Our Acharya

"I am waiting for the trained Brahmacharis to come up to give this message. Give them also 30-35 years, so that when I am gone, there will be not one but many more Chinmayanandas coming up, so that work will not stop but continue."

-Swami Chinmayananda

Our Guru Parampara

guru

Adi Shankaracharya established the Dashanami Sannyasa Order, a monastic order with ten lineage names. Of these, Chinmaya

Mission belongs to the lineage and traditions of the ‘Sringeri Matha’ in Karnataka, India. The first acharya of this noble institution was none other than Shri Sureshvaracharya.

In the Sringeri Matha tradition, the Lord is worshipped as Deva in the form of Lord Adi Varaha, and as Devi in the forms of Puri Devi, Bharati Devi, and Kamakshi Devi. The main pilgrimage centre, or dhama, is Rameshvaram and the worshipped holy river, or tirtha, is Tungabhadra.

In this Bhurivara lineage, or sampradaya, the primary Veda is Yajur Veda, which reveals the Mahavakya: “Aham Brahmasmi”. Sannyasis initiated into this lineage are bestowed with the title, or padavi, of “Saraswati” after their name (e.g., Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati).

Chief Acharyas

Swami Tejomayananda


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 demeanour. But the gentleness of devotion arrived riding on the back of an 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. Read More..

Swami Swaroopananda


In an era rife with scepticism 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 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. Read More..


Our Acharya

Swami Prakarshananda, an alumini of Sandeepandy Sadhanalaya, Powai, Mumbai, comes to Delhi with an illustrious record of service to the Chinmaya Mission. A Masters in Veterinary Science, he worked seven years, as an Assistant Professor at the Bombay Veterinary Collage. During this period he mastered the principles of Yoga by undergoing an Advanced course from the Mumbai University.

Exposure to the Bhagawad Geeta during his Yoga training, was a life transforming moment. Subsequently, Swamiji joined the Chinmaya Mission’s Vedanta Course to undergo an intensive two-year monastic training through the study of the Scriptures.

His strong commitment to devote his life to propagate Vedanta, resulted in his initiation as Brahmachari Prahlad Chaitanya. From 2004 to 2016, he served as Acharya in Madgaon, Goa and endeared himself to the members there. In 2014, on Shivaratri, he received Sanyasa Deeksha with a new name - Swami Prakarshananda.

Swami Prakarshananda’s tenure in Madgaon (2004 – 2016) witnessed growth in all grassroot activities of the Mission. In addition Swamiji:

  • Conducted Vedanta sessions for priests at the Christian Rachol Seminary, Rachol.
  • Pioneered and lead a Bhagawad Geeta Course from 2007-2016, at the prestigious BITS Pilani, Goa Campus.
  • Led a pilgrimage to Kailash Manasarovar, and authored a much acclaimed Travelogue on the Yatra (in Hindi).

In May 2016 Swami Prakarshananda took charge as Acharya of the Delhi Centre. In true missionary zeal, he crisscrossed NCR, met devotees and took the power of satsang to their home turf. Many of these have turned to regular classes.

Swamiji’s meditation modules in English and Hindi, applicable to all age groups broke fresh ground and are well received, as the sessions aim to enhance will power and increase confidence levels.

His talks on various texts like Tattvabodha, Sadhana Panchkam, Bhaja Govindam, Bhagawad Gita are available in ACD and DVD formats. The author of books in English and Marathi - Magic of Love, Secret of Success, My Promise, Yogakshema Vahamyaham, Bhakt-Bhakti-Bhagawan, Swamiji’s melodious voice is also available on Gurusmaranam and Puja Vidhi CD’s.

Some Highpoints of the Year:

  1. Duty Is Worship – Workshop for Officials in Dasna Jail.
  2. Serve And Deserve – Keynote address at Rotary Conference of NE Circle India.
  3. Journey To Inner-Self – 10 week Bhagawad Gita based program for doctors of Max Hospital.
  4. Relevance of Bhagawad Gita in Day to Day Life – Seminar for Senior Managerial Staff of Aditya Birla Group.
  5. Participation in Several Interfaith Religious Meets – Strong message of love and peace to improve harmony within and without.
  6. Message of Scriptures to Improve Faith and Efficiency – Seminar at Modi University Premier Girls School, Laxmangarh, near Jaipur.

Swami Prakarshananda conducts regular Vedanta classes and discourses with equal ease on the Upanishads, Bhagawad Geeta, Bhagawatam, Sri Ramcharitmanas, Das Bodh and other Scriptural texts.

A dynamic, spiritual guide with command over Hindi, English, Marathi and Sanskrit, Swami Prakarshananda has a simple style and a practical approach to life. His explanations adorned with examples from day-to-day living, make even difficult subjects interesting, appealing and easy for all ages to understand. His easy manner and open demeanor has endeared him to spiritual seekers in the capital.

Visiting Acharyas