Bharat Gaurav Mr. Kamlesh D. Patel Dani - Spiritual Leader
During our life, we cross paths with many people. While each person we interact with impacts us in unique ways, only a rare few have the ability to heal our hearts with a love so generous and unconditional that it could only be considered divine.
Such is the heart and soul of the quiet, self-effacing man lovingly known to the world as Daaji.
It is no secret that humanity is struggling through turbulent times. Whether it’s an erosion of family structures, a global mental health crisis, or any other challenge, we are collectively passing through intense pain and confusion.
As the founder of The Heartfulness Institute, Daaji has taken it upon himself to work tirelessly during this difficult time towards the reintegration of each individual heart and, by extension, the entire world to reach a collective state of joy, contentment and inner peace.
By spreading the principles of heart-centred living through Heartfulness Meditation, Daaji, who was recently awarded the Padma Bhushan, is quietly transforming the lives of hundreds of millions of people all over the world.
The late great Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Daaji’s generosity, love, and gentleness are such that every heart he interacts with leaves feeling indelibly touched, loved, inspired, and optimistic for a better future, not only for him or herself, but for the entire planet.
A slice of heaven in Hyderabad
Daaji has constructed the world’s largest meditation centre at Kanha Shanti Vanam, in Hyderabad. The pristine campus sprawls over 1400 acres and features a meditation hall that can hold over 100,000 meditators at one time. Inaugurated in 2020 by the President of India, Kanha has been named “The Pride of Telangana” and is a Centre of Excellence for those looking to become their best selves in all walks of life.
Making meditation accessible to all
Spirituality is every human being’s birthright and Daaji is working to bring Heartfulness to the doorstep of every individual on the planet. Under his leadership, The Heartfulness Institute launched The Heartfulness App, which allows anyone with a phone to meditate with Yogic Transmission, anywhere, anytime, for free. Additionally, Daaji oversees the work of over 15,000 meditation trainers who offer free in-person meditation training to over 4 million people all over the world.
Ushering in a green future
Daaji is not only an expert at healing the human heart. He is also deeply concerned with healing Mother Earth and is committed to the development of a green future where we can all breathe easy. The Forests By Heartfulness initiative has already planted over 1 million trees and aims to plant over 30 million trees across India by 2025.
Investing in the next generation
Daaji pioneered the development of the Heartfulness Education Trust, which aims to create a new generation of hearts and minds through holistic education based on heart-centred meditation and lifestyle. Heartfulness Education is transforming society by enabling every student to live a balanced, purposeful life with enhanced awareness, compassion, and competence.
We all seek happiness. Even a small creature seeks happiness. Smallest of the small seeks happiness and comfort, yet it keeps eluding most of us. The backing of happiness is provided by a contemplative mind. A restless mind cannot enjoy whatsoever it may hold, whatsoever it may accumulate. To attain happiness, a contemplative and restful mind is mandatory — but how can we arrive at such a restful and contemplative mind without the ability to have a focused mind?
One moment you are thinking of some project; another moment you are jumping to the next idea and then another one. That is not a focused mind. The cultivation of a focused mind is possible only with regulation of the mind. This regulation is possible only and only through meditation. So, you can connect the dots.
Heartfulness is proud to offer meditation training for many decades without charging a single naya paisa [dime] from anyone. It is free of charge. We have not made yoga an udyog. Heartfulness is the beginning of a new era of spirituality and India, our great nation, can stand and guide the rest of the world on its foundation of spirituality, not on religion.
Bharat Gaurav Sadguru Riteshwar Ji Maharaj - Spiritual Leader
Sadguru Riteshwar Ji Maharaj is a renowned Indian spiritual leader, esteemed motivational speaker, and accomplished author. With a profound presence that transcends borders, Sadguru has graced cultural festivals worldwide, including the Radha Madhav Mahotsav and Guru Purnima Mahotsav, which annually draw audiences across India, Nepal, Scotland, South Africa, Australia, and Canada.
In a bid to propagate enlightenment and holistic education, Sadguru founded Shri Anandam Dham, an international non-profit organization headquartered in the sacred city of Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. The organization’s reach extends to every capital city in India, where it operates branches committed to fostering educational excellence and spiritual growth. Embracing environmental stewardship as a core value, Shri Anandam Dham spearheads the impactful ‘Save Water, Save Tree, Save Future’ campaign, advocating sustainable practices for a greener tomorrow.
Beyond environmental activism, Sadguru’s philanthropic endeavors extend to addressing societal challenges, notably through initiatives targeting youth empowerment and combating drug and alcohol addiction. Through a myriad of youth programs, Shri Anandam Dham endeavors to guide and support the younger generation towards a path of fulfillment and purpose.
One of Sadguru’s compassionate endeavors includes Ladli Prasadam, a noble initiative that operates as a free food center in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, providing nourishment and sustenance to those in need. This altruistic endeavor embodies Sadguru’s unwavering commitment to serving humanity and fostering compassion in every corner of society.
Bharat Gaurav Sachchidananda Parabrahman Dr Jayant Balaji Athavale - Founder Sanatan Sanstha
Sachchidananda Parabrahman Dr Jayant Balaji Athavale, Founder of Sanatan Sanstha and Maharshi Adhyatma Vishwavidyalay, is a spiritual master of the highest order (Paratpar Guru). A former internationally renowned hypnotherapist, and Disciple of Sant Bhaktaraj Maharaj of Indore, He founded Gurukrupayoga, a scientifically structured approach to spirituality that has helped thousands lead happy, stress-free lives.
Bharat Gaurav Nareshpuri Ji Maharaj - Mehendipur Balaji Trust
Mahant Shri Naresh Puri Maharaj was born in the village of Udaipura (Dausa) Rajasthan. Due to the family rituals and the religious tendency of the parents, Maharaj Shri's trend turned towards reading devotional religious literature and devotional music. His mother passed away when he was very young. Mahant Shree Nareshpuri Maharaj, who had a very religious nature and strong personality, took Guru Deeksha from his Gurudev, Mahant Shree Kishore Puri Maharaj Maharaj, and it was in the company of respected Gurudev that he developed spirituality in his life. At the same time, he got engaged in the service worship of Lord Shri Ram and Shri Balaji Maharaj. Due to his special interest in devotion to the Lord, Maharaj Shri Naresh Puri, at a very young age, dedicated himself to the virtue of serving his Shri Balaji Maharaj and determined the purpose of his life to be devotion to the Lord, service worship and welfare of the people.
Shri Nareshpuri Maharaj has been doing service, worship, and public welfare work of Shri Balaji Maharaj for the last 42 years. Maharaj Shri Naresh Puri got conducted and completed very well all the works by the trust. The level at which Mehandipur Shri Balaji Maharaj Ghata Mehandipur Trust is functioning today, the entire credit goes to Maharaj Shri Naresh Puri.
With the visionary thinking of Maharaj Shri Nareshpuri, facilities like cleanliness, fire-fighting facility, toilet and drinking water arrangement in the temple and its surrounding areas, and distribution of daily lunch to all the pilgrims in the temple premises are also done by the trust itself. Apart from this, another college has been started by the trust itself for the computer course PGDCA program. Apart from free Sanskrit education, an incentive amount of Rs 1000 has also been started for the promotion of Vedic culture. Renovation of all schools and colleges with modern computer labs in PG college, library, and other facilities are enriched. In addition to this, day scholars of primary school have started giving food facilities and scholarships for Vedic education.
Modernization of the Sawmani process with food packing, renovation of the temple including renovation of Aarti hall with a modern inquiry office with 24 hours call center for the convenience of devotees, queue and crowd management, are other notable works carried out under the guidance of Maharaj Shri Nareshpuri. The building has been made earthquake-proof and equipped with air-conditioned modern facilities. The railing has been arranged in a systematic way in a 10000 square feet area near the temple for the smooth operation of all the devotees coming in huge groups to visit the temple. An air-conditioned waiting room with 200 chairs has been constructed for the passengers and devotees to sit, as a result of which the devotees can sit to receive the Prasad of Savamani.
Mahant Shri Naresh Puri Maharaj is making unprecedented contributions in the field of education, medicine, cow service, social service, and spirituality. He has always had special attention to education and health. Along with this, many works are being done by Maharaj to take eternal religion and culture to the masses. During the global pandemic Covid 19, many works were done by the Trust for the benefit of public welfare, under which the Trust has played an advanced role in public welfare by providing financial support to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Along with this, hundreds of packets of prepared food were distributed daily in three districts with the help of the administration for the needy laborers and the poor. In addition to this, free oxygen concentrators were made available in the district hospitals by Maharaj Shri Naresh Puri Maharaj during the difficult time of corona pandemic so that the availability of oxygen could be ensured.
Recently Maharaj Shree successfully completed the seven-day festival of the consecration of Shri Radhakrishna's deity, the main attraction of which was Shrimad Bhagwat Gyan Saptah, 11 lacks Brahma Gayatri Jaap, Bhajan Sandhya, flower showers from a helicopter, Huge Kalash Yatra, the consecration of Mahayogeshwar's Deity in the presence of saints from India and abroad and a grand celebration of more than one lakh people.
Bharat Gaurav Acharya Sambuddh - Yogi Gabon, Africa
From the land of ancient wisdom comes a voice, the voice of the modern generation. A voice of calmness in a world of chaos. A voice of clarity in a world of confusion. A voice of freedom in a world of fear. A voice of compassion in a world of cruelty. The voice of an awakened being, the voice of Sambuddh. Sambuddh is an awakened yogi and an enigmatic mystic of our times. He took birth as the first son of Smt. Rani and Shri Mahavir Jain on 8th July 1985 in Kota (India). Since childhood, he was always in his world of wonder and curiosity. And as he was growing up, his innocence, and inquisitiveness increased. The urge to know the unknown became more intense. Sambuddh used to spend hours contemplating existential questions such as 'Is there something which is beyond all what I see or perceive? What is reality? Who am I?, Why is there so much suffering in the world?, and What is the purpose of my existence? These questions became the driving force for him to push into the spiritual realm. Sambuddh left his home at the age of 18 in search of his answers.
In this time of exploration, he traveled extensively across India. Learned yoga, lived in monasteries and ashrams, did intense sadhanas, thoroughly read scriptures as well as studied modern science, neuroscience, and psychology. After intense dedication and devotion, it was in November 2016, in a monastery in Jankichatti (Himalayas), Sambuddh attained total disidentification with the mind and entered Samadhi. He completely transcended and entered into nothingness and absolute silence. In those moments of silence, something happened. Something that happens once in a millennium, something that happens to one in millions. And as the morning star rose in the sky, a whole new being opened his eyes. When the head monk of that monastery looked at him - the first word that came out of the monk's mouth when looked at this new being was the word "Sambuddh".
His profound wisdom and desire to serve humanity and deep understanding of life brought him connections with many influential world leaders and celebrities, and he worked as a spiritual guide to many such dignitaries. Sambuddh’s methods for self-transformation are direct and powerful backed up by science. One of Sambuddh’s unique contributions to the process of self-transformation is the Mahapran Kriya, which the infinite has bestowed upon him during his meditation retreat in Devprayag, India. He has also founded the Sambodhi Foundation in London, with the ultimate aim to nurture collective consciousness, love, compassion, and global harmony through spiritual awakening. And also led many social movements to raise the living conditions of underprivileged and downtrodden sections of society through the foundation. Several humanitarian and social projects are running successfully across the globe under his guidance. Several lives have been transformed by his divine presence and many more lives are waiting to bathe in this river of love and compassion.
Bharat Gaurav Dr. Chinmay Pandya - Chief Gayatri Pariwar
Dr. Chinmay Pandya is the grandson of one of the greatest scholars, seers, and philosophers of recent times in India – Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya (1911-1990), was the founder of the All World Gayatri Pariwar fraternity, which has 100 million members and thousands of global centers for social reform. He currently serves as Pro Vice Chancellor of Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya University (DSVV). Following medical studies in India, he trained in the United Kingdom, where he gained Membership in the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych). In London, he rose through the ranks of the British National Health Service and secured the post of Associate Specialist in Older People Services at the West London Mental Health Trust. In this capacity, he managed patients with multiple psychiatric disorders, focusing on the treatment of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. He returned to India and DSVV in 2010, heeding an inner calling.
Today, Dr. Pandya occupies multiple roles in the life of his University and beyond. He is the Editor of the Dev Sanskriti, an Interdisciplinary International Journal that addresses a broad range of Indian intellectual interests including Vedic philosophy, culture, psychology, communication, education, Ayurveda, Indian and Eastern studies, and religious pedagogies. As Vice President of the Indian Yoga Association, he leads efforts to analyze and advance the scientific and philosophical understanding of yoga, meditation, and stress management in contemporary contexts. He is Chairperson of the International Festival of Yoga, Culture, and Spirituality and has convened more than two hundred national and international colloquia at DSVV on issues ranging from the rights of indigenous people to water desalination.
He is responsible for ethos, academic rigor, and policy implementation at DSVV. Dr. Pandya serves on the Governing Body of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR); is a member of the Advisory Council of the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH); is part of the Syllabus Restructuring Committee of the National Council for Teachers' Education (NCTE); and is one of five institutional leaders from around world, including those from the University of Cambridge, and the University of Virginia, to be a Director of the Global Covenant of Religions (GCR). Apart from being the chairman of Asia's first and only Center for Baltic Culture and Studies and the South Asian Institute of Peace and Reconciliation, he is also the Founder and Patron of Rishihood University, India.
He has presented papers, addressed symposia, and lectured at the United Nations (UNO) Headquarters in Vienna, Universities of Cambridge, Latvia, and Chicago; Lambeth Palace, Royal Methodist Hall, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT); the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM); the Indian Medical Association; the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Nuclear Fuels Corporation (NFC), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India.
He has also represented India in the Inter-Governmental meeting of UNESCO on the issue of Intangible Cultural Heritage, served on the Board of Trustees of India Development Foundation (IDF), and is also a member of the prestigious National Cultural Fund (NCF) of the Ministry of Culture, India. He is also one of the judges of the globally prestigious Templeton Prize Committee. Alongside this, Dr. Pandya continues a busy psychiatric practice, on a pro bono basis. Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya University (DSVV) Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya University (DSVV) is a non-profit, Indian University, located in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, Northern India. It was founded in 2002 according to the teachings of Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya. DSVV features a "consciousness-based education" system and its undergraduate curricula include prerequisites on developing environmental responsibility, combatting corruption, organizing relief efforts in the face of natural disasters, and achieving Indian wisdom-based goals for humanity in this generation.
DSVV is accredited through to Ph.D. and D.Litt./ D.Sc. level by the University Grant Commission (U.G.C) of India and offers degree programs in education, yogic science and human consciousness, environmental science, communication, computer science, mathematics, history and culture, literature, psychology, holistic health, Vedic science, and sustainable living. It has partnerships with more than 35 International educational institutions and Universities and has the first-ever Center for Baltic Culture and Studies of Asia on its premises.
Bharat Gaurav Ms Jaya Kishori - Spiritual & Motivational Speaker
Jaya Kishori started her spiritual journey at the tender age of seven. Ever since her childhood awakening, she developed a staunch belief in fate and believed that nothing is ever planned – it’s all destined.
Being raised in a spiritual environment, her years of juvenescence were filled with stories of the Almighty as well as values taught by her family and elders. This sparked her curiosity and love for spiritualism which inspired her to become a spiritual orator and motivational coach.
The primary focus of Jaya’s discourse is to bestow faith and positivity among people who have a dearth of confidence in themselves and the world around them. She aims to help people choose the right path in their lives. Her mantra of success is in inspiring the masses to lead an accomplished and more importantly, peaceful life. Jaya prioritizes imparting wisdom that is necessary in tackling the world. She gives out lessons on values and virtues that she believes are essential in shaping a beautiful life. Every note in her speeches is fine-tuned for guiding her audience toward perfection.
Jaya Kishori today credits a lot of her success to her parents and feels her conscience is their gift. Also, her voracious habit of reading books about great personalities every day has given her much light into the greatness of life. The love and acceptance from people who are getting benefitted from her speeches and deliberations also form a major part of her inspiration to do better. The thought every morning that, “If God has given me one more day to live, he wants more out of me” drives her every day towards excellence.
She has earned quite a few noteworthy achievements with her commendable efforts in spreading positive vibes.
Jaya Kishori is the proud recipient of the “Adarsh Yuwa Adhyatmik Guru Puruskar” which was awarded by Shri Mohan Bhagwat Chief of Hindu Nationalist Organization, Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh(RSS) in the 6th Bhartiya Chattra Sansad Award Ceremony held in Pune, Maharashtra in January 2016. She has also been awarded the “Samaj Ratan Award” from Narayan Sewa Sansthan, Udaipur, and has been bestowed with the “Sanskar Artist of the Year 2013-2014” Sanskar Sandhya by Sanskar Channel, Mumbai. She has been celebrated as the ‘Youth Spiritual Icon’ by Fame India Magazine. She has been the recipient of the Women Era award for her valuable contribution to the nation and she also received an award from Pencil Dotcom as one of the inspiring women all over the world. Recently she has been awarded “Iconic Woman Motivational Speaker of the year 2021” by Iconic Gold Awards 2021 and “ Best Spiritual Influencer” by Lokmat – Digital Influencer Awards 2021. She has also been awarded the “ Best Motivational Speaker 2021 ’’ by the World Digital detox Day. She is a proud recipient of the “Nari Samman Award 2022’’ by Holistic Medicine Research Foundation. She recently also received the Most Inspiring Woman of the Year (Spiritual) by Global Excellence Award (GEA) in May 2022.
Bharat Gaurav Paramhamsa Sri Swami Vishwananda - Effortlessly connecting principles of eastern spirituality
Effortlessly connecting principles of eastern spirituality with elements of western spiritual tradition, Sri Swami Vishwananda reveals the underlying oneness of the divine and inspires a unique, experience of spirituality, regardless of culture, religion, gender, or age.
Mahamandaleshwar Sri Swami Vishwananda is a fully realized spiritual master, whose international mission established in 2005 is known as Bhakti Marga, ‘the path of devotion.
Effortlessly connecting principles of eastern spirituality with elements of western spiritual tradition, Sri Swami Vishwananda reveals the underlying oneness of the divine and inspires a unique, experience of spirituality, regardless of culture, religion, gender, or age.
It is based in the heart of Europe. He has established 22 temples in 12 countries, as well as thousands of Bhakti Marga groups in over 50 countries led by his 26 Bhakti Marga Swami and Swamini who work and travel in support of this mission. His most established ashram is in Germany, with India and UK officially opening later this year. He travels the world to encourage all people to recognize the universal love that lies within each human being and to awaken their innate ability to express that love in their daily lives.
To him, the name or form one gives to God does not matter. What matters is the sincerity of the heart, devoted service to God and man, and a positive, humble attitude as one journey along the spiritual path.
Giving Darshans and Satsangs tirelessly throughout the year, Sri Swami Vishwananda introduces these simple but profound concepts in a very personal way, answering questions about love, life, death, healing, and faith.
As a disciple of Mahavatar Babaji, he comes to help people open their hearts to the divine, to the unconditional love that is lacking in this world. He brings the mediation and yoga techniques of Atma Kriya Yoga and Om Chanting. There are over 200 initiated Atma Kriya Yoga teachers in 40 countries. Om Chanting is a group healing technique once practiced by the Rishis thousands of years ago, which has been reintroduced and adapted by Sri Swami Vishwananda for the contemporary age. Entering the OM Chanting circle helps to release emotions, thoughts, and negative energy. Participants experience positive shifts in emotional, mental, and physical well being thereby bringing about peace, joy, and love in their life. There are over 1,000 OM Chanting groups in 50 countries around the world regularly coming together for practice through a program called ‘Cities of Light’. The technique is free of charge and open to all.
He is the author of the ‘Just Love’ book series, the ‘Inspirations app, and commentaries on the Vedic texts including the Bhagavad Gita, Guru Gita, Shreemad Bhagavatam, and Gopi Gita. These books and commentaries, translated into many languages, help a worldwide audience to gain a deeper understanding of the universal messages they contain and spread the message of love, peace, and unity to all.
2015 saw the establishment of the Bhakti Marga Academy which offers the opportunity for deeper learning on a wide range of international spiritual, health, and well-being topics and practices to help people make connections between mind, body, and spiritual learning.
The inaugural ‘Just Love Festival’ was held this same year at the ashram in Germany, an international music and food festival with over 2,000 guests and renowned artists and musicians from around the world.
Also in 2015, Sri Swami Vishwananda was given the title of Mahamandaleshwar, (one residing over many ashrams and temples as guardian and pillar of faith), at the Kumbh Mela in Nashik, India. All four heads of the Vaishnava Sampradayas attended his initiation. He is the first-ever Europe-based spiritual leader to hold this title.
He regularly leads extensive pilgrimages to many parts of India, as well as countries with a rich Christian history, especially Israel and France. Born in Mauritius in 1978, but with a spiritual family now residing in many locations around the world, he considers his home to be wherever there are spiritual seekers and people who need to receive his blessing to help them open their hearts to the love that resides within.
Bharat Gaurav Shri Gyanmati Mataji - Iconic Jain Nun
Ganini Pramukha Aryika Shri Gyanmati Mataji (Sanskrit Aryika Jnanamati) is considered an iconic Jain nun, known for undertaking several projects related to Jainism. The Ganini Pramukh Aryika is considered the legendary figure reflecting the true spirit of Jainism among the disciples.
She is also eminent for the construction of the Jain Temples representing Jain Cosmology models at Jambudweep, Hastinapr, Uttar Pradesh, which were supported by former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi.
She practiced her skills by writing 1008 Mantras of “Sahastranam” which improved her ability. She is considered the first Kshullika or a Jain Sadhvi in history to translate and author several Jain literature, scriptures, and manuscripts.
She surprised the world in the year 1969 by translating Nyaya-Ashtasahasri a renowned Sanskrit scripture into Hindi.
Since then, she had written and composed more than 250 different publications ranging from auspicious Quotes & thoughts to books & volumes. She has written and published 14 major books including the first two available in both Hindi and Sanskrit translations. Also, she composed the Sanskrit Teeka (commentary) of the Sutras in form of sixteen books of Shatkhandagam Grantha. She has composed a modern Rite for the Five Merus.
Achievements
Laid the foundation of Digambar Jain Institute of Cosmographic Research in 1972 with an aim of constructing a monumental model of Jambudvipa to have a better understanding of Jain Cosmology.
● Her dream was realized with the inauguration of ‘Jambudweep Gyan Jyoti’ in Delhi in 1982 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
● In the year 1992, she approached the highest level of authorities including PMO, HRD, and Director of NCERT to correct a textbook teaching that Lord Mahavira is the founder of Jainism instead of Lord Rishabha Deva.
● She was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) by Avadh University, Faizabad on 5 February 1995 for Her outstanding contributions in the field of Literature.
● Bhagwan Rishabhdev Samavsaran Shrivihar was consecrated after the tour of the whole of India in April 1998 at Kevalgyan Kalyanak temple of Deeksha Tirth-Prayag at Delhi by then Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
● Organised International Vice-Chancellors Conference to present and share the facts and findings and basis of Jainism and its studies at Hastinapuron 8 October 1998.
● Ganini Pramukh was the main inspiration behind the 108 ft statue of Lord Rishabnath at Mangi-Tungi, the tallest Jain statue in the world. This statue holds the Guinness world record for the tallest Jain Idol. The certificate was awarded to Ganini Gyanmati Mataji, Chandnamati Mataji, and Swami Ravindrakirtiji on 6 March 2016.
Bharat Gaurav Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar - Humanitarian Leader
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a humanitarian leader, a spiritual teacher, and an ambassador of peace. His vision of a stress-free, violence-free society has united millions of people the world over through service projects and the courses of The Art of Living. He is frequently referred to simply as “Sri Sri” or as Guruji or Gurudev.
Born on 13 May 1956 in Papanasam, Tamil Nadu, Southern part of India to Visalakshi Ratnam and R. S. Venkat Ratnam. Gurudev was a gifted child. Gurudev was named “Ravi” (meaning “sun”) because his birth was on a Sunday and “Shankar” after the eighth-century Hindu saint, Adi Shankara because it was also Shankara’s birthday. By the age of four, Gurudev was able to recite the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Sanskrit scripture, and was often found in meditation. He holds degrees in, both, Vedic literature and physics.
Gurudev’s first teacher was Sudhakar Chaturvedi, an Indian Vedic Scholar and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. Gurudev holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Joseph’s College of Bangalore University. After graduation, Gurudev traveled with his second teacher, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, giving talks and arranging conferences on Vedic science, and set up Transcendental Meditation and Ayurveda centers.
In the 1980s, Gurudev initiated a series of practical and experiential courses in spirituality around the globe.
In 1982, Gurudev entered a ten-day period of silence in Shimoga located in the Indian state of Karnataka. The Sudarshan Kriya, a powerful breathing technique, was born. With time, the Sudarshan Kriya became the centerpiece of the Art of Living courses.