ADVERTISEMENTs
Shyam Maharaj appointed as Hindu chaplain in US army
Commissioned on May 13, he is only second in history to serve in this role.
-
Pranavi Sharma - Sat, 24, May 2025
- 01:31 EDT
- 0
.jpg)
Pandit Shyam Maharaj. / Facebook
Pandit Shyam Maharaj has been appointed as a full-time active-duty Hindu Chaplain in the United States Army, becoming only the second person in U.S. military history to serve in this role. His commission as an officer took place on May 13, 2025.
Born in California to a Fijian Hindu family, Maharaj has years of spiritual training and professional chaplaincy experience. The announcement was made by Chinmaya Mission West (CMW), the official Department of Defense-recognized endorsing agency for Hindu chaplains.
“This appointment is not just personal,” said Maharaj. “Hinduism offers profound wisdom on dharma, spiritual discipline, and service to others. The teachings of Hindu tradition can provide invaluable guidance for individuals navigating the complex moral and spiritual challenges inherent in military service.”
Maharaj holds a Master of Divinity from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology in Atlanta and has previously served in temples and in healthcare settings as a hospital and hospice chaplain. He was trained from an early age in Sanskrit, pujas, and Hindu music.
The official release stated that his appointment reflects the growing recognition of Hindu chaplaincy in U.S. institutions, including the military, hospitals, and community organizations. Hindu chaplains are expected to provide spiritual care to service members of all faiths, relying on Hinduism’s inclusive and philosophical traditions.
Swami Swaroopananda, global head of Chinmaya Mission, offered his support for Maharaj’s appointment. “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,” he advised.
Chinmaya Mission West has been preparing Hindu chaplains for military service since 1997. “Awareness of this field of service is steadily growing among Hindu chaplains,” said Vilasini Balakrishnan, CMW’s ecclesiastical endorser. “We expect to see several more with this calling to follow in Maharaj's footsteps in the near future.”
Like all military chaplains, Maharaj will undergo the Chaplain Basic Leader Course, which includes military training, history, and procedures. This next phase will equip him to serve soldiers across the Army as he begins his journey in active-duty military chaplaincy.
Related
 (1).jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
ADVERTISEMENT
.jpg)
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login