By IANS
New York : The Arizona state senate and the house of representatives reverberated with Sanskrit chants as they opened their sessions with Hindu prayers.
Hindu chaplain Rajan Zed, who has recited prayers from ancient Sanskrit scriptures in the US Senate as well as in several states in the country, again did the honours in Phoenix Monday. Before reading, he sprinkled holy Ganga water around the prayer area.
Zed read from Rig Veda, considered the oldest scripture of the world, besides lines from Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita. He then read the English translation of the prayers, urging legislators to “strive constantly to serve the welfare of the world”.
Robert N. Blendu, president pro tempore, introduced Zed in the senate, and Speaker James P. Weiers welcomed him to the house. He presented a copy of the Gita each to Blendu and Weirs.
He also met Arizona State Treasurer Dean Martin and Linell E. Cady, director of the Centre for the Study of Religion and Conflict, in their respective offices and discussed faith and other issues.
Thammaji Vasudev, a Hindu activist who attended the senate prayer, said he was honoured to hear the Hindu verses in the Arizona legislature.
Arizona senate has 30 members and house of representatives has 60.