Paryushan parv- Day Two-Uttam Mardav or Humility Day
Anupama Jain
HUMILITY IS SIGN OF STRENGTH, CONFIDENCE AND COURAGE
“IT IS NOT ME BUT GOD ,JUST SAY THANK YOU TO GOD”- although these words on telephone were uttered three years ago, but an expression filled with utmost humility ,still echoes in my mind. Theses words came from a person who was quite high on social ladder , I requested him to help a friend for a genuine task, that seemed quite impossible at that time but that gentleman’s words did the wonder and made that task possible. When I thanked that gentleman he absolutely ,was not willing to take the credit himself but owed it to God . The way he disowned the credit, it forced me to think about real hunmility. On the second day of Paryushan Parv i.e. Mardav divas or humility day that gentleman became synonymous for humility for me . When a humble person does something that is good or praiseworthy he does not want to take credit for goodness but owes it to god, he very truthfully acknowledge the fact that what he did came from god and that was possible only because god wanted it to be and the humble person that he is, he is willing to admit it or we can put in this way- Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying and as they say very truly God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble
“Arrogance diminishes wisdom- Today we are celebrating Uttam Mardav divas. Mardav-means Tenderness or Humility (To observe the virtue of humility subduing vanity and passions.) It refers to the complete absence of self-conceit. Such self-conceit or pride may be due to one’s own superior caste, one’s family prestige, one’s own bodily beauty, learning, wealth, courage and bodily strength. Due to these various reasons, a person may entertain the feeling of self-importance and arrogance whenever a man with such arrogance is insulted by other persons, he may lose his temper and start abusing with disrespectful words or conduct. Even an ascetic may get offended and lose his control of mind in such circumstances. But he will become a victim of pride and self-conceit. Total avoidance of this feeling of pride is called Mardav or humility.
Today’s Recipes
Grandma’s Nutritious Halwa
Ingredients :
4 tsp. wheat flour125 gms. Jaggery grated1 tbsp. ginger powder (sonth)1 tbsp. large crystals of gond (edible resin gum)1 tbsp. grated dried coconut1 tbsp. almonds pounded coarsely1/2 tsp. cardamom powder4 tbsp. ghee
METHOD :
1. Heat half ghee in pan, add flour, and gum crystals.
2. Allow crystals to pop well, stirring continuously.
3. Empty, keep aside
4. In same pan, add remaining ghee, add jaggery, mix.
5. Do not overcook or sonth will become hard.
6. Remove from fire; add all ingredients, including popped gum.
7. Mix very well. Cool to room temperature
Moong ChanaCheele Ki Sabzi
200 gm moong daal
4-5 tbsp chick pea flour
½ tsp red chilli powder
ghee to shallow fry
Method for Cheela
Sift gram flour to aerate and to remove lumps. Take in a big vessel. First add cumin, ajwan, and salt. Mix to combine.. By gradually adding water, about 1 to 2 cups, mix and prepare besan –moong dal batter to a medium-thick pouring consistency, like idli batter.
Heat a non-stick pan, when the pan is hot, pour scoopful of batter and spread into thin round. Sprinkle half teaspoon of oil or ghee on the top. Wait for bubbles to appear. When the underside starts to brown, gently lift and turn to other side. Cook the cheela until the second side is lightly browned. Remove from fire .keep aside.Make small square pieces from it.
For gravy:1 cup fresh curds,1 tbsp. ghee 1 tsp. red chilli powder, 1/2 tsp. dhania powder11/2 tsps gram flour1/2 tsp. turmeric powder 1/2 tsp bishop seeds or ajwain, salt to taste,1/2tsp cumin seeds1 cup water
. Method
Heat 2tsp of ghee add ajwain and cumin Roast gram flour in ghee on low flame till it turns light brown, add curd and all masalas,stir for 3-4 minutes ,add water and bring back to boil,add cheela pieces and salt.serve with hot rice or chapatti.