Tulsi or Tulasi is the symbolic representation of purity, simplicity, sacrifice, bhakthi and quest for Vishnu’s blessings. By Keeping tulasi plant at home, it reminds us all the time of these attributes and also early morning by doing Pooja, we are connected to Vishnu be blessed whole day.
Tulsi, also known as Vrinda, is a Goddess and a consort of Shri Vishnu. Therefore, she is always associated with festivals related to the various avatars of Vishnu, the one who sustains lives on this planet. Tulsi is also considered as manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi on earth. he Tulsi or the Vrinda is believed to be the gateway to heaven or Vaikuntha, the abode of Lord Vishnu. And therefore, she helps devotees in getting closer to their ultimate goal, Moksha.
How to perform Tulsi Puja every day?
Clean the surroundings. Light an oil lamp. Offer water the Tulsi plant while holding the Kalash with both the hands.Then offer kumkuma and turmeric followed by flowers and incense. Circumambulate while chanting the following shloka.
Tulasi kananam yatra yatra padmavanaani cha
Vasanti vaishnava yatra thathra sannihitho hari
Pushkaraadhyaani theerthani Gagadhya sarithas thatha
Vaasudeva dayo devaa vasanthi thulasivane
Praseetha tulasi devi praseetha hari vallabe
Ksheerotha mathanoth boothe tulasithvam namamyaham
Conclude the puja by chanting the Tulasi Vandanam
Tulasi sri sukhe subhe paapa haarini punyathe
namasthe naradha nuthe namo narayana priye
Story of Tulasi
One day, Tulsi went to the Lord with a complaint. She had a grievance, she said. Like Goddess Mahalakshmi, Tulsi too came from the milky ocean. But while Lakshmi adorned His chest, which was Her permanent abode, what honour had she (Tulsi) been given? Tulsi had come from the scattered drops of nectar. Why was it that she was not honoured, while Lakshmi was, Tulsi wondered.
The Lord said that Lakshmi had done penance and had thus reached Him. Lakshmi, however, was going to appear on the Earth, as the daughter of Sage Markandeya. Tulsi should go to the Earth too, and there spread herself as a bush, that would shelter Lakshmi, who would appear under the bush. Lakshmi would be brought up by Sage Markandeya. The Lord would come down too, and would marry Lakshmi later on.
As per the Lord's instructions, Tulsi appeared on the bank of the Cauvery river. She appeared in such profusion, that the whole place resembled a tulsi forest. So dense was the vegetation. Sage Markandeya, who was on a pilgrimage, reached the place where Tulsi had taken root. He bathed in the river, and began to meditate. In his mind's eye, the sage could see the Lord. And as long as the image of the Lord filled the sage's mind, he was oblivious to everything else around him. He did not even notice the child who was under the tulsi bush.
This child was none other than Goddess Mahalakshmi. In order that the sage should open his eyes and see Her, the Lord caused His image to disappear from the sage's mind. Only then did the sage open his eyes, and upon seeing the child, he picked her up, brought her up, and later got Her married to the Lord.
Different names of the Tulsi plant and their meanings, according to the Vedas:
- Vaishnavi- meaning belonging to Vishnu.
- Vishnu Vallabha- which means beloved of Lord Vishnu.
- Haripriya- which also means beloved of Lord Vishnu
- Vishnu Tulsi
- Shri Tulsi- this is the green Tulsi, it means the fortunate Tulsi.
- Rama Tulsi- is the tulsi which is brighter in colour.
- Shyama Tulsi/ Krishna Tulsi- is the darker Tulsi with dark green leaves and purple stems, symbolic of Lord Krishna’s dark complexion.
- Lakshmi Priya- as Tulsi is considered an “avatar” of Goddess Lakshmi.
Four Mythological Stories relating to the Origin of Tulsi
- Jalandhara and Vrinda:
As per the “Skanda Purana”, Jalandahara the “Asura” (demon), was granted a boon by Lord Brahma, pleased by his penance. Lord Brahma announced that Jalandhara would become invincible and no one would be able to defeat him until his wife loses her chastity to someone else. Jalandhara absorbed with arrogance declared a war on the Gods.
Since Jalandhara was believed to be born from the flames which emerged from Lord Shiva’s third eye, he was an extremely powerful warrior. Lord Shiva and Jalandhara were neck to neck in the battle which lasted long. Jalandhara hoping that if he breached Parvati’s( Lord Shiva’s wife) chastity, he would be able to defeat Lord Shiva.
Jalandhara disguised as Lord Shiva approaches Parvati but gets recognised. Parvati humiliated and angered by this is said to have turned pitch black and her eyes turned blood red. This indicates Parvati taking the form of Goddess Kali.
Seeing this and realising that he was no match for the Goddesses’ fury, he fled. Parvati then goes to Lord Vishnu and asks him to take the form of Jalandhara and go to his wife Vrinda and breach her chastity as it was the only way to defeat Jalandhara. She assured that this would not be counted as a sin.
Lord Vishnu disguised as Jalandhara, tricks his wife Vrinda and violates her chastity. Overcome by grief and anger, Vrinda curses Lord Vishnu that he be turned into a black stone “Shaligram”, still believed to be found on the banks of the Gandaki River.
Vrinda also curses him that one day his wife would be abducted with deceit and she would be separated from him. This curse materialises when Sita, wife of Lord Rama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, is abducted by a demon king, Ravana. Jalandhar loses the battle and gets killed by Lord Shiva.
Having cursed Lord Vishnu, Vrinda throws herself into the funeral pyres of her husband and performs “Sati”. Lord Vishnu repented having betrayed his own devotee accepts the curse. Lord Vishnu in turn promises that from her ashes, a plant would be born, this plant would be called Tulsi and the plant would be married to the black stone “Shaligram”, this would forever ensure her chastity. He also declared that he would never eat without Tulsi, hence a holy Tulsi plant is always offered with Lord Vishnu’s “prasadum”.
- Sanchukda and Tulsi:
According to the “Devi Bhagwatam”, Sankchuda, was a powerful “Daitya”, meaning demon. He underwent deep meditation or “tapashya” and impressed Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma gifted Sankchuda with the “Vishnu-Kavach” (armour of Vishnu) and a blessing of eternal life. He declared that as long as the “Vishnu-Kavach” was on Sankchuda’s body, no one would be able to demolish him.
Though Sankchuda was a man of faith and religion, he sometimes erred for the sake of his community. After conquering the “tri-lok” or the three worlds, he chased out the Gods from their heavenly abode. Lord Shiva declared a war on him but was unable to defeat him.
Lord Vishnu knowing that the war would be futile as long as Sanchukda still possessed the “Vishnu –Kavach”, disguised himself as a poor “’brahmin”. He went to Sanchukda and expressed his desires of owning the armour (Vishnu-Kavach) that he was adorning. Sanchukda being a generous and a kind man could not refuse hence, granted the “Brahmin” his armour. Therefore he was now deprived of his power of invincibility and was defeated in the war.
Lord Vishnu using his delusionary powers taking the form of Sankchuda approaches “Tulsi” wife of Sankchuda. When Tulsi senses treachery and demands to know who he was, Lord Vishnu exposes himself in his true form. She was persuaded to renounce her earthly form and to return to their celestial home as “Tulsi” is also believed to be an avatar of Goddess Lakshmi, consort of Lord Vishnu.
Enraged that her wifely chastity and purity towards Sankchuda was hampered, Tulsi curses Lord Vishnu that he be transformed into a black stone, “Shaligram” as she believed he was as hard and emotionless as a stone. It is believed that her mortal remains decayed and transformed into the Gandaki River and her hair formed the holy Tulsi plant.
- Tulsi and Radha
According to the Hindu Mythology, Tulsi is believed to be an “avatar” of Radha, Lord Krishna’s beloved. Vrinda is thought to be just another name for Radha. During his childhood in Mathura, Krishna played with Radha in the forest which was known as “Vrindavana” or the “Garden of Tulsi”. Lord Krishna himself is a prominent reincarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Another legend suggests that there was a princess who falls in love with Lord Krishna and out of sheer jealousy Radha curses her and transforms her into a holy Tulsi plant.
- “Samudra Manthana”
The “Samudra Manthana” relates to the event in Hindu mythology when the churning of the cosmic oceans is carried by the Gods and the Demons in order to procure “Amrit”, the elixir for eternal life. The “Vaishnava” legend states that when “Dhanavantari”, the God of Medicine emerges from the ocean carrying the “Amrit”, Lord Vishnu sheds tears of joy, the first drop of which flows into the elixir and forms Tulsi.
Tulsi Mala
Tulsi is indispensable in the worship of Lord Vishnu, his incarnation of Krishna and Vithoba also other Vishnava deities. Garlands or Tulsi mala is made of ten thousand Tulsi leaves, Tulsi is mixed with water, food items are sprinkled with Tulsi and offered in reverence to Lord Vishnu or his “avatar”.
Japa Malas or Tulsi Mala:
Among the Vaishnavas a japa mala or a string of Hindu prayer beads is made from Tulsi stems and roots which is referred to as Tulsi mala. A Tulsi mala is considered auspicious and is believed to bring the wearer in connection with Lord Vishnu or Krishna. This Mala is not only supposed to bridge the gap between earth and heaven but also confer the blessings of these deities on the wearer of Tulsi Mala.
Japa Mala or Tulsi Mala can be worn as a necklace or held in the hand as a rosary. This is of high significance to the Vishnavas, as they are known as “those who wear the Tulsi around their neck”. Devotees also go on a pilgrimage to Dwarka with Tulsi plants in their hand.
Story that reflects Tulasi representation of purity, simplicity, sacrifice, bhakthi and quest for Vishnu’s blessings.
Once Devarishi, Narada Muni brings one Parijata flower from the Indra Loka and gives it to Bhagavan Sri Krishna Paramatma and Devarishi tells Bhagavan Sri Krishna to handover this Parijata pushpam (Divine flower) to your most loving wife. At that time Maata Rukmini Devi (She is also avatara of Sri Mahalakshmi Devi) will be beside Bhagavan Sri Krishna and thus Bhagavan Sri Krishna hands over the pushpam (flower) to Maata Rukmini Devi. The sugandha (Divine fragrance) of that flower is so much charming that all over the Dwaraka the smell will be covered like the cloud of rain. Everyone in the Dvarka will be surprised to spell the sugandha (Divine fragnance) of that flower.Maata Satyabhama Devi comes to know that the Devarishi, Narada Muni has given the Parijata flower to her Bhagavan Sri Krishna and Bhagavan Sri Krishna has given it to his first consort Maata Rukmini Devi. After knowing this, Maata Satyabhama Devi becomes furious.
Maata Satyabhama Devi becomes Jealous of Maata Rukmini Devi. Later Maata Satyabhama Devi calls the Triloka Sanchari and asks a way, how to keep her Bhagavan Sri Krishna only and always with her. She asks the Brahmarishi (Narada Muni) a way, so that Bhagavan Sri Krishna should not think of any other person than herself and becomes her Daasa / servant of hers.
Narada Muni suggests Maata Satyabhama Devi to do a vrata (Divine austerity), so that Bhagavan Sri Krishna will become her Daasa / servant. (But who can make the one and only Bhagavan a Daasa / servant). Narada Maharshi continues and says that, the vrata (Divine austerity) should be started in the early of the morning. The wife who is doing this vrata (Divine austerity) should get up early in the morning and should take bath using only normal water (no hot water). After doing the vrata (Divine austerity) and after completing all the rules as per the vrata, the wife should make the daanam / donation of her husband to a great personality. After making the daanam / donation of the husband, the wife can take back the husband making the Tulaabharam (a way of weighing someone) using a takkadi (weight weighing machine).
The husband should be kept on one side of the takkadi and equal weight of the valuables should be kept on the other side. Thus after completing all the formalities of the vrata, that the husband can be taken back by wife, only after she puts an equal amount of the valuable on the other side of the takkadi. But for Maata Satyabhama Devi one thing keeps on disturbing in her mind that who should be that personality to whom she can give daanam / donation of her husband. For this Devarishi (Narada Muni) says that the personality should be highly knowledgeable, that personality should be a great Bhakta / devotee of Bhagavan Sri Krishna and if he is the Trilokasanchari (one who can travel in all the three worlds) that it is always better.
After hearing this Maata Satyabhama Devi says that Maharshi (Narada Muni) is talking about himself and requests the Maharshi himself to come tomorrow and accept the daanam / donation. After all this, Maata Satyabhama Devi tells to Maharshi that she has the valuables worth billions of her husband’s weight. She tells to Devarishi that she has valuables of buying millions of the Krishnas like her husband. Hearing this, Narada Maharshi smiles within himself and leaves the place. Then the day comes for the tulaabharam (weighing ceremony). After completing all the formalities of the vrata, Maata Satyabhama Devi comes for the tulaabharam of her husband along with her husband Bhagavan Sri Krishna and with Narada Maharshi.
Paramatma Bhagavan Sri Krishna sits on the one side of the takkadi and Maata Satyabhama Devi starts to keep all the valuables on the other side of the takkadi. First she keeps her Bhanuvaar’s (Sunday) jewellery, then Somavaar’s (Monday) jewellery, then Mangalvaar’s (Tuesday), then Budhavaar’s (Wednesday), then Guruvaar’s (Thursday), Shukravaar’s (Friday) and also the Shanivaar’s (Saturday) jewelry. But the other side of the takkadi will not move even a millimeter.
Now Maata Satyabhama Devi orders her sakhis / friends to bring all the gold, diamonds, rubies, jems which were given by her parents. Even on keeping all these nothing moves, nothing happens. Now Maata Satyabhama Devi starts to loose her cool and starts shouting at all the people present at the tulaabharam (expect at Narada Maharshi, as he is the present owner of her husband / Bhagavan Sri Krishna). Maharshi asks Maata Satyabhama Devi what is her next plan. For this no answer comes from Maata Satyabhama Devi. After this Narada Maharshi orders Bhagavan Sri Krishna to come along with him outside (this is just to teach lesson to paamara (ordinary humans) like us or else who can order to swayam Bhagavan Sri Krishna).
Thus Narada Maharshi brings Bhagavan Sri Krishna to a market and starts to auction him in the market. Devarshi Narada tells the people of Dwaraka that who ever makes the highest bid can take the Bhagavan Sri Krishna with himself.
Thus nobody comes front to buy Bhagavan Sri Krishna. At his stage, Maata Satyabhama Devi would have lost all her furiousness, her ego, her own greatness (again, please remember this is the lesson for us and nothing else). Maata Satyabhama Devi with her eyes full of water comes near the Narada Maharshi and again asks a way to get back her husband Bhagavan Sri Krishna. For this Maharshi says, that nothing can buy or win over Bhagavan Sri Krishna.No money, no jewellery, no gems, no rubies, no diamonds, no palaces, nothing can buy or win Bhagavan Sri Krishna except a SHUDDHHA BHAKTI (Divine pure devotion).
For this again Maata Satyabhama Devi requests to Maharshi Narada that how Shuddhha Bhakti can win Bhagavan Sri Krishna. For this Devarshi Narada says that only a person with Shuddhha Bhakthi can win Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Maata Satyabhama Devi weeping asks trilokasanchari (Narada Muni) that who is that person on this earth who has a Shuddhha Bhakti so that, that person can win Bhagavan Sri Krishna. For this Maharshi Narada says, there are millions of such people around this globe. Best among is the great Maata Rukmini Devi. Then immediately Maata Satyabhama Devi requests her sakhis / friends to bring Maata Rukmini Devi.
Maata Rukmini Devi after hearing everything from the sakhis / friends, brings a leaf of Tulasi plant (Tulasi dala) along with her. After reaching the place of Tulaabharam, immediately Maata Rukmini Devi prays for the Bhagavan Sri Krishna silently in her heart and keeps the leaf of Tulasi on the other side of the Takkadi. Immediately the Takkadi balances with the weight of the Bhagavan Sri Krishna and the Tulasi leaf being the same weight of the Bhagavan Sri Krishna himself and thus Maata Rukmini Devi being the wife of the Bhagavan Sri Krishna wins back the Bhagavan Sri Krishna to herself.
After this, Maharshi Narada Muni tells to everybody present in the place that “ONLY BHAKTHI CAN WIN BHAGAVAN SRI KRISHNA AND NOTHING ELSE”.
No comments:
Post a Comment