Our Acharyas
A Himalayan hermit who with his penance, imbued Swami Chinmayanadaji with faith in the scriptures and fire for the truth.
Sri Swami Tapovanji Maharaj was a pristine glacier of Self-Knowledge through whom flowed the Ganga of Vedantic wisdom. He was a saint of the higher order, a consummate vedantin, a strict teacher, a compassionate mentor, and a poet whose every thought throbbed with ecstatic awareness and a sage of unsurpassed wisdom and tranquillity.
Filled with divine light, the compassionate sage, shared words of wisdom with all the devotees who came to him in search of spiritual knowledge, but rarely did he accept resident disciple. When Swami Tapovanji did accept a resident disciple, the latter was trained under the strict conditions. There were few who could undergo and survive such hardships, but those seekers who did, were blessed by the Master with Supreme Enlightenment.
As a jivanmukta or Self-realized master, Swami Tapovanji Maharaj was a lover of Nature and saw the Supreme Lord in all expressions, within and without. The Truth which Swami Tapovanji realized and indicated in all his teachings is beyond words, as much as he himself was.
Swami Chinmayanandaji said of his Guru, “He was a God without temple, a Veda without language.”
SWAMI TAPOVANJI MAHARAJ
“A God without temple, a Veda without language.”
Swami Chinmayanandjii was one of the 20th Century’s world –renowned and revered exponents of Vedanta, the foundation of Hindu religion and culture. He is a distinguished authority of the scriptures of India, especially Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads.
He was born in 1916 and attained Mahasamadhi in 1993.
Swami Chinmayanandaji authored multitude of books, including commentaries on all major Upanishads and Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. Swami Chinmayanandaji is credited with bringing about a worldwide Vedantic renaissance in the late 20th century through his introduction of Adi Shankara’s works and teachings to the masses. Whether in his writings or his orations Swami Chinmayanadaji was famed for his depth, clarity, eloquence, wit and humour. Serving humanity endlessly and tirelessly until his last day, he daily expounded in colloquial terms the philosophical truths from Advaita Vedanta in every nook and corner he reached.
Swamiji attained Mahasamadhi on August 1993, in Sandeigo, California. Swami Chinmayanandaji’s life is indeed a great saga of immeasurable strength, boundless love, tireless service, and metaphysical reach.
SWAMI CHINMAYANANDAJI
Swami Tejomayanandaji is a living portrait of simplicity with depth (in Vedanta), 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 Tejomayanandaji who learnt Vedanta under his Master, was later initiated as Sanyas by him, served as Acharya at Mission Centres in Bhopal, Kanpur, Sidhabari and in Sanjose California USA.
As the Head of Chinmaya Mission – Worldwide, Swami Tejomayanadaji – now known in the Mission as Pujya Guruji – has continuously and dynamically pursued his guru’s grand spiritual and organizational vision. Progressive in thinking and precise in decision-making , he has inspired and executed many notable and innovative projects , including the Chinmaya International Residential School in Coimbatore, the Chinmaya Heritage Centre in Chennai , the expansion of Chinmaya Mission Hospital in Bangalore, the Chinmaya Vibhooti Centre near Pune and Chinmaya Kaivalya in Salem.
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 Ramacharitmanasa and Veda Vyasa’s Srimad Bhagavatam are world-renowned, highlighting his spiritual wisdom and masterful story-telling.
SWAMI TEJOMAYANANDAJI
Swami Tejomayanandaji is the present head of Chinmaya Mission - Worldwide.
Swamiji did his Vedanta Course for 2 ½ years under his Acharya Swami Advayanandaji at Chinmaya Gardens, Coimbatore and served there till 2002. In the year 2002 July 28, he was posted as Acharya Chinmaya Mission Salem Chapter.
Swamiji’s friendly and caring approach endeared him to many spiritual seekers. His tireless and dynamic efforts made Chinmaya Mission activities reach among greater masses. His constant motivation and enthusiasm to have an ideal place for doing Spiritual Sadhana resulted in the Consecration of “Chinmaya Kaivalya – Sri Brahma Krishna Temple “ , an aesthetically beautiful and an ideal spiritual centre in every way at Salem .
In the year 2008 Pujya Guruji Tejomayanandji gave Sanyas Diksha (order of renunciation) to Swamiji on the auspicious occasion of Mahasivarathri.
Swamiji regularly conducted Vedanta Classes, Bhagavad Gita Classes, Upanishads classes, Jnana Yajnas, Balavihar Classes, Workshops for Corporates, Workshops for College students etc. at the Hosur Centre from 2000.
In 2008, addition to Salem Centre Swamiji was appointed as Acharya for Hosur Centre also. He was also appointed as the President of Chinmaya Upasana in the same year. Swamiji’s relentless spirit and encouragement is the backbone of all Seva activities being carried out by the Sevaks in Hosur.
Swamiji’s talks are very powerful. He speaks with authority and strikes a chord with all the listeners. Swamiji conducts many Jnana Yajnas, Study Classes, Spiritual Camps, Management Classes & Workshops, and spiritual Yatras regularly.
SWAMI SHASHVATANANDA
Swami Shashvatananda is the present acharya of Chinmaya Mission Hosur.