Speaking to rediff.com immediately after he delivered the prayer, Zed said, "I sprinkled some Ganga jal -- the water from the Holy Ganges on the podium before the prayer."
He also bemoaned the protests, saying, "I believe dialogue is always better," and profusely thanked Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, who had arranged for him to deliver the first Hindu prayer in the US Senate.
"The Senator was a very courageous man for standing up and giving us this opportunity. He was very courageous and I appreciate what he did very much," he said.
A few minutes later, Zed told Reid, "We appreciate your courage, you stood up to them. We appreciate it very much that you went through with it."
Reid, seeing the conspicuous tilak of Zed's forehead, asked him what it was about, and the latter, who was wearing the saffron robes synonymous with Hindu priests, explained that it is a sign of auspiciousness.
Hindu prayers have been recited at the opening of some state legislative assemblies, including in Maryland and New Jersey, thanks to Indian-American legislators Kumar Barve and Upendra Chivukula, the House Majority Leader and Deputy House Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates and the New Jersey House of Delegates, respectively.
Earlier in March, Zed had delivered the first Hindu opening prayer in the Nevada state assembly.
Image: The Hindu priest with Senate Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid, who facilitated the historic opportunity.
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