Add little ‘Pyar’

Everyone who came to the Ashram had something good to say about the Ashram food. I used to introduce Shija to them as the person behind the tasty food. She was responsible for the cooking 'seva' in the Ashram. She did it very well. In fact, she did every work well and with utmost devotion. For her, every work she did was like a 'sadhana. Sr. Seraphine came to learn the 'Shanti Yagna Meditation' which is the core spiritual exercise of the Ashram. She was also eager to learn cooking. from Shija. Seraphine was a good 'student' and Shija was eager to teach her all about cooking. Once Sr. Seraphine was preparing a vegetable dish under Shija's guidance. “What else to be added?" asked Sheraphine. “Add little pyar,” told Shija. Seraphine took an onion and started cutting it into small pieces. “Why are you cutting the onion?” asked Shija. "You told me to add little onion”, answered Seraphine. Shija burst out laughing. “Sisterjee.....I told you to add little 'pyar' not 'pya….” ('Pyar' in Hindi means love. 'Pyaj' means onion.) Sr. Seraphine heard it wrong!) The secret of the tasty food cooked and served by Shija was contained in that one single word 'pyar: She did everything with great 'pyar. The love with which Shija prepared the food made it so tasty. Most of us prefer to eat at home with our loved ones. The children run back home to their mother to be served and fed with love. You may offer to take a child to a 5-star hotel and serve the best food there is, but the child will always want to go to her mother at home to be fed. It is the love behind the words and deeds that appeals to us and attracts us. Love makes food tasty. Love makes the beloved appear so beautiful. Love makes us creative and dynamic. Love is the source of truth, goodness and beauty. The world desperately needs this 'love treatment: Love is the sure solution for most human problems in the present world. As Mother Teresa pointed out,' the tragedy of modern world is lack of love!