Tulsi worship

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Why do we worship tulsi?

 

Either in the front, back or central courtyard of most Indian homes

there is a tulsi-matham an altar bearing a tulsi plant. In the

present day apartments too, many maintain a potted tulsi plant. The

lady of the house lights a lamp, waters the plant, worships and

cirumambulayes it. The stem, leaves, seeds, and even the soil, which

provides it a base are considered holy. A tulsi leaf is always placed

in the food offered to the Lord. It is also offered to the Lord

during poojas especially to Lord Vishnu and His incarnations.

 

In Sanskrit, tulanaa naasti athaiva tulsi - that which is

incomparable (in its qualities) is the tulsi. For Hindus, it is one

of the most sacred plants. In fact it is known to be the only thing

used in worship which, once used, can be washed and reused in pooja -

as it is regarded so self-purifying.

 

As one story goes, Tulsi was the devoted wife of Shankhachuda,

celestial being. She believed that Lord Krishna tricked her into

sinning. So she cursed Him to become a stone (shaaligraama). Seeing

her devotion and adherence to righteousness, the Lord blessed her

saying that she would become the worshipped plant, tulsi that would

adorn His head. Also that all offerings would be incomplete without

the tulsi leaf - hence the worship of tulsi.

 

She also symbolises Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu.

Those who wish to be righteous and have a happy family worship the

tulsi. Tulsi is married to the Lord with all pomp and how as in any

wedding. This is because according to another legend, the Lord

blessed her to be His consort.

 

Satyabhama once weighed Lord Krishna against all her legendary

wealth. The scales did not balance till a single tulsi leaf was

placed along with the wealth on the scale by Rukmini with devotion.

Thus the tulsi played the vital role of demonstrating to the world

that even a small object offered with devotion means more to the Lord

than all the wealth in the world.

 

The tulsi leaf has great medicinal value and is used to cure various

ailments, including the common cold.