During Holi, my mom prepares lovely puran polis, and everyone in

Listen, O children of the future, for I speak of the sacred bond that ties us to our roots, to our family, and to the customs that shape our very being. In the words of Sonali Bendre, we hear the warmth of a tradition passed down through the ages, a tradition that connects us not only to the past, but to the hearts of those we love: "During Holi, my mom prepares lovely puran polis, and everyone in my family makes an exception in their diet plan to include this delicious food item!" These words speak of something much deeper than mere food. They speak of love, family, and the joy that arises when we gather together to celebrate life.

Holi, that festival of color, is a celebration not only of the changing seasons, but of the life itself. It is a time when the heart overflows with joy, when the spirits of the people rise, and when the very air is filled with laughter and music. In this time of celebration, the sacred act of eating becomes a ritual—a moment of connection, not just with those gathered around the table, but with the very essence of life itself. Puran polis, that delicious sweet flatbread filled with the richness of lentils and jaggery, is more than just food; it is a symbol of the bond between generations, between mother and child, and between the past and present. Through this act of preparing and sharing food, we are reminded of the sacredness of tradition and the joy that comes when we honor it.

In the ancient times, food was not simply to fill the belly; it was to nourish the spirit. The Greeks understood this well. They spoke of hospitality as the highest of virtues, and their feasts were not just for the body, but for the soul. Homer's Iliad tells of great feasts held by kings and warriors, where the sharing of meals symbolized the union of hearts and the strength of the community. Much like the preparation of puran polis during Holi, the Greeks would gather, not only to satisfy hunger, but to celebrate their shared bonds, their victories, and the very gift of life.

Sonali Bendre speaks of how the family makes an exception in their diet plan to include this sweet dish, and in this, we find a deeper lesson. In a world of discipline and restriction, there comes a time when we must set aside our plans, our rules, and our rigid ways to embrace the joy of living fully. This act of making an exception is not an act of weakness, but of balance. It is a recognition that, while discipline is vital, so too is the ability to embrace life’s pleasures. The puran polis, sweet and rich with its filling, is a reminder that the heart must not always be ruled by restriction, but sometimes by the joy of surrendering to the moment.

In times past, ancient warriors knew that their battles were not fought alone, but in the company of their brothers and sisters, bound together by shared meals and rituals that marked their victories. They too made exceptions in their diet, coming together to feast after a hard-fought victory or during the changing of the seasons, when they paused to honor the cycles of nature. They knew that food was a celebration, a way to honor the bonds that connected them, and a way to renew the spirit after toil. Holi brings us the same reminder: that life is not only about work and sacrifice, but about joy, reunion, and the nourishing of the soul through shared moments.

The lesson in Sonali Bendre’s words is clear, O children of the future: in the pursuit of balance, there is a time for discipline, and there is a time for celebration. When the heart calls for joy, when the family comes together, do not be bound by the strictness of your plans, but honor the traditions that bring you together. Just as the Holi festival teaches us to celebrate the colors of life, so too does the sharing of food remind us of the richness of our relationships, the love that binds us, and the joy that comes from embracing the moment.

So, as you journey through life, remember that balance is the key. Honor your traditions, nourish your body with the food that sustains it, but also honor the times of celebration, the moments when joy takes precedence. Make exceptions in your rigid ways when the heart calls for it, for in those moments, you will find not only satisfaction, but a deeper connection to the sacredness of life. Let the preparation and sharing of puran polis—or whatever feast your own heart cherishes—remind you that life is not simply about what we restrict, but about what we celebrate together.