Reno, Nevada based Hindu statesman Rajan Zed delivered Hindu prayer at the US Congress from Rig-Veda, world’s oldest scripture in continued use, besides lines from Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita.

He started and concluded the prayer with “Om”, the mystical syllable containing the universe, which in Hinduism is used to introduce and conclude religious work.

Beginning with Gayatri Mantra, considered most sacred mantra in Hinduism, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, recited from Brahadaranyakopanishad, saying: “Lead us from the unreal to the Real; from darkness to light; from death to immortality”. Reading fromBhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord), he urged US Congressmen and Congresswomen to “strive constantly to serve the welfare of the world”.

Wearing saffron colored attire, a ruddraksh mala (rosary), and traditional sandalpaste tilak (religious mark) on the forehead, Rajan Zed sprinkled few drops of water from river Ganga of India, considered holy by Hindus, around the podium before the prayer. He presented a copy of Bhagavad-Gita to Congressman Michael Honda, who introduced and thanked Zed. House members, employees and public were seen standing in prayer mode with their heads bowed down during this invocation. This prayer was shown live on C-SPAN.

Zed was presented with certificate of appreciation by House Speaker John Boehner. Zed met and had dialogue with Honda, Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards from Maryland, Congresswoman Janice Hahn from California and House Chaplain Fr. Patrick J. Conroy.

Presenting certificate of appreciation to Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, from left to right are: US Congressman Michael Honda, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, US House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, Raghu Sharma, Anita Sharma, Janak Dulari & House Chaplain Fr. Patrick J. Conroy.

Later in the evening, Rajan Zed opened the Board of Aldermen of Frederick, second-largest city of Maryland, with its first Hindu prayer in 197 years of its incorporation.

Zed made history by reading the first Hindu invocation of United States Senate in Washington DC in 2007. He also has read opening prayers in various State Senates and State Assemblies/Houses-of-Representatives, various County Commissions/Boards and City Councils all over USA.