Carrying the sacred legacy through leadership, vision, and selfless action
Dr. Pranav Pandya, a Gold Medalist in MD (Medicine), qualified for U.S. medical services in 1975. However, deeply inspired by his Guru, the visionary seer-sage Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya, he renounced a promising and lucrative medical career abroad to dedicate his life to a higher altruistic purpose in India. This marked the beginning of a profound Guru–disciple relationship, rooted in sacrifice, penance, and spiritual discipline, which eventually shaped him into a global messenger of Indian culture and scientific spirituality.
In 1978, Dr. Pandya resigned from his prestigious position as In-charge of the ICU (Cardiology) at BHEL and joined the Yug Nirman Mission at Shantikunj as Director of the Brahmavarchas Research Institute. Under the direct guidance of Acharyaji, he laid the foundation for pioneering research aimed at harmonizing science and spirituality. His work included path-breaking studies in Ayurveda, psychology, yagyopathy, meditation, and pranayama, alongside deep scholarly research into Indian scriptures. During this period, he co-authored several influential works on scientific spirituality in close association with Acharyaji.
A decisive phase of his life began in 1990, following the Mahasamadhi of Gurudev Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya. Stepping into global leadership, Dr. Pandya carried forward Gurudev’s vision by presenting Indian culture through a scientific lens to the world. Under his guidance, Gayatri Pariwar expanded into over 80 countries. He presented the scientific foundations of Indian culture at the World Parliament of Religions in 1993 and addressed joint sessions of the House of Lords and the House of Commons in the United Kingdom in February 1992.
As a global torchbearer of Gurudev’s vision for a “Bright Future,” Dr. Pandya inspired youth and talented individuals in India and abroad to adopt the threefold path of Sadhana (self-discipline), Upasana (adoration and value-based living), and Aradhana (selfless service). Under his dynamic leadership, the Gayatri Pariwar evolved into a worldwide spiritual movement with nearly 90 million followers.
A visionary futurist with unwavering faith in humanity’s potential, Dr. Pandya transformed his conviction into action by establishing a University of Indian Culture. Founded in 2002 through an ordinance of the Uttarakhand Government and recognized by the UGC, Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya is modeled on the ancient Gurukul traditions of Nalanda and Takshashila, integrating spiritual wisdom with modern education.
Dr. Pranav Pandya’s life stands as a shining example of holistic, purposeful, and selfless living in true Vedic tradition.
Between 1990 and 2005, Dr. Pandya undertook extensive national and international tours, organizing large-scale programs to disseminate the scientific and spiritual dimensions of Indian culture. He played a key role in establishing Gayatri Pariwar centers across the USA, Canada, UK, Denmark, Norway, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, South Africa, Kenya, and other countries.
He delivered distinguished lectures at reputed institutions including Cambridge University, Oxford University, Harvard University, and UCLA, among others. In addition, he addressed a joint session of the House of Lords and the House of Commons in London in 1992.
In 1994, he initiated a nationwide Watershed Development Scheme for rainwater harvesting, which later expanded across India. He also represented Indian culture at the World Parliament of Religions, held in Chicago (1993) and Cape Town (1999).
Dr. Pranav Pandya’s contributions have been widely recognized through several prestigious honors:
Honoured by NASA in 1996 as a distinguished scientist and global reformer for spreading the scientific aspects of Indian culture
Conferred the “Gyan Bharati Award” in 1998 for outstanding service to society
Awarded “Hindu of the Year 1999” by the Federation of Indian and Hindu Associations
Honoured with Bhai Shri Hanuman Prasad Rastraseva Samman in 2001, with the entire cash award donated to the Gujarat Earthquake Relief Fund
Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Symposium on the Science of Holistic Living, Sevagram, Wardha
Conferred the Devi Ahilyabai Rashtriya Puraskar in 2011 for distinguished national service
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