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.
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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.