Using Tulasi soap???

[Guest guest]

> Pamho, agtSP!

>

> I know of some devotees who use soap made of Tulasi. I can't possible

> think that can be bona fide? To clean all places of our dirty body by

> smearing Tulasi-devi on it and keeping it in the toilet - I mean, isn't

> that offensive like anything?

>

> Hoping for a quick answer!

> Ys, AKD

 

Here are two incidents from Srila Prabhupada's visit to Mayapur in

1976 which should make it very clear that using tulasi to make soap is

indeed very offensive:

 

February 7, 1976--Mayapur

 

During his massage Prabhupada heard a letter from Balavanta dasa, the temple

president in Atlanta, in which he learned that the devotees were making a

tea from tulasi leaves. "Immediately stop it!" he exclaimed. He was very

disturbed by this news and declared that such "tea" should not be made even

for Lord Jagannatha during His yearly convalescence.

 

March 16, 1976 -- Mayapur

 

Prabhupada's attentiveness to every detail is nothing short of amazing. As

soon as he came out into the cool morning air on the roof top, he noted a

lota that was standing next to the freshly watered Tulasi plants. None of us

thought anything of it, but vexation immediately crossed Prabhupada's face.

He asked one of the devotees to check if there was a lota in the toilet

room.

"No, Srila Prabhupada," was the reply.

Prabhupada shook his head. He recognized it as one he has been using. "See

how aparadhi, offender. They have used that lota for watering. Great

offender. This is going on, mlecchas and yavanas." The thought of using a

contaminated receptacle to water Srimati Tulasi Devi was abominable to him,

and he warned us to see that it does not happen again in the future. "One

who has used that, he has no sense how to water the Tulasi plant. He should

be instructed, 'You never use that toilet lota.'"

It was yet another indication of our lack of Krsna consciousness. Obviously

some of us still think of Tulasi Devi as a mere plant, but Prabhupada is

fully conscious of her exalted position.

 

Your humble servant,

Hari-sauri dasa

[Guest guest]

Many devotees who also undergo Ayurvedic treatment in India do not know that

tulasi is used quite often in making medicines. Many herbal cough mixtures

that one can buy from medical stores have tulasi!

 

Also herbal soaps mention basil as one of the ingredients. Some devotees

told me that basil is not considered as the holy tulasi plant! If anyone

knows the real facts please advise.

 

It is enough that we slaughter cows to make mrdangams, now we should

enlighten ourselves on products using Tulasi devi as ingredients.

 

Ps. Regarding Ayurvedic treatment, also be aware that many herbs that are

mixed together to form a paste for body application are made with egg as the

binding agent!