{"id":3646,"date":"2024-03-14T06:26:26","date_gmt":"2024-03-14T10:26:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/?p=3646"},"modified":"2024-03-14T10:47:08","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T14:47:08","slug":"tulasi-devi-instructions-by-srila-prabhupada-on-how-to-worship-her","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/tulasi-devi-instructions-by-srila-prabhupada-on-how-to-worship-her\/","title":{"rendered":"Tulasi Devi – instructions by Srila Prabhupada on how to worship Her"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Three Tulasi-mantras<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da: I am giving you herewith three mantras for Tulas\u012b Dev\u012b as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n

v\u1e5bnd\u0101yai tulas\u012b-devyai<\/span>
\npriy\u0101yai ke\u015bavasya ca<\/span>
\nvi\u1e63\u1e47u-bhakti-prade dev\u012b<\/span>
\nsatya vatyai namo nama\u1e25<\/span><\/p>\n

This is offering OBEISANCES, bowing down (pancanga pranam).<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And when COLLECTING LEAVES from the plant, the following mantra should be chanted:<\/span><\/p>\n

tulasy arm\u1e5bta-janm\u0101si \/ sad\u0101 tva\u1e41 ke\u015bava-priya<\/span>
\nke\u015bav\u0101rtha\u1e41 cinomi tv\u0101\u1e41 \/ varad\u0101 bhava \u015bobhane<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Then the mantra FOR CIRCUMAMBULATING the Tulasi tree:<\/span>
\ny\u0101ni k\u0101ni ca p\u0101p\u0101ni<\/span>
\nbrahma-haty\u0101dik\u0101ni ca<\/span>
\nt\u0101ni t\u0101ni pra\u1e47a\u015byanti<\/span>
\npradak\u1e63i\u1e47a\u1e25 pade pade<\/span><\/p>\n

So there are three mantras, one for bowing down, one for circumambulating, and one for collecting the leaves. The collecting of leaves should be done once in the morning for worshiping and for putting on the plates of foodstuff to be offered. On each bowl or plate there should be at lest one leaf. So you follow and practice these Tulasi affairs and you try to distribute your experience to all the other centers, that will be a new chapter in the history of Krsna Consciousness Movement. (Letter to Govinda dasi)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The worship of \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b Tulas\u012b in the Temple<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Immediately following Ma\u1e45gala-\u0101rat\u012b, Tulasi-puja is offered. The devotees sing prayers to Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b while one devotee offers Her \u0101rati, then all circumambulate Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b, offering her water. Preferably, \u0101rati should also be offered to Tulsi in the evening, just before Sandhy\u0101-\u0101rat\u012b.<\/span><\/p>\n

Begin Tulasi-arati by offering obeisances to Tulas\u012bi-dev\u012b, chanting the Tulas\u012b-Pra\u1e47\u0101ma mantra three times.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u015ar\u012b Tulas\u012b Pra\u1e47\u0101ma<\/strong><\/span>
\nv\u1e5bnd\u0101yai tulas\u012b-devyai \/ priy\u0101yai ke\u015bavasya ca<\/span>
\nvi\u1e63\u1e47u-bhakti-prade dev\u012b \/ satya vatyai namo nama\u1e25<\/span>
\nv\u1e5bnd\u0101yai\u2014unto V\u1e5bnd\u0101; tulas\u012b-devyai\u2014unto Tulas\u012b Dev\u012b priy\u0101yai- who is dear; ke\u015bavasya\u2014to Lord Ke\u015bava; ca\u2014and; vi\u1e63\u1e47u-bhakti- devotional service to Lord Vi\u1e63\u1e47u\/ K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a; prade\u2014who bestows; devi-O goddess; satyavatyai\u2014unto Satyavat\u012b; namo nama\u1e25\u2014repeated obeisances.<\/span>
\nI offer my repeated obeisances unto V\u1e5bnd\u0101, \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b, who is very dear to Lord Ke\u015bava. O goddess, you bestow devotional service to Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and you possess the highest truth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next, the devotees sing \u015ar\u012b Tulas\u012b K\u012brtana while one devotee offers \u0101rati to Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b with incense, a ghee lamp and flowers. While offering the articles, the devotee offering Tulasi-arati should stand on a mat (\u0101sana) and ring a bell with the left hand. Just as when offering other \u0101ratis, the hands and paraphernalia should be purified (\u0101camana) with water from pancha-patra. After offering each item, they may be distributed to the devotees.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u015ar\u012b Tulas\u012b-K\u012brtana<\/strong><\/span>
\nnamo nama\u1e25 tulas\u012b k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a-preyasi namo nama\u1e25<\/span>
\nr\u0101dh\u0101-k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a-sev\u0101 p\u0101bo ei abil\u0101\u1e63\u012b<\/span>
\nye tom\u0101ra \u015bara\u1e47a loy, tara v\u0101\u00f1ch\u0101 p\u016br\u1e47a hoy<\/span>
\nk\u1e5bp\u0101 kori\u2019 koro t\u0101re v\u1e5bnd\u0101vana-v\u0101si<\/span>
\nmora ei abhil\u0101\u1e63a, vil\u0101sa ku\u00f1je dio v\u0101sa<\/span>
\nnayana heribo sad\u0101 yugala-r\u016bpa-r\u0101\u015bi<\/span>
\nei nivedana dhara, sakh\u012bra anugata koro<\/span>
\nsev\u0101-adhik\u0101ra diye koro n\u012bja d\u0101s\u012b<\/span>
\nd\u012bna k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a-d\u0101se koy, ei yena mora hoy<\/span>
\n\u015br\u012b-r\u0101dh\u0101-govinda-preme sad\u0101 yena bh\u0101si<\/span><\/p>\n

(1) O Tulas\u012b, beloved of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a, I bow before you again and again. My desire is to obtain the service of \u015ar\u012b \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101 and K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a.<\/span>
\n(2) Whoever takes shelter of you has his wishes fulfilled. Bestowing your mercy on him, you make him a resident of V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana.<\/span>
\n(3) My desire is that you will also give me a residence in the pleasure groves of \u015ar\u012b V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana-dh\u0101ma. Thus within my vision I will always behold the beautiful pastimes of R\u0101dh\u0101 and K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a.<\/span>
\n(4) I beg you to make me a follower of the cowherd damsels of Vraja. Please give me the privilege of devotional service and make me your own maidservant.<\/span>
\n(5) This very fallen and lowly servant of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a prays, \u201cMay I always swim in the love of \u015ar\u012b \u015ar\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101 and Govinda.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Tulas\u012b-p\u016bj\u0101 K\u012brtana song is finished, the devotees circumambulate \u015ar\u012bmate Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b at least four times, offering her water by pouring some at her root. (Water is only offered in the morning, not evening.) Use small spoons to help avoid over watering Her. While circumambulating, chant the \u015ar\u012b Tulas\u012b Pradak\u1e63i\u1e47a mantra.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u015ar\u012b Tulas\u012b Pradak\u1e63i\u1e47a Mantra<\/strong><\/span>
\n(Sing while circumambulating Tulas\u012b)<\/span>
\ny\u0101ni k\u0101ni ca p\u0101p\u0101ni \/ brahma-haty\u0101dik\u0101ni ca<\/span>
\nt\u0101ni t\u0101ni pra\u1e47a\u015byanti \/ pradak\u1e63i\u1e47a\u1e25 pade pade<\/span>
\ny\u0101ni k\u0101ni\u2014whatever; ca\u2014and; p\u0101p\u0101ni\u2014sins; brahma-hatya\u2014killing of a br\u0101hma\u1e47a; \u0101dik\u0101ni\u2014and so on; ca\u2014also; t\u0101ni t\u0101ni\u2014all of them; pra\u1e47a\u015byanti\u2014are destroyed; pradak\u1e63i\u1e47a\u1e25\u2014(by) the circumambulation (of Tulas\u012b Dev\u012b); pade pade\u2014at every step<\/span>
\nThose who circumambulate \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b step by step destro whatever sins they have committed, even the killing of a br\u0101hma\u1e47a.<\/span><\/p>\n

Have the words to the Tulas\u012b \u0101rati prayers typed and posted so guests can see them. Encourage all guests to participate in Tulasi-arati. With a little encouragement, they will join in and enjoy themselves. The devotees should always bow down when they see Taulasi-devi, and others will follow in showing her respect.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b should be kept in a special pot, and the pot should sit upon a stand, up off the floor. When carrying a potted Tulas\u012b plant, it is traditional to honor Her by carrying the pot on one’s head. If it’s too heavy, carry the pot out in front. For worship, the stand Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b sits on should be high enough so the base of the plant is above the waist of the devotee offering \u0101rati. If it is not possible to keep a live Tulas\u012b plant, one may offer worship to a picture of Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b.<\/span><\/p>\n

For one who is Tulas\u012b’s servant, that responsibility enters into all the different aspects of Her existence. You must see that She is being maintained properly, that Her leaves are always offered in a clean and fresh manner, and that all the devotees are given the opportunity to worship Her. Make Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b some skirts to fit around Her pot, particularly when She is being offered \u0101rati. If Tulas\u012b is very close to, or on the altar, make sure that no candles or ghee lamps are placed close enough to burn her leaves. Use incense sparingly as it tends to make Her sick if burned continually. Garlands left for more than a day will mold and attract bugs, so if Tulas\u012b is nearby, she will be affected.<\/span><\/p>\n

While in Detroit, \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da asked, “Where is Tulas\u012b?”. When She was brought in, \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da put His garland around Her and had Her placed on the altar, saying “Mother Tulas\u012b is so kind. Treat Her as you would any of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a’s pure devotees.”<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

HOW TO PLUCK & USE TULSI LEAVES FOR OFFERINGS TO KRISHNA?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

One should be clean before touching or plucking Tulasi. The Vayu Purana says that one who picks Tulasi without having bathed and then performs worship is an offender, and all his activities becomes useless.<\/span><\/p>\n

With your right hand, carefully pick the tulasi leaves or soft tulasi-manjaris, along with their stems-one at a time-while repeatedly chanting the tulasi-cayana-mantra:<\/span><\/p>\n

tulasy am\u1e5bta-janm\u0101si \/ sad\u0101 tva\u1e41 ke\u015bava-priy\u0101<\/span>
\nke\u015bav\u0101rtha\u1e41 cinomi tv\u0101\u1e41 varad\u0101 bhava \u015bobhane<\/span>
\n“O Tulas\u012b of effulgent beauty, you were born from nectar, during the churning of the milk ocean. You are always very dear to Lord Ke\u015bava. Now, in order to worship Lord Ke\u015bava, I am collecting your leaves and ma\u00f1jar\u012bs. Please bestow your benediction on me that my worship will obtain success.”<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Take special care to avoid causing \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b any pain. If when picking Tulasi leaves one breaks the branches, Visnu feels pain in His heart. Pluck her leaves with your right hand while holding the branch in your left, taking care not to break it. Do not use scissors or a knife to cut the leaves from the plant. When finished, recite the ksama-prarthana-mantra, begging her pardon:<\/span><\/p>\n

cayanodbhava-du\u1e25kha\u1e41 ca \/ yad h\u1e5bdi tava vartate<\/span>
\ntat k\u1e63amasva jagan-m\u0101ta\u1e25 \/ v\u1e5bnd\u0101-dev\u012b namo \u2019stu te<\/span>
\nO Tulas\u012b-dev\u012b, I offer my respectful obeisances unto you. Kindly forgive me if I have caused you pain by picking your leaves and manjaris, O mother of the universe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Do not pluck Tulas\u012b leaves in the morning before daylight or in the evening after dark, nor at any time on Dvadasi-tithi, the day following Ekadasi. Even if the tulasi leaves have become dry because they were cut on the previous day or in the morning, they may still be used in Deity worship.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AVOID PLUCKING TULSI LEAVES ON DWADASI<\/strong><\/span>
\nTulasi should not be plucked on dvadasi. The Visnu Dharmottara says, Vaisnavas should never pick Tulasi on dvadasi tithi.<\/span>
\nsamkranty adau ni siddho’pi tulasyavacayah smrtau<\/span>
\nparam sri visnu bhaktastu dvadasyam eva nesyate<\/span>
\n“It is generally forbidden to pluck Tulasi on Sankranti, (Purnima, Amavasya, Dvadashi, Sunday) etc., according to the strict rules of the Smritis, but the most important rule (according to Shrila Sanatana Goswami) which the Vaishnava devotees should certainly follow is to not pluck Tulasi leaves on Dvadashi.” (From Hari Bhakthi Vilasa 7.353)<\/span><\/p>\n

nac chindat tulasim vipra<\/span>
\ndv\u0101da\u015bya\u1e41 vai\u1e63\u1e47ava\u1e25 kvacit<\/span>
\n“Oh brahmanas, a Vaisnava never picks Tulasi leaves on Dvadashi, (the day after Ekadashi).”<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Why should we avoid plucking Tulasi leaves on Dvadasi?<\/strong><\/span>
\nSrimati Tulsi Maharani, the pure devotee of the Lord, keeps fasting on the whole Ekadashi and takes rest on Dwadashi. So the devotee in order to not to disturb or hurt her, don’t pluck leaves on that day.<\/span>
\nThen what to do to get the Tulsi leaves for offering on Dwadashi and other purposes?<\/span>
\nFollow advance savings. Keep some advance Tulsi leaves for Dwadashi for offering purposes. Or , one may pick the leaves fallen on the ground around the pot and then after thoroughly washing it, can use it for offering.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mantra when offering Tulas\u012b leaves to Lord Krsna<\/strong><\/span>
\netat tulas\u012b patram kl\u012b\u1e41 k\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47\u0101ya nama\u1e25<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u015ar\u012bmat\u012b Tulas\u012b Dev\u012b<\/strong><\/span>
\nThere are two types of Tulas\u012b:<\/span>
\n1. K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a Tulas\u012b: This has purple colouring in the leaves and stems<\/span>
\n2. R\u0101ma Tulas\u012b: This has green leaves and stems.<\/span>
\nBoth of these Tulas\u012b are used in the worship of Lord K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How-to-perform-Tulas\u012b-P\u016bja<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nWhile this song is being sung by all the devotees gathered the offering of the ceremony simultaneously goes on. The paraphernalia [as shown in \u201cParaphernalia for performing Arati\u201d] should be offered as follows<\/span><\/p>\n

Video:<\/span>
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=PZtXQY5mL6o&feature=related<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

1) Perform achamana to purify the hands, [that is holding spoon in left hand first, one flick of water into the left hand to purify. Then with left hand put 3 drops of water into the right hand and say \u201cOm Keshavaya Namah\u201d sipping half of the water and the other half thrown on the ground. Repeat this step 2 more times saying \u201cOm Narayanaya Namah\u201d and \u201cOm Madhavaya Namah\u201d respectively.<\/span><\/p>\n

2) Purify the Blowing Conchshell by pouring water from the Lota on it [there should be a bowl underneath to catch the water or if not that at least a cloth near by for wipe the floor at the end.]. The holding the Conch in either one\u2019s right hand or both hands blow into to it 3 long blows and then rinse the conch again with water from the Lota. Once the conch has been blown the singing begins.<\/span><\/p>\n

3) There should already be a candle lit separately for lighting the incense and ghee lamp.<\/span><\/p>\n

Holding the spoon from the Achaman cup in the right hand do one right flick of water [to purify the right hand] then place three drops of water on the bell [bell should be held in one\u2019s left hand and be rung continuously through the offering of paraphernalia] then hold in left hand then with right hand light the incense sticks [either the number 1, 3 or 5] and then place 3 drops of water on the incense sticks. Then in a circular motion moving the hand clockwise one should wave the incense aroundthe picture ofSrila Prabhupada on the Vyasasanaand then the Tulasi plant, after that offer 3 big circles around the audience.<\/span><\/p>\n

4) Once this is done one should again blow the blowing Conch according to step 2. After this is done one should water the floor near the altar to clean any spilt water in the offering process and then offer full flat prostrated obeisances in front of the altar from left to right while reciting Srila Prabhupada\u2019s pranama mantra<\/span><\/p>\n

5) The arati paraphernalia should be taken to the kitchen for washing and cleaning.<\/span><\/p>\n

6) Step 3 should be repeated for the remaining 2 items namely the ghee lamp and fragrant flowers [either1, 3 or 5] respectively.<\/span><\/p>\n

7) There are a few things to be noted: a) Before Tulasi is brought in the temple room for worship the curtain on the Pancha Tattva altar is closed. A table should be place in the middle of the temple room b) As the Tulasi plant is brought into the room and place of the table the audience says \u201cSrimati Tulasi maharani ki jaya\u201d [All Glories to the topmost queen Srimati Tulasi] the devotees all bown down by offering half obeisances with head touching the floor. The devotee who will be leading the Kirtana loudly recites the \u201cTulasi Pranama Mantra\u201d [as mentioned above] 3 times with the audience responding loudly each time c) After the conch is blown signaling the beginning of the arati the\u201cTulasi Kirtana\u201d begins, when the pujari[ devotee who offers the ceremony] completes it the lead singer begins to recite the \u201cTulasi prayer\u201d [as mentioned above] 3 times. While this is going on the devotees in the audience come up to the Tulasi plant and purifying the right hand with a right flick of water into the right proceed to offer 3 drops of water from the achamana cup at the root of the Tulasi plant d) after the \u201cTulasi Kirtana\u201d has been chant thrice by the lead singer he then breaks into the Hare Krishna mantra at leats 3 time or until all the audience has offer Tulasi 3 drops of water.<\/span><\/p>\n

The lead chanter then finishes of by chanting Jaya Vrnda-devi! Jaya Tulasi Maharani and Jaya Prabhupada! with the audience.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Three Tulasi-mantras \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da: I am giving you herewith three mantras for Tulas\u012b Dev\u012b as follows: v\u1e5bnd\u0101yai tulas\u012b-devyai priy\u0101yai ke\u015bavasya ca vi\u1e63\u1e47u-bhakti-prade dev\u012b satya vatyai namo nama\u1e25 This is offering OBEISANCES, bowing down (pancanga pranam).   … Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3647,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,140,156,194,250,141],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3646","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english","category-area2","category-db","category-nb","category-personalities","category-vrindavana-vrajamandala"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-03 17:54:24","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3646","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3646"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3646\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3647"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3646"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3646"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isvara.org\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3646"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}