ganesh_guy Posted May 3, 2008 Report Share Posted May 3, 2008 Namaste all, I cannot keep a Tulsi plant on my property for a few reasons. Is it okay to worship a Tulsi mala? How would I perform this worship? Thanks! Regards, Justin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bija Posted May 3, 2008 Report Share Posted May 3, 2008 (1) Shri Naama-mala-grahana-mantra click here (upon taking one's beads): "His form bent in three places, His hands bent over the holes of His flute, the son of Nanda Maharaja Lord Krishna stands resplendent amidst a circle of gopis." The Verse is as follows: tribhanga-bhangima-rupam venu-randhra-karancitam gopi-mandala-madhya-stham sobhitam nanda-nandanam (2) Shri Nama-mala-grahana-mantra (on taking the beads for the purpose of japa [japarthe]): avighnam kuru male tvam harinama-japesu ca shri radha-krishnayor dasyam dehi male tu prarthaye "O Mala, please destroy inauspiciousness in my chanting of the holy name of Lord Gaura-Hari and grant me the position of service to Nityananda-Gauranga and Radha-Krishna. This is all I pray, O Mala." nama cintamani-rupam namaiva parama gatih namnah parataram nasti tasman nama upasmahe "The Holy Name is a beautiful transcendental touchstone--it is the supreme goal. There is nothing higher than the Holy Name. I therefore worship the Holy Name." (3) Shri Nama-mala-samarpana-mantra (consecrating the mala); traditionally, Vaishnavas first offer Krishna everything they use, including their neck beads, japa beads, etc. I don't know that this is intended here though. nama-yajno mahayajnah kalau kalmasa-nasanam krishna-chaitanya-prityarthe nama-yajna-samarpanam "The sacrifice of the name is the highest yajna, which destroys the contamination of Kali-yuga. In order to please Lord Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, I offer this sacrifice of the holy name." (4) Shri Nama-mala-sthapana-mantra (establishing the beads): patita-pavana nama nistaraya naradhamam radha-krishna-svarupaya chaitanyaya namo namah "The holy name is the saviour of the fallen. Oh, please deliver this lowest of men. Obeisances again and again unto Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu and unto Shri Shri Radha-Krishna." tvam male sarva-devanam sarva-siddhi-prada mata tena satyena me siddhim dehi matar namo 'stu te "O Mala, among all of the gods, you are considered the bestower of all perfection. By dint of this fact, O Mother, please grant me perfection. Obeisances unto you!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stonehearted Posted May 3, 2008 Report Share Posted May 3, 2008 Why not worship a picture of Tulasi, or one of Vrinda-devi? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ganesh_guy Posted May 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2008 Namaste, Thank you both for your responses. Stonehearted, I didn't even think of think of that, thanks. Regards, Justin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bija Posted May 3, 2008 Report Share Posted May 3, 2008 Hi Justin, I cant grow tulasi plant here either. On the altar I have some dried tulasi buds that a devotee gave me. It is prasadam from a temple that has touched Krsna's lotus feet. If you are fortunate to ever receive something like that it is nice. When I do a morning program here I bring that manjari bud out closer on the altar and worship her. I sing the Tulasi Kirtan song, offer her incense, and in my mind imagine I am in the temple with devotees circumambulating tulasi devi and offering her water. The imaginative meditation can deepen to be in vrindavan in the mind, picturing tulasi devi, the vrindavan dust etc. You can do this also with a picture in front of you when you do jaap. Tulasi Worship Book - click here Shri Tulasi Kirtana namo namah tulasi krishna-preyasi (vraje) radha-krishna-seva paba ei abhilashi (1) O Tulasi, beloved of Krishna, I repeatedly offer pranama to you. My cherished desire is to attain the seva of Shri Radha-Krishna Yugala-kishora. je tomara sharana laya, tara vancha purna haya kripa kari’ kara tare vrindavana-vasi (2) All the desires of whoever takes shelter of you are fulfilled. Being so merciful, you grant him residence in Vrindavana. mora ei abhilasha, vilasa-kunje dio vasa nayane heriba sada yugala-rupa-rashi (3) I intensely desire that you please make me a resident of the pleasure groves (vilasakunja) of Shri Vrindavana. Then I will be able to behold the beautiful pastimes of Radha-Krishna. ei nivedana dhara, sakhira anugata koro seva-adhikara diya kara nija dasi (4) I am presenting my heart-felt prayer that you make me a follower of the sakhis, thus giving me the privilege of Radha-Krishna’s seva and making me your own maidservant. dina krishna-dase kaya, ei jena mora haya shri-radha-govinda-preme sada jena bhasi (5) This fallen Krishnadasa begs to always bathe in the prema for Shri Radha and Govinda. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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