Friday, September 23, 2011

Remember the ancestors ... the reward in a few days is "sundal"

"The days before Navarathri is a special time to remember one's ancestors" dad said earlier when I called to check on my parents.

Something new I find out every single day!

I had no idea about this special time, though I am all too familiar with Navarathri.

One major reason I fondly recall the nine days?  Because of the wonderful "sundal"--every day a different one.

My favorite of them all is a sweet sundal made with jaggery, which my mother says is very easy to make but am yet to try in my kitchen.  Maybe I shall soon, and stop this awful, awful drool over the keyboard :)

BTW, I didn't care much about the tenth day, when we had to get back to studying!

Dad's comment about the days prior was news to me.  In the memory of the ancestors who made possible this wonderful life, he said he donates food to the needy.  And boy aren't there people in need in India.

"Ultimately it is to remember the ancestors, and not to forget those people, and helping others is a fantastic idea" I said.

"Yes" he said and asked me, "do you know the poem 'Abou Ben Adhem'?"

Of course I don't. 

Every single day is a revelation of my ignorance as well!

So, dad then proceeded to recite the poem, which I tracked down from the web:

Abou Ben Adhem
By James Leigh Hunt

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An Angel writing in a book of gold:
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said,
"What writest thou?" The Vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord
Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the Angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still; and said, "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one who loves his fellow men."
The Angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest!


So, hey, 'tis the season to remember. Go ahead and do your part.  And enjoy the sundal, too :)

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