Preparation required to survive during the coming adverse times
1. Current coronavirus pandemic is just a glimpse of the coming severe adverse times !
Coronavirus has played havoc across the world since February 2020. Till 13.6.2020, 77,64,621 in the world had been infected with coronavirus, of which 4,28,740 people died. During this crisis there is no scarcity of essential commodities such as food grains, water, electricity, etc. People are also in their comfort zone with gadgets such as mobiles, internet, TV, etc.
Due to the lockdown, businesses have been affected adversely, leading to difficulties such as economic recession, citizens stranded in various parts of the country and abroad. Most people do not have to face any specific problem except staying inside their houses. Despite this, we are witnessing suicides due to boredom arising out of corona crisis, citizens taking to the streets due to non-availability of alcohol, many people not abiding by Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) laid down by the administration, etc. All these facts reveal the pathetic state of the people because of lack of education on Dharma and spiritual practice.
2. Brief outline of the coming terrible adverse times
Adverse times in the form of World War, earthquakes, floods, etc. are yet to come. Many Nadipatti-readers, foresighted Ascetics and Saints have predicted that come what may, the advent of adverse times is certain. The knocks of the adverse times are evident.
By holding China responsible for the spread of corona pandemic, some European countries along with USA, are gearing up for war against China. In a nutshell, World War 3 is approaching. These adverse times we are speaking of will not be a matter of a few days or months; instead, they will last till 2023.The duration of the severe adverse times will be 3 long years; in other words, untill the ‘Hindu Rashtra’ (Ideal Divine Rule) is established.
During such adverse times, power supply gets disrupted, transport system collapses due to shortage of fuel, etc. As a result, Government machinery is not able to help everywhere. There are obstacles in Government’s assistance as well. Hence, cooking gas, essential commodities such as food grains, water are not available for months at a stretch, and if at all, they are rationed. During such times, it becomes difficult to find doctors, Vaidyas (Ayurveda practitioners), medicines, hospitals, etc. easily. Considering all these facts, everyone should prepare at the physical, mental, familial, financial, spiritual levels well in advance.
3. Preparation at the physical level
Food is the fundamental requirement of living beings to live. For us to not starve during the adverse times, it is essential to buy sufficient quantities of food grains in advance. The present generation is not aware of the methods of storing and preserving various types of food grains for long durations. Hence, in this series we have suggested some methods of preservation. All said and done, whatever be the quantity of food grains, it will get consumed and if for some reason, the stock is not supplemented, it will get exhausted. As a precaution to not reaching a state of extreme destitution, we need to simultaneously cultivate food grains and vegetables (Agricultural products).
There are many restrictions to cultivating food grains such as rice, legumes; but root and tuber vegetables, vegetables that require less water and can be grown round the year, multi-use fruit trees, etc. can be grown around the house premises and in the balcony of a flat too.
Practical suggestions about such cultivation are given in this series. During adverse times, cooking gas may not be available. Hence, it has been advised that indigenous stove (that uses firewood), solar cooker, etc. be used It may not be possible to cook all normal food items during the adverse times. Keeping this in mind, practical suggestions have been given on storing specific food items and ways to preserve them longer.
A list of items that are essential daily for a family, as also items required occasionally, is given. This will help the readers during their purchases. Surviving is impossible without water, and the present generation of humans cannot think of living without electricity. Hence, alternative source of water, for storing water, for purifying it, as also alternatives to electricity, have been suggested in this series.
We have suggested various alternatives on every aspect. One should make arrangements depending on the need, availability of space, financial state, local weather and geographical location. Where there are limitations to suggestions at the practical level, we have limited ourselves to giving instructions only; for example, suggestion to dig a well to avoid scarcity of water during the adverse times. Here, we have refrained from detailing what exactly needs to be done. Readers should consult experts or study books themselves.
4. Preparation at mental level
Many suffer from restlessness, anxiety, depression, fear, etc. during the adverse times. To avoid such unhappy phases, effectively meaning, to face the adversities courageously, guidance has been provided on the appropriate autosuggestions that should be taken in advance.
5. Preparation at the spiritual level
Whatever preparations an individual does on his own strength for protection during the adverse times, yet, during extreme adversities, we are compelled to rely on God. If an individual obtains God’s grace by performing spiritual practice, then God certainly helps him during any crisis. The seriousness about performing spiritual practice will develop after reading this series.
6. Start preparing immediately
If readers start preparing immediately as advised in this series, the adverse times can become bearable. Readers should also caution their brethren in society about all these matters.
Compilation of some topics in this series is still going on. We have commenced publication of this series only to enable the readers get time for preparing. Very soon, we are also going to publish a Text series on this subject.
7. Prayer
We pray at the Holy feet of Shriguru – ‘May this series of article become useful, not only to survive during the adverse times, but also to remain blissful by accepting the perspective that spiritual practice is a part of life’ !
1. Physical level preparations to survive the adverse times
1A. Do this to prevent starving
1A 1. Anticipating shortage of cooking gas, kerosene required for the stove, etc. do the following.
1A 1A. Keep an indigenous stove (that uses firewood) at home
1. If you do not have a stove at home, buy an earthen, cement or cast iron stove. Some manufacture iron stoves which consume less fuel, emit less smoke and can be shifted easily. These are the advantages of such stoves when compared with traditional stove. One manufacturer is ‘Dattu Chulha’, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (Mobile : 9425009113). Some have provided a chimney for smoke to go out of the kitchen. We can study the utility of such modern stoves and depending on our need, buy one that suits us. (In an emergency, we should be able to make a fire place by placing 3 stones in a specific manner.)
2. Learn to light a stove, the process of cleaning it daily, etc.
3. Store enough firewood, coal, dried dung-cakes, ‘biomass briquettes’ (made by compressing bagasse, saw dust, peanut shells, sunflower stalks, etc.). Biomass briquettes are available in shops in big cities and Online as well.
4. Learn to cook on a stove. Learn to cook rice, dal, bhakari (A type of Indian bread) roasted on fire after heating it on a frying pan, etc. While learning to cook on a stove, try to reduce the habit of using the kitchen counter top.
1A 1B. Buy solar cooking equipment
1. Those who do not have solar power generation set should purchase equipment such as a solar cooker.
2. Those who have solar power should buy ‘Induction stove’ which is helpful in cooking food on electricity and utensils appropriate for cooking on such a stove. (There are limitations to getting solar energy in cloudy weather.)
1A 1C. When wet garbage (vegetable stalks, leftover food, other rotting sub-stances, etc.) generation is sufficient, go for a biogas plant.
Cowdung can be used in it, toilet waste could be attached to the biogas plant. In some States, Government bears the entire expense on erecting a biogas plant; whereas, in some States, Government gives subsidy that covers its partial cost.
1A 1D. Those who own cattle can erect a gobar-gas plant : They can release the toilet waste into the gobar gas plant. A farmer who erects such a plant can get subsidy that covers partial cost of the plant from the State Government under some specific scheme.
1A 2. Avoid using machines such as mixers while cooking; develop the habit of using conventional equipment instead.
A. Instead of churning buttermilk in an electrical churning staff, use a hand churning staff.
B. Use a grinding stone for preparing chutney (A spicy condiment of Indian origin) and pestle and mortar to crush groundnuts.
C. Familiarise yourself with traditional equipment (such as hand-mill for grinding, stone mortar and pestle for pounding).
1A3. Commence cultivation of food grains, rearing cattle, etc. immediately : Whatever be the reserve stock of food grains, it is bound to deplete slowly. To prevent reaching such a stage and prevent starvation, it is necessary to cultivate food grains, rear cattle, etc. in preparation for facing the adverse times.
1A 3A. Grow crops such as rice, legumes, etc. : Those who are not farmers should learn about farming from experienced individuals.
1A 3B. Cultivating vegetables, root and tuber vegetables and fruit-bearing trees : To acquaint the readers with various aspects of cultivation, we have mentioned these in brief. Sanatan is going to publish a separate Text on ‘How to cultivate and preserve vegetables, fruit trees, etc. ?’
1A 3B 1. Need to cultivate vegetables, root and tuber vegetables and fruit-bearing trees
A. Food grains, legumes, etc. sufficient for some months can be stored; but so is not the case with vegetables, fruits, etc.
B. Cooking vegetables for meals will save on grains and legumes and they will last longer.
C. Very vast cultivable land is required for growing grains and legumes; but vegetables and fruits can be grown in the balcony and the back-yard of the house.
D. Vegetables grow faster than grains and legumes.
E. Vitamins, iron, fibre, etc. essential for our body are present in vegetables, root and tuber vegetables and fruits. Hence, dieticians tell us to include these in our diet.
F. Vegetables bring variety to the meal by removing the monotony of eating dal or some usal (Preparation from legumes) and Indian bread every day; besides, vegetables make the meal tastier.
G. Vegetables and fruits also have medicinal value.
1A 3B 2. Which vegetables, root and tuber vegetables and fruit trees need to be grown as part of preparations for facing the adverse times ?
Whatever is planted should give crops or fruits fast during the adverse times. Considering this point, barring alu (Elephant’s ear), most leafy vegetables, cluster beans, cabbage, pea, cauliflower, tomato, brinjal, lady-finger, green chillies, capsicum, creeper vegetables (Example lima beans, ivy/scarlet gourd); root and tuber vegetables such as potato, beet, carrot, radish, sweet potato, Indian kudzu, vine potato, purple yam and yam root; fruit trees such as pineapple, papaya, bananas, sapodilla and pomegranate.
1A 3B 3. When should vegetables, root and tuber vegetables and fruits be planted ?
Most leafy vegetables, brinjals, tomato, and lady-finger can be planted any time. Creeper vegetables (Example, ivy gourd) and cluster vegetables (Example, cluster beans) should be planted at the beginning of monsoons or at the end of the winter season. Root and tuber vegetables (Example, sweet potato) and fruit trees should be planted at the beginning of monsoons.
– Mr Avinash Jadhav, Sanatan Ashram, Ramnathi, Goa, India. (March 2020)
1A 3B 4. Need to find alternative to earthen pots for planting vegetables and leafy vegetables in the balcony of a flat or on the terrace of a house during the adverse times : Growing plants in earthen pots is ideal for their growth; however, earthen pots can break while handling. We are not sure what will happen during the adverse times; hence, to avoid loss, alternatives such as metal barrels, empty metal cans of oil, plastic sacks, bags, tins, flat tub or barrels, etc. will be more appropriate. Make 2-3 holes equidistant at ½ inch above the base to release the excess water. If the holes are made at the base of these containers, there is likelihood of the roots of the plant entering soil.
– Mr Madhav Ramchandra Paradkar, Dicholi, Goa, India. (28.5.2020)
1A 3B 5. Vegetables that can be grown in the balcony : If the balcony gets 3-4 hours sunlight in a day, then brinjal, tomato, chillies, coriander, etc. can be grown there. Even if enough sunlight is not available in the balcony, we can grow ginger there.
1A 3B 6. Vegetables, root and tuber vegetables and fruits that can be grown on the terrace : All vegetables can be grown in the balcony – most leafy vegetables, vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, cluster beans, lady-finger, etc.; creeper vegetables such as ivy gourd; root and tuber vegetables such as potatoes, radish, beet and carrot; as also pineapple among the fruits.
1A 3B 7. Vegetables and root and tuber vegetables that can be grown in the backyard of the house : Vegetables grown in the balcony and on the terrace of a house; creeper vegetables such as lima beans; as also root and tuber vegetables such as sweet potatoes, yam root.
1A 3B 8. Fruit trees that can be grown in the backyard of the house : Lemon, banana, guava, sapodilla, papaya, pineapple, custard apple and figs.
– Mr Avinash Jadhav, Sanatan Ashram, Ramnathi, Goa. (March 2020)
1A 3C. Rearing cattle
Cows are to be reared for milk, urine, cowdung cakes, etc.; whereas, bulls for farming, pulling bullock carts, etc. Learn how to rear cattle, milk cows, take care of them during their illness, etc. from experts.
1A 4. Commence cooking wild vegetables (that grow naturally during rainy season) immediately : Wild vegetables such as takla (Cassia tora), bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum), kurdu (Celosia argentea), aghada (Prickly chaff flower) can be included in our food. Consult experts to learn about their use.
‘Nisarga Mitra’ (Mobile : 9423858711), an organisation in Kolhapur, Maharashtra has published a book on ‘Wild vegetables with medicinal qualities’. They have given the medicinal and dietary use of 61 wild vegetables along with their pictures.
(To be continued)
(Ref.: Sanatan’s forthcoming Text series – ‘Preparations required to survive the adverse times’)
(Copyright : Sanatan Bharatiya Sanskruti Sanstha)