| Swami Mukundananda | |
| Religion: | Hinduism |
| Birth Date: | 19 December 1960[1] (age 63) |
| Birth Place: | India |
| Nationality: | Indian |
| Guru: | Kripalu Maharaj |
| Philosophy: | Bhakti yoga |
| Founder: | JKYog, JKYog India, Radha Krishna Temple, Dallas |
| Education: | Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (B Tech) Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta (MBA) |
Swami Mukundananda is a spiritual leader, Vedic scholar, author,[2] and a teacher of Spirituality, Yoga and Meditation from India. He is a senior disciple of Jagadguru Kripaluji Maharaj and the founder of the yogic system called Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog, widely known as JKYog.[3] A proponent of the path of Bhakti, Swami Mukundananda is a sannyasi (monk), who has a technical and management background which complements his spiritual knowledge.
He lectures worldwide on various topics such as the Art of Mind Management, Good Health Through Yoga, Meditation, and Spirituality, Bhagavad Gita for Everyday Living, Patanjali Yoga Sutras, World Peace,[4] and more. In addition, he writes books and commentaries, conducts programs at corporate houses and educational institutions, and guides a worldwide congregation of devotees.[5]
Swami Mukundananda finished his B.Tech. from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi. He then completed his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kolkata. After that, he worked for some time with one of India’s topmost industrial houses. However, the call of God was so strong that after a short while on a successful corporate executive career path, he renounced his professional career to take sannyasa in quest for God-realization.[6]
During his travels, Swami Mukundananda associated closely with many elevated saints of India, read the writings of the great Acharyas of the past, and lived in many famous holy places. Ultimately, his search took him to the lotus feet of his Spiritual Master, Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. Under his guidance, he practiced intense sadhana while residing in the ashram. He also extensively studied the Vedic scriptures and the Indian and Western systems of philosophy.[7] Upon completion of his studies, his Guru entrusted him with the key task of propagating divine knowledge worldwide.[8] Ever since, Swami Mukundananda has been traveling far and wide over the years, inspiring people all over the world, on the path of spirituality, holistic health, yoga, meditation, service to society, and God-realization.[9]
JKYog (Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog) is a non-profit charitable organization founded by Swami Mukundananda. JKYog in USA is headquartered at the Radha Krishna Temple in Dallas, Texas. JKYog in India, also known as Jagadguru Kripalu Yog Trust, is headquartered at the Jagadguru Kripalu University Campus, in Banara, Odisha.
JKYog is involved in the comprehensive development of society by teaching knowledge of the Vedic scriptures, including the Upanishads, Puranas, Ramayan, Bhagavad Gita, and more.
Swami Mukundananda is the founder of the unique Yogic system, JKYog, “Jagadguru Kripalu Yog” also known as Yoga for the Body, Mind and Soul that incorporates physical, mental, intellectual, and spiritual well-being.[10]
Swami Mukundananda, in his discourses as well as books, presents deep esoteric concepts of the Vedic scriptures in an easy-to-understand and logical manner relevant to modern-day living.[11] Being a Bhakti Saint, his core philosophy is based on developing selfless devotion and service to God.[12] He propagates wisdom on purification of the mind to elevate the quality of our thoughts to lead a fulfilling life.
Swami Mukundananda has established multiple satsang centers in India and US. He has founded the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas, USA;[13] Radha Krishna Temple, Bay Area, USA; and Radha Krishna Mandir, Cuttack, Odisha, India. He has also instituted the JKYog Ashram, Banara, Odisha, India; Purushottam Vatika, Puri, Odisha, India; and Shree Radha Nikunj Bihari Ashram, Sambalpur, Odisha, India.
Swami Mukundananda conducts Life Transformation Programs (LTPs) in multiple cities in the US and India. These week-long programs include intellectual discourses and meditation sessions.[14] [15]
In addition, Swami Mukundananda conducts spiritual retreats[16] in the USA and India for the holistic upliftment of the body, mind, and soul. These retreats consist of yoga and meditation, knowledge sessions, chanting, festival celebrations, kids/youth classes, and question and answer sessions.
Jagadguru Kripalu University, founded by Swami Mukundananda, is a multidisciplinary university being established in the developing state of Odisha, India. The University aims to provide quality and accessible education delivering programs in Health Sciences, Information Technology, Engineering, Business Studies, and Humanities, along with emphasis on Spiritual Sciences, Yogic Sciences, and Naturopathy.[17]
Swami Mukundananda conducts Life Transformation Programs (LTPs)[18] and Spiritual Retreats (Sadhana Shivirs)[19] as a part of his India and USA tour.
Swami Mukundananda Ji, was one of the speakers in the Bhagavad Gita Summit (from 10–14 December 2021) during Gita Jayanti at Dallas, Texas, US along with other notable personalities such as Dr. Menas Kafatos, Mr. Shiv Khera, Kiran Bedi, Brahmacharini Gloria Arieira, Dantu Muralikrishna and others.[20] [21]
In 2020, Swami Mukundananda authored his second book on mind management, called The Science of Mind Management.[22] [23] [24] [25]
He charts the four different aspects of the human mind and lays down a clear path towards mastering it. Through witty anecdotes, real-life accounts and stories from the Vedic scriptures, he gently guides readers on the road to winning their inner battle.
The book was ranked second in the Hindustan Times Nielsen's bestseller list.[26]