Biografie

Birth and Childhood

Shree's Parents--Highly Realized Yogis

Shree was born in 1918 to a very wealthy family in Kharagpur (West Bengal, India). He was named Gajanan. His parents, Laxman and Sonamata Rajimwale, belonged to the Brahmin caste. Although they could have lived in great prosperity, they had no worldly interests.

Laxman Rajimwale (1892-1954) was a Nada Brahma Yogi, who spent many hours of the day in deep meditation. Later he took the monastic vows and was given the name Swami Shivananda.

Sonamata (1899-1924) had visited a Christian school as a child and was deeply inspired by the service of others. Every day, she sought out the poorest of the poor in the slums to help them.

Shree’s Birth--indicated by many visions and signs

The birth of a Divine Being, an Avatar, is usually announced beforehand. So it was with Shree. In 1914, four years before His birth, a great Yogi revealed to Sonamata that she would give life to the "Light of the Universe."

The signs of Shree's birth were practically the same as those of Siddhartha Gautama’s (Buddha's birth)--both mothers received 14 special, almost identical dreams and visions before the births. After the birth, more than 14 features were found on Shree's body, indicating that the child was a Divine Being. One of these signs was that the nail of Shree’s right big toe was red. Buddha also had the same birth sign.

When an astrologer cast Shree’s horoscope, it showed a similar constellation to that of Buddha. It was said that he would be either a great king or a great saint.

First worship of Shree

Shree was only six years old when He was first worshipped. It was the Maharaja (ruler) Kisanprasad of Hyderabad, who performed Padya Puja (a worship ceremony) before Shree on 27th August 1924. Shree told His mother’s master, Shri Upasani Maharaj, about this. He promptly answered, "Not just a ruler but all rulers will worship you. He is a ruler, and You are also a ruler.” Some time later, Shri Upasani predicted Shree’s future greatness as Sadguru.

Farewell to His mother

In 1921, Shree’s sister Kamalbai was born. A year later, Shree's mother Sonamata started the continuous recitation of the Hare Ram mantra to prepare the way for the resuscitation of the Vedas.

In 1924, Sonamata felt the end of her life near, and she blessed Shree with the words, "You will be like Dhruva" (the Pole Star). In doing so she expressed that Shree occupies an eternal, immovable place and will be a signpost for the seeking and the lost. Shortly thereafter, Sonamata left the earth at the tender age of 25 years.

A childhood filled with spiritual exercises

In 1925, Shri Upasani Maharaj, performed Shree’s sacred-thread ceremony (an initiation for young Brahmins). From then on, Shree’s clothes were very simple; He only wore a cloth around the hips (Dhoti) and often a cloth on the upper body. Later He also stopped wearing His simple wooden sandals and walked barefoot.

Since 1926, Shree lived with His uncle Gangadhar Maharaj and His aunt Umabai in Guru Mandir in Akkalkot. Gangadhar was the head of the Guru Mandir, a temple with adjoining residential area.

In Akkalkot, Shree attended Shahaji High School from 1926 onwards and was considered a good, diligent student. It was, however, important to Him to always sit separately, avoiding physical touch by others. In 1937, He finished school education.

In the highly religious atmosphere of the Guru Mandir, accompanied and taught by spiritual masters, Shree expanded His intense spiritual exercises which He had already begun at the age of 7 years. He adhered to the rules of the Vedas. Thus, He paid attention to great purity, learned and recited Sanskrit verses, kept silence, meditated, etc. Continuously He directed His consciousness toward the Divine.

On 11 March 1938, Gangadhar Maharaj handed over his official attire to Shree and appointed Him successor of the Guru Mandir before He was even 20 years old. On this occasion he called Him:

"Sadguru Gajanan Maharaj"

The Early Years

Marriage

Even though a marriage was not intended by Shree originally, He agreed to marry Jaganmata Sharda with the blessing of His uncle and spiritual mentor Gangadhar Maharaj. On 7 May 1939, the wedding was celebrated in the Guru Mandir. Jaganmata, fondly called Vahini, was a devoted companion to Shree. She always radiated great love, compassion and a pleasant modesty.

Two children emerged from the marriage between Shree and Vahini. In 1946, a daughter named Pushpa was born. On 24 September 1952, a son was born, who was named Shreekant. Both children were begotten in a spiritual way, as Shree assured His son. Shreekant later devoted Himself intensively to the work of his Father.

Instruction by Lord Parshuram

One day, on 24 February 1938, Shree heard an unknown, powerful voice in Guru Mandir reciting a 32-syllable mantra. This was repeated a total of three times. Shree was alone at that time, and He realized that Divine Power was initiating Him with the Krishna Shakti mantra. From then on, Shree repeated the mantra continuously.

Four years later, on 12 March 1942, an imposing sage-like figure, a tall, powerful frame, came into the Guru Mandir. He permitted Shree to recognize Him as Lord Parshuram, revealing to Him that He was the invisible Master who had given Him the mantra four years ago.

On this day, He initiated Shree with the Tripuri mantra and in a ceremony transferred special divine powers to Him (Siddhis).

Lord Parshuram is considered an eternal avatar who had already prepared Lord Rama and Lord Krishna for their great tasks. Budhha is known to have visited the "Bhargava Ashram." Bhargava is another name for Parshuram.

Lord Parshuram made a total of six pilgrimages with Shree. Most of them led to mystical places in the Himalayas, but also to South India. Other people did not know about it, because the trips lasted only a few hours. Shree later reported from the individual stations and how They came to the respective places with Their Siddha forces.

Holy Fire

In 1942, Holy Fire appeared before Shree three times without any external influence. A special plaque in Akkalkot reads:

"This is the most holy place where the Divine Fire appeared before Paramsadguru.

It is well known that similar incidence occurred in the life of Holy prophet Moses."

Shree’s vow

Since 1942 Shree often had contact with Lord Parshuram, sometimes in person, sometimes in visions. On 21 September 1944, Lord Parshuram showed Shree in a vision that the Eternal Religion (Satya Dharma) anchored in the Vedas was going to die. Thereupon Shree made the vow:

"I will resuscitate the Vedas."

A few days later, Shree repeated the vow three times before Lord Parshuram and performed a ceremony. Shortly thereafter it was revealed to Him in Seven Verses how His vow was to be fulfilled--the Fivefold Path was given.

Revelations

On Christmas Day, 25 December 1941, it was revealed to Shree that He had already worked as Rama, Krishna and Buddha, and was now incarnated as Son of Man. On the same day He came to know that the time had come for the unfolding of this knowledge.

On 21 December 1944, Shree received the revelation that He would complete the mission begun by Buddha (abolition of animal sacrifices) and revive the pure, nonviolent fire sacrifices.

On 4 January 1945, it was revealed to Shree that in His person Tvashta and Udgata were united. Tvashta is creation; Udgata means here its spreading. Thus Shree was informed that the spreading of the revived knowledge was also part of His task.

The 10 Commandments

In a letter written in 1946, Shree drafted, "The 10 basic principles of Vedas", the Ten Commandments, as a guide on the path of development of man.

Merging with supreme power

In 1950, Lord Parshuram appeared again in the Guru Mandir. Shree recited a special mantra in front of Him and proved His perfection of mantras. Lord Parshuram was very pleased with this. It is reported that Lord Parshuram, in the form of power, then entered into Shree. Shree became one with the highest Light and Supreme Power.

Shree und Vahini after their marriage

Shree with son Shreekant

Shree in front of a statue of Lord Parshuram

The Late Years

Foundation of Shivapuri

Since 1938, Shree’s father Swami Shivananda lived in Guru Mandir in Akkalkot. He spent a lot of time in deep meditation. Often he was so engrossed in mantras that even during his sleep, one could hear them being chanted in his breathing. Shree explained that the power of Lord Shiva was embodied in Swami Shivananda.

When Swami Shivananda felt the end of his life approaching, he expressed the desire that his body was not to be burnt but buried after his death. For this purpose, a suitable piece of land was sought, which was found and bought only about 3 kilometers away from Akkalkot. When Swami Shivananda left his body on 16 April 1954, he was buried in a crypt on the new land. Later, a temple was erected above the crypt. This was the foundation of Shivapuri, the later residence of Shree.

Axe of Lord Parshuram

Materialization of the axe of Lord Parashuram

Lord Parashuram is always portrayed with an axe, which symbolizes that He fights darkness and ignorance. Parashu-Ram means: the Ram with the axe.

Mr Mahadevappa Shabade, a devotee of Shree from school days, completed his mental exercises in 1961. Shree granted him the fulfillment of a wish. Shabade wished for the axe of Lord Parashuram. Instantly, the special axe materialized in Shree's hands, and He handed it over to Shabade.

Shabade was certainly not interested in seeing a materialization phenomenon. His desire rather expressed that Shree was indeed one with the power of Lord Parashuram. How else would He have had access to this axe?

Later, Shabade built a small memorial for this axe in his home. Anyone who had the opportunity to see it was overwhelmed by the bright power it radiated.

The gift of deepest meditation

Ratnakar Ramrao Nargundkar expressed his desire for self-realization to Shree in 1964. Back home, he performed some spiritual exercises when he suddenly heard Shree’s voice giving him instructions. When he obeyed, he experienced Nirvikalpa-Samadhi, the highest state of meditation, within half a minute. It was given as a gift.

Ratnakar, now fully aware of the goal, meditated for many years to reach again this state of consciousness--now by his own effort. On Shree's advice, he wrote an extraordinary book about it (Sadguru’s Bestowal).

First Somayaga after 2,500 years

Through the resuscitation of the Vedas, Shree also renewed the ancient fire rituals (yajnyas). They had once been abolished, as their purity had no longer been practiced (animals were killed for the rituals).

Some months after Shree’s 50th birthday, a large "Somayaga" was organized from 28 February to 3 March, 1969 in Shivapuri. No violence was allowed. The sacrificial ingredients consisted mainly of milk and ghee and the rare Soma plant. The special fire ceremony lasted several days and caused an immense purification and increase in subtle energies. It was carried out for the first time after about 2,500 years. Specially trained priests were necessary to correctly perform the rituals anchored in the Vedas.

Since this 1st Somayaga, several others already took place in different places of India and Nepal.

Spreading the Teachings

Shree led an extremely simple life, filled with religious exercises. Many witnessed His special abilities, which one could call "miracles." Shree never exhibited them. He was neither bent on getting attention by "miracles" nor on attracting large streams of visitors.

On several occasions, He travelled by car or train to Mumbai, Bhopal and other places in India. However, He spent most of His time in Akkalkot and Shivapuri. People from all religious and social strata, both men and women, came to see Him. Shree possessed great knowledge of the Vedas, the Bible, the Koran, and other religious scriptures; but He never took part in any religious discussion.

Shree: "I have no intention of telling anybody to drink water only through the hollow of the hands of some particular person. If the Almighty desires to give a certain message to the world through me well, so shall He do on His own Will. I am only His humble servant." ^{4 p. 136*}

Since the moment Shree spoke His oath to resuscitate the Vedas, He supported this goal with every breath and with every spiritual discipline (up to 20 hours a day). Even if God's Messengers need no help to fulfill their mission, there are usually people who serve the work and support it. So it was with Shree. Sometimes a single encounter with Him was enough, and the person had only one wish: to support and spread His work. And so it came about that within a short time, without the use of television or social media, the principles of Eternal Religion, the Fivefold Path, were known and followed throughout the world. This process is ongoing-- purifying and shining beacon to the world.

Farewell--or not?

In early May 1984, Shree moved from Akkalkot to Shivapuri, which became a center for the spreading of Eternal Religion (Satya Dharma). The newly founded place has grown to include more and more buildings in order to accommodate the growing number of visitors.

In 1987, Shree explained several times that His life’s mission was fulfilled. Years before, He had taken the necessary steps to ensure that Guru Mandir and Shivapuri would be maintained by trust companies after His passing.

On 6 December 1987, Shree did His daily routine as usual. Towards evening He expressed great physical discomfort. Only a little later, He left the Body calmly and peacefully. At the same moment, the clock in the Guru Mandir (Akkalkot) stopped.

It is known that violent rain starts when a Messenger of God leaves His body. After Shree’s Body had been burnt, according to the Indian tradition, violent rains and strong winds arose which lasted for 3 days. No one from Shivapuri remembered having ever seen such rains in December.

Six days later, on the 12th of December, a very bright star appeared above the column in Shivapuri and was visible for more than 10 minutes. It seemed to move slightly and had an extremely bright and great light aura. Shree’s grandson Purushottam, then 7 years old, spontaneously said, "My grandfather." The star recalled the star of Bethlehem.

On 15 December 1987, Vahini, the life companion of Shree, also left the earth--only 9 days after him.

Shree's passing did not mean a departure from those who turned to Him. Even during His lifetime, many could experience His omnipresence, which is beyond time and space.

The words of Shree tell of His presence to everyone who practices Agnihotra:

"See me every day in the Holy Fire within which I dwell."

* The superscript numbers refer to the References.

Places of His Life and Work

Entrance to the Darshan Room
where Shree usually stayed *

Veda Mandir in 1987 **
Shree resuscitated the Vedas at this place

Akkalkot – Guru Mandir

Before He was even twenty years old, Shree became head of the Guru Mandir (literally "the temple of a master") in Akkalkot, Maharashtra, India. Shri Balappa Maharaj founded this temple with adjoining residential area in 1901, on behalf of his Master, Shri Swami Samarth. Shree changed the original name, Balappa Math, to Guru Mandir.

As soon as you pass through the entrance gate into the courtyard, a soothing tranquility envelops you. The rooms that Shree once stayed in are to the left; straight ahead you come to the Great Temple.

For visitors, Guru Mandir was more than a temple. The presence of a master is always a blessing to every seeker. Everyone was welcome, regardless of religion or social class. In the presence of a real master, the similarities become apparent, not the differences.

A great concern in Guru Mandir has always been that the approach to God should not be limited to the narrow space of a place of worship, or to certain ceremonies. Rather it be part of your daily life. Thus, in Guru Mandir, devout silence only prevailed at certain times of the day. At other times, visitors came and went, met for religious ceremonies, and hardly anybody left the Math without first having at least a little food or tea.

It was probably not without reason that both Gangadhar Maharaj, Shree’s predecessor, and Shree were married. This showed that one can achieve the highest goal even within a "normal" life.

Events of great holiness happened through Shree in Guru Mandir. Some memorials adorn the places of these events, allowing everyone who is interested to experience the sacredness of the Mandir.

Shree Gajanan Maharaj
in the Darshan Room

Shree in the forecourt of the Guru Mandir

Temple above the crypt of Swami Shivananda in 1987

Shree in the garden of Shivapuri

Entrance to Shree’s living area in 1987

Shivapuri

In 1984, Shree moved to nearby Shivapuri. Although it was only founded in 1954, this place already witnessed extraordinary events.

Shree's father Swami Shivananda had been buried in a crypt there, above which a temple had been built. The crypt still exudes a holiness that makes you sense why Swami Shivananda is considered an embodiment of Lord Shiva.

The first Somayaga after about 2500 years was performed not far from the temple. Today, replicas made of stone have replaced the original fire places. A great pillar rises above a hexagonal pedestal where the main altar of the Somayaga had been. A plaque on each side of the pedestal describes Shree’s work. The attachment of the tip (the Agnijyoti, symbol for the light for the world) completed the pillar in 1975 in the presence of Shree.

The “Sacred Garden” encompasses the Yajnya Pillar and other memorials. With the beauty of its flowers and trees, a harmonious ensemble delights the visitor.

On the opposite side of the road, an Ayurvedic Health Centre was built in memory of Shree's grandfather, Tatyaji Maharaj. Tatyaji was both a great physician and a great sage. Many of the needy sought him out and could be sure to receive help without paying. Shree’s grandson Dr. Purushottam Rajimwale became an Ayurvedic physician like his great-great-grandfather. Today, he serves Shree's work with full dedication thereby following the example of his father Dr. Shreekant Rajimwale (1952-2007).

Shree repeatedly emphasized the great holiness of Shivapuri as a place of celestial beings and divine powers, a place of great purity over which the Pleiades radiate. Not least, however, the ground of Shivapuri was sanctified by the presence of Param Sadguru Shree Gajanan Maharaj.

Shree:“The dust touched by the feet of a fully-realized incarnation of the Almighty remains holy for thousands of years, even if touched by an extremely unholy person. In the same manner, His utensils maintain their Holiness under all circumstances, even if touched by another person.” ^{1, S.65}

Today, Shivapuri has become a place of pilgrimage, attracting thousands of visitors every year. It showcases the application and effects of the Fivefold Path in different areas such as education, health, agriculture, etc. Introductions to Agnihotra and the Fivefold Path are provided free of charge. For further information, please visit: vishwafoundation.com and paramsadguru.vishwafoundation.com