Gayatri Mantra read at Baha'i Ridvan Festival in Nevada

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03 May, 2011

Noted Hindu statesman, Rajan Zed recited couplets and prayers from ancient Hindu scriptures at the 12th day of Ridvan festival of Baha'is in Reno. He also translated the Gayatri Mantra and other Sanskrit prayers into English.

IN A remarkable inter-faith gesture, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed recited prayers from ancient Hindu scriptures at the “12th day of Ridvan” festival of Baha’is in Reno (Nevada, USA) on May 2.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, read the Gayatri Mantra, the most sacred mantra of Hinduism, in Sanskrit, and attendees repeated after him. He later translated the Gayatri Mantra and other Sanskrit prayers into English.

Rajan Zed read from the Rig-Veda - the oldest existing scripture of mankind; Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita - both ancient Hindu scriptures. Reciting from Bhagavad Gita, Zed suggested: “Strive constantly to serve the welfare of the world; by devotion to selfless one attains the supreme goal of life. Do your work with the welfare of others always in mind”.

Peter Rath and Nevada Metherd, area Baha’i elders, thanked Zed for participating in the “12th day of Ridvan” festivities.

Few days back, Rajan Zed sent greetings to Baha’i communities world over on Ridvan (which means paradise) festival, wishing that it brought joy, happiness, blessings and cheer to all. Zed stresses that all religions should work together for a just and peaceful world. Dialogue will bring us mutual enrichment, he added.

Twelve-day festival of Ridvan is also known as “the most great festival”, whose first (April 21), ninth (April 29) and 12th days are especially celebrated as holy days by Baha’is. These three days are marked by communal prayers and celebrations and no-work/no-school days. Baha’i administrative year begins on the first day of Ridvan.

Said to be youngest of the world’s independent monotheistic religions, the Baha’i Faith, founded in Iran in 1844, has over five million followers. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.

Details of the picture attached: Rajan Zed (standing in the middle in saffron attire) with some of the Baha’i participants at the “12th day of Ridvan” festivities.