Trending...
- Street Smart, Future Ready Audible Edition Soars to #1 New Release on Audible!
- MLM Unlimited Enterprise, LLC Announces DBE Certification
- Let's Talk Series: At the Crossroads: Immigration Today
CRANBURY, N.J. - JerseyDesk -- Chinmaya Mission West (CMW) proudly announces the historic appointment of Pandit Shyam Maharaj as a full-time active-duty Hindu Chaplain in the United States Army. Commissioned as an officer on May 13, 2025, Chaplain Maharaj becomes only the second Hindu chaplain to serve on active duty in U.S. military history, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of Hindu spiritual care within mainstream American institutions. This appointment underscores the growing recognition of Hindu chaplaincy across diverse sectors of American society, including military bases, healthcare facilities, government offices, and community organizations nationwide.
Breaking Barriers in Interfaith Military Service
Chaplain Maharaj holds a Master of Divinity from Emory University's Candler School of Theology in Atlanta and brings a unique multicultural perspective to his role. Born in California to a family with Fijian roots, he was trained by his gurus as a pandit at an early age in Sanskrit, pujas, and music, and he has been providing spiritual care in Hindu temples as well as professionally as a hospital and hospice chaplain. Maharaj's diverse background equips him to provide spiritual care to military personnel across all faith traditions. "Hinduism offers profound wisdom on dharma, spiritual discipline, and service to others," says Chaplain Maharaj. "The teachings of Hindu tradition can provide invaluable guidance for individuals navigating the complex moral and spiritual challenges inherent in military service."
More on Jersey Desk
Hindu Wisdom for Modern Challenges
The Bhagavad Gita, cornerstone of Hindu religion and taught in a battlefield, offers particularly relevant guidance for military personnel, emphasizing righteous action, duty, and maintaining inner equilibrium. Swami Swaroopananda Ji, Global Head of Chinmaya Mission, has blessed Chaplain Maharaj's appointment and advised him: "Keep true to your daily spiritual practices and deep study of the Gita. This will foster resilience, moral clarity, and compassionate leadership in you, and will enable you to provide most meaningful support to the soldiers."
Expanding Hindu Chaplaincy Across American Institutions
Since 1997, Chinmaya Mission West has served as the sole Department of Defenserecognized endorser of Hindu chaplains, pioneering the integration of Hindu spiritual care in American military institutions. "CMW is preparing additional Hindu chaplains for service in the U.S. military," explains Vilasini Balakrishnan, CMW's ecclesiastical endorser. "Awareness of this field of service is steadily growing among Hindu chaplains, and we expect to see several more with this calling to follow in Maharaj's footsteps in the near future."
More on Jersey Desk
About Chinmaya Mission West
Chinmaya Mission West serves as the official endorser of Hindu chaplains for the U.S. military, maintaining Department of Defense recognition since 1997. Through its partnership with the Chinmaya International Foundation in Kerala, CMW offers comprehensive Certificate in Hindu Spiritual Care programs, which train chaplains to serve in military, healthcare, educational, and community settings across America and internationally.
https://chinmayamissionwest.com/
Breaking Barriers in Interfaith Military Service
Chaplain Maharaj holds a Master of Divinity from Emory University's Candler School of Theology in Atlanta and brings a unique multicultural perspective to his role. Born in California to a family with Fijian roots, he was trained by his gurus as a pandit at an early age in Sanskrit, pujas, and music, and he has been providing spiritual care in Hindu temples as well as professionally as a hospital and hospice chaplain. Maharaj's diverse background equips him to provide spiritual care to military personnel across all faith traditions. "Hinduism offers profound wisdom on dharma, spiritual discipline, and service to others," says Chaplain Maharaj. "The teachings of Hindu tradition can provide invaluable guidance for individuals navigating the complex moral and spiritual challenges inherent in military service."
More on Jersey Desk
- Edtech Startup Young Commanders Launches 'Visionaries Without Sight' Collection Celebrating Blind and Visually Impaired Historical Figures
- Goldstar Rehabilitation Celebrates 15 Years of Early Intervention Across Southeastern PA
- United States Congressional Candidate Peter Coe Verbica Unveils 25-Point Federal Plan to Help Make California Affordable Again
- D8Averse Launches D8Acapture: Disruptive Mobile-First App Transforms Utility Pole Data Collection
- Experience Trembling Firsthand with the New AgeManĀ® Tremor Simulator
Hindu Wisdom for Modern Challenges
The Bhagavad Gita, cornerstone of Hindu religion and taught in a battlefield, offers particularly relevant guidance for military personnel, emphasizing righteous action, duty, and maintaining inner equilibrium. Swami Swaroopananda Ji, Global Head of Chinmaya Mission, has blessed Chaplain Maharaj's appointment and advised him: "Keep true to your daily spiritual practices and deep study of the Gita. This will foster resilience, moral clarity, and compassionate leadership in you, and will enable you to provide most meaningful support to the soldiers."
Expanding Hindu Chaplaincy Across American Institutions
Since 1997, Chinmaya Mission West has served as the sole Department of Defenserecognized endorser of Hindu chaplains, pioneering the integration of Hindu spiritual care in American military institutions. "CMW is preparing additional Hindu chaplains for service in the U.S. military," explains Vilasini Balakrishnan, CMW's ecclesiastical endorser. "Awareness of this field of service is steadily growing among Hindu chaplains, and we expect to see several more with this calling to follow in Maharaj's footsteps in the near future."
More on Jersey Desk
- Mauro Schnaidman named as Managing Director in Miami, Florida
- Corner Property Management Appointed Managing Agent for Minneakoning Business Center in Flemington
- AT Information Products Expands U.S. Access to the Markoprint X1Jet Family of High-Performance Inkjet Printers
- Continued Streak of Recognitions with Multiple Chambers and Partners Rankings
- Anern Shines at SOLAR AFRICA Kenya with Solar Lithium Battery Storage Technology
About Chinmaya Mission West
Chinmaya Mission West serves as the official endorser of Hindu chaplains for the U.S. military, maintaining Department of Defense recognition since 1997. Through its partnership with the Chinmaya International Foundation in Kerala, CMW offers comprehensive Certificate in Hindu Spiritual Care programs, which train chaplains to serve in military, healthcare, educational, and community settings across America and internationally.
https://chinmayamissionwest.com/
Source: Chinmaya Mission West
Filed Under: Non-profit
0 Comments
Latest on Jersey Desk
- Remember Internet Pioneers NetCom Solutions & Network Solutions? Founder Emmit J. McHenry is Now Leading the Emerging Cybersecurity Firm Cycurion
- Axtria Ignite 2025: Defining Leadership in the Agentic AI Era for the Life Sciences Industry
- Celebrating Father's Day Weekend with Free Admission for the entire Family, AKC Dog Show, Best in Show and Puppy Event, Product Vendors
- LIB Continuous Innovation: Custom Rain Test Chambers & IP Labs
- csky.ai & DuoKey Launch Secure AI Transcription Solution for Microsoft 365
- PlayClay.io Launches Streamlined Quoting Platform for Manufacturers' Reps and Distributors
- Corner Property Management Now Managing Van Wagenen Terrace COA in Jersey City, NJ
- Street Smart, Future Ready Audible Edition Soars to #1 New Release on Audible!
- 2025 HFM Symposium - Optimizing the Management of Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) in Patients with Heart Failure
- MLM Unlimited Enterprise, LLC Announces DBE Certification
- Let's Talk Series: At the Crossroads: Immigration Today
- Cyta Cyprus Selects Axiros' AXESS Platform for Cloud-Native, Data-Driven Device Management
- Protiviti Congratulates Brand Ambassador Jennifer Kupcho on Victory at ShopRite LPGA Classic
- DealMagik Successfully Concludes National Floral Design Contest with Over 150 Submissions
- From Corporate Layoffs to Entrepreneurship: Wingman Offers a New Path Forward
- 2025 HFM Symposium - Managing Hyperkalemia in Heart Failure: Implementing Strategies to Reduce Patient Risk
- Behavioral Health Advocates to Hold Joint Capitol Hill Press Conference on June 11
- WORLD INSURANCE ASSOCIATES ANNOUNCES BRAND REFRESH, STATES VALUE FOR CLIENTS AND PARTNERS
- VNBTC Becomes The Top Crypto Investment Platform As Its Bitcoin Cloud Mining Solution Goes Viral
- Advanced Solar Space Technology; Record Efficiency of 15.7%; Agreement to Provide NOVI Space with Rollable PV Array Blankets for Space Launch in 2026