Ekadasi Soma Kichari Recipe

To serve : 2 people

Ingredients

Samo millet : 1 cup
Green Chillies : 2 medium sized
Carrots chopped  finger size : 1/2 cup
Potato peeled and chopped finger size : 1/2 cup
Medium sized tomato : 1
Any other vegetable except spinach, beans and peas can be added.
Zeera/cumin : 1/2 tea spoon
Clove : 2
Cinnamon powder : 1/4 teaspoon
Ginger paste or coarsely cut pieces : 1/2 teaspoon
Turmeric powder : 1/4 teaspoon
Coriander powder : 3/4 teaspoon
Coriander leaves
Ghee : 3 teaspoons
Salt to taste

Cooking Method

1. Fry samo millet in a pan with 1 teaspoon of ghee in low flame. Fry till each millet splits on one end and appears opaque.

2. Add 2 teaspoons of ghee in to medium size pressure cooker or pressure pan. Samo, after cooked can increase 5 times in volume. Take appropriate vessel size.
3. Heat ghee in low flame and add cumin seeds.

4. Add slit green chillies, clove, cinnamon powder and ginger. Fry for a minute. Add turmeric.

5. Add cut vegetables and fry for two minutes. Add tomato last.

6. Add samo and mix.

7. Pour 5 cups water and salt per taste.

8. Cook in pressure cooker for 3 minutes on low heat after the first whistle sound.

9. When the steam is out, open and mix the cooked samo. If there is a little excess water, allow it to sit for a few minutes, it will thicken in consistency.

10. When hot, sprinkle coriander powder and close the vessel.

11. Open after 2 minutes and mix. Add coriander leaves.
12. Offer to Lord Krishna with love.

13. Serve hot with ekadasi crackers or chips and yoghurt.

Ekadasi

Various parts of the subcontinent follow different almanac. The eleventh day after the full moon is called Ekadasi. It comes twice a month. In all the almanac this day is considered very auspicious. People fast from food and perform not other economic activity on this day.

According to the Purana's (corollary Vedic texts written by Srila Vyasadev who is the compiler of Vedas) once there was a demon called Mura. He was very strong and had subjugated the entire universe including the upper and lower planets under his evil and powerful rule. One should note here that according to Srimad Bhagavatam, this particular universe we are in has totally seven planetary systems. The earth planet is in the middle.

The head of the demigods, Indra along with his associates from the upper planetary system appealed to Lord Vishnu to protect them from this evil demon who has snatched away their kingdom. Lord Vishnu, who is the saviour of His devotees came to fight the demon and their fight lasted for many thousand celestial years.

During the fight Lord Vishnu chose to rest for some time in a cave and reclined to it. However the demon saw this as a good opportunity to attack and kill his enemy. Meanwhile the bodily effulgence of reclining Lord Vishnu took the form of a beautiful lady called Ekadasi and fought with Mura. She defeated and killed the demon. Upon waking the Lord was very pleased with what Ekadasi had achieved. So He granted her a boon that every eleventh day after the full moon would be known by her name and that anyone who does devotion to Lord Vishnu on that day would derive manifold benefits than on other days.

Hence the Vaishnavas, worshipper of Lord Vishnu observe this day as very special and they spend the whole day in complete remembrance of the Supreme by chanting His holy name, doing bajans, reading holy scripture and associating with like minded people. They fast on this day to lessen the time spent of bodily needs and also to get the mellow mood of worship which is conducive in a not-so robust body. They fast particularly from grains. It is believed that the Sin personified appealed to the Lord for shelter as on Ekadasi everything is so pure. The Lord gave place in the grains. Hence the Vaishnavas stay away from grains on this day. Some fast on fruit diet, some take only milk, some take only water and there are some who take 'nirjala' fasting which means not even water. This is an amazing austerity that they take for their spiritual benefit.

However Ayurveda also recommends fasting with fruit diet at least once in fifteen days for detoxifying the body. Habits of the yore are, no doubt, well thought out processes that helps in overall health and well being. Good to know about them.