Swāmī Brahmānanda Saraswatī (21 December 1871 - 20 May 1953) was the Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math, a revered Hindu spiritual title in India, from 1941 to 1953.

Rājarām Miśra was born into a Brahmin family in the village of Gana, near Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, India. He was called Rajaram in his younger days and was also known as Maha Yogiraj.

At the age of nine Rajaram left his home unannounced to follow a spiritual path of renunciation but was soon returned to his parents by a policeman. On returning home, he asked his parents for permission to leave home and begin the life of a recluse. His parents wanted him to marry and live the life of a householder and asked their family guru to convince Rajaram to forget his dream of a reclusive life. The family guru, however, was so impressed with Rajaram's advanced state of wisdom and spiritual evolution that he gave up any attempt to change the boy's mind. The parents then also acquiesced and gave their permission for Rajaram to leave. Two days later Rajaram formally renounced his family life and left his boyhood home in search of solitude in the Himalayas. The story of Rajaram's youthful renunciation echoes a similar tale about Shankara who is said to have abandoned his mother to lead a renunciate life at the age of eight.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (Sanskrit महर्षि महेश योगी maharṣi maheśa^{[disambiguation needed ]}yogī), born Mahesh Prasad Varma (12 January 1917 – 5 February 2008), developed the Transcendental Meditation technique and was the leader and guru of the Transcendental Meditation movement, which has been characterised as a new religious movement and also as non-religious. The honorifics Maharishi (meaning "enlightened spiritual one") and Yogi were added to his given name, Mahesh.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi became a disciple and assistant of Swami Brahmananda Saraswati, the Shankaracharya (spiritual leader) of Jyotirmath in the Indian Himalayas. The Maharishi credits Brahmananda Saraswati with inspiring his teachings. By 1955, the Maharishi had introduced the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique and other related programmes and initiatives to the world. His first global tour began in 1958.

He began to be known as Maharishi Mahesh Yogi around the year 1955. His devotees referred to him as His Holiness, and because he often laughed in TV interviews he publicly became known as the "giggling guru".

Swami Brahmananda (Bengali: Shami Bromhanondo) (January 21, 1863 – April 10, 1922) was born in Sikra Kulingram near Basirhat, Kolkata. His pre-monastic name was Rakhal Chandra Ghosh (Bengali: Rakhal Chôndro Ghosh). Shri Ramakrishna recognised him as his 'spiritual son'. He became the first president of the Ramakrishna Mission. Known as "Raja Maharaj", he was largely responsible for the initial development of the Ramakrishna Mission, which was remiss due to the death of Swami Vivekananda.

Rakhal Chandra Ghosh(Swami Brahmananda) was born on 21st January 1863 at Sikra, a village near Calcutta. His father Ananda Mohan Gosh was a zamindar. His mother Kailas Kamini was a pious lady and a devotee of Shri Krishna who gave her son the name Rakhal (meaning the boy-companion of Shri Krishna). Unfortunately the mother died when Rakhal was only five years old. Soon after, his father married a second wife who brought up Rakhal. Rakhal’s education began in the village school which was started by Ananda Mohan chiefly for the sake of his son. As a student Rakhal was remarkable for his intelligence. But even as a boy he had varied interests in life. Physically he was much stronger than the average boy of his age. Nearby was a temple dedicated to the Goddess Kali. Often enough Rakhal would be found seated still and calm witnessing the ceremony, or at the hour of darkness, when the service was being performed Rakhal would be seen standing before the Deity in great devotion.