Vegetarian Cuisine
Spiced Spring Carrots
Carrots are rich in Vitamin A, purify the blood and tone the kidneys. Crushed hazelnuts can be substituted for the almonds. Serves 4.
Ingredients:
4 carrots, cut in matchsticks
50g (2oz) flaked almonds
50g (2oz) butter or margarine
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons chopped fresh coriander
1 teaspoon clear honey
salt and pepper (optional)
Preparation:
1. Steam the carrot sticks for about 10 minutes, until tender but still crunchy. meanwhile, set aside a few of the flaked almonds and roast the remainder in a dry heavy pan over a high heat, until golden brown around the edges.
2. Melt the butter or margarine in a pan and cook the cumin over a high heat for a few seconds to release the aroma, being careful not to burn it. Take the pan off the heat and add the carrots, browned almonds and coriander. Mix well, then stir in the honey. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, if desired. Serve at once, garnished with the reserved almonds.
Where is peace? It is in the heart of a desireless man who has controlled his senses and the mind. – Sri Swami Sivananda
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| MARCH 2023 03 Ekadasi 08 Holi 17 Ekadasi 21 New Moon 30 Ram Navami APRIL 2023 |
Glossary
Ramnavmi
Ramnavami or the birthday of Lord Rama falls on the 9th day of the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra (March-April).
Rama was the Lord Hari Himself, incarnate on earth for the destruction of Ravana.
Lord Rama was the prince of the Ikshvaku race. He was virtuous and of manly strength. He was the Lord of the mind and the senses. Brave and valiant, He was yet gentle and modest. He was a sage in counsel, kind and sweet in speech, and most courteous and handsome in appearance. He was the master of all the divine weapons, and a great warrior. Ever devoted to the good and prosperity of His kingdom and His subjects, He was a defender of the weak and the protector of the righteous. Endowed with numerous wondrous powers of the mind, He was well versed in all sciences–in military science as well as the science of the Self.
Lord Rama was the best of men with a sterling character. He was the very image of love. He was an ideal son, an ideal brother, an ideal husband, an ideal friend and an ideal king. He can be taken to embody all the highest ideals of man. He led the ideal life of a householder to teach the tenets of righteousness to humanity. He ruled His people so well that it came to be known as Ram-Rajya, which meant the rule of righteousness, the rule which bestows happiness and prosperity on all.
The noblest lesson embodied in the Ramayana is the supreme importance of righteousness in the life of every human being. Let mankind follow His footsteps and practise the ideals cherished by Him, for it is only thus that there can be everlasting peace, prosperity and welfare in this world.
One who approaches Sri Rama with love and worshipfulness becomes large-hearted, pure in spirit, good-natured and dispassionate in thought, word and deed. A true devotee of Lord Rama is His representative, with His power and His knowledge.
On the auspicious Ramnavmi day take a firm resolve that you will repeat Ram-Nam with every breath and that you will endeavour to lead a righteous life.