Annam Parabrahma Swaroopam ~ A little bit about Rice.

“Annam Parabrahma Swaroopam” … Plz. DO NOT WASTE FOOD, cook only that much how much is necessary, if cooked in excess, have a large heart and always give away the same immediately instead of keeping it for hours and then throwing it away … there are millions of people out there who do not have a proper meal … Be thankful for having meal on your table and give away if in excess and get blessed … Here is a little bit about Rice, it’s Importance, Storage and Usage … 

** In Hindu scriptures, lot of importance is given to food (annam), it is referred to as a form of Brahman (Lord Almighty). It has rightly been referred to millions of years back as "Food is God, God is love", so spread love by sharing food and it is very important that food is not wasted. When a person is hungry for food, he never thinks about religion or God, to him Food is God. When a person is hungry, he does not need you preaching’s or your charily of wealth, he will be highly obliged if you give him food. Food is the necessity of life, wastage of food by throwing away the same is anadar (disrespect) towards Food and is similar to not respecting God. Hindus have always equated food to God as it gives us that energy needed to carry out our daily activities. The brain is said to function properly when a body is fed properly, Hence food has long been put in the scriptures rightly as “annam parabrahma swaroopam” (food is God's personification). 

** Sri Annapurna Devi is a Goddess who represents food for Hindus and is worshiped by placing an Idol of the Goddess in every home. Goddess Annapurna is considered a form of Parvati Mata, wife of Lord Shiva. The word Annapurna is actually derived from two words. Anna means food and Purna means complete or abundant. So literally it means a Goddess who fills your home abundantly with food. The Idol of Goddess Annapurna is always seen with a bowl in one hand and a spoon in another which shows the grace of the Goddess who has a large heart and feeds all those who come to her with faith. For Hindus she is a protecting deity from evil, as a home filled with food is considered to be the most blessed one. The Idol of the deity kept in homes is always in seated position which according to some wise men, is the most appropriate one. It is believed she will not walk away if she is given a proper respect in the home and will adorn the seat forever. 

** The Idol of the Goddess is always placed half immersed on rice grains as a mark of respect to her which is placed in a bowl. The same is kept in the Mantap / Temple / Worshiping place of the home. Some also keep the Idol deeply immersed in the rice drums / containers of the home and it is believed that as you use and empty the rice on reaching the spot where the Goddess is placed, it is time to refill the container again with new rice grains. These are a few religious / rituals guided over to us by our ancestors which we have followed without questioning them much on the same. It is our strong belief that our ancestors always followed something for the betterment of the family and community and it is our moral duty to do so and see to it that the coming generations follow the same. Faith is the most important aspect in following certain traditions, otherwise it is simply no use of following anything just blindly or for the sake of doing it. God is always pleased with act of kindness and not by the excess wealth or other pompous show off that are offered to him/her. Just like the saying that goes … “A simple act of kindness the size of a “rice grain” can weigh as heavy as a mountain.”

** Note : The rice on which the Goddess is seated should not be thrown. It should be used by adding on to the rice while cooking the same. The rice is usually replaced either once in a week on every Friday or some do so on first Friday of the Month. Having said this I would like to add here that these are rituals followed by our ancestors which we have followed with faith. But it is always Shraddha (faith) that is much more important than rituals. So if you have faith and honestly pray the Goddess too she is sure to Bless even if these rituals are not followed.  

** Rice also holds both spiritual and ritual significance in most religions. Rice is an important crop / a staple food of our diet. It is considered to be auspicious and is therefore extensively used both in rites and rituals. In every ceremony rice holds an important position and without rice no function / ritual is considered to be complete. It is the most auspicious offering to God as Naivedyam on all occasions barring a few. It is offered even to Agni while performing homas. It is the lifeline of thousands of millions of people round the world. Some of the important position a rice holds besides filling a man’s hunger is, it is important during wedding rituals, first feeding ceremony of child, education initiation ceremony of child, harvest celebrations. Rice is often sprinkled over the head as a mark of blessing towards newlywed couples, Brahmopadesham of child, pregnant women's baby shower, birthdays of the children, when offering gifts to younger ones etc. Rice is also used in Vanti a tradition followed by Hindus where in they offer coconut, fruit and rice on the pallo (saree fold) of the married women. Harvest season also is given a lot of importance at appropriate season of sowing and cutting them too. 

** Coming to the most important part of Rice is storing of rice in proper way. Air-tight containers are a great item for food storage of all types. The lid of the container in whichever box you put the rice into should be tight lidded. Again a piece of clean white cotton cloth if placed on the top of the box and then the lid is fastened on keeps the rice in good position for a long time. Rice gets infested with black or white pests, small white worms etc. The most important aspect here is to see that moisture does not enter or hit the rice grain. When a cloth is place, the moisture is blocked from entering the stored rice. Usually old rice ie at least say 3-4 month old rice gives the best result while cooking unlike new ones. So always query with the dealer and buy rice from old stock so that you get the best ones. You can also purchase new stock which comes into the market somewhere around November to January, treat them in proper manner for stocking and do so and start using them after a few months. 

** Again if the rice does get infested by worms, just put them in a large tray and keep it out in medium sunlight for just about 3-4 hours. The heat will kill most or make them go for a walk from the rice tray and the rice will be almost pest free. Check before you put it back in the box for storing. Again addition neem leaves (kadu nimboo patta) is also a good option. Pick some fresh neem leaves and spread them on a towel or plate and allow to dry so that there is no trace of water in them. Do not dry them too much, put them in layers in between the rice in the stored box / drum or you can also put them in cloth and lay the same at the bottom and top of the drum / box. This also helps a lot in keeping the pest away. This is a age old method followed by many for keeping the pest and the bacteria infesting the rice away. 

** Storing the rice container in a good place : The container should always be kept away from sunlight. Direct heat or sunlight is not good for rice containers and a dark corner with low humidity is preferable. The place where you keep the same should be moisture free. You can place some newspapers on the bottom of the container so that the moisture does not reach the container. These are just a few cautions I take while storing the rice in my home. Having said that in today’s generation, unlike decades back all food grains are available in good condition all round the year, so if it is easier for you to purchase them often, then do so and avoid the hassles of too much storage. I have started purchasing only few kilos of both boiled and surti kolam rice now and just put them in stainless steel containers, add in just a few neem leaves and cover with a white cloth and I am tension free. The choice off course is yours. There may be many more methods of storing rice, I am sure you know off too. 

** Now comes the most important part of rice, yes cooking of rice. Rice is almost made into a villain nowadays by the so called health promoters. I have absolutely no knowledge of the medical side of the plus and minus points of the same and will not run into it. But too much of anything in life is never recommended. Our ancestors enjoyed rice, which is equally good to me and I follow that pattern. Yes, I have cut down and we Konkani Saraswat’s cook rice in boiling water, which is later drained off. This method gives you starch free rice, that is much better than the one’s cooked in pressure cooker or by absorbent method which retains the starch. I have written a detailed description article of the cooking method and I am sharing the same here below. Please go through that link for a lovely method of cooking fluffy, light, starch free rice. 

** “Cooking Rice Starch Free / Vanu ghalnu SheetHa” … Rice cooked and the water is drained off to remove excess starch. The rice remains well cooked without sticking to each other … Do try this formula / method of cooking as it is very healthy. 

** Here is the link to the Recipe ..... 

http://gayathrifoodbytes.blogspot.in/2015/06/vanu-galnu-sheetha-cooking-of-starch.html#more

** Wasting of rice is completely NO-NO. Never cook rice in excess and never throw the same or waste rice. It is always better to cook that much how much is necessary and give away the excess immediately so that you feed someone hungry out there instead of keeping it for a day and then chucking it out. Food is next to God and never ever neglect food, it is not advice able even in the interest of a developing country that has so many hungry and malnutrition children yearning to have the same. Have a good heart and give it away but never throw it away. Excess rice if stored immediately in the fridge can also be converted into many other items, which you will have access to if you search the net properly. Many of us bloggers have posted so many posts of recycling of food too. Check out and you will get thousands of solutions. 

** I end the article here, but not completely, I will be adding on some more tips and tricks soon here, so do keep a tab on this article. As and when I come across I will be updating new information's here. Thank you and Plz. DO NOT WASTE FOOD. 

** Disclaimer : I have adapted and written this to the best of my knowledge from my own experience, net sources, different blogs, friends and various other sources. Do excuse if there are any shortcomings. My method’s my differ and here my intention is only to help out and I hold not authority or responsibility to it. Again, It is not my intention to hurt any person or anybody’s religious belief.