The Incomparable Glory of Tulasi Devi: A Gateway to Krishna’s Love
In every Hare Krishna temple and countless homes worldwide, a graceful green plant stands on a raised altar, encircled by lamps and prayers. This is no ordinary shrub; it is Tulasi Devi, the incomparable beloved of Lord Krishna. Revered in scriptures and adored by devotees, Tulasi Devi is a goddess, a gateway to bhakti (devotional service), and a daily reminder of Krishna’s boundless mercy.
Who is Tulasi Devi? Her Divine Origin and Nature
“Tulasi,” signifies “the incomparable one,” meaning no one can measure how much Krishna loves her or how deep her devotion is. Scriptures proclaim that without Tulasi Devi, Krishna’s worship and offerings are considered incomplete. She is so vital that Krishna does not accept any Puja or offering without her.Her appearance in this world is a beautiful tale from the Samudra Manthana pastime. After many auspicious items and personalities emerged, Lord Narayana appeared as Dhanvantari, holding the Amrita Kalasha (pot of nectar). Overwhelmed with joy at seeing His devotees, Lord Narayana shed tears of happiness, known as Ananda Bashpa. These happy tears fell into the Amrita Kalasha, and from them, Tulasi Devi manifested. This indicates her extraordinary nature; all 33 crore devatas immediately paid obeisances upon her manifestation, understanding she was not an ordinary being
Vrndavani – One who first manifested in vrindavan
The scriptures reveal Tulasi Devi’s profound identity:
• She is an incarnation of Mahalakshmi and an expansion of Srimati Radharani, the internal potency of the Lord, always with Narayana/Krishna.
• She is also known as Vrinda Devi, a pure devotee of Lord Krishna responsible for arranging the beautiful pastimes of Radha and Krishna in Vrindavana.• Within her, all holy places (tirthakshetras) reside in her roots, all devatas in her middle, and all Vedic knowledge (Bhagavad-gita, Bhagavatam, Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Vedanta Sutra) is present at her tips.
The Immense Benefits of Worshipping Tulasi Devi
Worshipping Tulasi Devi offers spiritual benefits that are simple to perform yet profound in their impact. The Padma Purana states that whoever worships Tulasi with devotion, offering her water, ghee lamp, and incense, becomes dear to Lord Krishna.
Here are some of the astonishing benefits:
- Purification from Sins: Simply by seeing (darshanamatra) Tulasi Devi, all varieties of sins (papa), even severe ones like gohatya (cow slaughter), killing a child in the womb, or killing one’s father, are pacified and removed. Touching her purifies the mind and body, and watering her can cure all diseases.
- Protection from Yamadutas: It is said that if a devotee has Tulasi prasadam with them, the terrifying Yamadutas (messengers of the god of death) will run away, and instead, Vishnu Dutas will gracefully take them to Vaikuntha Loka.
- Liberation and Residence in Vaikuntha: Simply by seeing, touching, remembering, praying to, bowing before, hearing about, or sowing Tulasi, one lives eternally in the Vaikuntha world. Moreover, by planting and caring for just one Tulasi plant. This benefit extends to seven crore relatives from both the mother’s and father’s sides, even if they have not performed such devotional service themselves.
- Attaining Krishna Bhakti: Tulasi Devi directly grants bhakti (devotional service) to Krishna. Lord Krishna becomes very dear to those who offer Tulasi to Him. The Srimad Bhagavatam describes how the four Kumaras, previously attached to impersonal Brahman, became pure devotees by simply smelling the fragrance of Tulasi leaves carried on the breeze from Krishna’s lotus feet.
- Equivalent to Visiting Holy Places: All tirthak shetras are present at Tulasi’s roots. By taking a little soil from her roots and placing it on your forehead, you receive the benefit of visiting all holy places and performing all vratas and purification baths (snana and japa) in those tirthas. Krishna has made it incredibly simple for everyone to receive these benefits, regardless of time, cost, or physical ability.
How to Worship Tulasi Devi
Tulasi Devi is an easily available, free, and simple means to achieve Krishna bhakti and become dear to Krishna. Her presence sanctifies the home and her worship is a direct devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So, let us all take this opportunity seriously—plant, water, care for, and worship Tulasi Devi, and in doing so, become very dear to Lord Krishna.
- Offer Water: After bathing and wearing clean clothes, offer water to the roots of Tulasi, then gently from the top as if bathing her.
- Touch and Apply Soil: Touch a Tulasi leaf, acknowledging Lord Narayana’s presence within it. Take a small amount of soil (murthika) from her roots and place it on your forehead
- Circumambulate (Pradakshina): Perform pradakshina (circumambulation) around her.
- Chant Glories: Sing her glories, such as “Vrindayai tulasi-devyai priyayai kesavasya cha…”.
- Plant and Care: Planting and caring for Tulasi Devi (ropita and savita) involves watering her regularly, removing other plants that might hinder her growth, and providing shelter if needed.
- Offer to Krishna: Always offer a Tulasi leaf to Lord Krishna with any offering, especially food preparations. An offering to Krishna is incomplete without her.
- Respectful Treatment: It is crucial to treat Tulasi Devi with the utmost respect, as she is a pure devotee of Krishna. Srila Prabhupada strictly advised never to cut her branches; only leaves and manjaris (flower buds) should be collected for offering to Krishna, or manjaris can be planted to grow new Tulasi plants
