Devotional Service

Loving the Lord
Nine Ways to Stay Connected

An Example Given by the Acaryas 
or what we can learn from an unchaste woman

Horror Story or What I Learned from House Dust
You'll never see house dust the same way again

The Eternal Nature of Devotional Service
Never ending, ever increasing, ever fresh

Perfectly Imperfect
The nature of a jiva

banana puri

INGREDIENTS:
2 ripe bananas, pureed
1 1/2 t cumin seeds
1 1/2 t salt
1 T sugar
pinches of cayenne pepper (as desired)
1 T ghee
atta flour
ghee for deep frying.

Pictured above is a banana puri made from atta and a little besan. Today, I only had atta flour, so various flours may be used.

PREPARATION

1. Mix into the mashed bananas all the ingredients except the flour. Then slowly add and then knead the flour into the mixture a little at a time to make a nice dough.
2. Knead well and let sit for at least 20 minutes.
3. Deep fry in ghee in a wok or suitable container.

Offer to Krishna.These are great with a full thali or for take out.

Stuffed Dates

A simple treat worth making a note of.

INGREDIENTS:
whole medjool dates
almonds, blanched

PREPARATION:

1. Deep fry the almonds or saute in a little ghee first. Cool
2. Slice each date halfway open and remove the pit. Check to make sure they are fresh inside.
3. Insert one almond per date and close shut inside. 
4. Offer on Krishna's plate with His next meal.

VARIATIONS:
There are many, but a favorite is to stuff dates with cream cheese. Also cream cheese with carob sprinkles. Other nuts can also be used and combined with the cheese. Sprinkle on chopped pistachio or stuff with toasted walnuts. Almonds can also be soaked overnight, then ground into a paste with a little water to use as stuffing. Also try peanut butter and melted carob. Or pecans!

An “If” for Girls

A reminder that a well rounded housewife can drive when necessary, swim, ride a bike through Mayapur traffic, blow a conchshell, lead a kirtana if asked,  easily talk to temple guests ... and also write.

By Elizabeth Lincoln Otis
(With apologies to Mr. Rudyard Kipling)

If you can dress to make yourself attractive,
Yet not make puffs and curls your chief delight;
If you can swim and row, be strong and active,
But of the gentler graces lose not sight;
If you can dance without a craze for dancing,
Play without giving play too strong a hold,
Enjoy the love of friends without romancing,
Care for the weak, the friendless and the old;

If you can master French and Greek and Latin,
And not acquire, as well, a priggish mien,
If you can feel the touch of silk and satin
Without despising calico and jean;
If you can ply a saw and use a hammer,
Can do a man’s work when the need occurs,
Can sing when asked, without excuse or stammer,
Can rise above unfriendly snubs and slurs;
If you can make good bread as well as fudges,
Can sew with skill and have an eye for dust,
If you can be a friend and hold no grudges,
A girl whom all will love because they must;

If sometime you should meet and love another
And make a home with faith and peace enshrined,
And you its soul—a loyal wife and mother—
You’ll work out pretty nearly to my mind
The plan that’s been developed through the ages,
And win the best that life can have in store,
You’ll be, my girl, the model for the sages—
A woman whom the world will bow before.

Sri Nanda-nandanastakam

Another favorite prayer to add to my collection. An ancient prayer by an unknow Vaisnava. Click on the video below for a lovely melody. Also this is for Gopi, who loves to sing to Radha-Govinda each Friday and Saturday when I put Them to rest:

Sri Nanda-nandanastakam 

1) sucaru-vaktra-mandalam
sukarna-ratna-kundalam
sucarcitanga-candanam
namami nanda-nandanam

I offer pranama to Nandanandana, whose face is extremely delightful, in whose beautiful ears hang jeweled earrings and whose entire body is anointed with fragrant candana.

2) sudirgha netra-pankajam
sikhi-sikhanda-murdhajam
ananga-koti-mohanam
namami nanda-nandanam

I offer pranama to Nandanandana, whose eyes are more beautiful than the fully bloomed lotus, whose head is beautifully adorned with an arrangement of peacock feathers and who enchants millions of Cupids.

3) sunasikagra-mauktikam
svacchanda danta-panktikam
navambudanga-cikkanam
namami nanda-nandanam

 I offer pranama to Nandanandana, from whose beautiful nose hangs an elephant-pearl, whose teeth are immensely effulgent, whose bodily complexion is more beautiful and lustrous than a fresh rain cloud

4) karena venu-ranjitam
gati-karindra-ganjitam
dukula-pita sobhanam
namami nanda-nandanam

 I offer pranama to Nandanandana, whose lotus hands hold the flute, whose lingering gait defeats even that of an impassioned elephant and whose dark limbs are beautified by a yellow shawl.

5) tri-bhanga-deha-sundaram
nakha-dyuti-sudhakaram
amulya ratna-bhusanam
 namami nanda-nandanam

I offer pranama to Nandanandana, whose threefold-bending posture is exquisitely elegant, the effulgence of whose toe-nails puts to shame even the moon, and who wears invaluable jewels and ornaments.

6) sugandha-anga-saurabham-
uroviraji-kaustubham
sphuracchri-vatsalanchanam
namami nanda-nandanam

I offer pranama to Nandanandana, whose body exudes an especially beautiful fragrance, and whose broad chest is adorned with the kaustubha jewel and the mark of srivatsa.

7) vrndavana-sunagaram
vilasanuga-vasasam
surendra-garva-mocanam
namami nanda-nandanam

I offer pranama to Nandanandana, the expert lover of Vrindavana who performs immaculate pastimes and who is attired in clothes which are suitable for those pastimes and who pulverized the pride of Indra.

8) vrajangana-sunayakam
sada sukha-pradayakam
jagan-manah pralobhanam
namami nanda-nandanam

 I offer pranama to Nandanandana, who as the lover of the Vraja gopis perpetually delights them and who enchants the minds of all living entities.

9) sri-nanda-nandanastakam
pathed ya sraddhayanvitah
tared-bhavabdhim dustaram
labhet tadanghri-yugmakam

Whoever regularly recites this (Sri Nanda-nandanastakam) will easily cross the seemingly insurmountable ocean of material existence and attain eternal residence at the lotus feet of Krsna.

Noodle Stir Fry

Spaghetti noodles would be best for this dish, but I often have homemade lasagna noodles left over from the buffet. So I break them into bits and use them with whatever vegetables are available such as carrots, bell pepper, broccoli, celery, broccoli. Below is one example:

INGREDIENTS:

• 2-3 celery sticks, chopped
• 2-3 carrot sticks, chopped small or grated
• 1/3 of a cauliflower, chopped.
• 1 cup broccoli or broccoli stems, chopped
• 1 chili, seeded and minced
• 1/4 t hing
• 1/2 t ground black pepper
• 4-6 T ghee
• noodles, as desired
• water to boil the noodles
• salt, as desired

PREPARATION:

1. Chaunce in the ghee in a large frying pan or wok the chili until lightly brown. Add hing and then the black pepper and then all the vegetables.
2. Stir in the ghee on high the vegetables until they soften a bit.
3. Add a cup of water and leave on high, covered until the water evaporates. (Or leave the cover off if you prefer extra crisp vegies.
4. Meanwhile, boil the noodles 7-10 minutes in water until al dente (just cooked). You may prefer salted water, but I usually do not salt it.
5. Drain and add the noodles to the cooked vegetables. Stir in salt and offer first to Krishna.

Evening Prayer

These prayers, or part of them, are chanted by pujaris after any altar service. They make very nice prayers to remember before bedtime, too. From the ISKCON Deity Worship Handbook:

mantra-hinam kriyä-hinam bhakti-hinam janärdana
yat püjitam mayä deva paripürnam tad astu me

O my Lord, O Janärdana, whatever little püjä or worship that has been performed by me, although it is without devotion, without proper mantras, and without the proper performance, please let that become complete.

yad-dattam bhakti-mätrena patram puspam phalam jalam
äveditam nivedyan tu tad grhänänukampayä

Whatever has been offered with devotion-the leaf, the flower, the water, the fruit, the food offering-please accept it out of Your causeless mercy.

vidhi-hinam mantra-hinam yat kincid upapäditam
kriyä-mantra-vihinam vä tat sarvam ksantum arhasi

Whatever has happened without the proper chanting of the mantra, or without following the proper procedure, kindly forgive all that.

ajnänäd athavä jnänäd asubham yan mayä krtam
ksantum arhasi tat sarvam däsyenaiva grhäna mäm

Whatever inauspicious things I have done out of ignorance or unknowingly, please forgive that, and accept me as Your insignificant servant.

sthitih sevä gatir yäträ smrtis cintä stutir vacah
bhüyät sarvätmanä visno madiyam tvayi cestitam

Let my normal condition be service, let my movement be holy pilgrimage, let my thought be remembrance of You, let my words be glorification of You. O Visnu, let my activities, with my whole mind, body and soul, be engaged in You.

aparädha-sahasräni kriyante 'har-nisam mayä
däso 'ham iti mäm matvä ksamasva madhusüdana

Thousands of offenses are performed by me day and night. But thinking of me as Your servant, kindly forgive those, O Madhusüdana.

pratijnä tava govinda na me bhaktah pranasyati
iti samsmrtya samsmrtya pränän sandhärayämy aham

O Govinda, Your promise is that Your devotee will never perish. By remembering this over and over again, I am able to retain my life-airs.

Quick Radish Parathas

INGREDIENTS

• 2 daikon radishes (mooli), grated
• 1 t minced fresh ginger root
• 1/4 t black pepper
•  1 t roasted cumin powder
• salt, as desired
• fresh coriander leaves,chopped
• dough made from atta flour and salt (and also ghee if desired, optional)
• ghee for frying

PREPARATION:

1. First, squeeze out excess juice from the grated radish (this can be used to make the dough). 
2. Add the ginger, pepper, cumin, salt and coriander leaves and mix well.
3. Instructions for shaping and cooking parathas can be found by clicking here. There are two ways I've seen and this method is my preference. Not difficult if one takes the time to roll carefully. 
4. The more filling you can get in there without breakage, the tastier the paratha. Some breakage is inevitable in this preparation, because juice is made when the lemon juice and salt interacts with the grated radish, but does not effect the final cooking. You can squeeze out juice a second time, but that also squeezes out salt, etc. or you can sprinkle a little flour on the broken areas, but it is not necessary. Just allow it to squirt out a bit at the edge and keep rolling, dipping into flour as needed.

Another way I've made paratha with mooli is to mix all the ingredients directly into the flour and then make the dough. Then roll our like regular chapati or plain paratha.

Offer to Krishna. These make a nice breakfast offering served with mung and spinach soup on a cold morning.

Potato Soup

Another basil inspired post.

Because its so busy around here, I don't always post a recipe right away and therefore may forget the exact measurements. In any case, this soup is hard to not come out good. Super simple to make; its especially nice for a light supper on a cool autumn evening.

INGREDIENTS (Serves 6)

• 10 medium potatoes
• couple big handfuls of freshly picked basil leaves (if available, otherwise use dried basil)
• 1/4-1/2 t hing
• 1/2-1 t black pepper
• salt, as desired
• ghee

PREPARATION:

1. Peel and cut potatoes into large chunks
2. Add water until potatoes are covered and a few inches more.
3. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender.
4. Gently mash. The result should be soupy.
5. Chaunce the ghee with hing and black pepper .
6.  Add to the soup with basil and oregano.
7. Simmer about 15 minutes more to incorporate all the flavors.
8. Offer to Krishna with freshly cooked parathas or wedges of leavened bread.

Why I'm a Vegetarian

For more reasons, check out the web site: totalveg.com.  Has many good looking recipes from devotees!

Cauliflower Tomato Subji with Fresh Basil Leaves

Fresh basil straight from the garden was the inspiration for this dish for Lord Krishna's satisfaction, using whatever vegetables were available. Carrots, which are alkaline, were added to help neutralize the acidity* of the tomatoes. If my memory serves correctly, this is how it was prepared a few days ago.

INGREDIENTS:
a handful or two of fresh basil leaves, whole with large stems removed
about 12 plum tomatoes, blended
1 large cauliflower, cut into bite size pieces
1 large carrot, chopped
4-5 T ghee
1/4 t hing
1 t coriander powder
1/2 t ground black pepper
salt

PREPARATION:
1. Chaunce on medium high heat the hing, black pepper and coriander in several tablespoons of ghee (or as desired). Add the basil leaves, stir them a few seconds and then immediately add the blended tomatoes.
2. Add the vegetables.
3. Stir and cover. Cook on medium-low heat until vegetables are tender as desired.  About 45 minutes..
4. Add salt, as desired.

VARIATION:
For enhanced flavor and faster cooking, stir fry a few minutes the vegetables in a frying pan in about a tablespoon or two of hot ghee. Add a splash of water, cover and cook on high until the water evaporates. Add to the tomato sauce and cook few minutes longer.

*A pinch of baking soda to the tomato sauce while cooking also helps cut down unwanted acidity, but not my favorite option.

Motherhood Supreme

 

Had a fantastic Janmastami weekend. Found this inspiring picture to save here. Srimati Yasoda Mata ki Jaya!!!

Carob Chip Cookies

 

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 1/4 c atta flour
• 1 t baking soda
• 3/4 t salt
• 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 c organic sugar
• 4 heaping tablespoons of yogurt
• 1 t vanilla  (non-alcohol)
• 2 cups carob chips
  
• 1 c finely chopped almonds or walnuts

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 375° F.

1. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl. 
2. Beat the butter and sugar in another bowl until creamy. 
3. Add the yogurt and vanilla and mix well.
4. Gradually stir in the flour mixture, carob chips and nuts. 
5. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets.
6. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. 

Cool a bit before offering to Krishna with a glass of cold milk!

The original recipe came from here: Toll House Cookies.
The recipe says 1 t salt, but it was too much for my taste. 1/2 - 3/4 t is better.
The yogurt is what replaces the eggs. Sour cream would be good also.