CM Saini Shares Captain Smit Machchhar's Faith in Gita, Hanuman
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
In a moment that bridges military duty and personal devotion, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini shared a striking account on 2 October 2026 about Captain Smit Machchhar — a serviceman whose faith in the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Lord Hanuman never wavered, even in crisis.
CM Saini recounted that Captain Machchhar told him of his 'atoot aastha' — atoot aastha (unbreakable faith) — in the Bhagavad Gita and in Hanuman Ji. More tellingly, the Captain revealed that even in moments of grave danger, he continued to recite the Hanuman Chalisa, the 40-verse devotional hymn considered a source of courage and protection in the Hindu tradition.
Faith as an anchor under fire
The Hanuman Chalisa, composed by the saint-poet Tulsidas in the 16th century, holds deep resonance in the armed forces as well as among millions of ordinary Indians. Its verses invoke strength, fearlessness, and divine protection — qualities that resonate acutely for soldiers operating under extreme conditions. That Captain Machchhar turned to it during a crisis moment lends the account an immediacy beyond ceremony.
The Bhagavad Gita, delivered on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, is itself a text about duty, courage, and equanimity in the face of mortal stakes — making the pairing of the two scriptures in Captain Machchhar's testimony particularly resonant for those familiar with both.
Why CM Saini is sharing this story
Chief Minister Saini's decision to amplify Captain Machchhar's words publicly — on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, no less — frames the account as a statement about the spiritual foundations of service and sacrifice. The post includes a video, suggesting a direct interaction or event where the Captain spoke these words himself. No further details about the nature of the 'crisis' referenced have been provided in the post.
Stories of personal faith sustaining soldiers in the field carry broad public appeal in India, where devotion and nationalism are frequently intertwined in political and cultural discourse. CM Saini, a BJP leader, has consistently highlighted such themes as part of his public communication from Chandigarh.
What Captain Machchhar carried into danger was not just training — it was verse. That is the story CM Saini wants India to hear.