Brief Introduction to Our Beloved Guruji

The Sri Sampradaya was started by none other than Lord Sriman Narayan at the behest of the Almighty Mother Mahalakshmi, and it still continues as the Sri Sampradaya. However, when His Holiness Sri Ramanujacharya appeared in this tradition, it also became known as the Ramanuja Sampradaya or Tradition.

To introduce Guruji is like showing a candle to the sun in broad daylight. His Holiness Srimad Jagadguru Ramanujacharya Swami Sudershanacharyaji Maharaj, fondly called Guruji or Gurumaharaj by most of his followers, was born in the state of Rajasthan, district Sawai Madhopur, village Padla, in a prosperous Brahmin family who worked as farmers. He was named Shiv (Shambudayal) Sharma.

Since childhood, he was an ardent devotee of Lord Narayan and had a fire inside him for helping others.When he was a mere three and a half years old, he heard a saint sing the words “Liyaa diyaa tere sang chalege, dharam karam ka naata hai, Sai naam ki chinta kar le, dene wala daata hai” (whatever you give and take will go with you, religion and deeds are your associates, worry about taking the name of God, the Lord is the giver). These words had a tremendous impact on his mind, diverting him to the path of devotion, and no material thing or desire ever touched his mind thereafter.

When he was just seven years old and was at the famous Balaji temple in Mendipur Balaji, under the care of the temple head priest Baba Ganeshpuriji, another incident occurred that inspired him to help the world and follow the path of devotion to the Lord. In that temple, a lady troubled by spirits used to come daily and sit quietly in a corner for about a month. When Guruji saw the lady, he felt compelled to help her and prayed to Baba Ganeshpuriji to cure her. Baba replied that her condition was due to her past deeds. Seeing no improvement, he prayed to Baba again, who reiterated that her condition was because of her past deeds and suggested leaving it to Hanumanji to decide.

Witnessing the lady’s pitiable condition, the desire to help others deepened within him, and he pledged to help the world. Driven by this pledge, he requested Baba once more to help the lady. At Guruji’s insistence, Baba Ganeshpuriji threw some ash on her body. As soon as the divine ash touched her, she began shaking and talking. The spirit inside the lady revealed that she had been a business partner with the lady and had given her three and a half lakh rupees. The lady had poisoned him to death to take the money. Since then, the spirit had vowed to destroy her whole family, having already killed two of her children, leaving her as the only one left. Baba asked the spirit what he would do with the money now, to which he replied that it was his problem.

The lady returned the money and was cured. At the spirit’s behest, the priest constructed a dharamshala (a place where people stay for free). After the incident, Guruji asked Baba what the cure for such problems was. Baba replied, “Help the world.” Guruji then asked how he could help the world. Baba advised him to learn Sanskrit and study the scriptures. With the aim to help the world with all its problems, Guruji set out to find a suitable guru to teach him.

Finally, in Bada Khatla, Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh), one of the oldest schools for Sanskrit students, teachers, and scholars, he found the right teacher in His Holiness Guru Sri Govind Acharyaji, a guru in the Ramanuj tradition. He was formally initiated as a disciple of his guru and completed his study under his expert guidance.

After completing his study, he went to Kashi in quest of further knowledge. He read the Vedas, Shastras, Puranas, Darshanshastra, etc., and obtained tremendous knowledge of religion from its root. He not only gained a taste of the powers of holy mantras but also mastered them.

Inspired by Baba Ganeshpuriji and the order of his guru, Sri Govind Acharyaji, he went to the deep forest of Bangarh (now a wildlife sanctuary) about 200 km from his village and started severe penances. He continued his austerities and penances for 12 years, making and staying in huts near Todabhim at Panchmadi Narayani Mata, Bhartuharaji, and Pandupur.

During the final stages of his penances, a saint who appeared to be Muslim (Lord Narayan) came to him and said, “My devotee, you have been hungry for three days. I have brought you three rotis (flour-made eatables); eat them.” But Guruji refused. The saint insisted, but Guruji refused each time.

The saint then ate all three rotis himself and said, “Looking at your penance, your divine aim, and your pledge to help the world, I had come to give you all three worlds, but you refused. Never mind, tomorrow before nine in the morning, another saint will come to you; do not refuse to take food from him.” The next day, at the given time, a saint came and insisted Guruji have food. Following the advice of the saint from the previous day, Guruji accepted the food offered to him.

The saint blessed him, saying that whatever Guruji wished for would be granted. Since that day, the world has benefited in all possible ways from Guruji, and this tradition continues. The condition set by the saint was, “Don’t expose yourself to the world for some time. Start your work of helping others quietly.” Guruji stayed in Delhi and began his work of helping the world in an invisible manner.

With the permission and insistence of Lord Sriman Narayan, he laid the foundation stone of Siddh Daata Ashram on the Surajkund-Badkhal road, Faridabad, in 1990. The place itself is where many saints have performed austerities in the past and is a divine location.

This time, Guruji started revealing his true self and powers to the world. He pledged to make the ashram a divine place for the common man. The ashram is spread over nine acres of land. In 1996, on the holy occasion of Dasharra, the foundation stone of Sri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir was laid by Guru Maharaj himself. Previously it was a belief, but now it is a proven fact that anyone with true belief who comes to the ashram has all their wishes fulfilled.

Here, to serve and guide all devotees on the true path of righteousness, Guruji is always available to solve their problems of any kind. Not only people from India but also from around the world have witnessed the power of Guruji and his dedication and love towards humanity. On every first Sunday, there is a Satsang in the ashram, for which a special ground has been constructed for the comfort of devotees. Guruji shares his message and love not only in the ashram but also in various other cities.

He has proven to be a jewel in the crown of the Ramanuj Sampradaya and the Vaishnav world. In recognition of his devotion to God, love for humanity, and dedication to helping the entire world, all the saints of the Sampradaya unanimously gave him the highest respect and position in the Sampradaya, the position and level of a Jagadguru. On the holy banks of the river Ganges and the divine occasion of the Mahakumbh Mela in Haridwar in 1998, in the presence of Jagadgurus of other sampradayas, Peethadeeshwars, and Tridandi Swamis, he was bestowed with the honor of Jagadguru. This splendid function is unforgettable for those who attended, and those who missed it will always regret it.

Since that day, Siddh Datta Ashram has been known as Siddh Datta Siddhpeeth.

Summary

The Sri Sampradaya, originally initiated by Lord Sriman Narayan under the guidance of Mahalakshmi, continues to thrive, with its most revered figure being Sri Ramanujacharya. This tradition, also known as the Ramanuja Sampradaya, was further enriched by the life and teachings of His Holiness Srimad Jagadguru Ramanujacharya Swami Sudershanacharyaji Maharaj, commonly known as Guruji. Born in Rajasthan, Guruji exhibited deep devotion to Lord Narayan from a very young age, dedicating his life to the service of humanity and spiritual growth. His journey towards spiritual mastery began at a young age, influenced by experiences at the Balaji temple in Mendipur and further solidified through rigorous study and penance under the guidance of his Gurus in the Ramanuj tradition.

Guruji’s spiritual journey culminated in the establishment of Siddh Daata Ashram in Faridabad in 1990, a divine site where many saints had previously performed austerities. Guruji dedicated his life to helping others, offering guidance and solutions to countless devotees from around the world. His tireless service and profound spiritual power earned him the title of Jagadguru at the Mahakumbh Mela in Haridwar in 1998, a recognition that solidified his legacy within the Ramanuja Sampradaya. The Siddh Daata Ashram, now known as Siddh Datta Siddhpeeth, continues to be a beacon of spiritual enlightenment and a testament to Guruji’s devotion and love for humanity.

Important Points

1. The Sri Sampradaya was initiated by Lord Sriman Narayan and continues as the Ramanuja Sampradaya.
2. Guruji, born as Shiv (Shambudayal) Sharma in Rajasthan, was deeply devoted to Lord Narayan from childhood.
3. Guruji was influenced by spiritual experiences at the Balaji temple in Mendipur and was guided by Baba Ganeshpuriji.
4. He pursued rigorous study and penance under the guidance of His Holiness Guru Sri Govind Acharyaji in the Ramanuj tradition.
5. Guruji performed severe penances for 12 years in the deep forest of Bangarh, leading to his spiritual enlightenment.
6. He established Siddh Daata Ashram in Faridabad in 1990, a divine site with a history of saintly austerities.
7. The ashram has become a place where devotees’ wishes are fulfilled through true belief and devotion.
8. Guruji was honored with the title of Jagadguru at the Mahakumbh Mela in Haridwar in 1998.
9. The Siddh Daata Ashram is now known as Siddh Datta Siddhpeeth, a center for spiritual guidance and service to humanity.
10. Guruji’s legacy is marked by his dedication to the service of humanity and his role as a guiding light in the Ramanuja Sampradaya.