Veda Mantras in Nevada Assembly

Anurag Sharma (May 09, 2007).

Director of Interfaith Relations of the Hindu Temple of Northern Nevada Rajan Zed chanted the prayers to open the session on May 8, 2007 for the first time since it was established in 1864. Wearing saffron robes, 'rudraksh' necklace and traditional sandalwood 'tilak' Zed began with a hymn with invocation to the divine, whatever it may be and however we may conceive it from the Rig Veda. He read the next prayer from Tattiriya Upanishad, composed around 2500 BC, reciting again in Sanskrit Om saha naavavatu, Saha nau bhunaktu, Saha viiryan karavaavahai, Tejasvi naavadhiitamastu, Maa vidvishhaavahai (meaning "May we be protected together. May we be nourished together. May we work together with great vigour. May our study be enlightening. May no obstacle arise between us"). The next part of the prayer was from the Bhagavad Gita which was about duties, action, selfless work, welfare of others, compassion, etc. President of the Senate, Lieutenant Governor Brian K. Krolicki, introduced Rajan Zed and all Senators stood up as he started chanting the prayer. Besides people from the area Hindu community, ministers/priests from various Christian denominations like Presbyterian, Episcopal, United Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist; and activists from Satyachetana International and World Peace and Divine Mission also attended the prayers as a gesture of support.