Shri Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari was born on July 24, 1927, in the village of Vayalur near Madras, in south India. His associates affectionately call him Chari, or Chariji. His mother died when he was five years old, and his father never remarried, choosing to devote himself entirely to his responsibilities as parent and provider to his three sons. The loss of his mother nonetheless had a profound effect upon the young Parthasarathi, leaving an emptiness that followed him into adulthood.

From an early age Chariji was a voracious reader and developed a keen interest in music. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Banaras Hindu University, he took his first job with Indian Plastics Limited in chemical engineering. He travelled abroad, and spent two years in Yugoslavia studying plastics manufacturing techniques. He and his wife Sulochana were married in 1955 and two years later had their first and only child, a son, Krishna. In 1955, Chariji joined the T. T. Krishnamachari group of companies, rising to the position of Director in a number of the group’s companies. His work required him to travel extensively within India and abroad.

Chariji’s conscious spiritual aspirations were awakened at the age of 18 after hearing a lecture on the Bhagavad Gita. He took up a detailed study of the Gita and other religious and spiritual texts. At the age of 30, he began vaishnava traditional instruction under a traditional Guru. Seven years later, in 1964, he met his spiritual Master (Babuji) and started the practice of Sahaj Marg meditation.

While continuing to fulfil his familial and business responsibilities, Chariji was yet vigilant in his spiritual practice and dedicated to the work of Shri Ram Chandra Mission. As General Secretary of the Mission, he contributed greatly to the growth of the Mission, and to the publication of Sahaj Marg literature. Over the years, he became Babuji’s most devoted disciple, ably assisting him in his spiritual work.

Babuji characterized the ideal human being as a person having “a Western mind and an Eastern heart,” adding that such a person would be needed to guide the Mission successfully into the future. In Chariji he saw not only this blend of qualities, but also the ability to instil discipline in others. Babuji passed away in 1983, nominating Chariji as his spiritual representative and President of the Mission.

Chariji’s work over the last thirty years has resulted in remarkable growth and expansion of the Mission’s activities all over the world.

Chariji’s book My Master, a personal tribute to Babuji, has been published in nearly twenty languages. His other books include diaries of his overseas travels with Babuji, an autobiography, and numerous volumes of his talks in India and abroad, interpreting, and amplifying his Master’s teachings.
In Sahaj Marg it is understood that the Master is the greatest servant. Observing Chariji, one sees this principle in action. His entire existence is devoted to the cause of spiritual upliftment of his fellow human beings, a service that he undertakes with unwavering faith in the divine support of his Master.