The Harmony of Ingredients

The Harmony of Ingredients

Revered Sundarsath Ji, As we all know, this world is full of masalas or ingredients that shape taste, color, fragrance, and form. But the term "masala" (ingredient or essence) is not confined to the kitchen. It represents our emotions, sentiments, possessions, body, mind, wealth, relationships, and knowledge — all of these are, in their own way, forms of masalas expressing the flavor of life.

Each of these ingredients has its rightful place in the realm of human experience. They help create the rasa — the flavor — of our lives, and often offer a glimpse of divine bliss on a deeper spiritual plane.

The Tartam Vani (the eternal voice of balance) too speaks of many kinds of masalas — whether of the world or of the Supreme Abode. Each ingredient, each symbol, has its unique value. The problem arises, however, when we cling to only one such ingredient, take it to be the whole, and ignore the rest. This is the web of maya — being entangled in fragments and forgetting the whole.

🔹 What is Tartamya (Harmony)?

From the netherworlds to the Supreme Abode, there exists a harmony of commands, a harmony of knowledge, a harmony of relationships, a harmony of joy and sorrow, and a harmony of love. Each is a step in the evolution of the soul.

Today, we reflect on the "Harmony of Ingredients" — illuminated through the divine words of Shri Prannath.

1. Understanding the Supreme Abode through worldly ingredients

"Whatever is seen, said, or experienced in this world — it merely hints at the truth beyond. The true Supreme Abode lies far beyond these expressions."

The Supreme has been described using seen ingredients of this world,

But even a single word cannot truly reach the essence of that Abode. (Singaar 4/5)

I speak of its beauty with words borrowed from here — how can they reach the Divine,

When the true nature of that Supreme is far beyond? (Sagar 6/112)

Here, "seen ingredients" (drasht masalas) are only symbolic — faint reflections of that which cannot be seen, spoken, or grasped through the senses.

2. Understanding the Supreme through its own divine ingredients

"To awaken the soul to the Supreme's bliss, the Vani uses ingredients from the Supreme Abode itself — so that the heart may resonate with its divine fragrance."

Mahamati says, "I speak as commanded, using the ingredients of the Arsh (Supreme Realm),

To awaken the true joy within the celestial souls." (Singaar 11/86)

All aspects of truth are blended through divine command,

The ingredients of the Supreme fully employed, to awaken the sleeping souls.(Singaar 2/13)

When you see colors, silks, and jewels — these are only symbolic ingredients.

The Supreme Abode is unclothed by such coverings, revealing inner hues alone. (Singaar 17/20)

Even the forms in animals and nature — they too reflect the divine.

Ponder their colors and qualities; they too are inspired by Arsh's masalas. (Singaar 21/69)

These ingredients of the Arsh — colors, silks, jewels — are not ends in themselves but awaken in us feelings that go beyond words and intellect.

3. The Divine Leela of the Supreme, revealed through the sentiments of the sakhis (companions)

"The playful divine service in Paramdham (Supreme Abode) comes alive through the beauty, gentleness, and grace of the sakhis. Here, love-laden ingredients are exchanged — as if one soul offers itself entirely to another."

With grace, the sakhis prepare ingredients and offer them to each other.

As daylight ascends, they serve their Beloved with delight. (Parikrama 3/104)

This divine Leela teaches that true bliss is born of harmonious service, shared love, and beauty of spirit.

4. In Jagni Leela, worldly ingredients become acts of service

"In Jagni Leela — the spiritual play in the world — the sakhis, inspired by the remembrance of the Supreme Abode, transform everyday worldly tools into offerings of love. This is not external ritual, but a living gesture of intimacy with the Beloved."

Needles, threads, wooden sticks — and many more tools.

Ginger, herbs, pipal bark — so many fragrant ingredients. (Bitak 68/70)

Some prepare fragrances, some bring ingredients from home.

Sweets, delicacies, and dishes — all lovingly offered to please the Beloved.(Bitak 68/16)

The aim of these service-ingredients is love — a service imbued with devotion, offered with the soul.

Perfect Awakening = Knowing the Harmony of Ingredients

When:

• the worldly ingredients awaken the memory of the Supreme,

• the ingredients of the Arsh illuminate its divine splendor,

• the emotions of the sakhis manifest divine Leela, and

• in the Jagni Leela, every object — body, mind, wealth — becomes an instrument of loving service…

Then the harmony of ingredients is realized.

And in that moment, this world becomes one with Paramdham.

If even one of these four kinds of ingredients is missing, the completeness of divine joy is lost.

To practice and embody this harmony — to unite the moment here with the eternal moment there — is the supreme art of awakened life.

Wholeness vs. Fragments

There are many stages in Jagni (the waking).

But true awakening happens only when all ingredients come together in harmony to form a complete rasa.

If one link breaks, the thread of divine bliss breaks too.

That is why inner harmony — between feelings, knowledge, sensitivity, and service — is essential.

The Masalas of Vraj, Vrindavan, and Paramdham

To go beyond the beyond — we need the flavors of Vraj's devotion, the ingredients of Vrindavan's Raas, the divine masalas of Paramdham, and the heartfelt offerings of Jagni Leela — all aligned in a continuous offering of the present moment.

When:

• the love of Vraj,

• the Raas of Vrindavan,

• the blissful feelings of Paramdham, and

• the loving service of Jagni Leela —

become fully integrated into every moment of life…

Then manifests Indravati Ji's Great Dream:

While sitting here, in the Paramdham all awaken,

All desires fulfilled, every work complete.

The Beloved laughs and claps in joy,

And lifts the soul with smiling bliss.(Prakash Hin 37/118)

In Conclusion:

The Harmony of Ingredients means seeing divine unity within life's diversity.

Where every masala — whether worldly or spiritual — becomes a means to return to the Supreme.

May you always dwell in bliss and divine celebration.

Contemplation June 8, 3025, Tampa, FL