Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Go Bananas! All That and the Fruit Tastes Good


In his commentary on this occasion, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura quotes from the Hari-bhakti-vilasa. Barley powder, wheat powder, vermilion powder, urad dhal powder and another powder preparation called avata (made by mixing banana powder and ground rice) are applied to the Deity's body with a brush made from the hair at the end of a cow's tail. This produces a nice finish. The oil smeared over the body of the Deity should be scented. To perform the maha-snana, at least two and a half manas (about twenty-four gallons) of water are needed to pour over the body of the Deity.

Madhya 4.62

As soon as Sri Ranga Puri recalled Navadvipa, he also recalled accompanying Sri Madhavendra Puri to the house of Jagannatha Misra, where Ranga Puri had taken lunch. He even remembered the taste of an unprecedented curry made of banana flowers.

Madhya 9.296

He had cooked fine rice, mixed it with ghee and piled it high on a banana leaf. There were also varieties of vegetables, placed all around in pots made of banana tree bark.

Antya 12.125

Then Svarupa Damodara Gosvami devised another method. First he secured a large quantity of dry banana leaves. He then tore the leaves into very fine fibers with his nails and filled two of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's outer garments with the fibers. In this way, Svarupa Damodara made some bedding and a pillow, and after much endeavor by the devotees, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu accepted them.

Antya 13.17-19

Prabhupada: (chants fire sacrifice mantras) No, no. Everyone take little little. Very little, little take, everyone. Let him come. You come also. You take. Your yajna is not... You can take. (continues mantres) Svaha. Offer. Svaha. Three times. I shall say svaha three times; you'll offer. Why don't you... Svaha. Why you are sitting? Take and offer. You keep in hand and three times in three division you'll offer. Everyone take. Nama om visnu-padaya... (continues) Now take each one banana.

Talk, Initiation Lecture, and Ten Offenses Lecture -- Los Angeles, December 1, 1968

Health Benefits of Bananas (Link to Complete Article)

"A banana can help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must for our daily diet... A banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around..."

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