(At a very young age, he seriously thought about the purpose of life and God. He
left Indian Administrative Service due to his inner urge and commitment to religious
and spiritual pursuits and also in spreading Shirdi Sai Baba’s philosophy and his
teachings. He was one of the greatest scholars and philosophers of the modern times.
He researched in the area of Spiritual Science as well as the Physical Science of
the modern age in an attempt to know the purpose of the “life” in the world. He
was initially an Explorer, then a Scholar and finally became an Enlightened One
in Spiritual matters. Over a period of time, he became a Guru.)
Acharya Ekkirala.Bharadwaja was born on 30th October 1938. He was the youngest of
the four sons to a great Vedic scholar during that time, Sri Ekkirala Ananthacharya
and Smt. Venkata Lakshmi. He was born in a small town, Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh.
His father was also an ayurvedic physician. His father wrote the book in English,
“The Vision of Aryan Glory” (published in 1938). This book was prescribed as Indology
course/subject for three years study in the University of Hamburg, Germany. His
father was highly learned in the ancient Hindu Scriptures, the Vedas and the Upanishads.
Everyday his father used to clarify, to several people, various doubts they had
regarding intricate and subtle questions on the Vedas. But young Bharadwaja appeared
to be indifferent to such clarifications. Once he was heckled by others for being
indifferent by sitting outside, while others were crowding inside to hear his father’s
clarifications. Bharadwaja had got good intuition and was aware of several religious
aspects even during his younger age. He evinced lot of interest in cricket and was
an adept in the game.
His mother died when he was just four years old and he grew up under the care of
his father. He had shown his genius attributes from his childhood. During his childhood,
loss of his beloved brother's son had made him think seriously about the purpose
of life and God. After five years of rigorous thought process, he suddenly experienced
surprisingly a state of complete awareness where he got answers for all his questions.
He became a post graduate in English Literature and got selected for the Indian
Administrative Service (IAS), which is a highly respected service in the society.
He joined the service. But because of his inner urge and
commitment to religious and spiritual pursuits, he left the service and took up
a position as Lecturer in English literature so that he could be in a better position
to spend more time for his pursuits and also in spreading Shirdi Sai Baba’s philosophy
and his teachings.
He happened to see Amma (meaning Mother, a saintly woman) in Jillellamudi near Bapatla
in 1963 while he was working as a Lecturer in English in Vivekavardhini College
in Hyderabad. His friends were regular visitors to Jillellamudi and he also visited
Amma. He also stayed with Ammafor longer periods and studied the life of Ammaand
also held extensive discussions with Ammaon several philosophical matters.
Thereafter he devoted himself to a lifetime intensive research into the life and
philosophy of Baba. Similarly he spent considerable time in doing research on the
lives and teachings of several other saints also. For this purpose, he travelled
extensively and also personally contacted many of the then living saints and the
devotees of Sai Baba. He also studied other religions with an analytical eye. Like
many other great men, he also felt the need of a Sadguru to seek direction towards
the spiritual path. The culmination of all these efforts is the result of a series
of books which he wrote on Shirdi Sai Baba. He also wrote books on other saints.
He wrote a book in English, "Sai Baba, The Master" in 1978. This book was earlier
written in Telugu two years back.
His research and the books he wrote, explain and prove the existence of God in a
scientific manner and confirm the necessity of resorting to a Sadguru for guidance
in the vicissitudes in our lives. His writings are getting translated into several
other languages of the world. He urged and convinced those who contacted him to
follow spiritual discipline with ease and live a richer, more purposeful, righteous
and peaceful life to make the lives memorable.
After some years, he accompanied his brother to Shirdi and experienced ecstasy before
Shirdi Sai Baba's Statue. Right from his childhood, he was attracted towards saints
and their lives. In regard to spiritual matters, he used to explain, about the saints,
to the general public who were not in a position to identify them on their own.
He was, by nature, well prepared for taking up the ascetic life, but was forced
to get married as he was convinced by the saints that even after
marriage also spiritual pursuits could be continued. He married Ms. Alivelumanga.
He had endeavoured substantially in preparing the life history of Shirdi Sai Baba
and wrote several other notable books on spiritual matters. He counted on the excellent
support of his wife Smt. Alivelumanga, and restlessly worked in the task of preaching
the general public about Baba and his mission for the welfare of one and all.
He was one of the greatest scholars and philosophers of the modern times. He researched
in the area of Spiritual Science as well as the Physical Science of the modern age
in an attempt to know the purpose of the “life” in the world. Surprisingly, he came
to know that Spiritual Science and Physical Science were not mutually exclusive
of each other, but they would both guide towards the same goal, the existence of
'Viswa Chaitanya' or the "Universal Consciousness", which means, the oneness in
all duality, which is the same as 'God '. He understood this concept through his
intensive research.
After a decade of intellectual research, he was converted by a profound spiritual
experience he received at the Samadhi Mandir at Shirdi, by the Grace of Baba. This
experience had changed the entire course of his life, towards spirituality and about
his approach towards humanity. He was of the view and also got convinced that Baba
was the matchless saint, a Satguru in whom all Gods are subsumed and that Baba’s
philosophy was a blend of all religions. Baba’s philosophy and his teachings could
give answer to all the present day problems and would also lead one and all to the
spiritual progress.
Later he had built several temples for Sai Baba. He had also started initially a
Sai Center in Ongole. He wrote a book on Sai Baba in Telugu, “ Sai Satcharitra”
which is used by the devotees all over the entire State of Andhra Pradesh as a Parayana
book. He was a pioneer in regard to his efforts in making Shirdi Sai Baba known
to several people every where, in general and in all parts mainly in Andhra Pradesh,
in particular. He was affectionately called by his followers as “Mastergaru” in
Telugu and became a well known personality. Over a period of time, he became a Guru.
He was also considered as one of the greatest explorers in spiritual matters during
his times. He was initially an Explorer, then a Scholar and finally
became an Enlightened One in Spiritual matters. In the process, he knew the purpose
of life which he achieved. He would also help others achieve it. He knew the answer
for all sorrows of life and also the ways to get rid of them. He knew the human
goal and he knew how to reach it. Towards this end in view, he founded the Shirdi
Sai Cultural Mission at Vidyanagar and Sai Baba Mission in Ongole. He also founded
a Telugu fortnightly (later became a monthly), by name, “Sai Baba” which continues
to spread his messages, and is the main source of inspiration in the construction
of several Sai Baba temples mainly in South India.
He did continuous and effective propaganda in spreading the teachings of Baba among
the general public. He lived and showed how to live a better and enlightened life.
His life was a perfect reflection of Sai Baba's teachings in practice.
After a life of vibrant activity spreading the teachings of Baba among the people,
he attained Maha Samadhi on 12th April 1989. Though he had left his mortal coil,
even now he would respond to the calls of his devotees. Presently, his work is being
carried on by “Sri Master Universal Sai Trust & Acharya Bharadwaja Peace Foundation”,
Ongole, and Andhra Pradesh. Acharya Bharadwaja Peace Foundation was started as a
nonprofit and social service international spiritual organization, dedicated to
serving the people in need, regardless of race and religion, founded with the divine
blessings of Supreme Mother Pujyasri Alivelu Mangatayaru, the divine consort of
Pujyasri Acharya Ekkirala Bharadwaja with the prime aim of continuing and spreading
the mission originally started by Pujya Acharya for propagating the life and teachings
of Sai Baba to every nook and corner of the world. Acharya Bharadwaja Peace Foundation
is serving the people in need with Baba’s loving care by giving spiritual uplift,
providing free education, teaching poor children, feeding the poor, providing free
medical aid to the needy and providing shelter for the old people.