Swami Chinmayananda (8 May 1916 – 4 August 1993), born Balakrishna Menon (Balan), was a Hindu Indian spiritual leader, and teacher, who inspired the formation of Chinmaya Mission in 1953 to spread the message of Vedanta. The organization that was founded by his disciples and led by him: the Chinmaya Mission has over 300 centers in India and the world over.

He was a disciple of Swami Sivananda at Rishikesh, who founded the Divine Life Society, and was then advised by Swami Sivananda to study under Swami Tapovan Maharaj in Uttarkashi in the Himalayas.

Balakrishna Menon (Balan) was born in Ernakulam, Kerala in a devout Hindu noble family called "Poothampalli" of Parukutti Amma and Vadakke Kurupath Kuttan Menon. Upon his birth, his father called for an astrologer, who stated that Balan's birth was an auspicious one, and that he was destined for greatness. He studied Science at Maharaja's College at Ernakulam and Liberal Arts at St. Thomas College, Thrissur. He graduated from Madras University in 1939 and went on to do graduate study in English literature from Lucknow University.