Special event:
The Emperor’s table
Tuesday, July 17, 7pm
The delicacies of the golden Moghul era. Enjoy the luxurious food and inspiring tales from the greatest Moghul
Emperor Akbar in India (1542 – 1605). With live entertainment (plays, songs and narration) and special decor.
Reservation strongly recommended,
please call 718 991 3663.
Every year the Oneness-Fountain-Heart organizes a special
event at the restaurant to highlight the lives and cuisine of
outstanding personalities.
After Thomas Jefferson last year, we travel this year to India
to relive the glorious and golden epoch of the Moghul Emperors. We focus our attention on Emperor Akbar who was
the greatest among all the Moghul Emperors.
Over a period of 30 years, Akbar built his kingdom into one
of the most powerful empires on earth. His genius as a ruler
held together a Hindustan of many diverse people, faith, and
cultures.
The widespread diffusion of education, the maintenance of
religious freedom, restoration of law and order, introduction
of various social reforms and the establishment of peace and
prosperity throughout the length and breadth of the Mughal
Empire by introducing wise innovation are the index of a genius unsurpassed in the annals of the world.
Besides all this, he was gourmet and food lover. His attention
towards his kitchen brought a revolution in the field of Indian gastronomy. His table was a pleasant mix of Turkish,
Persian, and Indian flavors. Under his patronage, the
kitchen became a separate but important department and
cooks became a respectable part of the royal living.
Akbar turned simple Indian cooking into an art and patronized the art with passion. His hospitality remains legendary.
We are happy to offer you an insight into this inspiring life,
culture and cuisine and thank you for being part of it!
Shashanka and the Oneness-Fountain-Heart Team
Akbar And The Sword
The greatest Mogul Emperor was Akbar. It was he who wanted both
the Hindus and Muslims to be united. He was generous to the extreme and just to the extreme. Among the Mogul Emperors, he was
the true ideal.
One day Akbar was walking incognito in the street. He was incognito because he wanted to be alone. Always people were around
him and he never had his freedom. But this time he was all alone.
While he was walking, he saw an old lady holding a dagger. He
asked her, “What are you doing with a dagger? Let me see what it
looks like and how sharp it is.” The old lady gave him the dagger
and he held it for a few seconds. “Oh, I am so sorry,” she said.
“Had you been the Emperor, then this metal dagger would have
been transformed into a gold dagger. Now it is just a metal dagger,
but I had a dream that if ever the Emperor touches it, then definitely
it will be transformed into gold. I have been waiting and waiting for
the Emperor to appear. I am praying to Allah that he will come. For
years I have been here, waiting in the street for Akbar. I am so sorry
that still I have not been blessed with Akbar's presence.”
The following day Akbar summoned the old lady to the court.
Now he was wearing his robes and his crown. He said, “Here is
Akbar. He does not have the capacity to transform a metal dagger
into a gold one, but he does have the capacity to change your life
for good. How much money do you want?”
The lady was overwhelmed. She couldn't believe her eyes; she
couldn't believe her ears. She told the Emperor that she wanted a
particular amount of money. But Akbar gave her much, much more,
saying, “I don't have the capacity to turn metal into gold, but I have
another capacity.”
So the lady became extremely rich because of Akbar the Great.
Sri Chinmoy, Is Your Mind Ready To Cry?
Is Your Heart Ready To Smile? Part 6, Agni Press, 1981.