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Our Founder
Swami Chinmayananda

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The Supreme

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The Skeptic

- Life of Balakrishna Menon

1916

8th May: Birth of Balakrishnan Menon (known as Balan), in the city of Ernakulam (in the present day Kochi). The Brahman astrologer called for Balan’s horoscope foretold that he would become a great man, with likely worldwide repute

1940

Balan commenced a postgraduate degree in literature and law at Lucknow University, Uttar Pradesh. Balan excelled in Literature and partook in extracurricular activities on the tennis team, literary committee, and the debating team. He was known for being a "riotous companion" and yet was always large-hearted and inclusive.

1942

Balan was involved in activism against British rule in India whilst still at university - distributing leaflets to stir national pride. A warrant was eventually issued for his arrest, so Balan went undercover. In the midst of this, he still managed to complete his literature degree at Lucknow University.

1944

Balan later migrated to Punjab where, thinking that the authorities had forgotten about him, he joined freedom groups there. However, Balan was arrested. In prison, due to unhygienic conditions, Balan nearly died of Typhus and was thrown out onto the streets. A passing Indian Christian woman who saw in Balan’s facial features, similarities to her son at war, rescued and lovingly nursed him back to health.

1945

Balan became sub-editor for “The National Herald”. Prior to this, Menon had submitted and had published many articles in the National Herald using the pseudonym Mochi (street cobbler) to present the poor man’s point of view in India.

The Seeker

- Studying Under the Masters

1947

Menon set out for Rishikesh to do research for his article to “expose” the Swamis - He approached Swami Sivananda, who had established the Divine Life Society. Balan intended to ask questions such as, “How could the Swamis justify their retired life along the holy rivers and in the sacred mountains when Bharat was suffering under centuries of foreign domination?”

1948

Observing the dynamic, compassionate, spiritual life of Swami Sivananda, Balan’s respect and curiosity continued to grow and he continued to extend his stay at Ananda Kutir. Balan began to do some scriptural reading himself during his long visits. By 1948, Menon had taken up permanent residence at Ananda Kutir, with Swami Sivananda.

1948

1949

March: Swami Chinmayananda had a burning desire to further understand the import of the scriptures and was directed by Swami Sivananda to approach Swami Tapovan Maharaj - a master of the scriptures and renowned for his austerity. Swami Chinmayananda began studying under Swami Tapovan Maharaj.

1949

The Supreme

- Descending from the Himalayas

1951

Swami Chinmayananda embarked on an "all-India-pilgrimage" to see the needs of the nation’s people. His resolve to bring Hinduism back to Hindus had been strengthened by the pilgrimage. With the originally reluctant blessings of Swami Tapovan Maharaj, and the ardent blessings of Swami Sivananda, Swami Chinmayananda had his first talk series in Poona in November 1951.

1953

In Madras in 1953, a handful of individuals expressed the desire to create a forum for the study and discussion of Vedanta. This led to the establishment of Chinmaya Mission and the creation of formal Satsang classes across India. Along with the study groups, bajan sessions, meditation sessions, and cultural activity groups were also initiated.

1965

In 1965, Gurudev embarked on his first international tour visiting 18 countries in 4 months.

1981

After fledging classes were offered in Sydney in 1978, headquaters for the Australian branch of Chinmaya Mission was establsihed in Melbourne in 1981.