousands of people in the mission who are working in diverse regions of the country. All these devoted men and women have a single-minded devotion towards their mission. At least half of these workers are those who bear their own expenses and sustain with their conserved monetary funds. The mission provides for basic needs (including children’s education) of the remaining who were not that well-off. No one working for the mission thinks of accumulating money for future or emergency. If an emergency comes, mission provides funds to fulfil those needs. This can be called as the modern and purposeful edition of the tradition of sages and Brahmins. These days it is almost impossible to find such a large number of devoted, idealistic individuals in any organization. The gathering of such talented and devoted individuals under one umbrella simply reminds of the Congress party during Indian freedom movement or of the monk groups constituted by Lord Buddha.
Gayatri Pariwar created by Acharyaji has grown manifold. There are six major institutions associated with Gayatri Pariwar. A brief look at the activities in these institutes would help in understanding Gayatri Pariwar’s extensive efforts to bring about descent of heaven upon earth. All these institutes have come up on expansive pieces of land. Their construction was started with Acharyaji’s personal funds that he generated by selling off all his ancestral property. This fund was no more than one hundred thousand rupees, which is a very small sum, especially when one looks at the impressive buildings constructed at these places. Acharya ji had a principle of never asking for funds or seeking money from the rich, or the government. All the members of this vast family contributed a handful of grains and ten paise daily for the mission. Several individuals contributed for the cause of their own free will. This is how all the institutions have been built. Each institute is playing a major role in the construction of a new era.
Gayatri Teerth (Pilgrimage Center) – Shantikunj:
Shantikunj is located about 6 km from Haridwar railway station on the road towards Rishikesh in Uttarakhand state. Shantikunj has emerged over the years as a unique center and fountain-head of the global movement of Yug Nirman Yojana (Movement for the Reconstruction of the Era) for moral-spiritual regeneration in the light of hoary Indian heritage. Visitors of all faiths & linkages visit this sacred center for their spiritual upliftment all the year round.
The most important role played by Shantikunj is in conducting several training programs for reinstatement of moral, cultural and ethical values, integration of various faiths and sects into one common thought process, and channelization of energies of youths. Amongst these, the regular ones are: (i) nine-day training of Sanjeewani Vidyaa which is a comprehensive course on the art of living and art of relating, (ii) one month training of Yug Shilpi and Parivraajak which are training camps for refinement of personality and learning the art of serving the society and leading reformation activities. The latter programme has generated hundreds of thousands of men and women who work in the society for its development. Occasional trainings of officers and employees of Government, local bodies, corporations, banks etc. are also organized for teaching how to lead elegant life style, organizational management, efficient working methodology, managing personal health etc. Free training programmes are also conducted related to agriculture, horticulture, dairy and herbal production for selected village folk for self-employment generation. All these trainings aim at the all-round development of the nation and integration of the country by inducing noble sentiments in the minds of individuals by adoption of scientific ways of spirituality.
Shantikunj acts as a centre for guiding various Gayatri Pariwar activities like social reformation activities, psycho-social engineering, disaster management, self-reliant development of rural India, revival of Vedic culture, innovative research in ayurveda, ascent, empowerment of women and so on. Shantikunj has a vast network of about 4000 Shaktipeeths-Pragya Peeths (Centers of knowledge and Divine power), 25000 Pragya Sansthans & 30,000 Swadhyaya Mandals (self-study groups) etc., which regularly organize spiritual discussions, discourses, discussions on various problems in their areas to advance the noble cause of the Mission.
Near the entrance of Shantikunj are Prakhar Pragya and Sajal Shraddha, two beautiful marble temples containing the Charan Peeth (foot impressions) of Acharya ji and Mata ji. Thousands of men, women and children daily pour in prayers for bestowal of all round peace, prosperity and success in their life. Just in front of these temples, is the sacred tomb of Acharyaji and Mataji made of sparkling granite stone, which draws enormous reverence from the people and are fully charged with celestial life consciousness.
The pious “Akhand Deep” (lamp) ignited by Acharya ji in 1926 is still lit at Shantikunj. In the light of this very lamp he conducted his twenty-four Mahapurascharanas. This Akhand Deep is a source of spiritual guidance for millions of men and women. Shantikunj has a splendid Yagyashala where yagyas are conducted daily morning for peace and prosperity for the whole world.
There is a temple devoted to the sacred Himalayas, where saints have lived for centuries and performed their penance. This temple is made in an oval shape and provides an ideal location for meditation in a calm, quiet and peaceful atmosphere. The temple of Himalaya is surrounded by lush green vegetation, and an exhibition of medicinal plants called Haritima Devalaya (temple of vegetation).
Shantikunj has elegant dispensaries of Aurveda, Homeopathy and Allopathy where qualified doctors render free service to patients. Medicines are also supplied free of cost on their prescription. They also render free advice for maintenance of sound health and improvement of natural immunity of the body system.
The Electronic Media Division of Shantikunj, which is playing a very important role in spreading the thoughts of Acharyaji to diverse sections of society. It has a basic audio-video production studio and it produces a large number of cassettes, and CDs for sale. Since video is a very powerful medium of mass communication, the media division has produced many films in different languages that convey the message of Acharyaji. These films are made on different topics like Acharyaji’s spiritual discourses, important functions organized by Gayatri Pariwar, holistic health management, yoga and so on.
Shantikunj is daily visited by thousands of people from all walks of society. The spiritually purified and energetic ambience here attracts and impresses everyone who has ever visited this place. (See www.awgp.org for more information).
Brahmvarchas Research Institute:
Modern man could not be persuaded to accept the values of life propagated by ancient Rishis until and unless these were proved to be scientifically viable for the welfare of the individual and the society. Brahmvarchas Research Institute, the research centre of Shantikunj, Haridwar founded by Acharya ji in 1979 stands as a living example of how these ideas could be implemented and researched in the modern laboratories.
This center is dedicated to the integration of the modern and ancient sciences in a practical way motivated by the noble goal of health and happiness for all. Innovative scientific
research in the ancient sciences aimed at grass root applications is being carried out here in collaboration with the relevant modern sciences. Major areas of research include Ayurveda and Yagyopathy (effective herbal inhalation therapy based on yagya), Complete Psychology, the Science of Mantra and its Therapeutic Applications, the Philosophy and Science of Yoga, Sadhana, Gayatri Mantra, and the Science of Spirituality.
This center houses well equipped laboratories of haematology, biochemistry, neurophysiology, cardiology, phytochemistry, psychometric, yagyopathy, etc. Apart from its own team of doctors, engineers, scientists and philosophers, the center has live interaction with the hospital, Ayurvedic Pharmacy and Yoga labs of Shantikunj and with some of the hospitals and universities in and around Haridwar. Distinguished researchers, professors and other experts also visit the center regularly.
It has a rare collection of Himalayan herbs and medicinal samples prepared from the same after thorough experimental research. Several of the Ayurvedic medicines prepared here are in great demand as these have been found effective in the treatment of some otherwise incurable or advanced-stage diseases.
Tens of PhD degrees have been awarded by different universities in India based upon the research studies carried out here. Several more Ph D studies are also currently going on. The topics range from Vedic Cosmology, Yagyopathy, Novel Herbal Therapies, Multiple Dimensions of Vedic Culture, to the effects of Japa, Pranayama, Yoga–Åsanas and Yagya on Human Physiology and Psychology, etc. Brahmavarchas Institute also houses a unique library containing rare books and selected research journals to help in research studies.
Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya (Divine Culture University):
Almost five decades back, Acharya ji dreamt of a Dev Sanskriti Vishwa Vidyalaya (DSVV) that would infuse new life in the education system, and produce saplings for the Divine
Era. India has had a tradition of famous Universities, like Nalanda & Takshshila of the Buddhist Age, which moulded good citizens for human values and global welfare. DSVV has been established to meet the pressing need to impart global education on scientific spirituality and life style. The university is bringing about ethical, moral and spiritual transformation of youths, and is producing specialists in various fields who are devoted nationalists. DSVV is playing a big role in imparting youth with excellent character, indomitable courage, firm determination, and intense love for labour. Recognized by the Uttaranchal Govt. and the UGC of India in 2002, this autonomous, self-funded university offers several undergraduate and postgraduate levels degree courses in Clinical Psychology, Yogic Science and Human Excellence, Indian Culture and Tourism, Value-based Journalism and Mass Communication, Applied Yoga Consciousness & Holistic Health. Excellent opportunities for self-learning and original research are available here in the above areas and also in Vedic Sciences, Indology and Oriental Studies.
To help wider sections of the society – especially the elderly people and those who may not have time to complete degree courses, the university offers some diploma level and certificate courses in – Yoga and human consciousness, Holistic Health Management, Theology, and Rural Management.
Admissions to all programs are based on qualifying entrance tests. Students get an opportunity to live in a larger family like ambience on the beautiful campus of the university surrounded by serene Himalayan beauty. Their schedule and method of teaching is designed to lay emphasis on cultivation of sensitivity and positive & altruistic attitudes, and self-analysis and self-learning. (See www.dsvv.org for more information).
Gayatri Tapobhumi, Mathura:
Gayatri Tapobhumi, located in Mathura, India was established in 1953 before the grand yagya described in previous chapter. The ever-flourishing seed of Gayatri Pariwar was sown here. This is a center for the mission’s self-reliant education program and publication. The place consists of a magnificent temple of Gayatri, and several spiritual activities like daily yagya, mantra-writing, japa, meditation etc. Go on regularly here. Several girls and boys live here in hostels and are provided free education. The Movement for the Reconstruction of the Era (Yug Nirman Yojana) was announced from this spiritually charged place itself. The mission owns two huge presses where all the magazines and thousands of books of the mission are published. There is a huge post office in the complex from where magazines of the mission are posted to all over the world.
Anwalkheda — Model Village
Anwalkheda village, the birthplace of Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya, is located about 12 miles from Agra, India on Jalesar road. Mission runs an Intermediate College for girls and a hospital in this village. Anwalkheda is now being developed by Gayatri Pariwar as a model village under its Movement for the Creation of Ideal Villages (Adarsh Gram Teerth Yojana). Apart from being a place for pilgrimage for the devotees, this center is spreading the Yug Nirman Mission’s rural development and social engineering projects.
Akhand Jyoti Sansthan:
Akhand Jyoti Sansthan is located in Mathura, India. This is the place where Acharya ji lived for about three decades, and completed most of his Mahapurascharans, participated in India’s peaceful freedom struggle, and launched the Yug Nirman Mission’s principal magazine “Akhand Jyoti” – the source of spreading the divine light of his thoughts. It is now the main center for the publication of “Akhand Jyoti”, which along with its translated versions has over one million subscribers.
Expansion of the Mission:
The mission started by Acharyaji is now very wide spread. Gayatri Pariwar now has several million members who identify with the purpose behind the mission and willingly donate their time, energy and resources for the important cause. These are the people who have cleansed up their personal lives and ways of thinking following Acharyaji as their ideal. They have identified and removed personal bad attributes and refined their personalities by adopting virtues. Their efforts and devotion alone has led to the expansion of Gayatri Pariwar to such an extent.
There are more than 4000 Shaktipeeths-Pragya Peeths (Centers of knowledge and divine cultural activities), 25000 Pragya Sansthans & 30,000 Swadhyaya Mandals (self-study groups) of the mission in all parts of India. All members of Gayatri Pariwar practise upasana of Gayatri every day. This combined meditative prayer accounts for about 1.40 billion chants of the Gayatri Mantra a day. There is no account of collective sadhana of this magnitude anywhere in world’s history. There is a firm belief among all members of this Pariwar that this effort of theirs would cleanse up the evil in peoples’ minds and create an environment conducive to the birth of a new era.
Gayatri Yagya was a medium chosen by Acharyaji for spreading noble thoughts for the new era. He explained to everyone that Gayatri symbolizes righteous way of thinking and yagya symbolizes putting noble ideas into action. Hundreds-of-thousands of these yagyas have been conducted now all over the country and have spread Acharyaji’s message to masses. Yug Nirman meets have been conducted in large numbers to motivate people to work towards self-development, development of family and then development of the society. Through these meets people have been awakened to fight against evil tendencies, malpractices, and illogical customs and traditions prevalent in society. Innumerable people have refined their thoughts and set aside evil-mindedness in front of sacred fire of yagya and have adopted virtuous life styles.
Education of masses and spreading awareness has been a very important task taken up by the mission. In addition to teaching self-development, the mission has educated people about how to build happy families and create heavenly atmosphere at home. For this, people have been taught to inculcate the five-fold virtues of industriousness, prudent expenditure, orderliness, politeness and cooperation in the nature and behaviour of every member of family. Well-cultured families have always been a source of refined individuals; they are like mines that produce jewels. Families form the all-important links between an individual and society. Yug Nirman mission has thoughtfully focused its attention to creating healthy and cultured families, which would act as breeding grounds for worthy citizens. Never before has any other movement focused on this important issue in a practical and organized manner.
The next focus of Yug Nirman mission has been the development of society. One of the important programmes that the mission has taken up is to put an end to the custom of extravagant marriages. The mission has put intense efforts to curb this evil through mass movement and has instated the custom of simple marriages and mass marriages. Ideal marriages are conducted in Shantikunj and all its centres free of cost and innumerable such marriages have been conducted till date. Mission has strongly advocated against dowry system also in these ideal marriages.
The struggle against discrimination based upon castes and social orders has been another focus of the mission. It has tried to integrate several different communities and join them into nationalistic way of thinking.
There are several evil customs and practices prevalent in society. The mission has launched a massive movement against bad practices like extravagant feasts in memory of the dead, beggary, parda (veil) custom, child marriages, excess expenditure on jewellery and fashion, intoxication etc. People have been convinced with logical reasoning to restrict their families to maximum two offspring only.
The mission has trained many volunteers for important programmes like adult education and running free-of-cost yoga centers for good health. A large number of people have been trained to plant and look after trees, and cultivate vegetable and herbal gardens in their localities.
Message of this grand plan has been spread to all sections of the society through music and songs, speeches, mission’s magazines, fortnightly news magazines, religious functions, and with the help of videos, etc. Mission has taken great care to spread its message to people of Indian origin residing in other countries as well. It has motivated immigrant people to keep their Indian traditions and language alive on foreign soil. The mission’s centers are now located in over 70 countries around the globe which try to bring people together and organize their activities for creative endeavours.
To encourage activities of the mission at all levels several workers are actively involved within and outside the country. This has become possible by rejuvenating the tradition of Vanprastha Ashram. Earlier householders and Brahmins used to devote themselves for social service in their neighbourhood, while senior people who took up Vanprastha, took up service in much wider areas. Yug Nirman mission has built and trained social workers of all ages and sections of society to spread its message in the whole world. It has managed to bring in its fold several talented individuals and has encouraged them to devote their energies for the important social causes.
Source: What is Spirituality ?
