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Worship of Tulasé Devé

Whoever worships Tulasé Devé with her eight names and their meanings-Våndä, Våndävané, Viçvapävané, Viçvapüjita, Tulasé, Puñpasära, Nandiné, and Kåñëa-jévané, and properly sings this hymn of eight verses, acquires the merit of performing an açvamedha (horse) sacrifice.

Because Tulasé was born on the lunar day of the full moon in the month of Kärttika, Lord Hari prescribed this day for her worship.

Whoever worships her on this day will be freed from all sins and go to Vaikuëöha.

Whoever, out of reverence, gives Lord Viñëu a Tulasé leaf in the month of Kärttika, will gain the same benefit obtained by giving the gift of ten million cows.

By hearing or recalling the Tulasé hymn, a son will be born to a sonless woman, a wife will be obtained by a wifeless man, health will be restored to a diseased person, freedom will be given to a prisoner, fearlessness will be bestowed upon a terrified person, and salvation will be given to a sinner.

In the Käìva-çäkhä branch of the Vedas, the method of worshiping and meditating on Tulasé Devé is described. Without invoking the goddess, one can reverentially meditate on her and adore her with sixteen ingredients in the following way:

"Of all flowers, Tulasé is the best. She is worshipable and beautiful, and burns up the fuel of sins like a flame of fire. Of all the goddesses, she is the most sacred. Because no one can compare to her, she is called Tulasé. I worship this goddess who is entreated by all. She is placed on the heads of all, desired by all, and makes the universe holy. She bestows liberation from this world and devotion to Lord Hari. I worship her." After this meditation and worship, the wise should read her praises and bow down to her.

How to Care for Tulasé Devé

The author does not pretend to be an expert on this complex subject. However, he has gleaned from one excellent professional source enough information to help the reader cultivate and maintain a beautiful Tulasé plant. This source is a booklet entitled The Art of Caring for Çrématé Tulasé Devé, by Éçäna Devé-däsé. The author recommends it highly, as it contains even more information than is contained in this book, especially in the area of specific pests and diseases that may attack a Tulasé plant. Éçäna Devé-däsé is not only the caretaker of Tulasé Devé in the New Dvärakä community, but also holds a Ph.D degree in botany from an accredited US university. Persons may obtain her booklet by writing to her at the Los Angeles Temple, ISKCON, 3764 Watseka Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90034 USA or to the Våndävana Trust, Krishna Balaram Mandir, Raman Reti, Vrindavan, Dist. Mathura, India.

The author thanks the anonymous artist of The Tulasé Handbook for the use of some of his/her illustrations to depict this section of the book.

There are two types of Tulasé plants. One, grown in direct sunlight, develops purple leaves and stems, and dark purple to pink flowers-this is called a Kåñëa Tulasé. The other, whose leaves and stems never turn purple and whose flowers are pure white, is called a Räma Tulasé.

Tulasé's Latin name is Ocimum sanctum L. Ocimum means she is related to the basil herb, and sanctum means "holy." Thus she is also known as the "Holy Basil." There is also a Lakñmé Tulasé or Tulasa. She is a tree basil and her Latin name is Ocimum gratissmum var. suave (Wild) Hook f. In worship, she is used as a substitute when Tulasé is not available.

Whoever cultivates and cares for a Tulasé plant purifies oneself, gives pleasure to Lord Kåñëa, and obtains Tulasé Devé's mercy, namely, devotional service to and pure love of Kåñëa.

Starting a Tulasé Plant from Seed

1. Either obtain a seed-starter kit from a local nursery, or if you use your own soil, mix of one part potting soil and one part sand. (See soil section below.)

2. Place these into peat-moss cups or into flat containers at least two inches deep.

3. Remove the four Tulasé seeds from the calyx by shaking them gently or pushing them out with the blunt eye of a needle.

4. Place the seeds singly on top of the soil.

5. Sprinkle soil finely over them-an amount equal to the diameter of the seed. They should be able to receive light. If planted too deeply, they will not be able to sprout.

6. Each seed will germinate into a Tulasé plant, so use only an amount of seeds that you are prepared to care for.

7. Do not water the seeds from above as the water could dislodge them.

8. Water the containers from below by placing them in a tray of lukewarm water until moist spots manifest on the surface of the soil.

9. Let the containers drain completely.

10. Place a pane of glass over the containers or place them in a clear plastic bag to increase their humidity.

11. Provide them with bright illumination, but not direct sunlight, and keep them in a warm environment.

12. Daily remove the moisture that collects on the inside of the pane or bag, and let fresh air circulate about the containers.

13. Most Tulasé seeds germinate in three to five days, but some take longer.

14. When germination starts, remove the pane or bag. However, keep the seedlings in a humid place, but do not let the planting medium get soggy. (See section on humidity below.)

15. For a number of days, as the roots begin developing, the young seedlings will have only two seed leaves.

16. If at this stage Tulasé turns purple, she is probably receiving too bright a light. Therefore, the light should be filtered.

17. If by chance Tulasé is bent over at the soil line and her stem there is brown and pinched, she has been assailed by a fungus. To overcome this:

a. Increase the circulation of air.

b. Reduce the amount of humidity

c. Sprinkle fine, hot sand onto the soil surface.

18. When the Tulasé seedling sends up a shoot with two additional leaves, and then another two, she is ready to be transplanted.

19. If the seedling is in a peat-moss container or peat-moss pellet:

a. When her roots begin to come out of the bottom and the sides of the container, it is time to transplant her.

b. Transfer the container to a clay pot that is slightly larger and contains the proper amount of potting soil. (See section on soil below.)

c. Make certain that the new soil line is the same as the line in the container, neither higher nor lower.

20. When two Tulasés are in the same container and you want to transplant each in a separate pot:

a. First, the seedlings should have at least two or three sets of leaves.

b. Gently tease apart the container and tease apart the soil mass until the Tulasés separate.

c. When two Tulasés refuse to disentangle, soak them in room-temperature water.

d. Once the plants are separated, make certain that each has as much soil as possible around the roots. Re-plant at once and water them completely.

21. When the Tulasé seedling is in a seed flat:

a. Scoop out the seedling, taking as much soil around it and below it as possible.

b. Place her in a small pot and water her completely.

22. For several days, keep the seedlings in mild shade. Then gradually increase the light.

23. From this point on, the seedling should grow quickly.

24. The tip of Tulasé's stem will grow higher and higher till a flower cluster or maïjaré will begin to manifest.

25. Sometimes, before this happens, Tulasé becomes fairly tall. When this happens, and she is still young and her stem not yet woody, she may need to be staked.

26. Because wooden dowels rot fast, use bamboo rods or plastic coated steel rods for stakes.

27. Place the stake at the edge of the inside of the pot, not near Tulasé's stem, which may injure her roots.

28. Take a piece of clean cloth or kite string and, without interfering with her branches, tie it to her stem. Then tie the other end to the stake. Use as many stakes as required to keep her upright.

29. If Tulasé is becoming too top heavy and you wish to terminate her upward growth:

a. Pinch away the tiny apical growing point on the top of the stem.

b. This will cause the small buds at the meeting point of each leaf and stem to grow into branches.

c. When these branches have developed three to four sets of leaves, you can again pinch away the apical growing points. This will cause more side shoots to develop on the branches.

d. The result? A very compact Tulasé plant.

30. Tulasé may never be pruned, to shape her, as is done with ordinary plants, except when doing so will save her life. According to the Padma Puräëa, it is offensive to cut a living Tulasé branch, and Lord Kåñëa feels this as a pain in His heart.

31. Under ideal conditions Tulasé can flower throughout the year. But she develops the greatest amount of flowers during the spring and summer months.

32. Tulasé produces clusters of flowers called maïjarés. The total length of an entire cluster may grow to ten inches.

33. Although flowering occurs throughout the year, she generally produces seeds in late spring through summer.

34. If you wish to collect Tulasé's seeds, let the seeds turn brown but cut the maïjaré before the seeds start falling from the calyx. Store these mature maïjarés with their seeds in a cool, dry, airtight container.

35. As a Tulasé plant matures, her new leaves may be smaller, and her stem will become thicker and woody. Most Tulasés reach an adult height of three to four feet, however some grow to nine feet.

36. The duration of most Tulasé plants is about five years.

37. After Tulasé leaves her body, her wood can be carved into chanting beads or be employed in fire sacrifices and cremation ceremonies.

For further information about how to properly remove and store Tulasé's leaves and maïjarés and use them in worship, see the section on worship.

Keeping Your Tulasé Plant Healthy

Tulasé Devé's physical health all year round depends on proper light, water, temperature, humidity, soil, nutrients, pot size, and on remaining free from pests and diseases. Here are some of the basics that should be followed.

Light

1. Tulasé Devé develops and is maintained best in natural sunlight.

2. Ideally, she should be given three to five hours of direct sunlight daily.

3. The morning to early afternoon sunlight is best.

4. The results of insufficient light are:

a. Thin weak stems.

b. Long-stemmed branches between the leaves.

c. Large pale green leaves, and few or no flowers.

d. Leaves that may fall and branches that may die.

5. Tulasé Devé can thrive well indoors when placed before a window that gets the required amount of sunlight.

6. Daily, turn Tulasé Devé's pot about one fourth of its circumference. This will enable her to grow straight and her branches to develop symetrically (as opposed to leaning over onesidedly in the sun's direction).

7. When you don't have a window that offers adequate light:

a. Use daylight tubes and natural white florescent tubes; or daylight tubes with "gro-lux" or "gro-lite" tubes.

b. She has to be encircled by light.

c. In three separate lighting fixtures, hang two forty watt tubes above, to the left, and to the right of her. Place them very close, but without touching, her.

d. Leave these lights on fourteen to sixteen hours daily (but less if she is getting some sun).

8. When Tulasé Devé has been indoors all winter and the weather becomes warm enough to take her outside for direct sunlight, make the transition gradually:

a. At first, allow her to stay outside an hour or so daily.

b. Increase the length of her stay gradually.

c. Otherwise, too much sun too fast will "sunburn" and shock her.

d. This results in her leaf areas turning bronze or white, then dying and turning brown; sometimes her lower leaves may even suddenly fall off.

Water

1. The ideal time to water Tulasé Devé is in the early morning.

2. Water her gently without upsetting her soil. Otherwise, root disease and soil aeration problems could arise.

3. To avoid city-water chemicals, use purified or distilled (bottled) water.

4. If this is not possible, allow your city water to stand overnight in a non-corrosive container. This will permit the chlorine and possibly other chemicals to disperse.

5. Pour the water from one container to another, aerating it.

6. Do not use "hard" water to which chemicals have been added to make it "soft."

7. No less than once each week water Tulasé Devé completely. Some of the water should flow out of the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot.

8. Whenever her topsoil feels dry, she should again be watered, with enough to keep her moist all day but not drenched.

9. She should never be so wet that when more water is added, it immediately flows out of the bottom of the pot.

10. Waterlogging can cause fungal disease and death of the roots. In turn, the leaves will be affected, turning pale or brownish before dropping.

11. Soil that is constantly too dry will also harm the roots. This may cause Tulasé's leaves to become faintly greyish or bronzed or pale green, slowing down her growth;

12. It may also cause the soil to pull away from the sides of the pot, resulting in the water not pervading the soil. If this happens:

a. Plunge the pot in a bucket of water so that the soil may absorb the water; or

b. Add small quantities of water to the soil surface; let it soak in; then slowly add more till the soil reaches its necessary moisture level.

c. Should Tulasé begin wilting from inadequate soil moisture, withdraw her from the sun and heat and administer water to her. However, this shock could cause her to drop her lower leaves.

d. Another way you can determine if Tulasé's soil is too dry is by lifting her pot. If it feels especially "light," then she may very well need water.

Temperature

1. During Tulasé's growing season, she does best in temperatures ranging from 80 degrees F (27 degrees C) in the day to about 65 degrees F (18 degrees C) during the night. She can withstand temperatures over 100 degrees F (37 degrees C) and even in the low 50s (12 degrees C);  but these can cause her stress and will slow her growth.

2. Tulasé can overheat and wilt in extremely warm wealther, notwithstanding having an adequate amount of soil water.  If this happens:

a. Don't water her-this will drench her soil.

b. Take her out of the sun and into filtered light.

c. Reduce her temperature by spraying a fine mist of water over her.

d. When the humidity is very low, increase it around her (see humidity section). This will lessen the amount of water she loses from her leaves.

e. When the humidity is very high and water cannot evaporate from her, heat doesn't dissipate very well. Therefore, try to improve the circulation of air around her.

3. Tulasé Devé is very sensitive to cold weather. When night  temperatures are regularly in the forties, she may have  great difficulty surviving.

4. To protect her from the cold, bring her indoors.

5. If that isn't possible, and your area isn't harshly cold, build a simple greenhouse around her:

a. Use galvanized water pipes as a frame. Place 4 mm clear pastic over them and tape it with duct tape that is weatherproof.

b. To keep her warm, an electric heater may be placed inside.

c. The greenhouse must be sufficiently ventilated to avoid build up of heat in the sun.

6. If you keep Tulasé Devé inside in a heated area, make  certain that she is in a spot that is devoid of cold and  hot drafts.

7. In a very cold climate, remove her from the window area at  night. The coldness from the window could shock her enough  to make her give up those leaves and branches that are  close to the window.

8. Do not place her in the line of direct heat from a heater  or cold from an air conditioner.

9. Hot drafts could cause her leaves to drop, shrivel up, turn black overnight, or even destroy complete branches or the entire Tulasé plant.

10. In homes, heated air is often dry, so make certain that Tulasé Devé is not affected.

11. Extreme temperature changes between day and night, or any  sudden temperature change creates stress on her. This can  cause her to wilt. On such mornings, expose her to the sun gradually, let her warm up slowly, and keep a high level of humidity around her.

Humidity

1. Dry air may cause Tulasé's leaves to sacrifice water to the air faster than she can absorb water through her roots.

2. This results in her leaves curling and/or the edges of her leaves dying (becoming brown and crisp).

3. Also, her flower buds may dry up and drop off without ever opening. And she may appear somewhat shriveled, notwithstanding sufficient water in her soil.

4. To remedy this situation increase the humidity around her by any or all of the following:

a. In a greenhouse or on a patio, spray the floor with  water. As it evaporates, it will travel through  her leaves.

b. Place her in a waterproof tray that can hold a layer  of gravel or sponge rock (perlite) and water.

(1) Place the bottom of Tulasé's pot on the  gravel but above the level of the water.

(2) Or better yet, raise the pot on slats above the gravel so that air can  circulate freely under the pot.

c. Spray her mildly (mistily).

d. Place two or more Tulasés near each other-each will benefit from the water vapor emitted from their leaves.

e. Create a miniature greenhouse over her by placing a  clear plastic bag over a wire frame.

(1) When Tulasé is in direct sunlight, partially remove the bag or she will be harmed by too much heat.

(2) When there is steam in the bag, it is too hot for her. In this case, restrict use of the bag to nighttime (when there is no  sunlight).

Soil

1. To remain healthy, plant roots require oxygen, and they receive it from the air spaces in the soil. In over-watered soil, the soil spaces fill up with water and deprive the roots of oxygen.

2. When this occurs, the roots may begin to die, and the leaves may yellow or form brown margins.

3. Tulasé thrives well in steralized commercial potting soil, such as Unigro or Supersoil.

4. Avoid brands that are sawmill by-products, and that list "sludge" (a sewage-treatment by-product) as an ingredient.

5. For rich soil with excellent drainage capacity, you can make your own soil mix as follows:

a. To two parts potting soil, add one part compost, leafmold, earthworm castings or other decomposed organic matter, and one part clean coarse sand, such as masons' sand. You may substitute perlite or sponge rock for coarse sand. Do not use beach sand, as it has too much salt.

b. Add one tablespoon of pulverized phosphate rock and one tablespoon of potash rock (granite dust or green sand).

c. When compost is unavailable, use vermiculite; however, be prepared to give Tulasé more nutrients, as mentioned in the next section.

6. It is not a good idea to use soil straight from a garden because the soil may contain disease organisms.

7. Do not place earthworms in Tulasé Devé's pot because they are apt to damage her roots.

8. Occasionally, the force of watering may compact the soil. This will hinder the water and the air from penetrating the soil. To allay this, each month turn over the top inch of soil with a small instrument (such as a fork), but be careful not to poke at or upset her roots.

Nutrition

1. Even in the best of soils, a potted Tulasé will need additional nutrients to replace those she uses.

2. Generally, in a pot, nitrogen is the first nutrient that requires replacement.

3. Nitrogen evaporates from soil especially in hot weather while Tulasé is growing.

4. When Tulasé has an inadequate supply of nitrogen, her lower leaves will turn yellow and fall off.

5. To replace nitrogen and most other important elements, add a one-inch layer of aged cow manure to the top layer of her soil.

6. Or water Tulasé every other week with a tea made by soaking overnight one part dried manure or other composted material in three parts water (mixed to a weak tea color). Never use fresh manure as this will burn her.

7. After these applications, Tulasé's leaves should become green in two to three days.

8. In very hot weather, cow manure alone does not always furnish nitrogen quickly enough. Therefore, use fertilizers such as "Miracle Gro," whose nutrients come from natural sources. Avoid fertilizers with slaughterhouse or sewer-treatment facility by-products.

9. Notwithstanding the above, Tulasé may still require extra iron treatments several times a year, especially when her upper leaves and maïjarés are pale yellow-green instead of deep green.

10. Do not over-fertilize a potted Tulasé. If the concentration of nutrients becomes too high, "fertilizer burn" will occur and she will wilt. This is because the excess salts prevent her from absorbing water from the soil.

11. Consequently, the branch tips will quickly turn black and die, and black patches will manifest at both edges of her young leaves before they fall. As soon as this begins to happen:

a. Flush Tulasé with a large quantity of fresh water to wash the excess salts from the soil.

b. Take at least fifteen minutes to do this, allowing the water to flow out.

c. This should stop the spread of the black areas; however, the blackened tissue cannot be saved.

12. To prevent fertilizer burn, water Tulasé once weekly and let the water run out of her drainage hole. Also, heed the instructions on packaged soil supplements.

13. Give Tulasé extra nutrients only when she is growing and can use them. This means reduce or even halt the introduction of supplements during autumn and winter when she has stopped growing.

Transplanting

1. Your Tulasé plant, if she is healthy and growing, will at some point require a larger pot.

2. Examine the bottom of her pot. If her roots are pushing out of the drainage hole, she may need to be transplanted.

3. Water her and allow her to drain completely. Then, with her stem between your index and middle fingers, and your palm on the soil at the base of the stem, turn her pot upside down.

4. Rap the rim of the pot on the edge of a table. The entire Tulasé plant should move out of the pot.

5. Examine her roots. If they do not fill the pot, so that the rootball is in the shape of the pot, just replace her in the same pot.

6. But if the roots do fill the soil area of the pot, she should be transplanted.

7. When Tulasé looks too large for her pot and she wilts between regular waterings, it is then beyond the right time for transplanting.

8. When it is time to transplant, select a pot that is one or two sizes larger than her present one. However, if it is past the time for transplanting and Tulasé has greatly outgrown her pot, use a pot that is larger than two sizes, about one third to one half of her plant height.

9. Do not plant in a larger-than-needed size pot because the excess soil in it will retain too much water and cause problems in Tulasé's root development.

10. Use a pot made of unglazed clay which has a drainage hole. The unglazed clay permits air to move through the sides of the pot (Do not use plastic pots or glazed-clay pots).

11. Do not transplant under strong, hot sunshine. Do it when the weather is cool and overcast or after four p.m., and always protect Tulasé from drying winds.

12. Here is how to transplant her:

a. Plunge the new clay pot in water till it ceases bubbling.

b. Place broken pottery chips over the drainage hole to prevent the soil from flowing out of the bottom of the pot. But do not block it completely-water must drain out. A layer of gravel may be placed on the bottom of large pots.

c. Place an adequate amount of soil on the bottom of the new pot.

d. If possible, carefully separate and straighten any roots that are twisted in circles; then gently lower her into her new pot, keeping her straight and upright.

e. Add new soil all around her and tamp it gently.

f. The soil level should be the same as her previous level.

g. If her soil level is lower than the previous level, her roots will become exposed and rot; if it is higher, her stem may rot.

h. Between the soil level and the top of the pot, always leave a one-half inch to one-inch space. This is to allow for watering.

13. Water her fully and place her in a shady place for a few days. After this period, you can place her in the direct sunlight again.

14. The next time you water her should be when the soil is dry, for the new pot contains a substantial amount of reserve water.

Keeping Tulasé Healthy

1. The place where Tulasé stays should always be very clean.

2. Collect all of her fallen leaves regularly.

3. Use a proportion of 3:1 bleach:water solution to sterilize any pots, trowels, scissors, and other implements you may be using to maintain her.

4. Even though you may take all precautions, your Tulasé plant may be attacked by pests.

5. Such pests should be counter-attacked immediately to prevent terrible damage to Tulasé. Some pests carry fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases that can be fatal to her.

6. Pruning Tulasé is forbidden except in the following emergencies: when her roots have been attacked by a pest(s), her life is at stake, and she can be saved by this. (Reducing her size may allow a reduced root system to adequately nourish the rest of the plant.)

7. Tulasé should be examined daily for pests.

8. If Tulasé is kept clean, she will remain healthy. She can be kept clean by bathing her as follows:

a. Spray her gently with a hose to remove dust and insects from her leaves.

b. Give her a bath with vegetable-based (castile) soap made with potassium salts. These salts are deadly to insects.

c. Small Tulasé plants are bathed as follows:

(1) Cover the pot and soil with plastic.

(2) Place your hand on her soil and her stem between your index and middle finger for her support.

(3) Tip her upside down, lower her into the soapy water, and swish her gently for five to ten seconds only.

(4) Slowly withdraw her from the soap.

(5) Rinse her in a bucket of clean water or under a fine garden-hose spray.

(6) Shake off the excess water and slowly turn her over; else, that water may make her heavy and cause her to droop or maybe break.

d. Large Tulasé plants (that do not fit in a bucket) are bathed as follows:

(1) Cover her soil with plastic, wrap it tightly around her stem, and spray her with soap.

(2) Make certain you spray on the underside of the leaves, where most insects hide.

(3) When Tulasé is indoors and spraying is difficult, spray each leaf with a squirt bottle, or wipe each leaf with a soft cloth.

(4) Or remove her to an outer balcony or just outside your front door and spray her.

(5) One-gallon pump sprayers are available from most garden stores.

9. Especially in the summer, bathe Tulasé Devé daily.

10. As a preventive measure, it is useful to bathe her with soap weekly or bi-weekly. But if you prefer, you may soap her only when she has been attacked by insects.

11. When you soap-spray her, be certain to wash off the soap or it might burn the margins of her leaves.

12. If, in spite of bathing her, Tulasé is still attacked, you can use certain natural sprays derived from plants that repel or destroy insects. They are non-toxic and environmentally safe. Here are some of them:

a. Pyrethrum: Derived from chrysanthemum flowers, it fights aphids, whiteflies, and caterpillers. Apply in late afternoon or evening-never in the sun-and don't use it with soap.

b. Rotenone: Derived from the derris plant root, it acts as a stomach poison on aphids, spider mites, ants, and true bugs.

c. Diatomaceous earth: Silica fragments derived from the skeletal re-mains of small sea animals called diatoms. These lacerate the insect, causing it death from dehydration.

d. Hot chile peppers mixed with water: These discourage chewing in-sects.

e. Neem oil: Derived from the Neem tree, it suppresses appetite and inhibits growth in aphids, mites, mealybugs, and whiteflies. (Marketed in US as Bio-Neem by Safer, Inc.)

f. SunSpray Oil: A parafin based oil, it may be sprayed on Tulasé's leaves without harming them. It acts against mealybugs, scales, spidermites, and aphids. Only this type of spray oil may be used on Tulasé. (Never use petroleum-based sprays.)

13. There are certain insects that do not eat plants but thrive only on plant-eating insects. These assist in keeping Tulasé free of harmful ones. Here are a few:

a. The ladybug: Both the adults and larvae eat aphids, mealybugs, and scales. They can roam directly on Tulasé or in her area.

b. The green or brown lacewings: These eat aphids, spider mites and mealybugs.

c. The assassin bug, ambush bug, praying mantis, and various spiders are helpful.

14. These insect-eating insects may be obtained at a local nursery or an insectary.

15. If you need more assistance in solving a pest problem, you can obtain it from your local nursery or agricultural extension agent. These persons identify local crop pests and diseases.

16. Further information is provided in the book The Art of Caring for Tulasé Devé.

How to Worship Tulasé Devé

1. The assembled devotees should offer obeisances to Tulasé Devé with the Tulasé-praëäma-mantra, which is chanted three times:

oà våndayai tulasé-devyai

priyäyai keçavasya ca

kåñëa-bhakti-prade devé

satyavatai namo namaù

"I offer my repeated obeisances unto Våndä, Çrématé Tulasé Devi, who is very dear to Lord Keçava. O goddess, you bestow devotional service to Kåñëa and you possess the highest truth."

2. The assembled devotees then recite the Tulasé-püjä-kértana prayer in English:

"O Tulasé, beloved of Kåñëa, I bow before you again and again. My desire is to obtain the service of Çré Çré Rädhä and Kåñëa. Whoever takes shelter of you has his wishes fulfilled. Bestowing your mercy on him, you make him a resident of Våndävana. My desire is that you will also give me a residence in the pleasure groves of Çré Våndävana-dhäma. Thus within my vision I will always behold the beautiful pastimes of Rädhä and Kåñëa. 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. This very fallen and lowly servant of Kåñëa prays, "May I always swim in the love of Çré Çré Rädhä and Govinda."

3. Next, the devotees sing the Tulasé-püjä-kértana song in Bengali:

namo namaù tulasé kåñëa-preyasi namo namaù

rädhä-kåñëa-sevä päbo ei abiläñé

ye tomära çaraëa loy, tara väïchä pürëa hoy

kåpä kori' koro täre våndävana-väsi

mora ei abhiläña, viläsa kuïje dio väsa

nayana heribo sadä yugala-rüpa-räçi

ei nivedana dhara, sakhéra anugata koro

sevä-adhikära diye koro néja däsé

déna kåñëa-däse koy, ei yena mora hoy

çré-rädhä-govinda-preme sadä yena bhäsi

4. As the song is sung, one of the devotees, acting as the priest or püjäré, cleanses his hands and mouth. Then he offers Tulasé Devé incense, next the ghee lamp, and then flowers.

5. When the song is finished, the devotees should walk or dance around Tulasé Devé at least four times. During the circumambulation, the following mantra is chanted:

yäni käni ca päpäni brahma-hatyädikäni ca

täni täni praëaçyanti pradakñiëaù pade pade

6. As the circumambulation is proceeding, one or more devotees should approach the Tulasé plant. One of them should, with his right hand, take the spoon from the water cup and, with water on it, pour the water on his right hand to cleanse it. (This may also be done for the devotee by the püjäré.) One should then return the spoon to the cup. Then, using the right hand, one should take the spoon from the other cup and, with water on it, pour three drops on Tulasé Devé's soil. This process should be followed by each devotee, one by one, while the other devotees are circling Tulasé Devé. After each devotee has watered the Tulasé plant, he should offer obeisances, reciting his guru-praëati mantra. Then he should rise and stand to the side of the circling area or, if he wishes, continue to circumambulate Tulasé Devé.

7. After the devotees have chanted the circumambulation mantra three times, they should proceed with a brief Hare Kåñëa kértana. The circling of Tulasé may be continued during this kértana.

8. When the kértana is finished, the devotees should again offer obeisances to Tulasé Devé with the Tulasé-praëäma-mantra.

The Complete Tulasé Devé Worship

The following procedures are derived from the book Arcanä-paddhati, The Process of Deity Worship, which itself is an abridgement of the book Hari-bhakti-viläsa by Sanätana Gosvämé. Çréla Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvaté Gosvämé Mahäräja commissioned the Arcanä-paddhati in order to regularize the worship in the temples he had established, and the book was compiled under his his order.

The following worship of Tulasé Devi should be performed by the Tulasé püjäré after the morning worship of the other Deities is completed, or, if this is not possible, at another time during the morning.

1. First one should recite the prayer:

nirmatä tvaà purä devair

arcitä tvaà suräsuraiù

tulasé hara me 'vidyäà

püjäà gåhna namo 'stu te

"O Çrématé Tulasé Devé, you were previously created by the demigods and worshiped by both them and the demons. O Çrématé Tulasé Devi, kindly take away my ignorance and accept my worship. I offer you my humble obeisances again and again."

2. Then, while sprinkling water on Çrématé Tulasé Devé, one should chant the following mantra:

oà govinda-vallabhäà devéà

bhakta-caitanya-käriëém

snäpayämé jagat-dhätréà

kåñëa-bhakti-pradäyiném

"I am bathing goddess Tulasé Devé, who is very dear to Govinda and who brings life to all the devotees. She is the mother of the universe, and the bestower of devotion to Lord Kåñëa."

3. Then, taking some arghya mixture (candana mixed with camphor, flower petals and water) from an arghya-pätra (a bowl) with a kuçé (spoon) and pouring some on her soil, one should chant:

çréyaù çréye çréya-väse

nityaà çrédharaà sat-kåte

bhaktyä dattaà mayä devi

arghyaà gåhna namo 'stu te

"O goddess Tulasé, I offer my obeisances unto you, who are the shelter and residence of all beauty and opulence. You are even worshiped by the Supreme Lord. O Tulasé, please accept this arghya water which is offered by me with devotion."

4. Then one should perform the following:

a) One should offer a flower mixed with sandalwood pulp to Çrématé Tulasé Devé with the mantra:

idaà sagandha-puñpaà oà tulasyai namaù.

b) One should offer the bath water of Çré Kåñëa to Tulasé Devé with the mantra:

idaà çré-kåñëa-caraëämåtaà om tulasyai namaù.

c) One should offer garlands and flowers offered to the Lord with the mantra:

idaà mahä-prasäda-nirmälyädikaà sarvaà oà tulasyai namaù.

d) One should offer äcamana (water with ground nutmeg and cloves) to Çrématé Tulasé Devé with the mantra:

idam äcamanéyaà oà tulasyai namaù.

5. Then one should sing the praise of Çrématé Tulasé Devé as follows:

mahä-prasäda-janani sarva-saubhägya-vardhiëi

ädhivyädhi-hare nityaà tulasé tväà namo 'stu te

"O Çrématé Tulasé Devé, I offer my repeated obeisances unto you. You are the mother of mahä-prasäda, the increaser of the good fortune of all, and you take away all diseases and anxieties."

6. Following this, one should offer obeisances to her with the Tulasé-praëäma mantra:

oà våndayai tulasé-devyai

priyäyai keçavasya ca

kåñëa-bhakti-prade devé

satyavatai namo namaù

"I offer my repeated obeisances unto Våndä, Çrématé Tulasé Devi, who is very dear to Lord Keçava. O goddess, you bestow devotional service to Kåñëa and you possess the highest truth."

7. Then, with his right hand, one should very carefully, one by one, pick the Tulasé leaves or soft Tulasé-maïjarés along with their stems while repeatedly uttering the Tulasé-cayana-mantra:

om tulasy amåta-janmäsé sadä tvaà keçava-priyä

keçavärthaà cinomi tväà varadä bhava çobhana

"O Tulasé, you are born from nectar. You are always very dear to Lord Keçava. Now, in order to worship Lord Keçava, I am collecting your leaves and maïjarés. Please bestow your benediction on me to serve the Lord."

It is best to remove only the older leaves near the stem, especially those she is about to release and which can be taken with a slight pull. Do not remove many leaves from a small plant, or she will suffer. All her leaves are offerable for worship, even dry, brown leaves. In an emergency, one may even offer pieces of her wood.

8. Special care should be taken taken to ensure that no pain is caused to Çrématé Tulasé Devé, and, when one is finished, one should recite the kñamä-prärthanä-mantra, begging her pardon:

cayanodbhava-duùkhaà ca

yad hådi tava vartate

tat kñamasva jagan-mätaù

våndä-devé namo 'stu te

"O Tulasé Devé, I offer my respectful obeisances unto you. Kindly forgive me if I have caused you pain by picking your leaves and maïjarés, O mother of the universe."

Devotees are restricted from picking Tulasé leaves on dvädaçé (the twelfth day after a new or full moon), the day following ekädaçé. Even if Tulasé's leaves have become dry due to having been cut on the previous day or cut in the morning, they may be used in Deity worship. Tulasé may be offered only to viñëu-tattva Deities, i.e., Kåñëa, Balaräma, Lord Caitanya, etc.

Clipping and Storing Her Leaves and Maïjarés

Clip the stalk below the first set of leaves at the base of the maïjaré or maïjaré unit (these may be small leaves) but as close as possible to the second set of leaves. When clipping, do not leave a small twig on her, as she will have to use energy to discard this now useless tissue. It is best to store the maïjarés in large Tupperware containers so that they can "breathe" and not dry out. They should keep for several days.

In India, maïjarés are broken off with the fingers of the right hand. Fingernails are not used. However, Westerners may have difficulty removing the maïjarés cleanly, therefore a very small, sharp scissors, used only for Tulasé, is recommended. When making a Tulasé garland, never use a needle to pierce her. Instead, knot or wrap the thread around the maïjarés.

Store the leaves in a bowl of fresh water or in plastic, airtight containers-and place them in the refrigerator. When using an airtight container, wash the leaves and pat them dry before placing them inside, as too much moisture will cause them to rot rapidly.

Eight Names of Çrématé Tulasé Devé

Våndävané: She who appears in Våndävana forest.

Våndä: She who appears in many plants and trees.

Viçva-püjitä: She who is worshiped in countless universes.

Puñpasärä: The topmost of all flowers.

Nandiné: She who, when attained, brings faith and joy.

Kåñëa-jévané: She who is the life of Lord Kåñëa.

Viçva-pävané: She who purifies the whole universe.

Tulasé: She who is incomparable.

It is very auspicious to chant these eight names.

Excerpts from the VedaBase

From The Books, Classes, Morning Walks, Room Conversations, and Letters Of Çréla Prabhupäda

Çré Caitanya-caritämåta

Ädi-lélä, Chapter 3, Texts 103-110

103. While He [Advaita Äcärya] was thinking about how to propitiate Kåñëa by worship, the following verse came to mind.

104. "Çré Kåñëa, who is very affectionate toward His devotees, sells Himself to a devotee who merely offers a Tulasé leaf and a palmful of water."

This is a verse from the Gautaméya-tantra.

105-106. Advaita Äcärya considered the meaning of the verse in this way: Not finding any way to repay the debt He owes to one who offers Him a Tulasé leaf and water, Lord Kåñëa thinks, "There is no wealth in my possession that is equal to a Tulasé leaf and water."

107. Thus the Lord liquidates the debt by offering His own self to the devotee. Considering this, the äcärya began worshiping the Lord.

Purport

Through devotional service one can easily please Lord Kåñëa with a leaf of the Tulasé plant and a little water. As the Lord says in Bhagavad-gétä (9.26), a leaf, a flower, a fruit or some water (patraà puñpaà phalaà toyaà), when offered with devotion, very much pleases Him. He universally accepts the services of His devotees. Even the poorest of devotees in any part of the world can secure a small flower, fruit or leaf and a little water, and if these offerings, and especially Tulasé leaves and Ganges water, are offered to Kåñëa with devotion, He is very satisfied. It is said that Kåñëa is so pleased by such devotional service that He offers Himself to His devotee in exchange for it. Çréla Advaita Äcärya knew this fact, and therefore He decided to call for the Personality of Godhead Kåñëa to descend by worshiping the Lord with Tulasé leaves and the water of the Ganges.

108. Thinking of the lotus feet of Çré Kåñëa, He constantly offered Tulasé buds in water from the Ganges.

109. He appealed to Çré Kåñëa with loud calls and thus made it possible for Kåñëa to appear.

110. Therefore the principal reason for Çré Caitanya's descent is this appeal by Advaita Äcärya. The Lord, the protector of religion, appears by the desire of His devotee.

Antya-lélä, Chapter 3, Text 100

100. Haridäsa Öhäkura constructed a cottage in solitary forest. There, he planted a Tulasé plant, and in front of the Tulasé he would chant the holy name of the lord 300,000 times daily. He chanted throughout the entire day and night.

Purport

Without difficulty one can sit down anywhere, especially on the bank of the Ganges, Yamunä or any sacred river, devise a sitting place or cottage, plant a Tulasé, and before the Tulasé chant the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra undisturbed....

We can follow his [Haridäsa Öhäkura's] example, however, by chanting sixteen rounds of the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra on beads every day and offering respect to the Tulasé plant. This is not at all difficult for anyone, and the process of chanting the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra with a vow before the Tulasé plant has such great spiritual potency that simply by doing this one can become spiritually strong. Therefore we request the members of the Hare Kåñëa movement to follow Haridäsa Öhäkura's example rigidly. Chanting sixteen rounds does not take much time, nor is offering respects to the Tulasé plant difficult. The process has immense spiritual potency. One should not miss this opportunity.

Antya-lélä, Chapter 3, Text 122

122. After offering her obeisances to the tulasé plant and Haridäsa Öhäkura, she [the prostitute] sat down at the door. Hearing Haridäsa Öhäkura chanting the Hare Kåñëa mantra, she also chanted, "O my Lord Hari, O my Lord Hari."

Purport

Herein one can clearly see how a Vaiñëava delivers a fallen soul by a transcendental trick....

The conclusion is that associating with a Vaiñëava, chanting the holy name of the Lord and offering obeisances to the Tulasé plant or a Vaiñëava all lead one to become a transcendental devotee who is completely cleansed of all material contamination.

Antya-lélä, Chapter 3, Text 137

137. "Chant the Hare Kåñëa mantra continuously and render service to the Tulasé plant by watering her and offering prayers to her. In this way you will very soon get the opportunity to be sheltered at the lotus feet of Kåñëa." 

Antya-lélä, Chapter 6, Text 295-297

295. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu continued [to Raghunätha däsa], "Worship this stone in the mode of goodness like a perfect brähmaëa, for by such worship you will surely attain ecstatic love of Kåñëa without delay.

296. "For such worship, one needs a jug of water and a few flowers from a Tulasé tree. This is worship in complete goodness when performed in purity.

297. "With faith and love, you should offer eight soft Tulasé flowers, each with two tulasé leaves, one on each side of each flower."

Antya-lélä, Chapter 13, Text 134

134. When Raghunätha Bhaööa Gosvämé was absorbed in remembrance of Lord Kåñëa, he would take the Tulasé garland and the prasäda of Lord Jagannätha given to him by Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, bind them together and wear them on his neck.

Antya-lélä, Chapter 15, Texts 33, 39-41

33. [The gopés said:] "O all-auspicious Tulasé plant, you are very dear to Govinda's lotus feet, and He is very dear to you. Have you seen Kåñëa walking here wearing a garland of your leaves, surrounded by a swarm of bumblebees?"

39. "They will certainly tell us where Kåñëa has gone, since they have seen Him personally." Guessing in this way, the gopés inquired from the plants and creepers, headed by Tulasé.

40. "O Tulasé! O mälaté! O yüthé, mädhavé and mallikä! Kåñëa is very dear to you. Therefore He must have come near you."

41. "You are just like dear friends to us. Kindly tell us which way Kåñëa has gone and save our lives."

Madhya-lélä, Chapter 1, Text 35,

Purport

35. The subject matter of Hari-bhakti-viläsa by Çré Sanätana Gosvämé was collected by Çréla Gopäla Bhaööa and is known as vaiñëava-småti. This vaiñëava-småti-grantha was finished in twenty chapters, known as viläsas... In the ninth viläsa, there are descriptions about collecting Tulasé leaves, offering oblations to forefathers according to Vaiñëava rituals, and offering food.

Madhya-lélä, Chapter 3, Text 103

103. Çré Advaita Äcärya fed the two Lords cloves and cardamom mixed with Tulasé flowers. Thus there was a good flavor within their mouths.

Madhya-lélä, Chapter 15, Texts 9-10

9. Çré Advaita Prabhu would also place a flower garland around the Lord's neck and Tulasé flowers [maïjarés] on his head. Then, with folded hands, Advaita Äcärya would offer obeisances and prayers unto the Lord.

10. After being worshiped by Advaita Äcärya, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu would take the dish containing flowers and Tulasé and, with whatever paraphernalia remained, would also worship Advaita Äcärya.

Madhya-lélä, Chapter 15, Texts 254

254. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu finished eating, Bhaööäcärya washed his mouth, hands and legs and offered Him flavored spices, Tulasé-maïjaré, cloves and cardamom.

Madhya-lélä, Chapter 17, Texts 141-142

141. [In the Çrémad-Bhägavatam Süta Gosvämé says:] "Apart from the pastimes of Lord Kåñëa, when Tulasé leaves are offered at the lotus feet of Çré Kåñëa, even the aroma of the leaves attracts the minds of self-realized persons.

142. [Süta Gosvämé states what Çré Maitreya said to Vidura in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam (3.15.43)] "When the breeze carrying the aroma of Tulasé leaves and saffron from the lotus feet of the lotus-eyed Personality of Godhead entered through the nostrils into the hearts of those sages [the Kumäras], they experienced a change in both body and mind, even though they were attached to impersonal Brahman understanding."

Purport

....Simply by seeing the Lord and smelling the aroma of Tulasé and saffron from His lotus feet, the Kumäras became devotees and abandoned their long-cherished impersonalism. Thus the four Kumäras were turned into Vaiñëavas simply by smelling the aromatic Tulasé mixed with saffron. Those who are actually on the platform of Brahman realization and who have not offended the lotus feet of Kåñëa can immediately become Vaiñëavas simply by smelling the aroma of the Lord's lotus feet. However, those who are offenders or demons are never attracted to the Lord's personal feature....

Madhya-lélä, Chapter 17, Text 193

193. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu visited the different forests, including Madhuvana, Tälavana, Kumudavana and Bahulävana. Wherever He went, He took His bath with great ecstatic love.

Purport

The word vana means "forest." Våndävana is the name given to the forest where Çrématé Våndä Devé grows profusely.

Madhya-lélä, Chapter 22, Texts 124-125

124. [Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu said:] "One should (23) attend arati and festivals, (24) see the Deity, (25) present what is very dear to oneself to the Deity, (26) meditate, and (27) serve those related to the Lord.

125. Tadéya means the Tulasé leaves, the devotees of Kåñëa, the birthplace of Kåñëa, Mathurä, and the Vedic literature Çrémad-Bhägavatam. Kåñëa is very eager to see his devotee serve Tulasé, Vaiñëavas, Mathurä and Bhägavatam.

Purport

After item twenty-six (meditation), the twenty-seventh is to serve Tulasé...

Madhya-lélä, Chapter 24, Texts 260-261

260. [Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu said:] "Närada Muni continued, 'Leave your home and go to the river. There you should construct a small cottage, and in front of the cottage you should grow a Tulasé plant on a raised platform.

261. " 'After planting the Tulasé tree before your house, you should daily circumambulate that Tulasé plant, serve her by giving her water and other things, and continuously chant the Hare-Kåñëa mahä-mantra.' "

Purport

....In any condition, any man can live in a small cottage, plant a Tulasé tree, water it in the morning, offer it prayers, and continuously chant the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra. Thus one can make vigorous spiritual advancement....Taking the advice of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu and our spiritual master, Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Gosvämé Mahäräja, one can go to any part of the world and instruct people to become devotees of the Lord by following the regulative principles, worshiping the Tulasé plant and continuously chanting the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra.

Madhya-lélä, Chapter 24, Text 336

336. ....The Çälagräma-çilä should be worshiped with Tulasé where a sufficient quantity of Tulasé leaves are available. Worship of Çälagräma-çilä should be introduced in all ISKCON temples....

Çrémad-Bhägavatam,

Canto 3, Chapter 15, Text 49

49. [The Kumäras said:] O Lord, we pray that you let us be born in any hellish condition of life, just as long as our hearts and minds are always engaged in the service of Your lotus feet, our words are made beautiful [by speaking of Your activities] just as Tulasé leaves are beautiful when offered unto Your lotus feet, and as long as our ears are always filled with the chanting of Your transcendental qualities.

Purport

....Here the sages pray that their words may always be engaged in glorifying the Supreme Lord. One may speak very nicely with ornamental language or one may be expert at controlled grammatical presentation, but if one's words are not engaged in the service of the Lord, they have no flavor and no actual use. The example given here is that of Tulasé leaves. The Tulasé leaf is very useful even from the medicinal or antiseptic point of view. It is considered sacred and is offered to the lotus feet of the Lord. The Tulasé leaf has numerous good qualities, but if it were not offered to the lotus feet of the Lord, Tulasé could not be of much value or importance....

Canto 3, Chapter 16, Text 20-21

20. [The four Kumäras said:] The goddess of fortune, Lakñmé, the dust of whose feet is worn on the head by others, waits upon You, as appointed, for she is anxious to secure a place in the abode of the king of bees, who hovers on the fresh wreath of Tulasé leaves offered at Your feet by some blessed devotee....

Purport

As previously described, Tulasé has attained all superior qualities due to being placed at the lotus feet of the Lord. The comparison made here is very nice. As the king of bees hovers over the Tulasé leaves offered to the lotus feet of the Lord, so Lakñmé, the goddess who is sought by the demigods, brähmaëas, Vaiñëavas and everyone else, always engages in rendering service to the lotus feet of the Lord. The conclusion is that no one can be the benefactor of the Lord; everyone is actually the servant of the Lord. ... The goddess of fortune, Lakñmé, is sometimes envious of the Tulasé leaves which are placed at the lotus feet of the Lord, for they remain fixed there and do not move, whereas Lakñméjé, although stationed by the chest of the Lord, sometimes has to please other devotees who pray for her favor. Lakñméjé sometimes has to go to satisfy her numerous devotees, but Tulasé leaves never forsake their position, and the Lord therefore appreciates the service of the Tulasé more than the service of Lakñmé.

Canto 4, Chapter 8, Text 55

55. One should worship the Lord by offering pure water, pure flower garlands, fruits, flowers and vegetables, which are available in the forest, or by collecting newly grown grasses, small buds of flowers or even the skins of trees, and if possible, by offering Tulasé leaves, which are very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Purport

It is specifically mentioned herein that Tulasé leaves are very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and devotees should take particular care to have Tulasé leaves in every temple and center of worship. In the Western countries, while engaged in propagating the Kåñëa consciousness movement, we were brought great unhappiness because we could not find Tulasé leaves ... Tulasé leaves are very important for satisfying the Lord, so as far as possible an arrangement should be made for growing Tulasé leaves.

Canto 5, Chapter 3, Text 6

Supreme Lord, You are full in every respect. You are certainly very satisfied when your devotees offer you prayers with faltering voices and in ecstasy bring You Tulasé leaves, water, twigs bearing new leaves and newly grown grass. This surely makes You satisfied.

Purport

Quoting from the Gautaméya-tantra, the Hari-bhakti-viläsa states: "Çré Kåñëa, who is very affectionate toward His devotees, sells Himself to a devotees who offers merely a Tulasé leaf and a palmful of water." The Supreme Lord is causelessly merciful upon His devotee, so much so that even the poorest of men can offer Him a little water and a flower in devotion and thus please Him. This is due to His affectionate dealings with His devotees.

Canto 5, Chapter 25, Text 7

7. Appearing as white as the heavenly king Indra, He wears a golden belt around His waist and a vaijayanté garland of ever-fresh Tulasé blossoms around His neck. Bees intoxicated by the honeylike fragrance of the Tulasé flowers hum very sweetly around the garland, which thus becomes more and more beautiful. In this way the Lord enjoys His very magnanimous pastimes.

Canto 7, Chapter 5, Texts 23-24

Purport

....Service to the Vaiñëava, Tulasé, Ganges and Yamunä are included in päda-sevanam. All these processes of päda-sevanam help one advance in spiritual life very quickly. ...In the same Skanda-Puräëa, Reva Käëòa, it is said that one who recites prayers to Tulasé or sows a Tulasé seed is also freed from all offenses. Similarly, one who worships the Çälagräma-çilä can also be relieved of offenses.

Canto 9, Chapter 4, Texts 18-20

Mahäraja Ambariña always engaged his mind in meditating upon the lotus feet of Kåñëa, his words in describing the glories of the Lord, his hands in cleansing the Lord's temple, and his ears in hearing the words spoken by Kåñëa or about Kåñëa. He engaged his eyes in seeing the Deity of Kåñëa, Kåñëa's temples and Kåñëa's places like Mathurä and Våndävana, he engaged his sense of touch in touching the bodies of the Lord's devotees, he engaged his sense of smell in smelling the fragrance of Tulasé offered to the Lord, and he engaged his tongue in tasting the Lord's prasäda.

Purport

... In other words, if one wants to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead in completeness, one must follow the prescriptions given by Kåñëa by following in the footsteps of Mahäräja Ambariña....

December 19, 1970, Çrémad-Bhägavatam Class, Surat

Prabhupäda: Somebody asked me, "Swamijé, why are these Tulasé beads on your neck or on your devotee's neck?" So I replied, "Just as a pet dog has got a collar, similarly we are pet dogs of God. So we have got this collar. And Yamaräja, the Lord of Death will understand that he-the devotee-is God's dog; he should not be shot down."

Feb. 22, 1973, Çrémad-Bhägavatam Class, Auckland, New Zealand

Devotee: How is it possible that Tulasé Devé is a pure devotee, what we might call a plant?

Prabhupäda: That you cannot know in your impure state. You just become pure. You will understand ... When you become a devotee, you will understand what kind of devotee Tulasé is. So long as you are not a devotee, you cannot understand. Don't expect to. Therefore we have to accept the authority. That is the beginning. The çästra says, "Tulasé is the greatest devotee of Kåñëa." We have to accept, that's all. Authority. How she is so great a devotee, that you will understand when you become a devotee. You come to that platform; then you will understand; not before. Now chant.

April 28, 1973, Çrémad-Bhägavatam Class, Los Angeles

Prabhupäda: So we come under the influence of the three modes of material nature, and by the current of such nature, we are being washed away ... For one who has learned how to see Kåñëa's lotus feet and offer a little Tulasé and sandalwood pulp, this current will stop.

June 28, 1974, Room Conversation, Melbourne

Prabhupäda: Just like we worship Tulasé. Why? Because it is very dear to Viñëu. tadiyaham. Viñëu likes it, Kåñëa likes it... When the Tulasé leaf is offered to Kåñëa, He becomes very pleased. Therefore we love Tulasé because He likes her.

January 3, 1975, Çrémad-Bhägavatam Class, Bombay

Prabhupäda: The devotee begins offering Tulasé leaves with sandalwood pulp and offering them to the lotus feet of the Lord. That is his viläsa, enjoyment. Yad-päda-paìkaja-paläça-viläsa. They enjoy. That is transcendental bliss-offering a little sandalwood pulp and Tulasé leaves on the lotus feet of the Lord.

February 4, 1975, Morning Walk, Hawaii

Siddha-svarüpänanda: Tulasé grows profusely in Hawaii.

Prabhupäda: That's a good sign.

Siddha-svarüpänanda: Yes, many people, hundreds of people, are worshiping Tulasé. Even people we don't know, they, somehow or other, have gotten Tulasé and they are worshiping.

Prabhupäda: Very good. They will become devotees. Without fail, they will become devotees. If they chant Hare Kåñëa and worship the Tulasé leaf, they will be liberated without fail and they will become devotees.

August 1, 1975, Çrémad-Bhägavatam Class, New Orleans

Prabhupäda: Unless there is bhakti, this Tulasé plant will not grow...Worshiping the Deity and watering the Tulasé plants, chanting at least sixteen rounds, and observing the rules and regulations-the regulative principles-will make your life successful. Don't neglect these. Continue them very seriously. And in this one life you will go back home, back to Godhead...

August 28, 1975, Çrémad-Bhägavatam Class, Våndävana, India

Prabhupäda: Flowers and Tulasé leaves are not offered on the face of Kåñëa; they are offered on the feet.

March 16, 1976, Morning Walk, Mäyäpur, India

Prabhupäda: (summarized) It is an offense to use a lota that has been or is being used for one's personal cleansing for the purpose of watering the Tulasé plant.

June 11, 1976, Morning Walk, Los Angeles

Prabhupäda: We are worshiping the Tulasé plant. Why? Because Tulasé is liked by Kåñëa. Similarly, it is better to worship anything that is connected with Viñëu [Kåñëa], than to worship Viñëu Himself.

Letter dated March 26, 1968, from San Francisco, to Balai däsé, New York

Yes, Çré Tulasé is the eternal consort of Kåñëa and the most pure devotee, and therefore the Tulasé plant is worshiped by Vaiñëavas.

Letter dated April 7, 1970, from Los Angeles, to Govinda däsé, Hawaii

Please take care of the Tulasé plants in the following way. This is the best season for growing Tulasé plants. From the 15th April to the 15th of 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. All the devotees should pour water at least once in the morning before taking prasädam. The watering should not be very much in quantity, but it should be poured just to keep the ground soft and moist. Sunlight should also 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 [Honolulu] and if the devotees take care of the plant with a litle care in a flower pot, then it may grow.

The Tulasé leaf is very, very dear to Viñëu. All viñëu-tattva Deities require Tulasé leaves profusely. Tulasé 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 Tulasé leaves are not placed on the feet of anyone else except Lord Viñëu and His different forms. Tulasé leaves cannot be placed even on the lotus feet of Rädhäräëé or on the lotus feet of the spiritual master. It is entirely reserved for being placed on the feet of Kåñëa [Viñëu]. However, we can place Tulasé leaves in the hands of Rädhäräëé for the purpose of being placed on the lotus feet of Kåñëa....

I am giving you herewith three mantras for Tulasé Devé as follows:

This mantra is for offering obeisances, bowing down (pancanga pranam) to Tulasé Devé.

våndäyai tulasé-devyai priyäyai keçavasyasa ca

kåñëa-bhakti-prade devé satyavatyai namo namaù

I offer my repeated obeisances unto Våndä, Çrématé Tulasé Devé, who is very dear to Lord Keçava. O goddess, you bestow devotional service to Kåñëa and possess the highest truth.

And when collecting leaves from the plant, the following mantra should be chanted:

tulasy amåta-janmäsi sadä tvam keñava-priyä

keçavärthaà cinomi tväm varadä bhava çobhane

O Tulasé, you are born from nectar. You are always very dear to Lord Keçava. Now in order to worship Lord Keçava, I am collecting your leaves and maïjarés. Please bestow your benediction on me.

The mantra for circumambulating the Tulasé tree is as follows:

yäni käni ca päpani brahma-hatyädikäni ca

täni täni praëaçyanti pradakñiëa pade pade

By circumambulation of Çrématé Tulasé Devé all the sins that one may have committed are destroyed at every step, even the sin of killing a brähmaëa.

So there are three mantras: one for bowing down, one for circumambulating, and one for collecting the leaves [from the Tulasé plant]. 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 least one leaf... Regarding the installation of the Deities for which you are preparing, I wish to go there as soon as there are many Tulasé leaves grown. You are trying to grow mango very soon, but it will be better if you can grow soon the Tulasé leaves. This is more important than growing mangoes. So give your best attention for this purpose and as soon as you inform me that there is a regular bush of Tulasé plants, then I shall immediately start for Hawaii and install your Deities. I think this will satisfy you.

Letter dated November 5, 1970, from Bombay, to Govinda däsé

I know that both you and Gaurasundara are sincere devotees and you have done your best in Hawaii in accordance with my desire, and the luxurious growing Tulasé Devé is giving evidence of your sincere devotion. Kindly take care of Guru-Gauräìga, Rädhä-Kåñëa and Tulasé Devé and be happy. Try to make others also happy by spreading this Kåñëa consciousness....

Letter dated November 30, 1970, from Bombay to Karandhara däsa, Los Angeles

Simply all the devotees offer a little water every morning, and in the evening offer obeisances and ghee lamp (one wick) and circumambulate three times repeating the mantras that I have given you. The plant may remain in the garden....

Letter dated December 29, 1970, from Surat to Jagadéça däsa Toronto.

The presence of Tulasé is proof of a true devotional atmosphere there. Please offer her all respects and carefully tend [her], and Çrématé Tulasé will be pleased with you in gaining the auspicious favor of the Lord....

Letter dated April 11, 1971, from Bombay to Kåñëakänti däsa

Tend Tulasé very nicely and your devotion towards Kåñëa will increase. In the evening a lamp should be offered to the Tulasé plant, and in the morning each devotee should offer a little water and offer obeisances....

Letter dated May 28, 1971, from Calcutta, to Govinda däsé, Honolulu

I always speak to many gentlemen how strenuously hard you have worked to introduce Tulasé in the Western countries, and I am hearing from everywhere that Tulasé is growing very luxuriantly. May Tulasé be kind upon you and introduce you to Kåñëa, to be one of the assistant maidservant gopés in Våndävana....

Letter dated August 9, 1971, from London, to Indirä däsé, St. Louis

So you should induce other centers to cultivate Tulasé. One circular should be sent to every center that they should import Tulasé Devé from either St. Louis or Hawaii, and as soon as possible each center should arrange to care for Tulasé Devé nicely according to the instructions of you or Govinda Däsé, who have become expert....

Letter dated November 20, 1971, from New Delhi, to Govinda däsé, Honolulu

All should wear Tulasé kunti beads, not less than two strands; or three or four strands; my Guru Mahäräja had five strands....

Letter dated January 6, 1972, from Bombay, to Rädhävallabha Däsa

Tulasé Devé is a pure devotee of Kåñëa and she should be treated with the same respect given to all Kåñëa'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 Puräëa: "Tulasé 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 Tulasé tree in the above mentioned ways lives eternally in the Vaikuëöha world." So from this verse we can understand how pure is the service which Tulasé offers to Çré Kåñëa. So we should always endeavor to become the servant of Tulasé Devé.

I do not know who has has taught you that part of a Tulasé plant may be cut off and then replanted. From the Tulasé plant you can cut off leaves only for offering them to Kåñëa, never for cutting and planting. That is an offense. The maïjarés may be offered in water and it makes the water fragrant and tasteful. And the maïjarés can be planted for growing new Tulasé plants....Tulasé Devé never goes back to Godhead; she is always with Godhead. She is a pure devotee and thus she has appeared on this planet to render service to Kåñëa by being offered in all temples throughout the world...to the lotus feet of Kåñëa....

Letter dated February 17, 1973, from Sydney, Australia, to Govinda däsé

I can understand that proportionately as your Tulasé plants are growing, your devotion and love is also growing. Please continue in this way....

Letter dated December 6, 1973, from Los Angeles, to Kirtida Kanyaka däsé

Thank you very much for the Tulasé leaves offered to Lord Caitanya's lotus feet. If one is fortunate enough to receive such holy prasädam, then all sinful reactions are immediately purified within the heart and pure devotional service is very easily obtained.

....The more you devote yourself to her service, the more you will understand and relish Kåñëa consciousness....

Letter dated May 31, 1975, from Honolulu, to Kértanänanda, New Vrindaban

I think you can close the doors to the Deity room during Tulasé püjä and then open them again afterwards.

Letter dated July 26, 1975, from Los Angeles, to Våndä däsé, Winnipeg

But one thing is that no sprays can be used [on the Tulasé plant], none at all. Tulasé is a worshipable plant, so there is no question of using any sprays. The best thing is to daily water Tulasé Devé and keep her clean. Nothing else is required.

Letter dated October 25, 1976, from Våndävana, to Vidyä däsé, Los Angeles

If it is not possible for the Tulasé plant to survive the winters when planted in the ground, then a suitable house should be provided for her. Even in the Canadian temples which are in a much colder climate are keeping Tulasé nicely. Why should there be so much difficulty in Los Angeles, which has such a nice climate. Just do everything very carefully. Tulasé flourishes where there is love and devotion.

The following questions were asked by Vidyä Däsé in her September 27, 1976 letter to Çréla Prabhupäda and answered by him as follows:-

1. Vidyä däsé: Is each Tulasé plant a separate jéva soul or an expansion of one pure devotee?

Prabhupäda: Tulasé is one devotee who appears wherever there is devotion to Kåñëa.

2. Vidyä däsé: Where does her spirit soul go when she leaves this body?

Prabhupäda: Tulasé's body is spiritual.

3. Vidyä däsé: May we place jewelry in her soil or just moon stones?

Prabhupäda: Yes, jewelry is all right.

4. Vidyä däsé: When Tulasé is being cared for by householders in their home, must two arotikas still be offered?

Prabhupäda: If possible.

5. Vidyä däsé: When Tulasé is being cared for by householders in their home may they use her leaves and maìjarés on their home offerings or should they take them to the temple?

Prabhupäda: Tulasé leaves should be offered to the Deity.

6. Vidyä däsé: When Tulasé is being offered arotika by the householders must she have a ghee lamp?

Prabhupäda: If possible.

7. Vidyä däsé: Is it offensive to turn the baby Tulasés back into soil when they appear?

Prabhupäda: Yes.

8. Vidyä däsé: There have been questions concerning Tulasé's arotikas. We have always offered her incense, ghee lamp and flower. Is this correct?

Prabhupäda: Yes.

9. Vidyä däsé: In the manual, it states that Tulasé should not be pruned. Does this also mean trimming the branches which no longer have leaves or life fluids flowing through them?

Prabhupäda: You may cut the dead branches but what is the necessity?

10. Vidyä däsé: We were told you once spoke the "4 regulative principles of Tulasé care" which will keep her from getting sick: a) keep her moist; b) keep her clean; c) give her morning sunlight (at least); d) give her two arotikas a day. Is this bona fide?

Prabhupäda: I never said that.

11. Vidyä däsé: May Tulasé be made into a tea after she has been offered?

Prabhupäda: No.

12. Vidyä däsé: May devotees carve Tulasé wood for Deity paraphernalia?

Prabhupäda: Yes.

13. Vidyä däsé: When Tulasé leaves her body and the body is too soft for carving beads, how should she be used? Should a small fire sacrifice be performed?

Prabhupäda: Use the wood for beads as far as possible, the balance may be placed within the earth.

14. Vidyä däsé: We have a letter from you requesting that no sprays be used on Tulasé Devé. May we use a spray of buttermilk, whole wheat flour dissolved in water which coats her leaves to keep spider mites from causing Tulasé to leave her body?

Prabhupäda: I said no chemical sprays.

15. Vidyä däsé: Does Tulasé sleep? Should she be left undisturbed after nightfall?

Prabhupäda: Undisturbed means what?

16. Vidyä däsé: Is it permissible to use scissors to cut her maïjarés, and when transplanting, to use knives to loosen her from her pot?

Prabhupäda: Use common sense, and if you have none, then consult with others.

17. Vidyä däsé: Is it an offense to step on or across her shadow (or the shadow of any pure devotee)?

Prabhupäda: Yes. [originally, Çréla Prabhupäda had answered "No", however, in a subsequent letter he corrected himself and replied Yes.]

18. Vidyä däsé: For two years we have been awaiting permission to use the following two prayers plus translations and translation of the already existing prayer. Please tell us if these are bona fide:

1)

oà govinda-vallabhäà devéà bhakta-caitanya-käriném

snäpayämi jagad-dhätrém hari-bhakti-pradäyiném

Now I am bathing the mother of the universe, the bestower of Kåñëa bhakti, the enlivener of the living force of the devotees and the dear one of Govinda.

2)

cayanodbhava-duùkhaà ca yad hådi tava vartate

tat kñmasva jagan-mätah våndä devé namo 'stu te

O mother of the universe, please forgive whatever misery exists in your heart caused by the cutting of your leaves. O Våndä Devé, let me offer my obeisances unto you.

3)

oà tulasy amrta-jamäsi sadä tvaà keçava-priya

keçavärtham cinomi tväm barada bhava çobane

O Tulasé, you are born from nectar and always dear to Lord Keçava. Now, for the service of Keçava, I am picking your leaves, O one who is shining brightly.

Prabhupäda: Don't try to introduce something new. The most important thing is the love and devotion....

Letter dated December 9, 1973, from Los Angeles, to Babhru

That Gaurasundara and Siddha-svarüpa have sold the temple in Hawaii and abandoned the beautiful Tulasé plants there is a great fall-down on their parts....

Yes, you may return to Hawaii with Sudämä Mahäräja and take charge of caring for Tulasé Devé there. I cannot understand how Govinda Däsé could abandon Tulasé Devé. Kindly try to induce her to return....

Våndä-kuëòa

The following information has been circulated by the Våndä Trust of Våndävana, India.

When Çré Kåñëa concluded His transcendental pastimes on earth, His great grandson, King Vajranabha of Mathurä, established many of the holy places as villages named after the léläs of Kåñëa. He installed many Deities of Kåñëa and revealed many kuëòas (sacred places) where Çré Kåñëa performed His pastimes. In the course of time, however, these places were concealed. No one cared to discuss or remember them or the Lord's pastimes there.

Much later Çré Kåñëa Caitanya, Vrajendra-kumära Himself, went to Mathurä and indicated the locations of those lost holy places. He described everything about them to Sanätana and Rüpa Gosvämé, who sought evidence of their importance from the scriptures.

After collecting scriptural references, they traveled to each of the holy places in Vraja (Våndävana). With utmost care they re-established many of the lost kuëòas and villages. Because of their sincere endeavor to reveal them, we can now know the glories of each location in Mathurä.

Çré Kåñëa and Çré Balaräma enjoyed Their pastimes throughout the twelve forests of Mathurä. They lived at the home of Nanda Mahäräja, called Nandéçvara. One half mile to the east of Nandéçvara is Våndä-kuëòa, the sacred place of Våndä Devé.

In the book Bhakti-ratnakara by Narahari Öhäkura, Våndä-kuëòa is described: "A little distance from this place [Nandéçvara], in a secluded spot, Våndä Devé would consider in her mind how to arrange the meeting of the Divine Couple [Rädhä-Kåñëa]. After arranging Their meeting, she would float in happiness. Who would not glorify the qualities of Våndä Devé?"

Adjacent to Våndä-kuëòa is Gupta-kuëòa, where Rädhä and Kåñëa secretly enjoy Their morning pastimes. Bhakti-ratnäkara states: "This is Gupta kuëòa, where Kåñëa and His friends headed by Subäla secretly played various games as they wandered through the forest."

King Vajranabha installed the original deity of Våndä Devé at Våndä-kuëòa nearly 5,000 years ago. This Deity was later broken during a Muslim attack and could no longer be worshiped. Gradually, Våndä-kuëòa and Gupta-kuëòa were forgotten; only the local villagers of Nandéçvara, or Nandagräma, remembered the holy place.

It is said in the book Caitanya-bhägavata by Våndävana däsa Öhäkura that Caitanya Mahäprabhu's disciples would keep a Tulasé tree beside Him, and He would sit taking darçana of Çrématé Tulasé Mahäräëé and chant His prescribed number of japa rounds. Caitanya Mahäprabhu would say, "Just as a fish cannot live when taken out of its environment, water, so I cannot remain alive in separation of Tulasé Mahäräëé."

In the 1980s, one highly respected Gauòéya Vaiñëava, Bäbä Mädhava däsa, was researching the Nandagräma area to locate the many kuëòas there. He had been working on a project to protect Mathurä's holy places from construction companies who were about to destroy some of the mountains and kuëòas for commercial enterprise.

When Bäbä Mädhava first heard about Våndä-kuëòa and Gupta-kuëòa, they were inaccessable by road, but once finding them, he decided to restore the two kuëòas because of their great spiritual significance. The village council of Nandagräma encouraged him in this work, and gave him full rights to the place.

To carry out the excavation of the kuëòas, he sought help from local Vaiñëavas and government officials in the Mathurä district. Then, to build the ghäöas around the kuëòas, he approached mine owners in Rajasthan for donations of stone slabs. Once the kuëòas were restored, he had a Våndävana artist in Kämyavana Forest carve a new marble Deity of Våndä Devé, and constructed a small temple between the two kuëòas for her worship. Våndä Devé was again brought to Våndä-kuëòa, and since then she has been worshiped, and prasädam has been distributed regularly.

When Bäbä Mädhava das grew too weak to continue his work, he requested the ISKCON devotees of the Çré Kåñëa Balaram Mandir in Våndävana to maintain Våndä Devé's worship. There were some devotees interested in the project. The Bäbä, who had resided in Våndävana for over fifty years, gave the kuëòas to ISKCON in 1989, and left this world on March 27, 1990 at Kåñëa-Balaram Mandir. His samädhi is fittingly located at Våndäkuëòa. In 1992 under the auspices of ISKCON, devotees formed the Våndä Trust, a private charitable trust, to carry on the work of restoration.

The Aims of the Våndä Trust

1. To carry out the order of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda to promote the glorification of Tulasé Devé (Våndä Devé) worldwide.

2. To make Våndä-kuëòa an international self-sufficient place of pilgrimage and represent ISKCON'S interest at Våndä-kuëòa.

3. To hold annual festivals and cultural programs at Våndä-kuëòa.

4. To establish and renovate other holy places and temples in Vraja (Våndävana).

5. To purchase property in Vraja.

6. To establish ashrams in Vraja.

7. To distribute spiritual literature and prasädam.

These sacred, transcendental kuëòas are being developed and maintained by ISKCON devotees. All devotees are welcome to help in this service and receive the mercy of Våndä Devé by writing to:

The Secretary

Våndä Trust

Çré Krishna Balarama Mandir

Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg

Raman Reti,

Våndävana, U.P., 201124

INDIA