Born on the 30th of June 1950 in Madhya Pradesh, Swami Tejomayananda (then Sudhakar Kaitwade) was spiritually inclined from a young age. Inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s writings and drawn to higher ideals beyond material pursuits, his spiritual calling deepned when he met Swami Chinmayananda at a Bhagvad Gita discourse. At the age of 20, a year away from getting his Master’s degree in Physics, he joined the residential Vedanta course at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai.

After his graduation in 1975, he served in various teaching roles. In 1983, he took renunciation and was named Swami Tejomayananda. For the following years, he taught at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya and was also posted to lead Chinmaya Mission activities in San Jose, USA. Following the Mahasamadhi of Swami Chinmayananda in 1993, Swami Tejomayananda returned to India and was chosen the Head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide. With characteristic humility, he remarked, “I am not in Swamiji’s shoes, I am at his feet.”

For the next 23 years, he led the Mission with unwavering dedication, expanding its global presence adding more centres, initiating landmark projects, and deepening the reach of his Guru’s teachings across cultures and generations. Swami Tejomayananda was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian awards, in 2016.

Praised by Swami Chinmayananda as an “exquisite teacher,” he is known for his simple yet profound teachings on Vedanta and his fluency in English, Hindi, Marathi, and Sanskrit. A gifted poet and composer, his devotional and spiritual wisdom flows effortlessly into his music.

Fondly called as Guruji, he 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.