Hindus have extended warm welcome to Oscar winner Hollywood star Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman) into the Hindu fold.
The September issue of women’s fashion magazine Elle, on which Roberts, 42, is the cover girl, reportedly says: The entire Roberts-Moder family, she reveals, goes to temple together to “chant and pray and celebrate. I’m definitely a practicing Hindu,” says Roberts, who grew up with a Catholic mother and Baptist father. And since in Hindu cosmology souls can be reincarnated in other bodies, where does she see herself in the next life? “Golly, I’ve been so spoiled with my friends and family in this life,” she says. “Next time I want to be just something quiet and supporting.”
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, heartily welcomed Roberts into Hinduism. She will appreciate the rich, diverse and long tradition of Hindu philosophy; and its interpretation of the nature of reality, he added.
Zed, who is the President of the Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that if Roberts needed any help in deeper Hinduism exploration, he or other Hindu scholars would be glad to assist.
Rajan Zed suggested for Roberts to Realize the Self. Ancient Hindu scripture, Katha Upanishad, points out that when the wise realize the Self, they go beyond sorrow. Self is supreme, and those who meditate on Self are freed from the cycle of birth and death. When one realizes Self, there is nothing else to be known.
According to reports, Roberts has been interested in yoga for quite some time. She was in Haryana (India) in September last to shoot “Eat, Pray, Love” in an ashram (retreat). In January 2009, she sported a “bindi” (vermillion mark on forehead) during her trip to India where she also visited Taj Mahal with husband Danny Moder. She has a production company called “Red Om Films”, and “Om” in Hinduism is the mystical syllable containing the universe.
Roberts “Eat, Pray, Love” (Ryan Murphy) is to be released in the USA and Canada on August 13.
Julia Fiona Roberts, one of the most successful Hollywood actresses, and a producer and fashion model, has won best actress Oscar for “Erin Brockovich” and earned Oscar nominations for “Pretty Woman” and “Steel Magnolias”.
