Sanskrit Mantras to Open Both Oregon State Senate & House of Representatives

Oregon State Senate and House of Representatives in Salem will reverberate with Sanskrit mantras on January 28th and 29th respectively.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Rajan Zed, acclaimed Hindu statesman, will read the opening prayers from ancient Sanskrit scriptures before Senators and Representatives on these days.

After Sanskrit delivery, he then will read the English translation of the prayers.

Sanskrit is considered a sacred language in Hinduism and root language of all Indo-European languages.

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, will recite from Rig-Veda, the oldest scripture of the world still in common use, dated from around 1,500 BCE, besides lines 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 roughly translates as "Lead us from the unreal to the Real, from darkness to Light, and from death to Immortality."

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents. Moksha (liberation) is the ultimate goal of Hinduism.

The Oregon State Senate consists of 30 members, each representing about 114,000 citizens; while Oregon State House of Representatives is formed of 60 members, each representing about 57,000 citizens.

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Daniel January 19, 2009 7:36 pm (Pacific time)

Prayer does seem strange in a political environment . Especially if the politicians are listening with insincerity and acting in opposition to religious teachings . I am not saying this is the case in Salem but we have all seen corrupt politicians hide behind religion . There should be separation of church and state and more ethics in both . I rather would have had this distinguished gentleman speak in a University setting , chanting and explaining his interpretation and perception of the godhead .

Vic January 19, 2009 8:29 am (Pacific time)

I just dont understand why there are prayers at all...like at the inaugauration, why do we have prayers? Is there any more blatant violation of separation of church and state? People who are inclined to pray will...and they should, but this making it part of the ceremony seems strange.

Henry Ruark January 18, 2009 8:24 pm (Pacific time)

Friend Stephen: Very puzzling comment: In what way does this deny, abrogate, attack or otherwise impact on the Constitution ? Are you familiar with the materials mentioned ? WHY are they objectionable ? Really seeking information, nothing personal meant at-all. You may have solid reason: If so, please share it so we can all learn...and,, just possibly, dissent, too...be a change to have reverse-flow underway, right ??

stephen January 18, 2009 6:31 pm (Pacific time)

new....world....order..... goodbye Constitution, it was nice knowing you.

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