Guru Parampara
The Teaching Tradition
सदाशिवसमारम्भां शङ्कराचार्यमध्यमाम् ।
अस्मदाचार्यपर्यन्तां वन्दे गुरुपरंपराम् ॥
sadāśivasamārambhāṁ śaṅkarācāryamadhyamām |
asmadācāryaparyantāṁ vande guruparaṃparām ||
नारायणं पद्मभुवं वशिष्ठं शक्तिं च तत्पुत्रपराशरं च
व्यासं शुकं गौडपदं महान्तं गोविन्दयोगीन्द्रमथास्य शिष्यम् ।
श्रीशंकराचार्यमथास्य पद्मपादं च हस्तामलकं च शिष्यं
तं तोटकं वार्त्तिककारमन्यान् अस्मद् गुरून् सन्ततमानतोऽस्मि ॥
nārāyanaṁ padmabhuvaṁ vasiṣthaṁ śaktiṁ ca tatputra-parāśaraṁ ca
vyāsaṁ śukaṁ gauḍapadaṁ mahāntaṁ govinda-yogīndram athāsya śiṣyam |
śri-śaṅkarācāryam athāsya padmapādaṁ ca hastāmalakaṁ ca śiṣyaṁ
taṁ totakaṁ vārtikakāram-anyān asmad-gurūn santatam-ānato’smi ||
The Advaitic tradition has a glorious lineage of Gurus (spiritual teachers) who have ensured that this nectarine self-liberating knowledge is available for all sincere seekers at all times which is being carried forward by the Swamins and Brahmacarins of Chinmaya Mission.
Sri Adi Shankara
"An exquisite thinker, a brilliant intellect, a personality scintillating with the vision of Truth, a heart throbbing with industrious faith and ardent desire to save the nation, sweetly emotional and relentlessly logical, in Sankara the Upanishads discovered the fittest Spiritual General." Swami Chinmayananda
Swami Tapovan Maharaj
Swami Tapovanam was a consummate Vedantin, a strict teacher, poet and a sage of great wisdom and tranquility. He was a pristine glacier of Self-knowledge, a saint of the highest order. That Truth, which Swami Tapovanam realised and indicated in all his teachings is beyond words, as much as he himself was. Swami Chinmayananda said of his Guru, “He was a God without temple, a Veda without language”.
Swami Chinmayananda
A Saint. A Teacher. A Visionary. Swami Chinmayananda was one of the greatest exponents of Vedanta (the foundation of Hindu thought and culture) whose life was one of extraordinary spiritual strength, immeasurable love and tireless service. In less than half a century, He has left behind a worldwide organisation, hundreds of institutions, and millions of devotees, all aimed at a single theme...discovering the Eternal within.
The Torch Bearers of Tradition
To carry out the Mission's work across the world, a number of acharyas serve selflessly in many different ways, guiding and training seekers and volunteers and connecting them to the teachings with devotion, dedication, and discipline. Most acharyas would have undergone intensive scriptural study and training through the residential Vedanta course offered at the Sandeepany Gurukuls of Chinmaya Mission.
Some may be attired in white signifying purity of thought, word and deed while studying and having chosen to remain that way in service too. Brahmacharins wear yellow which signifies knowledge and self-control. Orange robes, representing renunciation and total transformation, are for the swamins who have been initiated into the holy order of sannyasa. The contribution of Swamins and Brahmacharins of Chinmaya Mission is evident in and through all the work that is taking place around the world.
Swami Tejomayananda
Since 1993, in his role as Head of CM Worldwide, Swami Tejomayananda has worked tirelessly to fulfil the vision of his Master, initiating major projects to advance Swami Chinmayananda’s vision, teachings and glory. Guruji, as he is affectionately known, 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. In January 2017, Swamiji handed over the responsibility to lead Chinmaya Mission Worldwide to Swami Swaroopananda.
Swami Swaroopananda
Formerly the Regional Head of Chinmaya Mission Australia, United Kingdom, Middle East, Africa and Far East, and presently Chairman of Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth Trust (University for Sanskrit and Indic Traditions) and Director of Chinmaya International Residential School in India, Swamiji was bestowed the privilege to serve as the Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide by Swami Tejomayananda in 2017.
Swami Pranavananda
Concerned with the fall of tradition from the beauty of Vedanta and with the vision to keep alive the Vedic tradition, to inspire love and respect for Dharma and the Hindu culture and make everyone see the God residing in all beings, Swamiji has been working incessantly over more than 40 years to communicate the invaluable import of our scriptures. Under Swami Pranavananda's guidance, Chinmaya Mission Mauritius has been a beacon guide for many to live a life enriched by the knowledge of Vedanta, selfless action and sincere devotion.