ChicagoThe third day of the Democratic National Convention began Wednesday with a first-of-its-kind Vedic prayer, in which the priest sought blessings for a united country.
“Even if we have differences, when it comes to the nation, we have to be united and that moves us towards justice for all,” said Indian-American priest Rakesh Bhatt as he formally opened the proceedings of the third day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago.
“We must be in unison. Let our minds think together. Let our hearts beat as one. All for the good of society. Hopefully this will make us powerful so that we can unite and make our nation proud,” said the Hindu priest.
Bhatt is a priest of the Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Maryland and hails from Bengaluru. He is a Madhwa priest trained in Rig Veda and Tantrasaara (Maadhva) Agama, under the tutelage of his guru, Pejavar Swamiji of Udupi Ashta Matha.
“We are one universal family. Truth is our foundation and it always prevails. Guide us from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light and from death to immortality. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti,” Bhatt said.
Bhatt, who is fluent in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, English, Tulu and Sanskrit, holds a BA and MA in three languages – Sanskrit, English and Kannada. She obtained her BA in English and Kannada from Osteen College, Bengaluru and BA in Sanskrit from Jaychamarajendra College.
After working at Udupi Ashta Matha for a few years, he worked for a short period at Badrinath and Raghavendra Swami Koil, Salem and joined Sri Sri Vishnu Temple in July 2013.
Democratic National Party Vice Chair for Finance Ajay Bhutoria said, “Rakesh Bhatt’s Hindu prayer at the Democratic National Convention today is a significant moment, showcasing the Democratic Party’s commitment to inclusion and diversity.” “It is heartening to see the rich cultural and spiritual traditions of the Indian-American community being honored on such a prominent stage. This moment reflects the growing influence and recognition of our community within the fabric of American society,” Bhutoria said.
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