Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, sending Mahashivrati greetings to one billion Hindus of the world, has asked them each to take a vow of adopting at least one charitable project on this auspicious occasion for less fortunate members of the community.

Zed, who is the president of Universal Society of Hinduism, in a release in Nevada (USA) today, wished that “all prayers of devotees be answered on the blessed Mahashivratri”, festival celebrated in honor of Lord Shiv, one of the divine trio of the Hindus—Brahma-Vishnu-Shiv, which falls on February 12.

Quoting scriptures, Zed said that charity was a duty, which should be undertaken with sympathy and modesty. He suggested Hindus to focus on inner search, stay pure, explore the vast wisdom of scriptures, make spirituality more attractive to youth and children, stay away from the greed, and always keep God in your life.

Stressing renunciation, Rajan Zed pointed out that three opening words of ancient scripture Isha Upanishad: “tena tyaktena bhunjita” said it all—“By renouncing it {the world}, enjoy it.” Bhagavad-Gita, another ancient scripture, also promised “freedom through renunciation”.

Consumerism had resulted in neglecting spiritual values, Zed argued and quoted Bhagavad-Gita, which says: there are three gates to self-destructive hell—greed, anger, and desire. Abandon these three. A person freed from these three gates of darkness, seeks what is best and attains life’s highest goal.

Mahashivratri falls during the dark half of the month of Magh. A day of strict fasting accompanied by Lord Shiv worship and vigil precedes the festival which is celebrated with great rejoicing and feasting and it is regarded as extremely auspicious. Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.

City Council of Sparks, one of the fastest growing cities of Nevada (USA), started day’s business with Sanskrit shlokas from ancient Hindu scriptures on Monday.

Rajan Zed, well known Hindu statesman, delivered invocation from Sanskrit scriptures before Sparks City Council on February eight. After Sanskrit delivery, he then read the English translation of the prayer.

Zed, who is the president of Universal Society of Hinduism, recited 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 started and ended the prayer with “Om”, the mystical syllable containing the universe, which in Hinduism is used to introduce and conclude religious work.

Reciting from Taittiriya Upanishad, Rajan Zed said: “Om saha naavavatu, Saha nau bhunaktu, Saha viiryan karavaavahai, Tejasvi naavadhiitamastu, Maa vidhvishhaavahai,” which roughly translates as “May we be protected together, May we be nourished together, May we work together with great vigor, May our study be enlightening, May no obstacle arise between us.” Reciting from Bhagavad-Gita, he urged Councilors to “fulfill all your duties, action is better than inaction”.

Rajan Zed is one of the panelists for “On Faith”, a prestigious interactive conversation on religion produced jointly by Newsweek and washingtonpost.com.

He has been awarded “World Interfaith Leader Award” by National Association of Interchurch and Interfaith Families.

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksha (liberation) is its ultimate goal. Sanskrit is considered a sacred language in Hinduism and root language of Indo-European languages.

Known as “City of Promise”, Sparks is a tailor-made town, custom ordered by the Southern Pacific Railway Company. Geno Martini is the mayor.

In a remarkable interfaith gesture, Carmelite nuns and well-known Hindu statesman Rajan Zed prayed together in Reno (Nevada, USA) today for making the “world a better place”.

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, prayed from Rig-Veda, the oldest scripture of the world still in common use, dated from around 1,500 BCE, with lines from Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord), both ancient Hindu scriptures. The nuns prayed from Songs of David and Intercessions, and read from Gospel of Luke in New Testament.

According to Sr. Susan Weber, Prioress of Carmel of Our Lady of the Mountains Monastery, where the prayers and dialogue was held, it was always nice to share the prayers and have dialogue. It was second year of such joint session of Carmelite-Hindu prayers in the Monastery. Sr. Rosey Klupfel led the prayers.

Rajan Zed started and ended his prayer with “OM”, the mystical syllable containing the universe, which in Hinduism is used to introduce and conclude religious work. After Sanskrit delivery, he then read the English translation of the prayers. Sanskrit is considered a sacred language in Hinduism and root language of Indo-European languages.

Reciting from Taittiriya Upanishad, Rajan Zed said, “Om saha naavavatu, Saha nau bhunaktu, Saha viiryan karavaavahai, Tejasvi naavadhiitamastu, Maa vidhvishhaavahai”, which he then translated as, “May we be protected together, May we be nourished together, May we work together with great vigor, May our study be enlightening, May no obstacle arise between us”. Nuns repeated after Zed—“Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti” (Peace, Peace, Peace be unto all).

Rajan Zed points out that in our shared pursuit for the truth, we can learn from one another and thus can arrive nearer to the truth. As dialogue brings us reciprocal enrichment, we shall be spiritually richer than before the contact.

Carmelites, a Roman Catholic religious order now spread worldwide, was founded as a community of hermits in 12th century in what is now northern Israel, and was joined by nuns in 1432. The life of a Carmelite nun is completely contemplative, consisting of prayer, meditation, manual labor, and silence/solitude. Carmel of Our Lady of the Mountains Monastery, spread over 19 acres on a hill overlooking city of Reno, was founded in 1954. Roman Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksha (liberation) is its ultimate goal.

With less than an hour to go before the newly formed Hindu temple choir would make its debut, there was time for only a few final run-throughs of the hymn that had been prepared.

“Don’t rush!” impl

Entertainment icon Michael Jackson’s “pind-daan”, a sacred Hindu ritual for salvation and peace, was held at holy city of Bodh Gaya in Bihar State of India, according to reports.

Jackson’s pind-daa

When you walk into the Gainesville home of Krishnaswami and Mathura Alladi, your eyes immediately dart to the right, toward the bright display of the puja room, or prayer room, adorned with 20 frames