For those not familiar with the usage, the word `pinch’ is used in English – primarily in cooking as in “a pinch of salt,” – to designate an extremely small amount of something. Srila Prabhupada once said that praying to God for food was like asking a king for a “pinch of ashes,” as when a king offered to grant any wish – like giving you half his kingdom. In saying this, Srila Prabhupada was quoting his guru maharaja.