some etiquette for Tulasi devi

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For the performance of arcana, tulasi is required. To pick tulasi one should

only accept the leaves which she offers easily . For the cutting of the manjari

flowers one must cut the flower which includes the leaves below it. Always cut

the flower stem down to the point of the next emerging leaves. Cutting her

flowers in any other manner may cause tulasi pain and have her branches die

back. Tulasi leaves and manjaris should not be picked on the dvadasi day, the

day after ekadasi as this is her day of rest. If the ekadasi fast is indicated

to be a maha-dvadasi then she should not be pick on the day of fasting. The

mantra for picking tulasi is:(om) tulasy-amrita janmasisada tvam

kesava-priyakesav-artham cinomi tvamvara da bhava sobhane"O Tulasi, you are

born from nectar. You are always very dear to Lord Kesava. Now in order to

worship Lord Kesava, I am collecting your leaves and manjaris. Please bestow

your benediction on me."To worship Tulasi one may offer her flower prasada and

water with the following mantra:nirmalya gandha-puspadi paniya-jalamidam

arghyam sri tulasyai namah

Before worshipping Tulasi one can meditate upon her with this mantra:nirmita

tvam pura devairarcita tvam surasuraihtulasi hara me'vidyampujam grhna namo

'stu te"O Srimati Tulasi Devi in ancient times you were planted by the

demigods. You are worshipped by both the devas and the asuras. O Tulasi Devi,

kindly remove those anarthas which act as obstacles to the path of pure

devotion. Please accept this worship I offer you. I offer my respectful

obeisances to you again and again."When accepting and honoring the caranamrita

of Sri Krsna one should sip some then place the remaining drops upon one's head

while chanting:asesa-klesa nihsesakaranam suddha bhakti-damkrsna padodakam

pitvasirasa dharayamy aham"Having drunk the water from the lotus feet of Sri

Krsna, which bestows pure devotional service and causes the destruction of

unlimited troubles, I take that water on my head."