Swami Tapovan Maharaj

Swami Tapovan Maharaj of Uttarkashi was the "Source" wherefrom Swami Chinmayananda, founder of the Chinmaya Mission. Swami Tapovan was himself the ideal who had personally understood (through deep study, dispassion and contemplation) the relationship between the biological processes of the body and the human psyche. In a spirit of deep renunciation, the infinitely gentle poet in him, saw Humanity and Nature as one vast "plant", needing only "Love" for its highest fulfillment.

Intimate communion with Nature (while he walked peaks and valleys of the Himalayas for countless years), gave Swami Tapovan the boundless spiritual reverence. He revealed Nature's secrets in his "travelogue" in two Sanskrit masterpieces, "Himagiri Viharam" and "Kailasa Yatra". The masterpiece, without a doubt, is "Ishwara Darshan", which is his autobiographical "sketch" - it is an absorbing account of a search for the Truth. Its scientific clarity is subtle, because the treatise gives insight into how the saints of the East attain self-mastery.

Swami Chinmayananda

Inspired by Swami Tapovan Maharaj of Uttarkashi, our Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji decided to dedicate his life spreading the ‘life giving’ message of the Bhagavad-Gita and the Upanishads to house holders everywhere.

For forty-two years, Gurudev traveled throughout the world, tirelessly “converting Hindus to Hinduism”. In the words of one great master, Gurudev put “Vedanta on horseback”. During this time, he slowly built a team of teachers who in turn are holding up the torch of Vedanta in India and abroad.

On August 3, 1993, He became one with the Infinite Truth.

Swami Swaroopananda

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 Far East, and presently Chairman of the Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth Trust (University for Sanskrit and Indic Traditions) and Director 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.

Swamiji has authored several commentaries on such important spiritual classics as "Ik Onkar", "Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra" and "Sankat Mochan", besides numerous books on contemporary lifestyle subjects such as Simplicity and Meditation, Storm to Perform, Avatar, Managing the Manager and Journey into Health.

Swami Tejomayananda

His Holiness Swami Tejomayanandaji became the worldwide head of Chinmaya Mission following Gurudev's Mahasamadhi on August 3, 1993. Swamiji has carried forward the work of Pujya Gurudev with the same tireless commitment and dedication. He was head of Chinmaya Mission from 1994–2017, until he was succeeded by Swami Swaroopananda in 2017.

He speaks effectively in Hindi, Marathi and English. His style is humorous, yet zeroing in unerringly on the mystic message of Vedanta. Swamiji sings melodiously and listening to the Bhagavatam or Ramayana from Swamiji is always an emotional and spiritual treat to the seeker.

His book "An Introduction to Hindu Culture" has been used by American Schools as a reference book on Hinduism. His "Vision of the Bhagavad-Gita" brilliantly summarizes the esoteric philosophy of the Geeta in a way that any layman can understand.

Swami Siddhananda - Resident Acharya at Chinmaya Madhuvan, Chinmaya Sudarshan, Chinmaya Ramalaya and Harrisburg

Swami Siddhananda joined Chinmaya Mission in 1972 at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai and studied Vedanta under Swami Chinmayananda. He served at Chinmaya Mission Chennai for several years and at the Chinmaya International Foundation Cochin for a few years. He made significant contributions to the monthly magazines Tapovan Prasad and Balvihar. He was in charge of Madras Chinmaya Seva Trust in Chennai and worked for many Mission projects such as Publications, Temples, Schools, Pitha Maha Sadan, etc. He has inspired generations of youngsters through his love and dynamic active association with the Chinmaya Yuva Kendra and worked with them in many spiritual and social projects in Chennai.

Swamiji is the resident Acharya at Chinmaya Kedar at Langhorne from 1994 and is the in-charge of Chinmaya Publications West. He is also the acharya of the other Mission centers in Pennsylvania, such as Chinmaya Madhuvan, Chinmaya Sudarshan, Chinmaya Ramalaya, and Harrisburg.