In Krishna's kitchen, ghee is an essential ingredient. Shrila Prabhupada has stated that in an offering to Krishna, every preparation must contain some milk product. Ghee (clarified butter) is a delicious and healthy substitute for seed/vegetable oils, which is made from heating cow's butter until all liquid evaporates and you are left with the golden oil. Here are some benefits of this wonderful substance:
Ghee is beneficial for brain development. Shrila Prabhupada says: 'Cow's milk is particularly essential for developing the finer tissues of the human brain so that one can understand the intricacies of transcendental knowledge. A civilized man is expected to live on foodstuffs comprising fruits, vegetables, grains, sugar and milk.' As ghee is the fat coming from cow's milk, it must also have the same property.
Ghee is a pure, natural alternative to many vegetable and seed oils which are overprocessed and containing hexanes. Seed oils specifically are washed with hexane, which is a solvent used as a cleaning agent, and is toxic. The hexane is evaporated after the oil is extracted, but of course there are amounts still left in the oil. Some dangers of hexane exposure are dizziness, nausea, and harm to the central nervous system. This can cause diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis.
Ghee production is wonderful for the economy. 'The Indian village, simply by keeping cows, they... Just like Nanda Mahārāja was keeping cows. Similarly there are many villages. So the system is: they have got a big pan, and whatever milk is collected, put into that pan. It is being warmed. So they drink, the whole family members. They drink milk whenever they like. So whatever milk remains at night, they have to convert it into yogurt. The next day they use milk and yogurt also, as he likes. Then, after converting the milk into yogurt, still, it remains. It is stocked. So when there is sufficient old yogurt, they churn it and then butter comes out. So they take the butter, and the water separated from the butter, that is called whey? Whey, yes. So they... Instead of dahl, they use this whey, for capati. It will be very healthy and tasty. And then the butter they turn into ghee.' - Room conversation with devotees, August 1 1975 Simply by investing in cow protection, we can create whole business from milk products, benefitting both health and the economy.
Ghee is delicious. 'His theory was that as long as one lives one should eat as much ghee as possible. In India, ghee (clarified butter) is a basic ingredient in preparing many varieties of food. Since everyone wants to enjoy nice food, Cārvāka Muni advised that one eat as much ghee as possible. One may say, “I have no money. How shall I purchase ghee?” Cārvāka Muni, however, says, “If you have no money, then beg, borrow or steal, but in some way secure ghee and enjoy life.”' - Caitanya Caritamrta, Adi Lila, 7.119 Purport
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