Tulsi or Begun (brinjal): Tulasi is ticket-collector for rasa-mandala

[Guest guest]

In one English medium primary school Sarasvati Thakura was present to give a

talk to the children, who were around nine to ten years old. He asked them,

"Which is it better to water, tulasi or begun?" (eggplant) [Vivekananda had

the philosophy that there is no use watering the tulasi plant; watering the

begun was better, because at least you can get something useful from it].

Many of the children thus replied, saying that we should water the begun and

we'll get some food, but from the tulasi we will get nothing. Sarasvati

Thakura then explained, in very simple language: "We should not desire

fruit, but should work with a fruitless motive. Perform tulasi seva. Worship

God without desire for fruit. Tulasi is not a plant like mango or begun,

which will give you fruit, but is very dear to Krsna. Tulasi is an

incarnation of Radha. Tulasi is the ticket-collector for entrance to

rasa-mandala. Without her permission no one can go to Vrndavan, as she is

the gate-keeper."

 

>From Bhakti Vikasa Swami's notes on SBSST