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Dwadashi Meal

The breaking of the fast is called paraņa and you will find a lot of different opinions and restrictions with regards to when and how a fast should be broken, at which phase of the sun and moon and with which foods in particular. 

When I am fasting, I try not to focus on rules and restrictions because the idea of fasting is to free the mind, not bind it further in rituals. And when you impose strict fixed schedules and too many rules with regards to eating on the mind, it is bound to focus on food. Like it is said in the Geeta:

yatato hy api kaunteya
puruṣasya vipaścitaḥ
indriyāṇi pramāthīni
haranti prasabhaḿ manaḥ

Meaning:
The senses are so strong and impetuous, son of Kunti, that they forcibly carry away the mind even of a man of discrimination who is endeavoring to control them.

I enjoy fasting because it helps me focus on reading the Bhagwat Geeta. But when my Karma calls me, it becomes difficult to focus on reading and understanding. I need this body to function well at those times, so I eat simple and let my senses indulge a little. I enjoy cooking with these new ingredients as much as I do reading and eating.

My breakfast was still fruits and heres what my Lunch looks like today.


Sama Rice pulav with Rajgira Kadhi, Rajgira Patta Gobi Sambhariya (I added the soaked apricots as a side dish and skipped adding jaggery/sugar to the kadhi).

Notice that I have used no turmeric or spices but my tongue still enjoys every morsel I eat. I don't see this as a failure because I am not trying to become the perfect yogi here. The idea is to keep the meal simple and easily digestible and that is probably just what my mind and body needs after a fast. I consider it a bonus when you too enjoy eating these meals as you did Avantika.

After a day of fasting, the digestive system is said to slow down a little, so it is wise to start regular foods and spices gradually.

The recipe is very simple and not really my own. I got it from here and made just a few modifications to suit us. I used ginger and cumin for sama rice and fenugreek and Jeera for Kadhi tadka. A little Sendha Namak and some cashews and raisins in the pulav. Thats all. There was no need for Potato.


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