Mouthpiece #14

When Duty Calls...

Decisions, decisions, decisions. We believe that destiny plays a major role in determining the course of our life, yet, often we are expected to choose the paths that are to be taken. continue reading here... Book Review : Yashodhara Title : Yashodhara, the Wife of the Bodhisattva: The Sinhala Yasodharavata (The Story of Yasodhara) and the Sinhala Yasodharaopadanaya (The Sacred Biography of Yasodhara) Author : Ranjini Obeyesekere“Through unaccountable eons of measureless time he perfected the Virtues to become a BuddhaFor yet more multiples of measureless time he perfected those same VirtuesFor still more eons multiplied unaccountable times he strove to become a Buddha.Then as a bud matures and comes to bloom, he became a Buddha” continue here... What's Brewing? Tawa-baingan Small or thin and long baingan/brinjal/eggplant - ½ kgRed chilli powder : 1 tspTurmeric powder : ½ tspCoriander powder : 1 tspGaram masala : ½ tspAmchoor (dry mango) powder : ½ tspSalt : to tasteOil : just to grease the tawa recipe here...

Book Review : Yasodhara, the Wife of Bodhisattva

Title : Yashodhara, the Wife of the Bodhisattva: The Sinhala Yasodharavata (The Story of Yasodhara) and the Sinhala Yasodharaopadanaya (The Sacred Biography of Yasodhara)

Author : Ranjini Obeyesekere

"Through unaccountable eons of measureless time he perfected the Virtues to become a Buddha

For yet more multiples of measureless time he perfected those same Virtues

For still more eons multiplied unaccountable times he strove to become a Buddha.

Then as a bud matures and comes to bloom, he became a Buddha"

Becoming a Buddha is actually a state of enlightenment which is borne out of believing, practicing and executing the virtues like Generosity, Morality, Renunciation, Wisdom, Effort, Patience, Truthfulness, Resolution, Kindness and Equanimity.

Yashodhara : the wife of Bodhisattava, is the translation and compilation of two works : The Sinhala Yasodharavata (The Story of Yasodhara) and the Sinhala Yasodharapadanaya (The Sacred Biography of Yasodhara). While the former is a folk poem bringing out the pathos of a young wife bemoaning the departure of her husband, the latter is more of an account of how Yashodhara accompanies Bodhisattva through various births and her role in being his true soul mate through all their incarnations.

Prince Siddhartha leaves his wife Yashodhara and infant son to embark on his journey towards enlightenment. While being left behind in the palaces, she undergoes various emotions - of love and loss, despair and resignation, which eventually give way to equanimity that is born out of acceptance and understanding.

The author beautifully brings out the essence of the human emotions at the time of such deep loss, "Like all human beings faced with the finality of a loss, she tries to cope in the many ways women have - by recalling past happiness, mourning present absence, reproaching the lost love, questioning her own possible shortcomings. At the same time, because of her own great love, she wishes that no ill befall the loved one in this or any other existence."

The other half of the book focuses on the strong and confident queen who first decides to shun the worldly comforts as and when her consort does far away on his chosen path. Later she follows the footsteps of Bodhisattava as his disciple and a nun. She, who has been with Bodhisattava through all samsaric existences, acquires a state where she decides on the timing of her own death and on preceding the Buddha to nirvana.

The translations are quite readable and understandable. Though actual translated works form a part of the book, the rest of it is a commentary on various aspects including the time at which it is written, the comparison of writing style and detailed explanation of the original text. The author has done a great service to the humanity by extending the reach of this content beyond Sinhala language for wider readers.

Mouthpiece #13

Let it flow...

Hold not, because it is destined to passFret not, because its flow is unstoppableFear not, because what has to be, will beLong not, because let the past rest in peaceContinue here... What's Brewing? Besan French Toast Besan(Gram flour) - 1 cupWater Onions (chopped) - ½ cupCoriander (finely chopped) - 1/3 cupGreen chillies (finely chopped) - 1 (optional)Chana masala - 1 tspGaram masala - ½ tspSaltOilRecipe here...

Mouthpiece #12

Attempt it, and it becomes conquerable

Swami Vivekananda was having a long trek in the Himalayas when he  found a man extremely exhausted standing hopelessly at the foot of  an upward slope. The man said to Swamiji in frustration, ‘Oh, Sir, how  to cross it; I cannot walk any more; my chest will break.’Continue reading here... What's Brewing? Upma style Bambino Roasted Bambino : 2 cups (If you have the regular Bambino which is not roasted then first dry roast it on low flame)Cabbage : 1 cup(shredded)Onion : 2 medium sized(finely chopped)Carrots : ½ cup (finely chopped)Peas : ¼ cupGreen chilli : 2 (finely chopped)Oil : 1 tbspSambhar Powder : 2 tspLemon juice : 2 tspMustard Seeds : 1tspChana dal : 1 tspWater : 2 cupsKarhi leaves : 5-7 in no.Amul butter : 2 tspRecipe here...

Mouthpiece #11

Fragrance of Flowers But they will bloom

The magnificently bloomed rose looks so resplendent today, it is hard to take the eyes off from adoring its beauty. Today, the flower has blossomed to its full glory. In spite of there being innumerable roses in the world, the loveliness of this one is absolutely exclusive. It is hard to pin point one thing which is unique about it, yet it is so, unquestionably.Continue reading here... Some fuel for the body Once the idli batter is ready, making idlis is the simplest job because it is done by the rice cooker and one doesn’t need to supervise the cooking process even. When the whistle in the idli cooker starts blowing, it is time to remove the ready idlis from the cooker, let them cool down before scooping them out of their moulds and soon the moulds are ready to be refilled with the batter again. I often prepare extra idlis with the objective that the breakfast next day would become a breeze to prepare.Continue here...