Idaho Senate, upper
house in the State Legislature, will start its day with ancient Hindu
mantras on March third, said to be a first since Idaho acquired
statehood in 1890.
This reportedly historic invocation
will contain verses from Rig-Veda; the oldest existing scripture of the
mankind still in common use.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed will deliver
this prayer from Sanskrit scriptures before the Senate. After Sanskrit
delivery, he then will 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 the President of Universal
Society of Hinduism, besides Rig-Veda, will also recite from Upanishads
and Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord), both ancient Hindu scriptures. He
plans to start and end 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 plans to say “Asato ma sad gamaya, tamaso ma jyotir gamaya,
mrtyor mamrtam gamaya”, which he will then interpret as “Lead us from
the unreal to the Real, Lead us from darkness to Light, Lead us from
death to immortality.” Reading from Bhagavad-Gita, he proposes to urge
the Senators to keep the welfare of others always in mind.
Zed is a global Hindu and interfaith
leader, who besides taking up the cause of religion worldwide, has also
raised huge voice against the apartheid faced by about 15-million Roma
(Gypsies) in Europe. 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, etc. He was invited by President of European
Parliament in Brussels (Belgium) for a meeting to promote interfaith
dialogue.
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.
Lieutenant Governor Brad Little
presides over Idaho Senate in Boise which has 35 members, while Brent
Hill is its President Pro Tempore. C.L. "Butch" Otter is Governor of
Idaho, whose nickname is "The Gem State" and tagline "Adventures in
Living". Idaho claims to be number one national producer of potatoes,
trout, Austrian winter peas and lentils; and is known for its pristine
wilderness, Lava Hot Springs and Sun Valley ski resort.
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