Param Sadguru Shree Gajanan maharaj, referred to as Shree by His followers all over the world, was a Divine Yogi.

Swami Shivanand, the incarnate of Lord Shiva himself, a great Yogi who perpetuated the Mantra Yoga of sound 'Om' (Nadabramha) & Yogini Sonamata were Shree's parents.

They belonged to the noble family of Rajimwale, the chieftains of an area of 84 villages like Rajim, Ratnapur & Pendra etc of the present Madhya Pradesh (India).

Swami Shivananda & Sonamata, even though lived amidst riches, were totally unattached to worldly matters. By the grace of a Yogi it was revealed to Sonamata that a Divine Yogi would be born as Her Son. Shree was born on 16th May 1918 in Kharagpur (Dist.Midnapore,W.Bengal,India).

Born in a noble family, the child was destined to fulfill the divine wish. Shree had the stars of a Sovereign King or Supreme Yogic Master in His horoscope.

According to the Buddhist tradition similar was the positioning of stars in the horoscope of Lord Buddha.

Shree showed signs of being a Spiritual Master from a very early age. He was following strict austerities and penances from the early age of six. He spent His childhood in the vicinity of great Spitiutal masters. He learnt the teachings of many learned scholars along with the teachings of the Vedas. He came to Akkalkot at the tender age of six and spent His childhood at the Guru mandir, a Monastery, which was the House of the Divine Guru Tradition of Shree Swami Samartha. In 1938 at the age of 20 he was chosen as the head of the Monastery and the heir of the Guru Peetham (The linage of Gurus). He became the Head of the Monastery (Peethadheesha) of Gurumandir of Akkalkot. This Holy lineage of Masters had been issued from Swami Samartha Maharaj, who is respected as the incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. This Guru Peetham is considered to be of the highest order.

He would do severe penances and meditate for almost 18-20 hrs every day. He was initiated into the Highest order of Spiritual Practice by Lord Parshuram.

As the Divine plan unfolded in the year 1942, (10th of the bright half of the lunar month Phalgun) Lord Parshuram, the sixth & the most powerful incarnation, who by his prowess conquered the universe & then with utter non-attachment gave it away as Daan, in whom the physical as well as the Mantra power attained it's zenith, appeared to Shree.

He was blessed with the ancient & supreme knowledge of 'Shrividya'. The pitiable condition of Vedic Knowledge was shown to Shree in a vision. Instantaneously, Shree, vowed at the feet of His master "I will resusticate the Vedas".

The date was 21st September 1944. Ashwin Shuddha 4, Saka 1866. On the day of Vijayadashmi, touching the holy feet of Lord Parshuram, He repeated the most difficult vow

He was moved by the pain and suffering of all the living beings throughout the planet. He wanted to teach and equip everybody with knowledge that would empower them to find true Peace and happiness.

He said that the easiest and complete path towards eternal happiness is through the PSM, which is based on the eternal concepts of the Vedas. He gave the message of PSM and Agnihotra to the world to rid it of negativity and darkness and infuse positivity and peace.

He preached that the Vedas were books of knowledge and were not the property of any single caste, creed, religion or nationality. They belong to the entire mankind. They were sources of immense scientific knowledge that will help make life on this planet fruitful. The philosophies and concepts mentioned in the scriptures were scientific phenomenon and were supposed to be applied to life in a lifestyle format. He said that by leading a life based on the concepts of these Vedic Sciences, one can achieve new levels of personal growth and find true happiness. He preached equality amongst people and universal brotherhood.

His daily spiritual routine began at the Brahma Muhurata. i.e. early hours of the morning. He remained perpetually in the state of Samadhi. Most of the time during the day He was engrossed in performance of various forms of austere tapa like Silence (Mauna),Fasting, Chanting of Guru mantras etc.

His personal needs were extremely limited. He wore an unstitched white dhoti around his waist and carried another piece of white cloth on his shoulders

He spent most of the time in his meditation room sitting on a small square wooden stool, where he received disciples and visitors from all over the world.

Shree had no material possessions. He never even touched money or gold. He was extremely punctual and his daily chores were attuned perfectly with the watch.

He had in depth knowledge of Vedas, Scriptures and the Science of the Mantras.

The process of Agnihotra revived by Shree purifies the atmosphere and human mind.

Shree was a Siddha Yogi of great stature. He was Divinity and Purity manifest in the human body. He had a peaceful, royal and pleasant bearing.

As part of his mission Shree performed a Mahasomyaga from 28th Feb to 4th March 1969 at Shivapuri, the Yajnya Nagar. It was a great event.

Learned Vedic scholars conducted the proceedings of the Somayaga. It was the first time in 2500 years that a Somayaga was performed strictly as per the disciplines of Vedas in which there was no sacrifice of animals, no flesh oblations, not even suggestively.

As a symbol of the Maha Somayaga a massive Yajnya pillar was erected at Shivapuri. Shivapuri, the holy Yajnya Nagar, was founded by Shree on the occasion of the Somayaga to fulfill the command of His father Swami Shivananda.Shree propagated the doctrine of universal peace and brotherhood. He preached the teaching of Ahimsa (Non Violence), Daan (Sharing of our assets with the feeling of humility), love, compassion, forgiveness etc.

Shree promoted research and studies in the various principles of the Vedic Sciences.

His teachings inevitably transcend the barriers of caste, creed, colour, relegion, cult, nationality or language and such other man made distinctions. He showered unlimited love and blessings on the downtrodden, poor and ailing of the world.

He often taught his disciples that service rendered unto the needy and suffering,is in true sense 'Divine worship'.

He attacked the caste system prevalent in Indian society and advocated equal rights and respect to women with regards to practice of the Vedic Knowledge.