Renowned Hindu leader Rajan Zed is set to bring an ancient touch to the Bonneville County Commissioners Board as he delivers a profound invocation from Sanskrit scriptures. The president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, Zed will recite passages from the Rig-Veda, Upanishads, and Bhagavad-Gita—texts revered for their wisdom and significance in Hindu tradition.
Sanskrit, revered as a sacred language in Hinduism and the precursor to many Indo-European languages, will echo through the chambers as Zed shares the profound verses, bridging ancient wisdom with contemporary discourse. He plans to commence and conclude the prayer with the mystical syllable “Om,” symbolizing the essence of the universe—a practice deeply rooted in Hindu religious traditions.
Drawing from the profound teachings of the Brahadaranyakopanishad, Zed will invoke, “Asato ma sad gamaya, Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya, Mrtyor mamrtam gamaya,” translating to “Lead us from the unreal to the real, Lead us from darkness to light, and Lead us from death to immortality.” From the Bhagavad-Gita, he intends to encourage commissioners and attendees to prioritize the welfare of others—a message of universal compassion and goodwill.
Rajan Zed’s global influence as a Hindu and interfaith leader is underscored by his recognition with the World Interfaith Leader Award and his advisory role with The Interfaith Peace Project, among others. His contributions to religious dialogue, including participation in prestigious platforms such as “On Faith” by The Washington Post and the weekly “Faith Forum,” reflect his commitment to fostering understanding and harmony among diverse faith traditions.
With Hinduism standing as the world’s oldest and third-largest religion, boasting over 1.2 billion adherents globally and approximately three million in the United States, Zed’s invocation serves as a reminder of the rich diversity of religious expression within the community. Against the backdrop of Bonneville County’s establishment in 1911, Zed’s invocation transcends time, uniting ancient wisdom with contemporary governance in a moment of reflection and reverence.
