Our Inspiration
Param Pujya Tapovanji Maharaj

Swami Tapovanji Maharaj  (1889 - 1957)
SWithout a thread there is no garland of flowers; without God there is no universe. Without Swami Tapovan Maharaj, there would not have been a Swami Chinmayananda.

A rare jewel in the crown of the Himalayan peaks, Swami Tapovan was revered and exclaimed as the greatest of Jnanis and a man of total perfection. When Swami Chinmayananda was asked about his Guru, he became silent; what words could express the infinite? Even now, to mention his name in the solitude of the Himalayas is to awaken a deep reverence, so famous was this great Master.

Swami Tapovan was born in an aristocratic family in the Palghat District and from a very tender age was not attracted to the materialistic life. He was drawn in temperament naturally to a life of renunciation, austerity, and study.

When his worldly commitments were fulfilled, Swami Tapovan embraced the renunciates life and took to the secluded forest and higher elevations of the Himalayas, living in sacred Uttakasi. There he lived a life of extreme tapas (austerity), spending his time in study, reflection and meditation. During the summer months he would leave Uttakasi for Gangotri, and even today just above Gomuk where the sacred Ganges begins, there is a small place called Tapovan.

Swami Tapovan had complete mastery of the Scriptures. Sages and serious students came to study in his austere Kutir (house). He was also an eminent Sanskrit scholar and poet. He composed many hymns, commentaries and beautiful books such as, "Wandering in the Himalayas" and "Iswara Darshan".

These books give a glimpse of how a man of Divine Vision beholds Truth everywhere, playing in and through every form.

He had many seekers who came to study under him, but only a few could endure the rigorous life and completed their studies. One of these students was none other than Swami Chinmayananda. He taught Gurudev all the virtues enumerated in the Seventeenth Chapter of Geeta constituting the three forms of Tapas - physical, verbal and mental.

On 16th of January 1957, on the Full-Moon day, at 4:30 A.M., in the Brahmamuhurtha, Swamiji gained his Mahasamadhi.

The Founder
Swami Chinmayananda

Swami Chinmayananda  (1916 - 1993)
Swami Chinmayananda was an ascetic of modern India who worked ceaselessly for over four decades, spreading the Vedantic message of peace and happiness, to the classes and masses around the globe.

Balakrishna Menon was born on 8 th May, 1916, at Ernakulam, Kerela. He was an inquisitive and intelligent child. Chattambi Swamigal, a musician saint predicted a spiritual future for the boy.

Mere degrees in Law and Literature did not satisfy him. Sensitive to the freedom struggle around him, he joined the Indian Independence Movement in 1942. Poverty, suppression, starvation, prison life and a brush with death made him reflective. He became Chief Reporter of the National Herald at Delhi. He earned the reputation of being the “loud and dynamic voice” of all controversial issues like British rule. The radical journalist in him wanted to expose the “bluff of the masters” and off he went to Rishikesh to interview Swami Shivananda. But this meeting transformed him. The skeptic in Menon simply dissolved. Swami Shivananda initiated him into the holy order of Sannyas on the 25 th February 1949. He was named Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati – one who revels in the Bliss of Pure Consciousness.

His austerity strengthened under the great Himalayan hermit, Swami Tapovanam, who taught him the scriptures, discipline and service to mankind. Returning to the plains, Swami Chinmayananda gave his first talk “Let us be Hindus”, at a Ganesh Temple in Pune. Thus was born the Chinmaya Mission in December 1951. From then on, he became a globe trotter touching the hearts of millions, including the scholars at Harvard and M.I.T. and the UN Assembly.

His name became synonymous with the Bhagavad Geeta and the Upanishads. He brought about a revival of Indian Culture and spirituality. He was chosen to be the President for the centenary celebrations of the World Parliament of Religions at Chicago. Just prior to that, he attained Mahasamadhi at San Diego, USA on 3 rd August 1993.

His legacy remains in the form of the Global Chinmaya Mission. He has authored more than 250 books and written commentaries on various scriptural texts.

He is best described in his own words “God is the tree in your garden. The saint is the fruit in front of you.” Those innumerable souls who have eaten of that one fruit will always relish its eternal sweetness.

The Current Head
Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda

A great master can be recognised by his humility, loving kindness and depth of knowledge. This epitomises Swami Tejomayananda.

Swami Tejomayananda joined the Mission at the early age of 19. He trained as a Brahmachari under the direct guidance of Swami Chinmayananda, at the Sandeepany Ashram in Mumbai. From the beginning he was an exceptional student, easily mastering the Vedantic knowledge and the Sanskrit language. At all times he displayed a deep devotion to his Guru, not surprisingly, his spiritual unfoldment was rapid.

Swami Tejomayananda was first posted as the Acharya for training Brahmacharis in Siddhabari, before taking monkhood from Swami Chinmayananda. He then became the Acharya of Sandeepany Ashram in Bombay (Mumbai) and finally the Acharya in San Jose, America.

In the advent of Swami Chinmayananda's Mahasamadhi, Swami Tejomayananda was unanimously appointed as the Head of the Chinmaya Mission worldwide. Following in his Master's footsteps and inspired by this noble vision, he continued to bring the message of Vedanta through talks, seminars and retreats around the world and throughout India.

His discourses are unique, an enchanting synthesis of clarity, logic and devotion. These are words from a master whose head and heart are truly integrated. His gentle humor and humility enamour his audiences.

His conviction is simple, to actualise the vision of his Master, Swami Chinmayananda by spreading the knowledge of Vedanta and restoring the moral and cultural dignity of Indian heritage. Progressive in thinking and precise in decision-making, he has inspired and executed many notable, innovative projects, including the Chinmaya Vibhooti Vision Centre near Pune, the Chinmaya International Residential School in Coimbatore, the Chinmaya Centre of World Understanding in New Delhi, the Chinmaya International Foundation near Cochin, the Chinmaya Heritage Centre in Chennai, and the expansion of the Chinmaya Mission Hospital in Bangalore.

In overseeing the Mission's global activities and projects, Swami Tejomayananda's tours around the world are extensive and continuous. Throughout his travels, he conducts jnana yajnas (3-7 day Vedanta lecture series) in different cities and various countries every week. His gentle manner, devotional heart, intellectual clarity, joyful wit, and open availability have earned him intergenerational appeal and endeared him to millions across the globe.

Fluent in Hindi, Marathi, English, and Sanskrit, Swami Tejomayananda's talks, written commentaries, and original music, poetry, and text compositions exude lofty spiritual insights, incisive Vedantic scholarship, and universal harmony.

His original Vedantic texts include Bhakti Sudha, Jnana Sarah, Manah Shodhanam, and Dhyanasvarupam. His acclaimed commentaries include Adi Sankara's Drg-Drshya Viveka, Ramana Maharshi's Upadesha Saram, Kapila Gita, and Yoga Vasistha. He has also translated into Hindi Swami Chinmayananda's English commentaries on Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads. His book 'Hindu Culture: An Introduction' has been adopted as an academic text by some American schools. As a laudable devotional singer, he has recorded several albums with original music and lyrics. His profound, poignant, and pictorial talks on Saint Tulsidasa's Ramacharitamanasa and Veda Vyasa's Shrimad Bhagavatam are world-renowned, highlighting his spiritual wisdom and masterful storytelling

The Regional Head
Swami Swaroopananda

Few men are called to serve humanity the way Swami Swaroopananda does. Fewer actually achieve the unique impact and response that Swamiji has.

In little over a decade, Swamiji has traversed the globe several times touching the lives of thousands of eager listeners in cities as diverse as London, New York, Sydney, New Delhi, Singapore, Dubai, and Lagos.

A disciple of the world-renowned Master of Vedanta, and champion of India's spiritual wisdom, Swami Chinmayananda,

Swami Swaroopananda left his family's thriving business in Hong Kong at an early age to seek what he now calls, "Real answers to real problems". He was convinced that beyond our everyday, superficial joys and sorrows, there was something more - something higher.

After undergoing intensive monastic training and an exhaustive study of the Scriptures at the Chinmaya Mission headquarters in Bombay, Swamiji returned to Hong Kong in 1986 to spread the timeless message of Vedanta. His name then was Brahmachari Susheel. Under the guidance and inspiration of Swami Chinmayananda and Swami Tejomayananda he would later become the acharya-in-charge of the Far East and other centres throughout the world.

Throughout his speaking career Swami Swaroopananda has held his audiences - adults, youth, and children alike - spellbound by his amazingly practical and extremely user friendly approach to Spirituality. He reminds us that there is a greater and more compelling Truth that provides the solutions to all our problems, enabling us to live a truly happy and positive life.

Since 1995, Swami Swaroopananda has been based at the Chinmaya Dham in Melbourne, where he continues to reach out to spiritual seekers by translating Vedanta into a most effective and relevant way of life for the modern man and woman.

He is the Director of Chinmaya International Residential School in Coimbatore, India and presently based there.