![]() The first concentration can be given to a sweet preparation called Payasam. As this contains sugar instead of the starch in the rice, it serves the purpose of starting the flow of saliva easily facilitating the conversion of starch in the next course of rice into sugar. It's also ready for absorption in the system. ![]() The next preparation is what is called Rasam and there are several kinds of it which can be named as Mysore-rasam, Pannlr-rasam, Milagu-rasam, Poricia-rasam, and so on. This is used with boiled rice and swallowed. In all these preparations tamarind, oil, salt, spices, black gram, etc., are used to be absorbed into the blood and thus enrich it to enable it to build fine tissues. Substances like coriander seed, cumin seed, mustard seed, pepper, etc., serve different purposes in the process of digestion of the food-stuff into the system. Some serve the purpose of a stomachic, whereas some substance like the asafetida is used in regulating the wind in the stomach. There are some other type to regulate the functions of the liver and so on. ![]() The last course consists of fruits to aid in the digestion of the food. The last course is boiled rice, mixed with curd or sour milk which contains a large quantity of salts necessary for the body. One interesting fact about the closing of the meal is praise of God are recited in a pleasant voice and tune by some among the guests. It is the firm-rooted belief of the Hindus that food taken with mind resting on pure and noble thoughts would go to build up bodies achieving noble deeds. For this purpose silence and meditation upon God during the meal time are observed by the wise. But the jolly and worldly-minded men and women swallow their food with pleasant tete-a-tete, which helps them to build bodies capable of responding to hilarious impacts. At any rate, food should never be taken with impure and bad thoughts. This is because of the reason that such men are sure to build bodies capable of doing bad and wicked actions. Further, food is enjoined to be eaten in company. This is for the simple reason that in such case the mind may be engaged in pleasant thoughts and conversation during the meal. The importance of Sambardhana, etc., lies in this fact only, viz., that the host helps the guests to build into their bodies tissues capable of responding to devotional impacts, if the feast is held in honour of a deity. So if people are bent on building bodies of a requisite temperament they should make it a point to dwell on the particular virtue required when taking their meals for a sufficient period of time. At that point of time they may be surely crowned with success. At the close of the meal pan supari, flowers and sandal paste are distributed to the guests. |
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