Our Gurus

Swami Tapovan Maharaj, Vidya Guru of Swami Chinmayananda, was a towering figure, renowned throughout the Himalayas as a Knower of Truth. He was called Himavat Vibhuti - Jewel of the Himalayas - and was sought after as a Teacher and Saint. Swami Tapovan Maharaj was a strict ascetic who lived in a simple hut in Uttarkashi, abiding in the peace of his realisation, stepping away only for solitary wanderings in the Himalayan mountains.
Lovingly addressed by the Chinmaya family as Parama Guru, he holds a place of supreme reverence in the hearts of all.
Swami Chinmayananda said of his Guru, “He was a God without temple, a Veda without language.”
His mastery of the Vedas and the Upanishads was legendary, as were his love of nature and his tireless compassion for spiritual aspirants, wrestling with the Scriptures and householders struggling to maintain a spiritual focus in daily life.

Swami Chinmayananda (Gurudev) was born Balakrishna Menon on the 8th of May 1916, in Ernakulam, Kerala. He was bright, dynamic and full of youthful energy. After earning a degree in English Literature, he pursued a promising writing career but soon immersed himself in India's freedom movement as a journalist.
Surviving imprisonment and grave illness, in 1942, he emerged with a renewed perspective. Returning to journalism, he felt the urge to work on political, economic and social reform in India. His inner quest led him to the pilgrimage town, Rishikesh. Here, the young sceptic, Menon met Swami Sivananda and a striking inner transformation began. Instead of the outer world, his questions turned inward, igniting a journey of self-discovery. What began as a journalist's mission to critique the role of Swamis in India's future, turned into a life-changing encounter as he decided to follow the path of renunciation.
He was named Swami Chinmayananda - the one who is saturated in Bliss and Consciousness. Looking at his potential and a quest to learn more, Swami Sivananda sent him to Swami Tapovan Maharaj, a Guru residing in the Himalayas. For years, he stayed in the mountains, immersed in deep study under the guidance of the revered Swami Tapovan Maharaj. But the knowledge he received could not remain confined as his heart burned with the desire to make it accessible to everyone. He descended from the heights, not to rest, but to serve.
During his forty years of travelling and teaching, Swami Chinmayananda opened numerous Centres and Ashrams worldwide. He also built many schools, hospitals, and clinics. Credited for the renaissance of spiritual and cultural values in India, he made Vedantic wisdom accessible to everyone regardless of age, nationality, or religious background.
He attained Mahasamadhi in August 1993. His legacy remains in the form of books, audio and video tapes, schools and social service projects. Brahmacharins and Swamins trained at academies, the residential Vedanta academies established by Swami Chinmayananda, continue to carry forward his legacy through Chinmaya Mission Centres across the globe.

Born on the 30th of June 1950 in Madhya Pradesh, Swami Tejomayananda (then Sudhakar Kaitwade) was spiritually inclined from a young age. Inspired by Swami Vivekananda's writings and drawn to higher ideals beyond material pursuits, his spiritual calling deepened when he met Swami Chinmayananda at a Bhagavad Gita discourse. At the age of 20, just a year away from completing his Master's degree in Physics, he chose instead to join the residential Vedanta Course at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai,
After graduating from the course in 1975, he served in various teaching roles. In 1983, he embraced the path of renunciation and was bestowed the name Swami Tejomayananda. In the years that followed, he taught at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya and was also posted to lead Chinmaya Mission activities in San Jose, USA. After, the Mahasamadhi of Swami Chinmayananda in 1993, Swami Tejomayananda returned to India and was chosen as the Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide. With characteristic humility, he remarked, “I am not in Swamiji's shoes, I am at his feet.”
For the next 23 years, he led the Mission with unwavering dedication - expanding its global presence, establishing new Centres, initiating landmark projects and deepening the reach of his Guru's teachings across cultures and generations. Swami Tejomayananda was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian awards, in 2016.
Praised by Swami Chinmayananda as an “exquisite teacher,” he is known for his simple, yet profound teachings on Vedanta as well as his fluency in English, Hindi, Marathi and Sanskrit. A gifted poet and composer, his devotional and spiritual wisdom flows effortlessly into his music.
Fondly called as Guruji, he is a living portrait of simplicity with depth, humility with courage and wisdom with devotion. Always jovial, smiling and welcoming, he is readily accessible and approachable to all who seek the knowledge of Vedanta from him.

Swami Swaroopananda is the Global Head of Chinmaya Mission, having taken on this responsibility from Swami Tejomayananda in January 2017. He also serves as the Chancellor of Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Chinmaya University) and oversees the activities of more than 350 Chinmaya Mission Centres around the world.
Trained under both Swami Chinmayananda and Swami Tejomayananda, Swamiji brings together depth of knowledge, clarity of thought, and a dynamic approach to service. He is constantly on the move, whether teaching Vedanta, guiding youth, engaging with corporate leaders, supporting institutional growth, or bringing practical wisdom into everyday life. Raised in Mumbai and drawn deeply to Vedanta as a student in Hong Kong, Swamiji's early years of service in the Far East reflected his ability to blend tradition with relevance - a hallmark that continues to define his global outreach. Whether addressing spiritual seekers, students or professionals, his message is practical, insightful and transformative.
Swamiji is the creator of the transformational Make It Happen™ programme and the author of several widely read books, including Storm to Perform, Ik Onkar, and Journey into Health. His ability to connect across cultures and generations makes him a powerful force for inner and outer change.
An early adopter of technology and an engaging presence among youth, he continues to expand Vedanta's global reach and inspire dharmic living with clarity and joy.

Rao Sahab Ran Bahadur Singh ji was born in the royal family of Churahat, Sidhi on 21st Dec. 1928 as eldest son of the king of Churhat Raja Sahab Shiv Bahadur Singh ji, who later was minister of state of Vindhaya Pradesh. Rao Sahab was 27th ruler of Churhat. Rao Sahab did his graduation from Rewa and his post graduation from Allahabad. After completing his studies he went to United States of America for agricultural practical experience. He was pioneer in bringing scientific method of agriculture to the state of Madhaya Pradesh. He got married in 1947 to Rani Krishna Kumari, daughter of His Highness Raja Dalip Singh ji of Jhabua, and is blessed by a daughter and a son. Rao Sahab was Member of Parliament from Sidhi Lok Sabha Constituency for 6 years from 1971 to 1977.

He was disciple of HH Pujya Swami Chinmayanand ji of Kerala and in 1982 when Pujya Swami Chinmayanand ji came to Rewa; Rao Sahab became full time worker of Chinmaya Mission. Deeply influenced by HH Pujya Swami Chinmayanand ji, Rao Sahab started living in one room kutiya of Chinmaya Pitamah Sadan, Laxmanpur Laoua, Rewa, leaving all materialistic luxuries. Rao Sahab took sanyas by the hands of HH Pujya Swami Tejomayanand ji in the year 2003 on 3rd of March and was entitled the name of -

“His Holiness Pujya Swami Prashantanand Ji Sarswati”

Pujya Swami Ji has written a several books, both in English and Hindi, (Tales from Rmayana, The Journey From Manman To Godman, Everyones Gita, Saral Gita, Sunderkand - Saral Tika. Aaiye Hum Hindu Bane, Easy Samskrta, The Ways Of Wise, Geeta Padho Aage Badho etc.) which are available at all Chinmaya Mission centers. He used to give regular discourses on various subjects in almost every corner of our country.

It is a known fact that Pujya Swami Prashantanand Ji is elder brother of Ex. Chief Minister of Madhaya Pradesh, Ex. Union minister in various capacities and Ex. Governor of Punjab late shri Arjun Singh ji. It is greatness and humbleness of Pujya Swami ji that he wishes to be introduced as just a Sanyasi of Chinmaya Mission and nothing else.

Pujay Swami Ji left his mortal coil and took final refuge at the feet of Pujya Gurudev at brahm muhurt of Chaitra Krishna Dwadashi Samvat 2072 (4th April 2016 CE) at age of 88 Years. Till the last of his breath he was giving discourse, like a true torch bearer of Chinmaya Mission. The last topic of his discourse in the evening class of 3rd April was 'शरीर कैसे त्यागें' of the ongoing vanprasth shivir being held at the Ashram.