The Guru Parampara denotes a succession of teachers and disciples in the Vedic culture!
Swami Tapovan Maharaj
1889–1957
He is history’s few, God’s own ascetic, a beacon of knowledge, and a Himalayan jewel — all rolled into one. Swami Tapovanam is a symbol of complete abidance in Truth, the light that never descended — philosophically, literally, and figuratively. He was that pristine glacier of Self-knowledge from whom flowed the Ganga of Vedantic wisdom through Swami Chinmayananda, the founder of Chinmaya Mission.
A saint of the highest order, Swami Tapovanam was a consummate Vedantin, strict teacher, a compassionate mentor, a poet whose every thought throbbed with ecstatic awareness, and a sage of unsurpassed wisdom and tranquillity. He is one of those rare sages who personifies the Absolute in every sense of the word — eternal and infinite — radiant and resplendent, dazzling with the effulgence of a million suns.
Swami Chinmayananda
1916-1993
Swami Chinmayananda was born in Cochin, India. Not satisfied with degrees in literature and law or with otherworldly aspirations, he pursued the spiritual path in the Himalayas under the guidance of Swami Shivananda and Swami Tapovanam.
A Hindu spiritual leader and teacher who inspired the formation of Chinmaya Mission a worldwide nonprofit organization, to spread the knowledge of Advaita Vedanta, the non-dual system of thought found in the Upanishads, which epitomize the philosophical teachings of the Vedas. Swami Chinmayananda is known for teaching the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, and other ancient Hindu scriptures.
Swami Tejomayananda
Former Head, Chinmaya Mission Worldwide
Swami Tejomayananda is the former Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide, a position he held since 1993 after Swami Chinmayananda attained Mahasamadhi. If Swami Chinmayananda served the cause of Vedanta with his service, knowledge, and pioneering qualities, Swami Tejomayananda – fondly addressed as Guruji, completed that with his natural attitude of devotion. This is richly and abundantly evident in his talks, his singing, and his demeanor.
But the gentleness of devotion arrived riding on the back of intense education in physics, going up to a Master’s degree. Born, Sudhakar Kaitwade to a Maharashtrian family in Madhya Pradesh, this physicist had a close encounter that changed the velocity, direction, and path of his life.
Swami Swaroopananda
Head, Chinmaya Mission Worldwide
In an era rife with skepticism and confusion about matters spiritual, Swami Swaroopananda is a rare voice that blends authenticity with accessibility; theory with self-practice; logic with heart.
Formerly the Regional Head of Chinmaya Mission Australia, United Kingdom, Middle East, Africa, and the Far East, and presently Chancellor of the Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth Trust (University for Sanskrit and Indic Traditions) and Chairman of the Chinmaya International Residential School in Coimbatore, South India, Swami Swaroopananda has now been bestowed by Swami Tejomayananda the privilege to also serve as the Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide.
Swami Dheerananda
Resident Swami of CMWRC
Swami Dheerananda is an ardent devotee and disciple of Swami Chinmayananda. He was placed as Vedanta Teacher in Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional Center (CMWRC) by Swami Chinmayananda in the year 1989. Swami Dheerananda is the last disciple directly initiated into Sannyasa by Swami Chinmayananda, receiving Sannyasa Diksha on May 23, 1993. Today, he oversees and guides the activities of CMWRC.