Spiritual head and chairman of the Himalayan Institute, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PHD, is the successor of Swami Rama of the Himalayas. Lecturing and teaching worldwide for nearly 40 years, he is the author of 18 books, including his latest, Sri Sukta: The Tantra of Inner Prosperity, as well as groundbreaking commentaries on the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali—The Secret of the Yoga Sutra: Samadhi Pada and The Practice of the Yoga Sutra: Sadhana Pada. He is a regular contributor to the Himalayan Institute’s online Wisdom Library, the driving force of the Institute’s global humanitarian projects, and the visionary behind the Institute’s consecrated Sri Vidya Shrine in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Pandit Tigunait holds two doctorates: one in Sanskrit from the University of Allahabad in India, and another in Oriental studies from the University of Pennsylvania. Family tradition gave Pandit Tigunait access to a vast range of spiritual wisdom preserved in both the written and oral traditions. Before meeting his master, Pandit Tigunait studied Sanskrit, the language of the ancient scriptures of India, as well as the languages of the Buddhist, Jaina, and Zoroastrian traditions. In 1976, Swami Rama ordained Pandit Tigunait into the 5,000-year-old lineage of the Himalayan Masters.

Kamla Dubey, PhD, holds a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Allahabad, India. She is an award-winning teacher with more than 20 years’ experience in teaching Sanskrit at the university level. Her published research includes commentaries on Sanskrit poetry and literature, as well as philosophy. In addition to her academic accomplishments, Dr. Dubey has presented Sanskrit on All India Radio and in various cultural programs, Sanskrit camps, workshops, and national and international conferences. Dr. Dubey is active in all aspects of academic and spiritual life in India where she makes her home.