Swami Rama as Shankaracharya

At the young age of 24 years Swami Rama became Shankaracharya of Karvirpitham in South India, succeeding Dr. Kurtkoti to the highest spiritual position inIndia. During this term Swami Rama had a tremendous impact on the spiritual customs of that time: he disposed with useless formalities and rituals, made it possible for all segments of society to worship in the temples, and encouraged the instruction of women in meditation. He renounced the dignity and prestige o this high office in 1952 to return to theHimalayasto intensify his meditative practices in the monasteries.