Tejomayananda

H.H. Swami Tejomayananda Saraswati (Sanskrit: तेजोमयानंदः) (born 30 June 1950), also known as Guruji and born Sudhakar Kaitwade, is an Indian spiritual leader and head of Chinmaya Mission.

Initiation and Disciplehood

After attending couple of talks of Swami Chinmayananda on Bhagavad Gita, Sudhakar Kaitwade was inspired to join Chinmaya Mission's residential Vedanta course at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya in Mumbai. Upon completing the course in 1975, he was initiated as Brahmachari Vivek Chaitanya and also studied under Swami Dayananda Saraswati (Arsha Vidya) who was conducting the long-term resident course.

On 21 October 1983, Swami Chinmayananda initiated him into sannyasa, bestowing upon him the name, Swami Tejomayananda.

The Missionary

As the Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide, Swami Tejomayananda – now known in the Mission as Pujya Guruji – has continuously and dynamically pursued his guru's grand spiritual and organizational vision. Progressive in thinking and precise in decision-making, he has inspired and executed many notable, innovative projects, including the Chinmaya International Residential School in Coimbatore, the Chinmaya Centre of World Understanding in New Delhi, the Chinmaya International Foundation near Cochin, the Chinmaya Heritage Centre in Chennai, the expansion of the Chinmaya Mission Hospital in Bangalore and the Chinmaya Vibhooti Vision Centre near Pune which is at present and still in progress. In overseeing the Mission's global activities and projects, Swami Tejomayananda's tours around the world are extensive and continuous. Throughout his travels, he conducts jnana yajnas (3-7 day Vedanta lecture series) in different cities and various countries every week. His gentle manner, devotional heart, intellectual clarity, joyful wit, and open availability have earned him intergenerational appeal and endeared him to millions across the globe.

Roles

Swami Tejomayananda has served several roles in Chinmaya Mission, including

• Acharya of the Sandeepany Sadhanalaya ashram in Mumbai, India
• Acharya of Chinmaya Mission's center at San Jose, California, USA
• Head of Chinmaya Mission worldwide

Awards

• Swami Tejomayananda was awarded Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India in 2016.

• "This Year's Padma Awards announced" (Press release). Ministry of Home Affairs. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016. 

Works

Swami Tejomayananda has published more than 100 books on Vedanta.