Nevada State Assembly in Carson City was
invoked by a set of Hindu mantras on May two, containing verses from
world’s oldest existing scripture.
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed
delivered the invocation from ancient Sanskrit scriptures before the
Assembly. After Sanskrit delivery, he then read the English translation
of the prayer. Sanskrit is considered a sacred language in Hinduism and
root language of Indo-European languages.
Zed, who is President of Universal
Society of Hinduism, recited from Rig-Veda, the oldest scripture of the
world still in common use, besides lines from Upanishads and
Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord), both ancient Hindu scriptures. He
started and ended the prayer with “Om”, the mystical syllable containing
the universe, which in Hinduism is used to introduce and conclude
religious work.
Reciting from Brahadaranyakopanishad,
Rajan Zed said, “Asato ma sad gamaya, Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya, Mrtyor
mamrtam gamaya”, which he then translated as “Lead me from the unreal to
the Real, Lead me from darkness to Light, and Lead me from death to
Immortality.” Reciting from Bhagavad-Gita, he urged assemblymembers to
keep the welfare of others always in mind. Assemblymembers, employees,
public and others present were seen standing in prayer mode with their
heads bowed down during the invocation.
Wearing saffron colored attire, a
ruddraksh mala (rosary), and traditional sandalpaste tilak (religious
mark) on the forehead, Zed sprinkled few drops of water from river Ganga
of India, considered holy by Hindus, around the podium before the
prayer. Zed presented a copy of a Hindu prayer booklet
Srihanuman-Chalisa to Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick, who introduced Zed.
In the state of Nevada, Rajan Zed has
already delivered Hindu prayers at City Councils of Las Vegas,
Henderson, Sparks and Boulder City; in addition to Nevada Legislature,
Clark County Board of Commissioners and Carson City Board of
Supervisors. Besides Nevada, he has also read opening prayers in United
States Senate, various state senates and houses of representatives,
counties and city councils all over USA.
Zed has taken up interfaith, religion,
environment, Roma (Gypsies) and other causes all over the world. He was
invited by President of European Parliament in Brussels (Belgium) for a
meeting to promote interfaith dialogue. Many cities in USA have named
October 25 as “Rajan Zed Day”. Bestowed with “World Interfaith Leader
Award”; Zed is Senior Fellow and Religious Advisor to Foundation for
Religious Diplomacy, Spiritual Advisor to National Association of
Interchurch & Interfaith Families, Director Interfaith Relations of
Nevada Clergy Association, etc. He prominently appeared in a recently
released documentary on religion titled “Unresolvable?”.
Hinduism, oldest and third largest
religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh
(liberation) is its ultimate goal. There are about three million Hindus
in USA.
Nevada Assembly is composed of 42
members. Nevada, largest gold producer and 7th largest state, was
admitted to USA in 1864. Nevada, also called "Silver State", is known
for Las Vegas, Burning Man, Lake Tahoe, etc. Brian Sandoval is Governor.
Source : South Asia mail
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