Vegetarian Cuisine
PRUNE MOUSSE – A creamy simple dessert full of fibre. Prunes are an anti-oxidant superfood. Another plus factor is that they do not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels and have a low glycemic index rating. Serves 4-6.
Ingredients:
9 ounces dried prunes, pitted
1 cup water
1 tablespoon agar-agar flakes (for thickening)
1 tablespoon honey or date syrup
2 ¼ cups creamy plain yoghurt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
¼ cup chopped nuts to decorate
Preparation:
1. Put the prunes and water in a pan and bring to boil, let simmer about 20 minutes until soft.
- In a blender or food processor, blend till smooth.
- Return prune purée to the pan, stir in the agar-agar flakes and simmer 2 minutes longer.
- Leave to cool slightly.
- When lukewarm, fold in the honey or date syrup, yoghurt and lemon juice.
- Pour into individual dishes and chill until set.
- Decorate with chopped nuts before serving.
Note: Vegans can substitute a soy based yoghurt or *Toasted nut dream for dairy yoghurt.
This recipe is an edited contribution for the Sivananda Gurugram, sourced from The Yoga Cookbook: Food for Body and Mind – Recipes from the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres” 1999.
Always do good to others. Be selfless. Mentally remove everything and be free. This is divine life. This is the direct way to Moksha/Salvation. – Sri Swami Sivananda
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Spiritual Calendar
OCTOBER 2015
08 Ekadasi
12 New Moon
13 Navarathri Starts
23 Vijaya Dasami
24 Ekadasi
27 Full Moon
NOVEMBER 2015
07 Ekadasi
09 Swamiji’s Mahasamadhi
11 New Moon
11 Swamiji’s Jalasamadhi
22 Ekadasi
25 Full Moon
Glossary
VIJAYA DASAMI – “10th Day” – is celebrated on the tenth day, which follows nine days of Durga Puja. Durga Puja or Navaratri commences on the first day and ends on the tenth day of the bright half of Aswayuja (September-October). It is held in commemoration of the victory of Durga over Mahishasura, the buffalo-headed demon. In Bengal her image is worshipped for nine days and then cast into water. The tenth day is called Vijaya Dasami or Dussera (the “tenth day”). Processions with Her image are taken out along the streets of villages and cities.
The mother of Durga (that is, the wife of the King of the Himalayas) longed to see her daughter. Durga was permitted by Lord Shiva to visit her beloved mother only for nine days in the year. The festival of Durga Puja marks this brief visit and ends with the Vijaya Dasami day, when Goddess Durga leaves for her return to Mount Kailas. This is the view of some devotees.
Sri Rama worshipped Durga at the time of the fight with Ravana, to invoke Her aid in the war. This was on the days preceding the Vijaya Dasami day. He fought and won through Her Grace.
In days of yore, kings used to undertake ambitious expeditions on the day of the Vijaya Dasami. Those kings who did not go on such expeditions used to go out hunting in the deep forests. Even up to this date India people arrange mock attacks on a fort on Vijaya Dasami in Rajputana.
The tenth day, Vijaya Dasami, marks the triumphant ovation of the soul at having attained liberation while living in this world, through the descent of knowledge by the Grace of Goddess Saraswathi. The soul rests in its own Supreme Self or Satchidananda Brahman. This day celebrates the victory, the achievement of the goal. The banner of victory flies aloft. Lo! I am He! I am He!
On the Vijaya Dasami day, all aspirants are given initiation into various Mantras according to their tutelary Deities. Deserving aspirants are initiated into the holy order of Sannyas. Initiation in the study of the alphabets is given to young children. New students commence their lessons in music, etc. During the morning Satsang the books which were worshipped on the ninth day are worshipped again. A chapter from each of the principal scriptures like the Gita, Upanishads, Brahma Sutras, Ramayana, and Srimad Bhagavatam is recited.
Renunciation is the bestower of peace and immortality. – Sri Swami Sivananda