Jump to content
IndiaDivine.org

The Worshiping of Srimati Tulasi-devi

Rate this topic


Guest guest

Recommended Posts

Guest guest

The Worshiping of Srimati Tulasi-devi

 

" Every home with a Tulasi plant is a place of pilgrimage, and no diseases,

messengers of Yama, the God of Death, can enter it. "

Skandapurana 2, 4, 8, 13 Padmapurana Uttarakhanda

 

Wherever the aroma of Tulasi is carried by the wind, it purifies the

atmosphere and frees all animals from all baser tendencies. "

Padmapurana, Uttarakhanda

 

" Vishnu, the Lord of the Three Worlds, takes up abode in the village or the

house where Tulasi is grown. In such a house no one suffers calamities like

poverty, illness or separations from dear ones. " Padmapurana, Uttarakhanda,

6-24-31-32

 

Benefits of Worshiping Tulasi-devi

 

Although we can never fully describe the glories of Tulasi-devi, an eternal

associate of Lord Krsna. The scriptures give us a hint of the value of

worshiping her. The following list comes from the Padma Purana.

 

Tulasi is the essence of all devotional activities.

 

The leaves, flowers, roots, bark, branches, trunk, and shade of Tulasi-devi

are all spiritual.

 

One who with devotion applies the paste of Tulasi wood to the Deity of Krsna

will always live close to Krsna.

One who puts mud from the base of the Tulasi tree on his body and worships

the Deity of Lord Krsna gets the results of one hundred days worship each

day.

 

One who offers a Tulasi manjari to Lord Krsna gets the benefit of offering

all other varieties of flowers, and he goes to the abode of Krsna.

One who sees or comes near a house or garden where the Tulasi plant is

present gets rid of all his sinful reactions, including that of killing a

brahmana.

 

Lord Krsna happily lives in the house, town, or forest where Tulasi-devi is

present.

 

A house where Tulasi-devi is present never falls on bad times, and it

becomes purer than all holy places.

 

The fragrance of Tulasi-devi purifies all who smell it.

 

Lord Krsna and all the demigods live in a house where mud from the base of

the Tulasi tree is found.

 

Without Tulasi leaves, Lord Krsna does not like to accept flowers, food, or

sandalwood paste.

 

One who worships Lord Krsna daily with Tulasi leaves attains the results of

all kinds of austerity, charity, and sacrifice. In fact, he has no other

duties to perform, and he has realized the essence of the scriptures.

One who puts into his mouth or on his head Tulasi leaves that have been

offered to Lord Krsna attains Lord Krsna's abode.

 

In Kali-yuga, one who worships, remembers, plants, keeps, or performs

kirtana before Tulasi burns up all sinful reactions and quickly attains Lord

Krsna's abode.

 

One who worships Lord Krsna with Tulasi leaves releases all his ancestors

from the realm of birth and death.

 

One who remembers the glories of Tulasi or tells others about them will

never take birth again.

 

The Worship of Srimati Tulasi-devi

 

For devotees aspiring to enter the eternal realm of Vrindavan, service to

Vrinda-devi is essential. Srila Prabhupada stressed this by making Tulasi

puja a daily part of our morning program. Tulasi-devi is an expansion of

Vrinda-devi in this world. Every morning we pray to Vrinda-devi:

 

" ye tomara sarana loy tara vancha purna hoy krpa kori koro tare

vrndavana-vasi "

 

" Whoever takes shelter of you, all his desires are fulfilled and by your

mercy he becomes a resident of Vrndavana. "

 

Srimati Tulasi-devi is worshiped in the morning, after mangala-arati, when

all the devotees should attend to her worship and circumambulation. First,

obeisances are offered to Tulasi-devi with the Tulasi pranama mantra.

Following, the Tulasi-puja-kirtana song is sung while Tulasi-devi is offered

incense, a ghee lamp, and flowers. When the song is finished, the assembled

devotees circumambulate Tulasi-devi four times, offering her water. During

the circumambulation we are chanting the mantra: yani kani ca papani

brahma-hatyadikani ca / tani tani pranasyanti pradaksinah pade pade.

Finally, we again offer obeisances with the Tulasi pranama mantra.

 

Lectures from Srila Prabhupada

 

Tulasi leaf is very, very dear to Visnu. All Visnu-tattva Deities require

profusely Tulasi leaves. Lord Visnu likes garland of Tulasi leaves. Tulasi

leaves mixed with sandalwood pulp and placed on the lotus feet of the Lord

is the topmost worship. But we must be very careful that Tulasi leaves

cannot be placed on the feet of anyone else except Lord Visnu and His

different forms. Tulasi leaves cannot be placed even on the lotus feet of

Radharani or on the lotus feet of the Spiritual Master. It is entirely

reserved for being placed on the lotus feet of Krsna. We can place, however,

Tulasi leaves in the hands of Radharani for being placed on the lotus feet

of Krsna. April 7, 1970

 

Tulasi-devi is a pure devotee of Krsna and she should be treated with the

same respect given to all Krsna's pure devotees. Simply by worshiping her

faithfully, a devotee can get himself free from all material miseries. In

the Nectar of Devotion I have given two verses from the Skanda Purana, one

of which is: " Tulasi is auspicious in all respects. Simply by seeing, simply

by touching, simply by remembering, simply by praying to, simply by bowing

before, simply by hearing about, or simply by sowing the tree, there is

always auspiciousness. Anyone who comes in touch with the Tulasi tree in the

above mentioned ways lives eternally in the Vaikuntha world. " January 6,

1972

 

The following list was compiled from scriptures and from Srila Prabhupada's

instructions.

 

Tulasi's body is spiritual. Although Tulasi appears as many individual

trees, she is one person, and she comes wherever she sees devotion to Krsna.

Every morning devotees should water and pray to Tulasi-devi and

circumambulate her three times.

 

Worship Tulasi with nice food, flowers, incense, a ghee lamp, and other

traditional articles of worship.

 

Protect the delicate Tulasi seedlings from birds and insects. It is an

offense to turn the seedlings back into the soil.

 

In places where Tulasi cannot survive the winters when planted in the

ground, provide a suitable house for her.

 

Every day provide Tulasi fresh air, water (as needed be careful not to water

too much), and sunshine (or plant lights).

 

Neglecting to care for or water Tulasi properly is a great offense. Do

everything carefully.

 

When picking Tulasi leaves, chant the following mantra:

 

tulasy amrta janmasi

sada tvam kesava-priya

kesavartham cinomi tvam

varada bhava sobhane

 

" O Tulasi, you were 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. "

 

Pick only the leaves that grow next to the manjaris (flowers) and the leaves

that are ready to drop (they will turn a pale color) not the new, green

ones. Pick the manjaris as soon as they blossom. Avoid letting them go to

seed, which takes much energy from the plant that can be used to make more

leaves and flowers for Krsna's service. Pick the leaves one at a time with

your fingertips. Don't shake or stroke the branch and damage healthy leaves.

Pick with care and attention. Avoid using cutting tools.

 

Never cut or prune Tulasi-devi. This is a great offense. Remove dead

branches if absolutely necessary. If branches obstruct a passageway, tie

them back, but don't cut them.

 

Pick Tulasi leaves and flowers in the morning, never at night (from sunset

to sunrise).

 

Never use chemical sprays on Tulasi.

 

Collect leaves once in the morning for worshiping Krsna and for putting on

the plates of food to be offered to Him. Put at least one leaf on each

preparation. Never pick Tulasi leaves for any other purpose than to offer to

the Lord.

 

Lord Krsna likes garlands of Tulasi leaves. Tulasi leaves mixed with

sandalwood pulp and placed on the lotus feet of the Lord is the topmost

worship. Do not place Tulasi leaves on the feet of anyone other than Lord

Visnu in His various forms. Srimati Radharani can be given a Tulasi leaf in

Her hand for offering to Lord Krsna.

 

Krsna accepts even dry Tulasi leaves. Tulasi wood (taken after a plant has

fully dried naturally) can be used to carve worship paraphernalia, such as

beads. Place leftover Tulasi wood within the earth.

 

Never use Tulasi leaves or flowers to make teas or juices, even after

they've been offered to Krsna. It is a great offense to cook or heat Tulasi,

or to use her for mundane purposes, such as medicines and ointments.

 

Never cut down or pull up living Tulasi plants. This is a great offense.

Avoid stepping on Tulasi-devi's shadow.

 

Tulasi-devi is very, very dear to the Lord. Therefore, most important is to

serve her with love and devotion.

 

Tulasi

 

Among all articles which are offered to the Lord, Tulasi is most highly

praised. Therefore one may perform perfect worship of the Lord by simply

offering pure water and Tulasi leaves (Raghunatha das Goswami, Advaita

Acarya). According to the Garuda Purana, Tulasi must always be offered on

the naivedyam.

 

tulasi vina ya kriyate na puja

snanam na tat yat tulasi vinakrtam

bhuktam na tat yat tulasi vinakrtam

pitam na tat yat tulasi vinakrtam

 

Puja, bathing and offering of food and drink performed without Tulasi cannot

be considered as puja, bathing and offering to the Lord. The Lord does not

accept anything or drink anything that is without Tulasi. Brhad Naradiya

Purana

 

During the puja, one should offer Tulasi leaves to the Lord's feet. Tulasi

garlands may also be offered around His neck. Some say that gandha, flowers

and Tulasi should be offered at least three times, washing the hands each

time before offering. The article is offered in the right hand, while the

left hand touches the right arm. Some say that offering eight Tulasi leaves

is best.

 

Plucking Tulasi

 

One should be clean before touching or plucking Tulasi.

 

asnatva tulasim citva yah pujam kurute narah

so'paradhi bhaven nityam tat sarvam nisphalam bhavet

 

One who picks Tulasi without having bathed and then performs worship is an

offender, and all his activities becomes useless. Vayu Purana

 

Tulasi should not be plucked on dvadasi.

 

nacchindat tulasim vipra dvadasyam vaisnavah kvacit

 

The Vaisnava should never pick Tulasi on dvadasi tithi. Visnu Dharmottara

 

One should pluck the leaves with the right hand, holding the branch in the

left hand, being careful not to break the branches.

 

patranam cayane vipra bhagna sakha yada bhavet

tada hrdi vyatha visnor diyate tulasi pateh

karatala trayam dattva cinuyat tulasi dalam

yatha na kampate sakha tulasya divyasattama

 

If when picking Tulasi leaves one breaks the branches, Visnu feels pain in

His heart. One should clap the hands three times before picking Tulasi and

pick in such a way that the branches do not shake. Visnu Smrti

 

One should say:

 

tulasy amrta janmasi sada tva kesava priya

kesavarthe vicinvami barada bhava sobhane

 

tvad anga sambhavaih patraih pujayami yatha harim

tatha kuru pavitrangi kalau mala vinasini

 

Oh Tulasi, born from the ocean of nectar, you are eternally the dearmost of

Kesava. For His worship I now pluck you. Please bestow blessings on me.

 

Oh Tulasi, being pure in body and the destroyer of the sins of Kali-yuga, I

will worship the Lord using leaves coming from your body. You should make

that worship successful.

 

If Tulasi is unavailable, one may touch Tulasi wood to the Lord's body as an

offering of Tulasi. If wood is unavailable one should chant the name of

Tulasi and perform the puja meditating on her presence. (i.e. etat tulasi

patram sri krsnaya namah)

 

If one offers Tulasi to anyone other than Hari, that sin is equal to killing

a brahman or a cow, or having sex with ones guru's wife.

 

Tulasi prasadam may be offered to the hand of sakti and jiva-tattva, and

unoffered Tulasi may be offered to their hand for offering to Krsna. If

bhoga (not mahaprasadam) is offered to sakti or jiva-tattvas as naivedyam,

Tulasi may be placed on the naivedyam, since, being devotees of the Lord

they always offer the naivedyam to Krsna before taking it themselves.

 

Tulasi leaf is very, very dear to Visnu. All Visnu-tattva deities require

profuse Tulasi leaves. Lord Visnu likes garlands of Tulasi leaves. Tulasi

leaves mixed with sandalwood pulp and placed on the lotus feet of the Lord

is the topmost worship. But we must be very careful that Tulasi leaves

cannot be placed on the feet of anyone else except Lord Visnu and His

different forms. Tulasi leaves cannot be placed even on the lotus feet of

Radharani or on the lotus feet of the spiritual master. It is entirely

reserved for being placed on the lotus feet of Krsna. We can place, however,

Tulasi leaves in the hands of Radharani for being placed on the lotus feet

of Krsna. On each bowl or plate there should be at least one leaf.

Letter from Srila Prabhupada - April 7, 1970, Los Angeles

 

Glories of Tulasi

 

Tulasi is glorified throughout the Puranas and Pancaratra. Visnu created

Tulasi at the time of the churning of the milk ocean for the spiritual

upliftment of the souls in the material world. Tulasi is considered to be

more dear to the Lord than Laksmi, for, by performing extreme austerities

and loving worship of the Lord with the aim of having the Lord as her

husband, Visnu surrendered to her wish.

 

There is no better recipient of charity than vipra, no better gift than

giving of cows, no better tirtha than the Ganga, and no better leaf than the

Tulasi leaf. Whatever can be obtained by offering all types of flowers and

leaves, may be attained by simply offering one leaf of Tulasi, Offering

flowers of gold, jewels and pearls is not equal to offering Tulasi.

 

By offering Tulasi one is released from sins accumulated for one koti of

lifetimes. By offering Tulasi to the head of the Lord all the unmentionable

and undetected sins are destroyed. By sprinkling the Lord's house with water

using a Tulasi leaf, one is freed from all great sins. By offering Tulasi

one destroys enemies, increases wealth, and guarantees liberation from

material birth. One is certain to attain Vaikuntha. The fragrance of Tulasi

leaves, the flower of the malati plant and the milk from a brown cow are the

three items which most quickly satisfy Kesava.

 

dhatri phalani tulasi hy antakale bhaved yadi

mukhe caiva sirasya ange patakam nasti tasya vai

 

If one has amalaki fruits or Tulasi leaves in one's mouth or on one's head

or body when one dies, one is guaranteed not to suffer in hell. Brahma

Purana

 

Caring for Tulasi

 

No sprays can be used, not at all. The best thing is to simply daily water

Tulasi-devi and keep her clean. Nothing else is required.

Letter from Srila Prabhupada - July 26, l975, Los Angeles

 

Please take care of the Tulasi plants in the following way. This is the best

season for growing Tulasi plants. From 15 April to 15 June is the best

season for growing this plant. Now I understand that the seedlings are

coming out, so the whole spot if possible may be covered by some net because

the seedling stage creepers, being very delicate, are sometimes eaten up by

the sparrows, so we have to give a little protection from attack of the

sparrows. All the devotees should pour water at least once in the morning

before taking prasadam. The watering should not be very much large in

quantity, but it should be poured just to keep the ground soft and moist.

Sunlight also should be allowed. When the creepers are grown at least 7

inches high, then you can take them out from the planting soil and

transplant them in a row in a different place. Then go on watering and they

will grow like anything. I think this plant cannot grow in cold countries,

but if the plants are dispatched from your place and if the devotees take

care of the plant with a little care in a flower pot then it may grow.

Letter from Srila Prabhupada - April 7, 1970, Los Angeles

 

Should Tulasi be given to families who visit the temples? No, let them come

and offer respects to Tulasi-devi instead. If they still want to have

Tulasi-devi you can give them seeds and let the guests grow the plants from

seed.

 

Letter from Srila Prabhupada - May 5, 1971, Bombay

 

The Glories Of Tulasi puja from Sri Garga-Samhita

 

(2.16) translated by Sriman Kusakratha Dasa

 

Sri Radha, the goddess of the rasa dance, spoke to Her friend Candranana,

the best of the knowers of religion. Sri Radha said, " Please tell Me what

kind of worship I should perform to please Sri Krsna, worship that will

bring auspiciousness, piety, and the fulfillment of My desire. O beautiful

one, you heard the religious scriptures from Garga Muni's own mouth. O noble

hearted one, please tell Me what vow or what worship I should perform. "

Hearing Radha's words, and reflecting on them in her heart for a moment,

Candranana, the best of all friends, replied, " O Radha, service to Tulasi

gives the greatest piety, the greatest good fortune and the greatest

benediction. It gives Lord Krsna's association. You should always gaze on

Tulasi, touch her. Then she will grant Your desire. "

 

" They who, day after day, serve Tulasi in these nine ways attain the results

of pious deeds performed in many thousands of millions of yugas... As many

branches, sub-branches, seeds, flowers and leaves as are on the Tulasi he

has planted, so many ancestors and descendants in His family for thousands

of kalpa-yugas will go to Lord Krsna's transcendental abode. O Radha, by

offering Him every flower and leaf that exists, a person who, with offerings

of Tulasi-leaves worships Lord Krsna is not touched by sin as a lotus is not

touched by water... A home in the midst of a Tulasi forest is a sacred

pilgrimage place. Yamaraj's servants will never enter that home. "

 

" For persons who plant, protect, water, see or touch her, Tulasi burns the

sins committed with the body, mind and words. On a single Tulasi leaf the

holy places beginning with Puskara, the sacred rivers beginning with the

Ganga, and the Deities headed by Lord Vasudeva reside. Even though stained

with a hundred sins, a person who touches a Tulasi-manjari as he leaves this

life does not see Yamaraja. "

 

" O friend, as four-faced Brahma cannot describe all the glories of Lord

Krsna, who holds the Sarnga bow, so he cannot describe all the glories of

Tulasi. A man or woman who offers sandal-paste and Tulasi to Sri

Krsnacandra's feet attains the results I have told to You. O gopi, serve

Tulasi every day. Then Sri Krsna will come under Your control [having won

His heart.] "

 

After hearing Candranana's words, Sri Radha, the queen of the rasa dance, in

order to please Lord Krsna, began to serve Tulasi. Taking Tulasi, beautiful

with many green leaves, to the middle of a ketaki forest, and placing her in

a Tulasi-temple that was round, tall, a hundred hastas in size, beautiful

with walls of gold and rubies, splendid with an outer wall of emeralds,

diamonds and pearls, decorated with cintamani gems, arched gateways, gold

flags and gold awnings everywhere, and glorious like Indra's palace, at the

time of the star Abhijit, saintly Radha served Sri Tulasi. Beginning with

the full moon of the month of Asvina (Sept/Oct), and ending with the full

moon of Caitra (Mar/Apr), to please Sri Krsna, saintly Radha followed a vow

with great devotion. Month after month She sprinkled Tulasi with milk,

sugar-cane juice, grape-juice, mango-juice, pancamrta, and many kinds of

sweet and cool juices. On the first day of Vaisakha (Apr/May), She ended the

vow. King Vrsabhanu's daughter, Radha, then pleased two hundred-thousand

brahmanas with a great feast of fifty six courses. Then Radha gave them

daksina of a hundred bharas of gold and pearls to each brahmana. The

demigods showered flowers on the Tulasi temple.

 

Then, seated on a glorious throne on a gold pedestal, Her eyes like lotus

petals, and Her gold crown and earrings glittering, beautiful four-armed

Tulasi, who is dear to Lord Krsna, appeared. Descending from the sky,

Tulasi, beautiful as a flowering vine, with Her four arms embraced and then

kissed Radha, who wore a new Vaijayanti garland, and whose snake-like braids

were covered with a yellow cloth. Sri Tulasi said, " O daughter of Kalavati,

I am pleased with You. I am eternally conquered by Your loving devotion. O

beautiful one, as if You were an ordinary human being, You very carefully

followed this vow. The desire that fills Your heart, mind, intelligence and

senses will be attained. Lord Krsna will be kind to You, You are very

fortunate. "

 

To Tulasi, who spoke these words and who is dear to Lord Krsna, Radha bowed

and said, " May I have unalloyed devotion for Lord Krsna's lotus feet. "

Saying, " So be it, " Krsna's beloved Tulasi disappeared. Then Radha, King

Vrsabhanu's daughter, went home happy at heart.

 

A devotee who hears this wonderful story of Sri Radha attains first the

three goals of material life and then the supreme spiritual goal of life.

 

How to worship Tulasi

 

Tulasi-puja is relatively simple, consisting of only three articles:

incense, a ghee lamp, and flowers. Sooner or later, you will get an

opportunity to offer puja to Tulasi, so here are the steps that you need to

know:

 

1. Acamana (purification)

 

Take the spoon from the acamana cup and purify both hands by sprinkling

water onto them. A spoon full into your right palm, chant om keshavaya

namah, and sip. A spoon full into your right palm, chant om narayanaya

namah, and sip. A spoon full into your right palm, chant om madhavaya namah,

and sip.

 

2. Offering the incense

 

Purify (sprinkle with a spoon full of water) the bell and the incense

holder. Light the incense. Pick up the bell in the left hand; ring the bell

throughout the puja. Pick up the incense holder in the right hand and offer

the incense to Tulasi with seven circles around her whole form. Offer to

Srila Prabhupada and then all the devotees.

 

3. Offering the ghee lamp:

 

Purify the ghee lamp (sprinkle with a spoon full of water). Light it. Offer

it to Tulasi: Four circles to the base, two to the middle, three to the top,

and seven to the whole. Offer to Srila Prabhupada and then all the devotees

 

4. Offering the Flowers:

 

Purify the flowers (sprinkle with a spoon full of water). Offer them to

Tulasi with seven circles to the whole form. Place one at her base

(optional). Offer them Srila Prabhupada and then all the devotees. Now the

puja is complete and you can serve the devotees by assisting them to purify

their hands before each devotee sprinkles a little water from a spoon onto

Tulasi's roots.

 

Planting, watering, protecting, maintaining, circumambulating, seeing,

bowing down to, praying to, and glorifying are all ways of serving and

worshiping Tulasi and are highly beneficial.

 

Shri Tulasi Pradaksina Mantra

 

yani kani ca papani brahma-hatyadikani ca tani tani pranasyanti pradaksinah

pade pade

 

Translation: " By the circumambulation of Srimati Tulasi Devi all the sins

that one may have committed are destroyed at every step, even the sin of

killing a brahmana. "

 

Shri Tulasi Pranama

 

vrndayai tulasi-devyai priyayai kesavasya ca visnu-bhakti-prade devi

satyavatyai namo namah

 

Translation: " I offer my repeated obeisances unto Vrnda, Srimati Tulasi

Devi, who is very dear to Lord Kesava. O goddess, you bestow devotional

service to Lord Krishna and possess the highest truth. "

 

All glories to Srimate Vrinda-devi!!!

 

 

 

-- Take advantage of this rare opportunity of this human form of life.  There are 8,400,000 different species of life through which we are rotating lifetime after lifetime. So getting a human body is not an every day affair. This most auspicious opportunity only comes after many millions of lifetimes in the lower species. Anyone who does not utilize their human life for self-realization is making the greatest mistake. When this happens it is the greatest tragedy, and unfortunately today this neglect of the human form has become the standard behavior for the entire human society. What can be done? We must first ourselves become solidly situated in Krishna consciousness and then do the highest welfare activity of spreading to everyone else all over the world.

Chant:Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare HareHare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...