Hindus have welcomed the reports of Oscar winner Hollywood star Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman) trying to adopt a child from India.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that he or other Hindu scholars would be glad to guide her through various samskaras (sacraments) for the new child.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that sources of samskaras, some of which go as far back as 1,500 BCE, were Vedas, Grhyasutras, Dharmasutras, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas and certain other smritis. Overall purpose was to perfect the individual undergoing them and making him/her fit for new stage of life in accordance with dharma.

Roberts, 42, already has three children from her current husband cinematographer Daniel Moder (Grand Champion)—five year old twins Hazel and Phinnaeus and three year old Henry. She, who reportedly suffered complication in past pregnancies, is reportedly in the adoption process. Various other Hollywood stars like Madonna, Meg Ryan, and Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, etc., have also adopted children from abroad.

September issue of women’s fashion magazine Elle reportedly pointed out: 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. In an interview with anchor George Stephanopoulos at news program Good Morning America on ABC News on August nine, Roberts said that she did practice Hinduism and added, “Hinduism is something I am very intrigued by and very interested in.”

According to reports, Roberts has been interested in yoga for quite some time. She was in Haryana (India) in September 2009 to shoot “Eat Pray Love” in an ashram (hermitage). In January 2009, she sported a “bindi” (vermillion mark on forehead) during her trip to India when she also visited Taj Mahal with Moder. She has a production company called “Red Om Films”, and “Om” in Hinduism is the mystical syllable containing the universe.

Julia Fiona Roberts, one of the most successful Hollywood actresses besides a producer and fashion model, has won best actress Oscar for “Erin Brockovich” and earned Oscar nominations for “Pretty Woman” and “Steel Magnolias”.

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksha (liberation) is its ultimate goal.



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Supratim Sanyal
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