Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma

Sri Samavedam Shanmukha Sarma was born to Sri Samavedam Rama Murthy Sarma and Smt. Ramanamma in 1967, in Asika, Orissa. He completed his B. A. (Hons) in Economics from Berhampur University. He joined as a sub-editor for Swathi weekly magazine.

Sarma garu first tried his hand at writing lyrics of devotional songs and made an audio album with the help of noted playback singer, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. The album was an instantaneous hit, opening doors for him to enter the glamour world of cinema in Chennai. Later, Sarma garu wrote several hit songs for the Telugu films, such as Suswagatham, Subhakaankshalu, Pellisandadi, Pedarayudu, Suryavamsam, etc. Having experienced some success in the cinema field, though, Shanmukha Sarma did not become attached and limited himself to that field. He was able to move forward for higher spiritual goals despite the success in that field and continue his more arduous pursuits of spiritual development.

As Sri Sarma garu was brought up in a scholarly family, he learned shastras and kavya vachanas from eminent gurus. Dedicating his life to more metaphysical matters, he now tours the State giving discourses and lectures with Hyderabad as his base. His first lecture on 'Agni' at the Sivaramakrishna kshetram in Vijayawada laid the foundation for the endeavor. The lecture was a great success, and Sri Shanmukha Sarma has continued from there.[1]

He has been giving religious discourses, lectures on the rich Vedic values and Itihasas, all over Andhra Pradesh and other parts of India. He has toured extensively in the US, UK and Australia, gave lectures on Hindu scriptures, and on Indian heritage.

He is thus instrumental for bringing about a cultural and spiritual renaissance. His handling of the subtlest subjects of epics and Upanishads shows his level of scholarship and command, besides interpretative expertise. He draws huge gatherings of discerning listeners everywhere.[2]

Huge gatherings listen to his discourses and commentaries on the sastras, puranas, itihasas, and Vedas.

Sri Sarma garu regards Swami Vivekananda as one of his inspirations.[3]

Sarma garu has discoursed on variety of topics and provided explanation to complex topics relating to Hinduism. Some of the pravachanams are listed here, along with locations, date (not in any specific order):

1. Adi Sankara Virichita Prasnnotara Malika, MI, 12 July 2016, 13 July 2016.[4]
2. Aparoshanubhuti (Adi Sankara's works), Neredmet, Hyderabad, 27 April 2017,[5]
3. Unity in Diversity in Hinduism, NTR Gardens, Hyderabad, 14 November 2018.[6]
4. Sri Rama Raksha, Sivatandava Strotram, Boston, 19 May 2019, 27 May 2019.[7]

With a view to bring that ocean of knowledge of Vedic Shastras in a style that can be understood by many people, Sri Sarma started a monthly magazine called Rushipeetham.

Sri Sarma garu has provides with many accolades and awards for his discourses. Some of them being: “Samanvaya Saraswathi”; “Aarsha Dharmopanyasa Kesari”; “Vaagdevi Varaputhra”.

On 7 November 2021, one of the title accorded is of 'Dharmika Varenyam' (loosely translates to Utmost holder of Dharma).[8]

15 September 2015: Mallapragada Sri Ranga Rao Award for his work.[9]

20 January 2014, Bharathi Thyagaraja Samman, in the presence of Dr V.R.Gowrishankar CEO & Administrator,Sri Sharada Peetham,Sringeri [10]

• Official website