Sister Bansy wrote:By the way, what is "VIP" toli? How is it different to the "non VIP" toli?
I have eaten both VIP tolis and non-VIP tolis given at or sent out from Madhuban, Mt. Abu. So, I think mohan thaal, various barfis, etc fit the VIP bill, while tosha and murmura fit the non-VIP bill. I know that for the non-Indians, and even many Indians, it is difficult to make out the difference by reading these names but when you taste the VIP tolis, it will definitely not be possible to remain/attain the stage of
'ichha maatram avidya' (a stage where one does not even know what is meant by desires).
The VIPs that these tolis are meant for include not just non-BK VIPs (to invite them) but also BK VIPs (to prevent them from leaving), and also ex-BK VIPs (who may be offered these tolis to join them again). But I know that it is the ordinary non-VIP BKs who value the ordinary toli the most and eat it/share it with utmost devotion thinking it to be God's gift.
Exactly opposite to this, the PBKs are not offered any toli at any of the daily, weekly or monthly gatherings. Only the outstation PBKs coming to attend the Murli classes are offered simple food.
Food-wise, BKs are like Shrinath temple (in Western India) and Lord Venkateshwara temple (in Southern India) whereas PBKs are like Jagannath Temple (in Eastern India) and Vaishno Mata temple (in Northern India).
At Shrinath Temple (dedicated to Shri Krishna), devotees offer 36-108 varieties of sweets and other dishes, which can also be purchased from the priests by other devotees. At Lord Venkateshwara Temple (dedicated to Vishnu) devotees get delicious and costly laddus. One laddu per devotee is free, but for every additional laddu, the devotees have to pay a particular amount. In our Brahmin world, also Thursday bhogs and Brahma Bhojans also come at a premium. In the centers of big cities, there is a competition as to who donates and organizes better bhogs and Brahma bhojans.
At Jagannath Temple (dedicated to Shri Krishna) devotees get cooked rice while at Vaishno Devi Temple (dedicated to Vaishno Devi) devotees get dry murmura mixed with sugar candy and some cheap 'dry' fruits.
Regards,
OGS,
Arjun