Swami Tapovan Maharaj of Uttarkashi was the "Source" wherefrom Swami Chinmayananda (The Founder of the Chinmaya Movement) acquired the Knowledge of Vedanta (Science of Religion).

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.

The Chinmaya Movement

In December 1951 in Pune, India, the great saint, Swami Chinmayananda delivered his first public address on Vedanta. That was the start of the dynamic 'Chinmaya Movement', which aimed at spreading the man-making knowledge of Vedanta to all corners of India and the world. Chinmaya Mission was formed in 1953 by devotees of Swami Chinmayananda to give organizational structure and cohesiveness to the work and the activities being initiated by H.H. Swami Chinmayananda.

Over the years, Chinmaya Mission grew into a worldwide organization. Today, it is involved in:

Spreading the sublime knowledge of Vedanta - Vedanta is the core of Hindu philosophy. In fact, it is a universal science of life. A science which is relevant to all people everywhere, whatever their faith. An understanding of Vedanta would inspire people to understand their own faith (whichever it may be) better. Therefore, although Chinmaya Mission is a Hindu spiritual organization, it does not seek to change or convert anyone's beliefs. Chinmaya Mission's stated mission is: "to provide to individuals, from any background, the wisdom of Vedanta and the practical means for spiritual growth and happiness, enabling them to become positive contributors to society".

Re-invigorating Indian culture - Chinmaya Mission is also involved in re-invigorating Indian culture in general. The Mission has forums for different age groups and for professionals, with each forum engaged in understanding and promoting Indian culture and spirituality. The Mission also organizes and promotes Indian music, dance, drama, art and literature. It also runs many temples, carries out research into Indian scriptures, traditions, rituals and languages, and has a vibrant publications division so that spiritual and cultural books, periodicals, audio tapes, video tapes and photographs may reach as many people as possible.

Doing extensive social service - Chinmaya Mission is also actively involved in social services focussing especially on disadvantaged and underprivileged people. Hundreds of thousands of people benefit from the Mission's schools, colleges, hospitals, diagnostic centres, old age homes and rural village development projects. "To give maximum happiness to the maximum number for the maximum time is our religion." This is the Mission's motto.

Chinmaya Mission has 243 centres in India and around the world, which organize and coordinate the activities of the Mission in their area. After the mahasamadhi of Swami Chinmayananda in 1993, Swami Tejomayananda became the head of Chinmaya Mission. He is the chairman of Central Chinmaya Mission Trust (CCMT), which is the apex body running the Mission. The headquarters of CCMT is in Mumbai, India.

H.H. SWAMI TEJOMAYANANDA

Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide

Swami Tejomayananda is fulfilling the vision that Pujya Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda charted. As he puts it "I am not in Swamiji's shoes, I am at his feet." He was introduced to Vedanta early in his life. Coming under the benign influence of Pujya Gurudev, H.H.Swami Chinmayananda, he learnt, absorbed and started living the message of the scriptures that his master so vociferously advocated. An accomplished and internationally recognised scholar, Vedantic knowledge for decades through lectures, Swami Tejomayananda has been spreading seminars and spiritual retreats. He has been the Acharya at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya in India and the USA.

Fluent in Sanskirt, Swamiji is the author of original Sanskirt compositions as well. He has written commentaries on scriptural texts, translated Swami Chinmayananda's commentaries into Hindi, and authored a number of books. A key contribution is: Hindu Culture - An Introduction, a text acclaimed for its clear description of the basics of Hinduism and adopted as a text in some American high schools. Swamiji's discourses on the Holy Geeta, Ramayana and Srimad Bhagavatam draw a huge crowd of devotees. Swami Tejomayananda excels in expounding a wide spectrum of Hindu scriptures, from Ramayana to the Bhagvad Gita Srimad Bhagavatam and the Upanishads, the source book of Vedanta. He conducts Jnana yajnas -- lecture series on Vedanta. His discourses, satsang and bhajans reveal his knowledge has depth of wisdom.

As he moves around the world at a bewildering pace His easy manner and devotional rendering of Vedantic texts has drawn many newcomers into the spiritual fold. His melodious voice has devotion. Extremely humane and approachable, he has never closed the doors to anyone who has sought his or advice. His conviction is simple - to fortify, strengthen and actualise the vision of his master - that of restoring the moral and cultural dignity of our ancient heritage. He takes very keen interest in the Vedanta course at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya. He is actively participating in the selection of students, on design of course curriculum, imparting knowledge to the students on important texts, interacting with the students by periodical meetings with them and the Acharya.

Contact details

The Chief Executive, Central Chinmaya Mission Trust,
Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Saki Vihar Road, Mumbai - 400072 India.
Tel: 022-2857-8647, 2857-2367, 2857-5806 Fax: 022-2857-3065
E-mail: ccmt@vsnl.com
Website: www.chinmayamission.com

Chinmaya Mission Delhi
Chinmaya Centre of World Understanding
89, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110 003.
Tel : 91-11-2469-7848, 2464-3301, FAX : 91-11-2464-3290
E-mail : ccwu@chinmayamissiondelhi.org