Purifying the Soul's Abode

By Anil Matai

(Please refer below for the complete poem in "Sindhi Poetry")

In the quiet corners of our hearts, where the chambers echo with the hustle and bustle of worldly desires and egoic pursuits, there lies an eternal yearning. It's a longing for something purer, something divine, something that transcends the mundane and elevates us to new heights. It's a yearning for a brand-new start, a fresh beginning, a chance to cleanse the stains of worldly strife and make room for the Lord, the Light of life.

Now, dear reader, let me transport you to a time long ago, to a tale that mirrors the timeless wisdom contained in the poem "Purifying the Soul's Abode." Picture a bustling medieval marketplace, filled with merchants peddling their wares and villagers haggling for the best deals. Amongst this chaos, there lived a man named Nasir, known for his quick wit and a knack for finding humor even in the direst of situations.

One sweltering afternoon, as Nasir was navigating the labyrinthine streets of the market, he stumbled upon a vendor selling mirrors. Not just any mirrors, mind you, but mirrors that claimed to reflect one's true self, both inside and out. Intrigued, Nasir approached the vendor, a wizened old man with a twinkle in his eye.

"Ah, good sir! Allow me to introduce you to the mirror of mirrors," the vendor proclaimed, holding up a finely crafted looking glass. "With this mirror, you shall see not only your outer appearance but also the state of your soul. It shall reveal the stains and cobwebs within, just as it shows your reflection."

Nasir, ever the skeptic, couldn't resist a chuckle. "You mean to tell me, dear vendor, that this mirror can reveal the clutter within my heart, the dust of ego, and the cobwebs of despair? And all that while I see my own face?"

The vendor nodded sagely, "Indeed, dear sir. This mirror is not like any other. It possesses the power to reveal what lies beneath the surface, the very essence of your being."

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Nasir decided to put the mirror to the test. He purchased it, albeit with a healthy dose of skepticism, and took it home. As he gazed into the mirror, he couldn't help but admire his own reflection. But something was amiss. He noticed faint stains on the edges of the mirror, and as he continued to look, he saw cobwebs forming in the corners.

"Curious," he thought. "Could it be that this mirror is indeed reflecting the state of my soul?"

Intrigued, Nasir decided to embark on a journey of self-improvement. He began by addressing the stains of ego, scrubbing away the pride and self-importance that had led him astray. With each act of humility, he noticed the stains on the mirror slowly fading away, and a sense of lightness washed over him.

As he continued to work on himself, he tackled the cobwebs of despair that had cluttered his thoughts for so long. Nasir sought guidance from wise mentors, practiced mindfulness, and meditated daily. With each step, he felt the cobwebs in his mind gradually dissipating, leaving behind a sense of clarity and peace.

Now, you might be wondering, dear reader, what does Nasir's tale have to do with the poem "Purifying the Soul's Abode"? Well, you see, both the poem and Nasir's journey share a profound message—that within each of us lies the potential for transformation and spiritual growth.

In the poem, the poet yearns to cleanse the stains of worldly strife and make room for the divine presence. The tears of remorse represent a heartfelt desire for purification, just as Nasir's initial skepticism turned into a genuine commitment to self-improvement.

The act of sweeping away cobwebs in the poem mirrors Nasir's quest to clear the cluttered thoughts in his mind, creating space for love to bloom. Both the poem and Nasir's story emphasize the importance of stillness and silence as a means to resume the journey towards self-discovery and personal growth.

With every breath, as mentioned in the poem, we can clear the way for the divine presence to sway brightly in our hearts, just as Nasir cleared the way for a clearer reflection in his mystical mirror. It's a reminder that self-improvement and spiritual growth are not one-time endeavours but ongoing processes that require dedication and mindfulness.

As Nasir continued his journey, he realized that he needed to empty his vessel of worldly desires, just as the poem suggests. He let go of attachments and invited the divine to enter his heart, filling the void with radiant light. The shadows of doubt and fright that had haunted him began to fade, replaced by a profound sense of faith and courage.

In the quiet sanctuary of Nasir's soul, he discovered a profound truth—the presence of the divine within. It was an embrace so wide, so encompassing, that it left him in awe. Just as the poem's verses describe, in the presence of the Lord, Nasir found peace deep inside his being.

So, dear reader, let Nasir's tale and the wisdom of "Purifying the Soul's Abode" be a guiding light on your own journey towards self-improvement and personal growth. Just as Nasir's initial skepticism gave way to transformation, so too can your doubts and uncertainties evolve into profound insights and inner peace.

In the end, we all have our mirrors, whether literal or metaphorical, that reflect the state of our souls. It is up to us to cleanse the stains, clear away the cobwebs, and make room for the divine presence within. And as you embark on this journey of self-discovery, remember the words of Nasir, the quick-witted traveller of the medieval marketplace, who found humor in the mirror of mirrors and wisdom in the depths of his own soul.

May you find the courage to cleanse your heart, make room for the divine, and create a sacred home within—a pure abode where the Lord shall dwell, forever bestowed. And in this pursuit, may you discover not only the reflection of your true self but also the boundless potential for growth and transformation that resides within us all. So, let us, dear reader, cleanse our hearts today, make room for the Lord, come what may. In the style of the ancient preachers of yore, let love's fire burn within our souls, guiding us on a path of self-improvement, personal growth, and spiritual enlightenment. Embrace the journey, for within it lies the promise of a brighter, more radiant future.

In the words of Nasir, the ever-curious seeker of truth, "To cleanse one's heart is to invite the divine. And in that divine embrace, we find the greatest treasure of all—ourselves, reborn and renewed."

May your journey be filled with light, laughter, and the eternal quest for a purer, more enlightened soul.

Sindhi Food

By Vivek Pamnani 

Part 5 of a series of letters to young Sindhi boys and girls to make them aware of their culture and heritage.

The objective of these letters is not to ridicule religious groups or sects and is primarily directed at young Sindhi boys and girls. Take it in a positive sense and dwell on it.

Sindhi food - Not all as it appears to be

Well the topic in question is my favourite topic and you guessed it right. It's food. Food holy food. Sindhis everywhere are food lovers. Khawaiyyas as they are called.

A large number of Sindhis today are followers of various sects like Radha Swami Beas, Radha Soami Dinod ( I never could make out the difference between the two), Pushtimarg, Hare Krishna, Guru Nanak, Asaram, Brahmakumaris, Sai Baba, Klu Klux Clan, etc. This is a free world. To each his own.

Respect for all. I have no opinions about anyone's choices. People can have any opinion about my choices and are free to pay my bills whenever they like.

Freedom is your right and you are also free to choose what you eat.

You could be vegetarian, eggetarian, non vegetarian, Sunday non vegetarian, eating only in maika/sasural non vegetarian, eating only gravy of the meat non vegetarian or even a Rastafarian (wish I knew what that means)

All of us have grown up on a traditional diet of the usual kadi-chawal, sai bhaji, buggey chawal, koki, papad, dal pakwaan etc. Soul food for the regular Sindhi.

I am someone who enjoys cooking  and like to think of myself as an amateur chef. (Although my wife completely disagrees with my style of cooking :D)

So is sindhi food well known outside the community?

A special mention here about the "Kailash Parbat" chain of restaurants having a pan Indian presence. The Kailash Parbat chain of restaurants, founded by the  Mulchandani brothers in 1950 made Sindhi food a household name through their chain of restaurants in metros across India and even overseas.

Their "Sindh jo swaad" menu section introduced sindhi vegetarian cuisine to the mainstream Indian palate on a large scale.

But is Sindhi cuisine all ghas-poos (vegetarian) as is made out to be?

Were early Sindhis vegetarian????

The dynasties that ruled most of Sindh and western Punjab in antiquity were the Rohr Dynasty, (a hindu dynasty) a thousand year reign from 450BC to 490AD and the Rai Dynasty (a Hindu-Buddhist Dynasty that ruled from Kashmir to Sindh from 490AD till 645 AD)

Little historical records remain of these eras. Greek, Arab and local courtiers in the era do record hunting trips for the meat of the now almost extinct Sindhi deer and Sindhi ibex and large fishing fleets in existence in the Indus river. So its safe to assume that meat and fish were consumed at least among the warriors and Kings and among fishermen.

As you know Sindh province was located close to Iran/Central Asia and had a huge river loaded with fish floating by. The locals surely added fish to the bhee (lotus stems) they regularly picked by the riverside .

As trade links and foreign influences from other cultures came into play, Sindhi cuisine evolved as well. The Arab invasion and consequent spread of Islam in Sindh in the 8th century, gave rise to increased sheep herding and meat consumption.


Since we all know of the regular vegetarian dishes eaten on an almost daily basis in Sindhi households, I will spare you the details of those recipes. I won't even get into the timeless veg vs non veg debate and waste your time.

Coming over to the carnivores amongst us.

A much ignored and fascinating aspect of Sindhi cooking are the dishes involving meat and fish. Unknown to most of us there is more to Sindhi food than the usual suspects.

On a visit to Karachi and Port Gasim three years ago, I had the chance to sample local Sindhi meat dishes in a little restaurant cum dhaba which were just yum. On a funny note the owner was an old Sindhi Muslim "chacha sai" who gave me a 50 percent discount and free lassi, when he found out I was a Sindhi from India, with ancestral roots to Karachi.

You would be surprised to know that as is with most parts of the subcontinent, there even exists a Sindhi biryani and a Sindhi kebab.

Interested to try some???

(This letter was not meant to comment on anyone's food habits but was meant to explore a part of our cuisine unknown to many people.)

Sadhu Vaswani Center

Submitted By Komal Kalvani

Sadhu Vaswani Center Closter US

The International Meatless Day was established in 1986 by India’s Sadhu Vaswani Mission to honor the birth date of its founder. The aim is to raise awareness about the impact of our dietary choices on animals and the environment.

Thanksgiving was on Thursday, November 23, which Lotus advocated should be celebrated without turkey on your plate. Now comes International Meatless Day which is observed on November 25. New Jersey-based, Sadhu Vaswani Center for World Peace, which spearheads the effort, is inviting people worldwide to take the #VegPledge and consciously choose a vegetarian lifestyle at least for one day. This collective effort aims to raise awareness about the impact of our dietary choices on animals and the environment.

International Meatless Day is a poignant reminder that small actions can create meaningful change. By opting for plant-based meals on November 25, participants contribute to a day of compassion and peace and take a stand against animal cruelty.

The International Meatless Day was established in 1986 by Rev. Dada J.P. Vaswani, the spiritual leader of Pune, India-based, Sadhu Vaswani Mission, to honor the birth date of Sadhu T.L. Vaswani, his predecessor, and founder of the movement and to promote compassion and sustainability by encouraging people to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle.

Four Indian state governments – of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka – notify butchers’ shops to be closed on November 25.

Sadhu Vaswani Mission in India organized festivities from November 23-25 commemorating the 144th birthday of Sadhu Vaswani this year. Highlights of the program included the annual rath yatra, satsangs and spiritual talks, besides observance of the International Meatless Day.

Healthcare institutions affiliated with Sadhu Vaswani Mission offered concessional treatments. Extensive service activities were planned in local communities, embodying Sadhu Vaswani’s teachings of compassion and service to humanity.

Dada Vaswani famously said: The 18th century gave rights to men; the 19th century gave rights to slaves; the 20th century has given rights to women; the 21st century, I verily believe, is going to give rights (to live) to animals.

“Every animal has some fundamental rights. The very first fundamental right of an animal is the right to live.” This was part of Dada Vaswani’s message of non-violence, which he took to some of the world’s greatest forums – the United Nations, the House of Commons in England, and so many more.

Starting in the 1980s, Dada Vaswani’s mission of humanitarian initiatives laid the foundation for a global movement towards peace. After he passed away in 2018 at the ripe old age of 100, his work has been carried on by his successor, Didi Krishna Kumari.

Sadhu Vaswani Center for World Peace, based in East Brunswick, NJ, is dedicated to cultivating a world of compassion, and unity where diversity is celebrated, and the bonds of humanity are strengthened through education, interfaith dialogue, and humanitarian initiatives. “Fostering love, forgiveness, and mutual respect guides our efforts to build a foundation for lasting peace, leaving a positive and transformative impact on generations to come,” added their press release.

Article written by Team@Lotus

The Lotus team of professional journalists and editors is based in the USA and India

Take the veg pledge for 2024

Here is how you can participate in the International Meatless Day

• Commit: Pledge to go meatless on November 25 or for a week, month, year, or life.

• Share: Encourage friends and family to join the movement, spread the message of compassion on social media, use #VegPledge and #InternationalMeatlessDay.

• Explore: Share your plant-based meal creations, experiences, and thoughts on social media to inspire others to make compassionate choices. Tag Sadhu Vaswani Center and tag your friends to take the pledge!

You can follow @sadhuvaswanicenter on Instagram for their Daily Soul Searching Series, and take a step towards a more compassionate, peaceful, and sustainable future.

For more info, sadhuvaswanicenterwp@gmail.com 

Purifying the Soul's Abode

By Anil Matai

In the chamber of my restless heart,

I yearn to make a brand-new start,

To cleanse the stains of worldly strife,

And make room for the Lord, the Light of life.

With tears of remorse, I scrub away,

The dust of ego that led me astray,

Each drop a prayer, each sigh a plea,

To create a dwelling pure, where God can be.

I sweep away the cobwebs of despair,

The cluttered thoughts that lingered there,

To make a space where love can bloom,

And in the silence, my soul may resume.

With every breath, I clear the way,

For the Lord's presence to brightly sway,

In the stillness of my heart's embrace,

I seek His grace, His divine grace.

I empty my vessel of worldly desire,

To invite the Lord to enter and inspire,

To fill the void with His radiant light,

And banish the shadows of doubt and fright.

In the quiet sanctuary of my soul's domain,

I find the Lord, His love and His reign,

Embracing me with arms so wide,

In His presence, I find peace inside.

Oh, how the heart becomes so free,

When it's cleansed and filled with Thee,

A sacred home, a pure abode,

For the Lord to dwell, forever bestowed.

So, let us cleanse our hearts today,

Make room for the Lord, come what may,

In the style of Rumi, let love's fire burn,

In our hearts, where the Lord shall return.

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