Guruji Swami Tejomayananda
Introduction
Swami Tejomayananda, often referred to as Guruji, assumed the role of the former Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide in 1993 following Swami Chinmayananda’s Mahasamadhi. While Swami Chinmayananda contributed to the cause of Vedanta through his service, knowledge, and innovative qualities, Swami Tejomayananda, characterized by his inherent devotion, complemented and enriched this legacy. This devotion radiates prominently in his discourses, melodious singing, and overall demeanor.
Yet, the tender embrace of devotion emerged from the crucible of an intense education in physics, culminating in a Master’s degree. Originally named Sudhakar Kaitwade, he was born into a Maharashtrian family in Madhya Pradesh. This physicist’s trajectory was dramatically altered through a profound encounter, subsequently reshaping the trajectory, orientation, and course of his life.
Journey to Monkhood
Just one month before he was set to receive his postgraduate degree in Physics and embark on a teaching career, life took a slight turn. Instead of traditional teaching, a different path emerged. About 30 days prior to his graduation, he noticed a banner announcing Swami Chinmayananda’s talks on chapter three of the Bhagavad-gita. This chapter emphasizes the duty to perform one’s responsibilities, a theme that later became central to Swami Tejomayananda’s teachings. The teacher in him felt drawn to these talks and was inspired to listen further. After attending a few more talks, Sudhakar (his original name) felt a calling and sought his mother’s permission to join the Chinmaya Mission’s residential Vedanta course at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya in Mumbai.
His path was set, and under the benevolent gaze of Swami Chinmayananda, he completed the course. In 1975, with the Guru’s blessing and guidance, he formally adopted the monastic order, receiving the name Brahmachari Vivek Chaitanya. Teaching now became his official calling, endorsed by the Guru himself. He embarked on his journey, serving at various Chinmaya Mission Centres in cities like Bhopal, Kanpur, and Sidhbari. His next significant step was conducting the first residential Vedanta course in Hindi at ‘Sandeepany Himalayas’ in Sidhbari. Eight years later, on October 21, 1983, Swami Chinmayananda initiated him into sannyasa, giving him the name Swami Tejomayananda. This new phase of his life exuded a radiant calmness, a warm and amiable nature, and a perpetual smile that touched the hearts of all who encountered him. These qualities made him an approachable and beloved teacher, a necessity for effective knowledge transmission. His teaching proficiency led to his appointment as Acharya of the Sandeepany Sadhanalaya ashram in Mumbai, where he taught consecutive residential Vedanta courses in English. His linguistic prowess, combined with his adeptness with idioms, phrases, and his renowned sense of humor, kept his students engaged and enthralled during his talks and lectures. Swami Tejomayananda’s magnetism drew students to him naturally. His skill in expression and communication led to his next assignment at Chinmaya Mission’s U.S. Centre in San Jose, California. This event, although seemingly unrelated, fit into the larger narrative. Swami Chinmayananda’s Mahasamadhi occurred in 1993, in San Diego, California. Unbeknownst to many, the torch had been passed. Shortly afterward, Swami Tejomayananda was appointed as the Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide.
Work and Legacy
Twenty years have passed, and the transition has been remarkably smooth. It’s as if Swami Chinmayananda’s vision, mission, and fervor have seamlessly passed on, and every aspiration is realized with the same level of organizational enthusiasm. The number of Chinmaya Mission centers has significantly increased, nearly doubling in fact. New initiatives have been conceived, enabled, and executed with remarkable ease. Noteworthy among these are:
- The establishment of the Chinmaya International Residential School in Coimbatore,
- The creation of the Chinmaya Centre of World Understanding in New Delhi,
- The foundation of the Chinmaya International Foundation near Cochin,
- The establishment of the Chinmaya Heritage Centre in Chennai,
- The expansion of the Chinmaya Mission Hospital in Bengaluru,
- The establishment of the Chinmaya Vibhooti Vision Centre near Pune,
- The creation of the Upanishad Ganga tele-serial,
- The planning for Swami Chinmayananda’s Birth Centenary Celebrations in 2015-2016.
None of these endeavors are short in scope or vision; each extends the reach of Chinmaya’s mission, yet with a firm commitment to broadening and advancing the principles of Vedanta. In addition to these, Swami Tejomayananda has introduced new courses to further the study and dissemination of Vedanta through postal and online lessons covering topics like:
- Sanskrit,
- The Bhagavad-gita,
- Vedic Maths.
In overseeing the Mission’s global activities and projects, Swami Tejomayananda’s worldwide tours are extensive and ongoing. During his travels, he conducts Jnana Yajnas (3-7 day Vedanta lecture series) in various cities and countries each week.
His ability to win the affection, devotion, and commitment of the ever-expanding Mission community is largely attributed to his unwavering love and reverence for his Guru, for Vedanta, and for the Mission itself. This, combined with his warm demeanor, exceptional ability to maintain relationships, intellectual clarity, delightful wit, and open availability, have endeared him to people of all ages. His capacity to engage both young and old in the realm of Vedanta is a testament to his heart full of devotion and his remarkable skill in connecting with people across generations, cultures, and situations.
Furthermore, his forward-thinking approach in embracing and promoting technology for the betterment of the Mission’s growth and advancement has garnered him a multi-generational following and endeared him to millions around the world.