CHAPTER NINETEEN

The Lord then began to praise His glorious devotee. "The Tulasi trees collect in many groups, thus the pandits call it Vrinda. I praise that dearTulasi. Long ago she appeared in the Vrindavana forest and is thus known asVrindavani. I adore that auspicious and glorious one. She is always worshipped in countless universes and so is known as Visvapujita--one who is worshipped throughout the world. I worship that Visvapujita."Countless universes are made perfect by Her. Remembering her, I am suffering from separation from her. Though other flowers be heaped upon the Lord, He is not satisfied unless Tulasi is offered. Thus she is considered the essence of all flowers and is called Puspasara. Now I am anguished and troubled and very eager to see her--she who is purity incarnate. I crave the favor of that goddess. Because attainment of her brings faith and joy, she is called Nandini. O may she be pleased with Me. In the whole world she is incomparable, thus she is called Tulasi. I take refuge of that dear Tulasi. Very chaste and dear, she is the life of Kåñëa and so is known as Krsnajivani. O may that goddess save my life."After Lord Hari finished the ceremony and prayers, Tulasi was pleased and came out of the tree. She immediately took refuge at Lord Hari's lotus feet. He blessed her by saying, "O Tulasi, you will be worshiped by all throughout the world. Dearest, I will hold you on my head and in my heart; and all the demigods will hold you on their heads."When Lord Hari saw that the dignified Tulasi was weeping because her feelings had been hurt by Saraswati, He clasped her to His breast, took her to Saraswati and reconciled their differences. Then He blessed Tulasi, saying, "You will be worshiped by all, honored by all and respected by all. And all will carry you on their heads. I also will worship, honor and respect you and carry you on My head."Tulasi was now very happy. Saraswati then embraced her and seated her by her side. Laksmi and Ganga, smiling, also hugged her, and then took her home.

CHAPTER TWENTY

WORSHIP OF TULASI DEVI

Whoever worships Tulasi Devi with her eight names and their meanings--Vrinda, Vrindavani, Viswapavani, Visvapujita, Tulasi, Puspasara,Nandini, and Krsna Jivani--and properly sings this hymn of eight verses, acquires the merit of performing an Asvamedha (horse) sacrifice. Because Tulasi was born on the lunar day of the full moon in the month of Kartika, Lord Hari prescribed this day for her worship. Whoever worships her on this day will be freed from all sins and go to Vaikuntha. Whoever, out of reverence, gives Lord Visnu a Tulasi leaf in the month of Kartika, will gain the same benefit obtained by giving the gift of ten million cows. By hearing or recalling the Tulasi hymn, a son will be born to the sonless woman, a wife will be obtained by the wifeless man, health will be restored to a diseased person, freedom will be given to a prisoner, fearlessness will be bestowed upon the terrified, and salvation will be given to the sinners. In the Kanva Sakha branch of the Vedas, the method of worshiping and meditating on Tulasi Devi 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, Tulasi 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 Tulasi. Iworship 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.

Tulasi:

Among all articles which are offered to the Lord, tulasi is most highly praised.  Therefore one may perform perfect worship of the Lord by simply offering pure water and tulasi leaves (Raghunatha das Goswami, Advaita-Acarya). According to the Garuda Purana, tulasi must always be offered on the naivedyam.

     tulasi vina ya kriyate  na puja     snanam na tat  yat tulasi vinakrtam     bhuktam na tat yat tulasi vinakrtam     pitam na tat yat tulasi vinakrtam

Puja, bathing and offering of food and drink performed without tulasi cannot be considered as puja, bathing and offering to the Lord. The Lord does not accept anything or drink anything that is without tulasi. Brihad Naradiya Purana

During the puja, one should offer tulasi leaves to the Lord's feet.  Tulasi garlands may also be offered around his neck. Some say that gandha, flowers and tulasi should be offered at least three times, washing the hands each time before offering.  The article is offered in the right hand, while the left hand touches the right arm.  Some say that offering eight tulasi leaves is best.

Benefits of Worshiping Tulasi Devi

Although we can never fully describe the glories of Tulasi Devi, an eternal associate of Lord Krsna, the scriptures give us a hint of the value of worshiping her. The following list comes from the Padma Purana.

1) Tulasi is the essence of all devotional activities.

 2) The leaves, flowers, roots, bark, branches, trunk, and shade of Tulasi Devi are all spiritual.

3) One who with devotion applies the paste of Tulasi wood to the Deity of  Krsna will always live close to Krsna.

 4) One who puts mud from the base of the Tulasi tree on his body and worships the Deity of Lord Krsna gets the results of one hundred days worship each day.

 5) Puspasara=One who offers a Tulasi manjari to Lord Krsna gets the benefit of offering all other varieties of flowers, and he goes to the abode of Krsna.

6) visvapavani=One who sees or comes near a house or garden where the Tulasi plant is present gets rid of all his sinful reactions, including that of killing a brahmana.

7) Krsnajivani=Lord Krsna happily lives in the house, town, or forest where Tulasi Devi is present.

 8) A house where Tulasi Devi is present never falls on bad times, and it becomes purer than all holy places.

 9) The fragrance of Tulasi Devi purifies all who smell it.

 10) Lord Krsna and all the demigods live in a house where mud from the base of the Tulasi tree is found.

 11) Without Tulasi leaves, Lord Krsna does not like to accept flowers, food, or sandalwood paste.

 12) One who worships Lord Krsna daily with Tulasi leaves attains the results of all kinds of austerity, charity, and sacrifice. In fact, he has no other duties to perform, and he has realized the essence of the scriptures.

 13) One who puts into his mouth or on his head Tulasi leaves that have been offered to Lord Krsna attains Lord Krsna's abode.

 14) In Kali-yuga, one who worships, remembers, plants, keeps, or performs kirtana before Tulasi burns up all sinful reactions and quickly attains Lord Krsna's abode.

 15) One who worships Lord Krsna with Tulasi leaves releases all his ancestors from the realm of birth and death.

 16) One who remembers the glories of Tulasi or tells others about them will never take birth again.

Tulasi’s glories from Garuda Purana chapters nine and ten.

(The Lord explains to Garuda the rites for one preparing to leave the body).

Chapter   9 An account of the rites for the dying.

Garuda Uvaaca
Kathitam bhavatam samyag daanamaatura kaalikam
mriya maanasya yat katyam tad idaananim vada prabho (1)

Garuda Said: O Lord, You have spoken fully about the gifts for the diseased. Please tell me now about the rites for the dying,

Sri Bhagavan Uvaaca
srnu Tarksya pravaksyaami dehatyaagasya tadyidhudhim
 amrtam yena vidhaanena sadhutim yaantee  maanavaah (2)

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Listen, O Tarksya, I will explain  the rites for leaving the body, and by what rites men after death reach a good condition.

Karmayoga adhyada dehi muncatyatra nijam vapuhuh
tulasee sannidhau kuryaan mandalam gomayena tu (3)

When, by the effects of karma, the embodied being leaves his ordinary body, (comotose state) then, near to a Tulasi tree one should make a ring with cowdung.

Tilamscaiva vikeeryatha darbhaams caiva vini ksiptam
Sthaapaye daamlane shubhrame saalagraama shilaam tadaa (4)
 
Next, having scattered sesamum seeds, he should strew darbha-grass, and then have the Shalagrama shila placed on the cleaned platform.

Shaalagraama shilaa yatra paapadoshabhayaapaha
Atatsa tridhaana maraan muktir jantah sunisicatam (5)

Liberation is certain for the being who dies near the Shaligrama shila,which removes all ills and sins.

Tulasee vitapaschaayaa yatraasti bhavataapahaa
tatraiva maranaanmuktih sarvada daana durlabha (6)

Where there is the shade of the Tulasi tree, which removes the pain of existence, there is always liberation for the dying, difficult to obtain by gifts.

tulasee vitaparyanaam grihe yastha avatishsthate
tadva  griham theertha rupam hi na yaanti yama kinkarahah (7)

The servants of Yamaraja do not go to the house where the Tulasi tree is situated and worshipped. Indeed, such a house is a form of a place of pilgrimage.

Tulasee manjaree yukto yastu praanaan iva muncati
yamastham nekshitum shakto yukam paapa shaatair api (8)

Yamaraja does not desire to go to the pious person who, while giving up their life air, keeps a Tulasi manjari (prasada) in their mouth, even if that person has committed hundreds of sins.

Tasthaa dalam mukho krtvaa tila darbha asane mrtah
ahnaro vishnupuram yaanti putraheene apyasti masa yahah (9)

The person who dies on a seat of darbha grass and sesamum seeds with a Tulasi leaf (prasada) in his mouth, goes surely to the abode of Lord Vishnu, even if they have no son.

Tilahah pavitra trividham darbhaasca tulaseer api
Naram nivaarayanty ete  durgatim yaanta maaturam (10)
 
Sesamum seeds, darbha-grass and Tulasi Devi are three holy things, and they prevent an ailing man from going to a miserable condition.

Attah kusaabahi mantra tulasee vipra dhena vahah
Naite nirmaalya taam yaanti, kriyamaanaah punah punahah (14)

Therefore, kusa-grass, fire, mantras, Tulasi Devi, brahmanas and cows do not lose their purity by being used again and again.

Darbhah pindestu nirmaalya braahmanah pretabhojane
mantra gaus tulasee neece citaayaam ca hutaasanahah (15)

Darbha-grass becomes unclean when used with rice-balls (offerings to the departed ancestors). Brahmanas, by eating the offerings for the departed; Mantras, cows and Tulasi Devi, when used in base ways (used for other then Krishna’s service); and fire, when used on a cremation ground.

(Chapter ten Rules for burning the body)

Iti sampraarthayittvam `grim tatraiva kaarayetam Shri
khamdha tulasee kaasthau palaasha asvattha daarubhihih

After (the son) has offered prayers to the fire, he should make a funeral-pyre with sandalwood, Tulasi, and palasha and ashvattha woods. (20)

Tulasi Devi, Beloved of Kåñëa. One of Krsna's most intimate servants comes in a special form to bless us with extraordinary fortune (BTG Article) by Govinda dasi

Devotees of Krsna worship a little tree. She's not an ordinary tree. She's Tulasi Devi, K.rsna's favorite plant. Tulasi has delicate purple and green leaves, flower tassels like miniature temple spires, and an arresting, sweet fragrance famous for attracting the minds of yogis to Krsna's service.

Tulasi's wood is carved into the japa heads on which devotees chant Krsna's name. Devotees wear strands of Tulasi beads around their necks. Her leaves and flowers decorate the Deity of Krsna in the temple and are placed on food offered to Him. She has taken the form of a tree so that everyone, even the poorest person, can offer something wonderful to K.rsna.

MY FASCINATION with Tulasi Devi began very soon after meeting Srila Prabhupada in 1967. I searched Indian stores all over New York City to finda set of Tulasi japa beads. One clever man sold me rosewood beads, assuring me they were Tulasi. When I presented them to Srila Prabhupada, he held them and looked at them with scrutiny, then simply said, "No, not Tulasi." But he chanted on them anyway.

Later, in 1968, as I was cleaning Srila Prabhupada's room I found his Tulasi japa beads lying near his bead bag on his cushion. As I carefully put them back into their bag, I was mesmerized by their smooth touch and golden glow. They were large, round beads, shiny from years of use, with a mystical quality that still sticks in my mind.

In 1969, Srila Prabhupada sent me to Honolulu to open a temple. I spent much time at the research library of the University of Hawaii's East-West Center. I found many ancient texts from India, some by Srila Prabhupada's guru and other Vaisnava saints. And I found information on Tulasi Devi her botanical names, her history, and ways to grow her. My desire to grow Tulasi became an obsession, and somehow I got seeds from India.

The first set of seeds did not grow. I daily worshipped a thin green sprout until it became painfully evident that it was a blade of grass. The second batch of seeds proved fruitful, however, and tiny heart-shaped seedlings spread their delicate leaves in our Honolulu home. That was the beginning.

I still didn't know why growing Tulasi was important to Srila Prabhupada or his mission. But when I later presented two small Tulasi plants to him in Los Angeles, he was delighted. He held one of the small pots in his hand for a long time, gazing at the seven-inch seedling, noting that she was indeed Srimati Tulasi Devi.

Prabhupada talked on and on about the glories of Tulasi Devi, and he was in such joyful spirits! Srila Prabhupada's servant, Kartikeya Dasa, was astonished. He later told me that he had not seen Srila Prabhupada so light-hearted and happy in over a year.

At one point, Srila Prabhupada told us that Tulasi Devi was a great devotee of Lord Krsna, and that her husband, a demon, was killed by Krsna. Then Prabhupada stopped short and became thoughtful. My intuition was that he had given us as much as we could then understand.

So my understanding became quite basic: somehow, growing Tulasi made Srila Prabhupada very, very pleased. That was enough. I proceeded to cultivate Tulasi plants on a large scale. I wrote a booklet entitled "How to Grow Tulasi Devi," sent seeds and booklets to every temple, and tried to offer advice and assistance to devotees in their efforts to cultivate Tulasi.

Later, I came across the following purport by Srila Prabhupada in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (4.8.55) It is specifically mentioned herein that Tulasi leaves are very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and devotees should take particular care to have Tulasi 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 Tulasi leaves. We are very much obliged therefore, to our disciple Srimati Govinda Dasi because she has taken much care to grow Tulasi plants from seeds, and she has been successful by the grace of Krsna. Now Tulasi plants are growing in almost every center of our movement."

Only then did I become truly aware of the importance of cultivating Tulasi plants. I realized that my initial attraction to Tulasi and any obsessive desire to grow Tulasi plants, though not inspired by a direct instruction from Srila Prabhupada were communicated from within the heart by the Lord to please and assist Srila Prabhupada in his mission. I felt humbled and joyful that even in my ignorance I had been given an opportunity to serve him in this way.

Learning Respect for Tulasi

In l965, before Tulasi made her appearance in the West, Srila Prabhupada sometimes talked about her. I recall him saying that in India everyone considers Tulasi plants sacred, and no one will cut or uproot them. Even non-Hindus, he said, will not destroy Tulasi to build a house on a spot where she is growing they'll look for a place not inhabited by Tulasi.

When Bhaktivinoda Thakura discovered the birthplace of Lord Caitanya, it was so overgrown with Tulasi that no one had settled there, thinking it to be a sacred place. Even non-Hindus considered that disturbing Tulasi plants would bring ill fortune.

When Prabhupada came to Hawaii

In 1971, he admired our lush Tulasi garden in front of the entrance to the temple. Because these Tulasi had grown far larger than we had expected (some nearly seven feet tall and with stalks two inches in diameter), we had a problem. The Blast branches were beginning to cover the entrance, and people unavoidably brushed up against her. We pointed this out to Srila Prabhupada and asked his permission to trim some of the branches. He became alarmed and exclaimed, "You cannot cut Tulasi that is the greatest offense! You must never cut her. But you can tie back the branches obstructing the entrance." Even after tying back the branches, Tulasi kept growing, and the problem continued. When we told Srila Prabhupada that people had to bend down when passing through the Tulasi archway on the way into the temple, he was delighted. He smiled, his eyes sparkled, and he said, "That's good. It is good that they have to bow to Tulasi before entering Krsna's temple."

When Srila Prabhupada came for a later visit, he carefully entered the Tulasi archway by going through sideways to avoid brushing against her leaves and branches. And while walking along the walkway to the temple, which was lined with more Tulasi plants, he told his secretary, Syamasundara, "Don't step on her shadow." In these ways Snla Prabhupada showed great respect for Tulasi Devi.

In his books. too, Srila Prabhupada called attention to the exalted positionof Tulasi Devi. He writes in a purport to the Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.16.21):

The goddess of fortune, Laksmi is sometimes envious of the tulasi leaves which are placed at the lotus feet of the Lord, for they remain fixed there and do not move, whereas Laksmi, although stationed by the chest of the Lord, sometimes has to please other devotees who pray for her favor. Laksmi sometimes has to go to satisfy her numerous devotees, but tulasi leaves never forsake their position, and the Lord therefore appreciates the service of tulasi more than the service of Laksmi.

In The Nectar of Devotion, Snla Prabhupada quotes from the Skanda Purana:

Tulasi is auspicious in all respects. Simply by seeing, simply by touching, simply by remembering, simply by praying to' simply by bowing before, simply by hearing about, or simply by sowing this tree, there is always auspiciousness. Anyone who comes in touch with the tulasi tree in the above-mentioned ways lives eternally in the Vaikuntha world.

Srila Prabhupada taught us never to think of Tulasi as an ordinary plant. She is a great devotee standing before us in the form of a small tree. She appears as a delicate tree in this world to serve the Lord and uplift human society.

Tulasi Devi can be used in many ways to please the Supreme Lord, but never for gratifying one's senses. To offer Tulasi Devi with a material incentive to destroy one's enemies, to remove anxieties, to make medicine will be the bridge by which one enters the hellish regions.

Tulasi Devi has come to the West to give us the opportunity to serve her for our benefit. If we care for her nicely, she can grant us love for Krsna.

Serving Tulasi's Home

In November 1989, I met "Vrnda Kunda Baba," or Madhava Dasa, a renowned scholar and Vaisnava saint, and a great devotee of Srimati Tulasi Devi. He had spent years in Vrndavana working to restore and develop Vrnda Kunda, the eternal home of Vrnda Devi, the cowherd-girl form of Tulasi Devi.

Madhava Baba's knowledge of the scriptures, especially those relating to theglories of Tulasi Devi, was vast. Not surprisingly, I felt an immediate connection.

Because Baba had become old and ill, he wanted to leave his work to reliable people who were also devoted to Tulasi Devi. Somehow, by the divine arrangement of the Lord, he ended up at ISKCON's Krishna-Balaram temple.

On meeting him, I felt a strong urge to assist him and began by helping with his medical expenses. Later, when he became bedridden in February and March of 1990, I worked with Vidya Devi Dasi, Muralidhara Dasa, and Mohana Dasa to help provide nursing and medical care for him in his final days.

At that time, I was inspired to paint a picture of Vrnda Devi. Madhava Baba knew all the scriptural references to Vrnda Devi, and he carefully supervised the tiniest details of this painting. The scriptures describe Vrnda Devi as having a beautiful complexion like molten gold, a shimmering golden effulgence, and an enchanting pearl on her nose. A gentle smile decorates her lips.

She wears blue garments and is decorated with pearls and flowers. Her right hand is raised in blessing the devotees, and on her left hand she holds her yellow parrot, Daksa, who has thousands of parrot disciples of various colors: red, green, yellow, blue, white. The parrots serve Vrnda Devi by carrying messages to various parts of Vrndavana.

Vrnda Devi is in charge of the Vrndavana lila pastimes of Radha and Krsna. She decides which flowers will bloom, which birds will sing, which songs will be sung, which breezes will blow, which food will be served, which games will be played, and which musical instruments will be played.

Lord Krishna and Srimati Radharani have given Vrinda Devi her role as queen of Vrindavan.  Vrinda Devi may be likened to a grand director or choreographer of the Vrindavana lila, and her parrots are her communication service. She always stays in Vrindavan, absorbed in love for Radha and Krishna.  Her great yearning is to expertly arrange Their meeting, and by doing this she feels the greatest joy.

When the painting was finished, I would holding it up before Baba daily, and he would chant his prayers to Vrnda Devi his worshipable Deity.  Often he would cry when he saw her.

Once he looked up at me and very humbly said, "Thank you, Mataji.  You have made just the exact replica of Vrinda Devi.

I told him, "Baba, because you are now unable to walk and go see your beloved deity, Vrinda Devi has arranged to come to see you."

We pressed Baba to tell us his life story so we could tape it for future publication.  He was reluctant. "No Mataji, I don't want name and fame." We persisted, imploring him that it would be a necessary part of continuing the development of Vrnda Kunda.  We pleaded that name and fame would come after he had left this world.  He finally agreed, for the service of Vrinda Devi and we began documenting his life story and the development of Vrinda Kund. Srila Prabhupada had told us that Vrindavana is named after Vrinda Devi.  It means "forest of Tulasi".

Baba explained, "This Vrindavana Dhama belongs to Sri Krishna.  It is the shining crest jewel of all the Vaikunthas and Srimati Radharani, the daughter of King Vrsabhanu, has made Vrinda Devi the ruling monarch of Lord Krishna's opulent and auspicious abode of Vrindavan."

Every day Baba talked to us of the glories of Vrnda Devi as described in the Skanda Purana, Brahma-vaivarta Purana, Padma Purana, Garuda Purana, Narada Purana and the other Vedic texts.  He carefully translated the Vrndadevyastakam of Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura and he told us about the mercy of Lord Chaitanya.  We learned that the Lord would have a Tulasi tree carried before him in His sankirtana party.     During this time, I visited Vrnda Kund.  There is a small, simple temple there, and a lovely pond lined with Tulasi Trees.  The atmosphere was surcharged with a unique spiritual essence.I sat quietly and chanted and meditated besides Tulasi Devi.  In my mind I had a fleeting "glimpse" of a beautiful palace, with winding crystal staircases and shimmering decor. I wondered at this, and when I saw Baba I asked him about it. He began to describe such a palace from various scriptural quotations. I was stunned.           In a miraculous way that only Lord Krsna could have designed, this aged saint, who was born in a highly situated brahmana family and who had spent his entire life as a sadhu, was now being cared for by a small crew of American and European disciples of Srila Prabhupada.

Witnessing his love and devotion for Vrnda Devi was our greatest gift. It was as if Srila Prabhupada had arranged for us to receive further instruction and opportunity to serve Srimati Tulasi Devi by sending Baba into our midst.

A Divine Soul Departs

Baba's passing away was glorious. It was early, just after mangala-arati, on March 27, l990. Vidya and I were in the temple making Tulasi garlands when Baba's nurse rushed in, telling us to come quickly. On the way to his room I grabbed the painting of Vrnda Devi to take to him.        As I entered the room, I was a bit shaken by the hanging presence of impending death. Death is a powerful, compelling force, hard to describe, yet almost tangible. I held the painting for Baba to see and said, "Vrnda Devil has come."

He focused on the beautiful form of Vrnda Devi and tried to say his Sanskrit prayers to her. His last audible words were "Krsna! Krsna!"  We sat beside his bed and chanted Hare Krsna on our beads. Dinabandhu Dasa arrived and began playing the harmonium and singing. It was a soft and gentle kirtana, penetratingly sweet and melodious. The whole room was filled with a golden glow. Baba's eyes were fixed on Vrnda-Devi, and when he could no longer see externally, his eyes were shining in ecstasy and focused on some other world. It was as if he was clearly seeing Krsna and his beloved Vrnda Devi.

A beautiful smile was on his lips. His breath came in tiny gasps, and with each breath his ecstasy increased. His face shone with a remarkable radiance. Then he was gone. It was a moment of incredible awe and ecstasy! We were seeing a divine soul depart for the realm of Goloka, and we cried for joy.

Baba's departure left on indelible imprint on my mind. I saw the energy of death in action compelling, relentless, moving forward like a bull-dozer, pushing the soul out of the body. It was fierce and final, frightening and overwhelmingly real. This was the essence and inner meaning of time. I tasted the divine words of the Gita-: "I come as death."         Then I saw the devotee's response to death: full surrender at the Lord's lotus feet with pure love and trust. And I witnessed the Lord's divine protection of His devotee. What may be fearful and horrible for others was for Baba a joyous reunion with his beloved Lord Krsna which came and filled the room with him to eternally serve Vrnda at her home in Vrnda Kunda.          Baba's work at Vrnda Kunda was left unfinished. I believe it was his gift to us, Srila Prabhupada's generations of disciples. Because of Srila Prabhupada's efforts in spreading the glories of Tulasi Devi all over the world, Vrinda Devi led Baba Madhava Dasa to choose ISKCON to continue her service at Vrinda Kund.           The small crew of us who cared for Baba all feel deeply committed to carrying on his work at Vrinda Kunda.  By Krsna's grace, the daily worship of Vrinda Devi is still going on. We promised Baba that a compound wall will be built around Vrinda Kund and other improvements will be made. Through this work, our spiritual strength will be increased and our understanding of krsna bhakti will become mature.  There is the greatest spiritual merit accrued from caring for holy places.  And of all holy places, Vrnda Kunda is one of the most auspicious.

Govinda Dasi became a disciple of Srila Prabhupada in  1967 in San Francisco.  She now lives in Hawaii.  Our thanks to Manjari Devi Dasi also a disciple of Srila Prabhupada for her help in putting together this article.

Worshipping Tulasi Devi

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

• Tulasi's body is spiritual. Although Tulasi appears as many individual trees, she is one person, and she comes wherever she sees devotion to Krsna.

• Every morning devotees should water and pray to Tulasi Devi and circumambulate her three times.

• Worship Tulasi with nice food, flowers, incense, a ghee lamp, and other traditional articles of worship.

• Protect the delicate Tulasi seedlings from birds and insects. It is an offense to turn the seedlings back into the soil.

• In places where Tulasi cannot survive the winters when planted in the ground, provide a suitable house for her.

• Every day provide Tulasi fresh air, water (as needed be careful not to water too much), and sunshine (or plant lights).

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

• When picking Tulasi leaves, chant the following mantra:tulasy amrta janmasi sada tvram kesava-priya kesavartham cinomi tvam varada bhava sobhane

"O Tulasi, you were born from nectar. You are always very dear to Lord Kesava. Now, in order to worship Lord Kesava, I am collecting your leaves and manjaris. Please bestow your benediction on me."

Pick only the leaves that grow next to the manjaris (flowers) and the leaves that are ready to drop they will turn a pale color not the new, green ones. Pick the manjaris as soon as they blossom. Avoid letting them go to seed, which takes much energy from the plant that can be used to make more leaves and flowers for Krsna's service. Pick the leaves one at a time with your fingertips. Don't shake or stroke the branch and damage healthy leaves. Pick with care and attention. Avoid using cutting tools.

• Never cut or prune Tulasi Devi. This is a great offense. Remove dead branches if absolutely necessary. If branches obstruct a passageway, tie them back, but don't cut them.

• Pick Tulasi leaves and flowers in the morning, never at night (from sunset to sunrise).

• Never use chemical sprays on Tulasi.

• Collect leaves once in the morning for worshiping Krsna and for putting on the plates of food to be offered to Him. Put at least one leaf on each preparation. Never pick Tulasi leaves for any other purpose than to offer to the Lord.

• Lord Krsna likes garlands of Tulasi leaves. Tulasi leaves mixed with sandalwood pulp and placed on the lotus feet of the Lord is the topmost worship. Do not place Tulasi leaves on the feet of anyone other than Lord Visnu in His various forms. Srimati Radharani can be given a Tulasi leaf in Her hand for offering to Lord Krsna.

Krsna accepts even dry Tulasi leaves. - Tulasi wood (taken after a plant has fully dried naturally) can be used to carve worship paraphernalia, such as beads. (or give to other devotees to offer).

Never use Tulasi leaves or flowers to make teas or juices, even after they've been offered to Krsna. It is a great offense to cook or heat Tulasi, or to use her for mundane purposes, such as medicines and ointments.

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

Avoid stepping on Tulasi Devi's shadow.

Tulasi Devi is very, very dear to the Lord. Therefore, most important is to serve her with love and devotion.

The Tulasi Handbook Including How to Start a Tulasi Seedling. How to Care for Tulasi in North America

Quotes from Srila Prabhupada

"I am very glad to learn that Srimati Tulasi-devi has favored you so much. If you actually grow this Tulasi plant, and I am sure you will do it, then you must know it for certain that your devotion for Krishna is testified. I was very much anxious to introduce this worship of Tulasi plant amongst our society members, but it has not become successful till now, therefore, when I hear that you have got this opportunity, my pleasure does not have any bounds."

"Please take care of the Tulasi plants in the following way. This is the best season for growing Tulasi plants. From 15th April to 15th 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 are sometimes eaten up by the sparrows. All the devotees should pour water at least once in the morning before taking prasadam. The watering should not be very much large in quantity, but it should be poured just to keep the ground soft and moist. Sunlight also should be allowed. When the creepers are grown at last 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 planets are dispatched from your place and if the devotees take care of the plant with a little care in a flower pot, then it may grow." /Note: Tulasi leaves must be offered to Lord_ Vishnu or Lord Krishna, Lord Narayana, Caitanya (Vishnu-tattva only)

"Tulasi leaf is very, very dear to Vishnu. All Vishnu-tattva Deities require profusely Tulasi leaves. Lord Vishnu likes garland of Tulasi leaves. Tulasi leaves mixed with sandalwood pulp and placed on the lotus feet of the Lord is the topmost worship. But we must be very careful that Tulasi leaves cannot be placed on the feet of anyone else than Lord Vishnu and His different forms . Tulasi leaves cannot be placed even on the lotus feet of Radharani or on the lotus feet of the Spiritual Master. It is entirely reserved for being placed on the lotus feet of Krishna. we can place, however, Tulasi leaves in the hands of Radharani for being placed on the lotus feet of Krishna, as you have seen on the Govinda Album .

" I am giving you herewith the mantra’s for Tulasi-devi as follows-"

Devanagari text here

This is offering obeisances, bowing down (pancanca pranam) . And whencollection 1eaves from the plant, the following mantra should be chanted:

Lord does not care for a single one of fifty-six offerings or thirty-sixcurries offered without a Tulasi leaf.

Lord Shiva, Sukadeva, Narada Muni, Brahma, and all others are paying theirrespects unto you. Candra Sekara (the author)' who is singing your glories,prays, "Please bestow Prema~bhakti unto me. My humble obeisances unto youagain and again."

All kinds of sinful people, even a murderer of a brahmana can become pure by circumambulating Sri Tulasi, step by step.

The most important and fundamental principle of Tulasi care is regular and perpetual care. She is a pure devotee, and Her requirements are few and simple. She simply requires Her own quarters with direct sunlight, where She can grow without disturbances and interruptions. She should be watered at approximately the same time and Her leaves should also be collected at a regular time. Mornings between 7:30 and 9:00 are the best for both purposes. The most essential ingredient is one individual devotee to take the responsibility of tending Her. This means that this devotee is conscious of Tulasi throughout the day-- checking that Her door is shut, that She has sufficient water, that Her fan is on, that Her leaves are being offered regularly and fresh. In this way She is nursed through the day and night. It is not so much time consuming-- but rather 1/2 hour to 40 minutes (dependingon the number of Tulasis) in the morning and then utilizing the few spare moments throughout the day. If this is done regularly and in an orderly fashion She will bloom and flourish. .

Housing-- It has been found that She pines for sun-- Tulasi grown indoors after 8 or 10 months do not fair as well as those given real sunlight. (Krishna says, "I am the light of the sun and the moon.") Greenhouse are not all that expensive to build. $60 (Keep in mind this was written in 1970) can build a really first-class house that can accommodate up to 60 2-foot Tulasis, and adaptations can always be made as to weather, climate, building materials on hand, and the number of Tulasi's involved.  Porches, arbors, fire escapes, and roof tops can al1 be modified to fit the need.

If indoor lighting is unavoidable (actually some arrangement can always be made), then fluorescent tubes and fixtures (each holding at least 2 bulbs) can be suspended over and around Her. The lights must be special indoor full spectrum plant tubes, not your ordinary white fluorescent tube. The plant lights are effective only within a 12" radius, after which they drop to a potency of 0. Because of this, Tulasi s grown indoors become "leggy, " that is to say, long stems with thin stalks and only a few leaves, and a clump of leaves at the top, near thelight. Because the lights have such a short range of feet, the leaves receive no real juice, and therefore fade and fall off. The result is a weak and top heavy Tulasi. To alleviate the situation- place one set of fixtures over Her (as close as possible as She will not be burnt unless actually touching for a period of time). Then bank two more fixtures, one on each side, giving you a total of 3 fixtures, totaling at least 6 tubes.

If done in this way, there will be a complete aura of light around Her. Foil can then be used to provide a hood, catching all the reflected light and focusing it on Her. Set the lights on some sort of pulley or adjustable chain affair, and in this way the lights can be raised as She grows. Please, no sun lamps.

Water-- Proper watering has to be adjusted according to weather, climate, size, soil and the particular nature of the individual Tulasi. (There is no mechanical arrangement as She is a person). She would rather be just a little bit dry than too wet, but don' t let Her soil become hard with a crust and have Her become limp. It is best to water in the morning—around 8 or 9 o' clock-- as She uses the water for photosynthesis all day long. Her leaves should also be picked at this time as will be especially explained later.

Get a small tea pot, kettle, or anything clean with a spout, and use to water Her as it is easier to control the flow and also easier to maneuver. City water is full of chemicals, but if drawn in a bucket and let sit overnight, the chemicals will evaporate out-- be sure the bucket is not a corrosive metal (no aluminum vessel should be used) as that would permeate the water. After the bucket has sat over night, aerate it, which is to say-pour it from one bucket to another allowing it to free fall through the bair for a distance. This process gets more of the chlorine out and also allows air into the water. Taste the water the evening before and in the morning after and you will be convinced.  If you can water her with filtered water this is best.

By using the teapot method you can avoid the danger of over watering, exposing Her roots by washing soil away, and knocking branches trying to water Her. As was said earlier, the watering of Srimati Tulasi-devi is not a mechanical process and will come with practice. Feel the soil by pushing your finger in Her pot. Is She dried out? Then pour slowly, seeing how must She will absorb in just a few seconds. Never leave a puddle of water still above the soil, this means that She is saturated and can not accept more. Balance it so She is just dry on top by the next morning, not still soggy or so dry that She has drooped. If the sun is out, and it is going to be a hot day, She will need more water, and the converse is, if it is a cloudy day She will not need much. Afternoon sun is very intense and taxing, so always check Her again around 2-3 p.m. Every afternoon we spray Her off as explained in the diseases section. At least once a week water Her until the water drains out the bottom.

Over-watering causes diseases in the soil, mold, faded and curled leaves, rots the soil, and causes root diseases. A sign or over watering is when She turns a pale green and apparently perfectly healthy leaves drop. She will go limp, if under watered.

She breathes through the soil and from under her leaves, so be cautious of Her roots-do not hurt her roots while transplanting.

Soil Combinations-- The best soil is homemade, that is to say not some combination purchased in a store but mixed from local ingredients. A symptom of good soil is dark color, another is rich smell. (I am the original fragrance of the earth). It should hold its shape somewhat if pressed into a clod in the fist.

Obtain some cow manure and allow it to set for 2 weeks, the reason being that it is very strong when fresh. The nitrogen content is so strong that it would burn the tender roots, so best to let it age. Spread it out and water thoroughly. Every few days turn it over so that the manure underneath the pile is exposed to the sun. Better to buy already composted cow manure than to chance a bad root burn-- unless one is experienced at composting, etc. (Krishna is like the sun, pure and antiseptic.)

Earth worms are for gardens; when put in pots they may damage roots. For your basic humus or plain old soil, find a garden that is producing profuse flowers and ask to borrow a quantity of soil. A little sand (never salty sand; salt kills plants, practically of any kind; wash the sand if beach sand/ thoroughly before using') should be added and also a small quantity of vermiculite, or perlite.

Potting-- Most of this is elaborately explained by Govinda dasi in the preceding pages, so the remains are just a few notes. By transplanting Her there is always the danger of exposing Her roots to the air. This causes them to dry and wilt. The answer is to always keep sufficient dirt around the roots. They will form what is known as a root ball. Also there is one root, called the tap root which descends straight down from the stalk and is the longest and most important. If this root is broken there is a good chance the Tulasi will depart, so always be sure to dig down far enough.( That will usually be the same distance as the height of the tree from the soil.) It is best to transplant in the afternoon, after 4 p.m. or on a cloudy day that is not very hot. Never transplant in heat of day.

As She grows, Her roots will fill the pot, and at that point She will have to be transplanted again. This will be a perpetual duty, and as She grows you will have the blissful opportunity to move Her. The new pots should be 2to 2 1\2 times the size of the root ball (cluster of roots). Take the chance to straighten Her if She is growing crooked, but be careful not to plant Her lower or higher than She was situated early as this will cause disease. Too high will mold Her stem, lower will cause Her to be unstable and to expose Her roots to rot and mold. No matter how careful you are, there's always some shock and transplant setback.

(Note: From experience I found that if you put Tulasi in too large a pot, Her roots will slot down their growth and root disease may set in. I've been told by several botanists that it is best to transplant gradually. New Orleans had this problem with Tulasi also.)

Feeding-- There is really no need for artificial feedings, in fact some foods (certain mixtures of 20-20-20) will actually build up toxin in Her soil and cause great damage. Stick with a little cow manure every 3 or 4 weeks, and once a month feeding of iron. This combined with the perpetual replanting in fresh soil are enough to keep Her in fine health. Try a powdered iron solution; ours is 1 tsp.--2 gallons water; 1/4 cup--1 every 2 weeks. Stay away from chemical fertilizers. They do build up toxins in the soil, and make it sterile of certain elements eventually. Use cow manure, and a good brand of organic compost is essential. The compost should be cultivated into the soil every few weeks, along with a little manure. Watch out for bone material in the compost though (some brands have ground-up animal bones).

Seeds-- Tulasi has at least two flowering periods. Because of the variance factors of climate, age, and other conditions it is impossible to predict the times, but I can relate the symptoms and results. Some will produce seedpods, shaped like a small temple and containing four little seeds and the other season produces smaller pods or fruits that also look like a temple but contain no seeds. As will be explained later, it is not advisable to let Her go to seed unless She is several years old, and in best of health. Even then, let only a few of the manjaris go to seed.

The process is to let the stalks stay on past the flower-seed pod stage .Watch as the pods drop the flowers and become firm and darker golden. When you look inside the pod and see that the four little seeds are a dark brown, then you know that it is time to pick the seeds. If you observe how She grows, you will see that at every intersection between a leaf and the main stem, there is a small bud developing. Follow the seed stalk down until the next pair of developing buds. The first set of leaves below the seed stalk and the buds sprouting from there are most always going to develop into another pair of manjaris, so rather than drain Her energy it is best to skip down one more joint to the next set of leaves and buds. Nip here, saying the mantra for picking leaves, chanting Hare Krishna, and using sharp surgical scissors. (See the drawing page e) Best to pick the flowers when they bloom, because letting them go to seed does very much weaken the plant.

Once the seeds are gathered, let them dry a short week or so. Be very careful when handling the seed pods, even when they are on the mother plantas they are arranged in such a way as to spring out of the pods when shaken.>From there on in, you can follow the instructions contained in the seedling pictures at the end of this booklet. So far as seeding seasons, I haven't observed any in our Tulasis in Hawaii. They flower constantly, perpetually--all the time, year round, but more intensely when there' s lots of sunshine.

Diseases-- Generally speaking, if She is receiving correct water and sufficient sunlight, in a pot of the correct size and type of dirt suitable,She will flourish. The only necessity is to be sure to protect Her from wandering insects and the most lethal-- red spider mites.

Always keep Her in an area that is screened and continually check the underside of Her leaves for insects. The primary concern in the U. S. is the ever-present spider mites, so that will be the main concern here.

These rascals live on the underside of Her leaves and lay their eggs in the dust next to the ribbing or veins of Her leaves. When the eggs hatch, the young suck Her juice. The beginning symptoms are pale and limp leaves with brown tips. The leaves become specked with small pale green dots and begin to curl in. As She becomes weaker and weaker, whole branches will just turn yellow, curl up and drop all their leaves. The stems become pinched and brown. If you observe very carefully you will see small spiders, no bigger than the head of a pin scurrying around on the underside of Her leaves and in the topmost clusters of branches and leaves. Hold Her at different angles in the light and you will see fine spider webs crisscrossing the various branches. Finally, you will see small white eggs on the underside of Her leaves and your whole Tulasi will be yellow and limp.

She can be saved' There is a very simple process which if you use at a regular basis will keep the spiders at a very minimal level and Srimati Tulasi will flourish and bloom. Never use any sort-of poison. Tulasi is meant for offering to Krishna, and how can She be offered if She is covered with some spray (systemic sprays horrible!!). She is also contaminated by the use of systemic sprays as they work their way through Her system and ultimately deposit their poison in Her leaves. Ladybugs are often offered as a solution-, but from my own experience on several attempts they haven't been much help. The real cure is the bathing. process. (Actually, the eggs of the spiders are stuck on by some sort of natural adhesive and will not be washed off. They hatch at their will so the regular bathing and periodic sprays with fresh water can keep the spiders and mites at bay. )

The needed paraphernalia is: one large plastic bucket with a mouth 2 ft. across, 1 bar of soap (spiritual sky herbal or non scented is the best—be careful what soap you use). I found that the best to use is a vegetable soap as the others are made with some animal products, and a hose with freshwater. It is best done in the morning or on a cloudy day, as it is a taxing endeavor and the sun is a strain. Water first, as this will help to keep the soil in the pot. The basic principles are: You dip the Tulasi in the soapy water, swish Her around carefully and then rinse off with fresh water. The soapy water coats the leaves and smothers the spiders, the clean rinse washes the soap off, along with the spiders and their webs. If done regularly twice a month, your Tulasis will survive nicely.

The water should be drawn the day before and handled just as written in the water section. This way it is also not too cold for Her. Rub the bar of soap in the water until it turns a shadowy white, not solid white like milk, but more of a translucent white. If the soap is too concentrated it can do some damage. Add a 1/4 cup of honey to 6 gallons water as that will also help coat the leaves. Cut pieces of cardboard to fit inside the various sizes ofpots ( see picture page) as the cardboard will keep the dirt from sliding out into the water or your whole Tulasi  from falling out. Work in an area where there can be water spilled in large quantities but that is also protected from the wind, dogs, and other alien factors.

Get an assistant to help you hold Her pot, and using the cardboard to hold Her soil, tip Her up and submerge Her in the solution. Don ' t be timid but also be gentle (there is a fine line of difference). It is either this or the slow death by the spiders. Swish Her around softly, cautiously agitating the water by raising and lowering her in the bucket, like a pump swirl against Her. The whole time spent no more than 5 seconds, I have timed it. Now that means once you actually have Her submerged, and have the knack of it.

One danger point is when She is removed from the water. Just like after you wash something-- it has greater weight due to the added water that has been absorbed, so there will be added water suspended on Her various leaves and branches . If you just pull Her right out, the added water will cause Her to droop over and be unable to support Herself. If you grab Her right out there is every possibility of breaking roots and also tearing branches. As you pull Her out, simultaneously grab hold of a strong part of Her stem towards the base, several inches above the ground. By holding on to the stem in this way, it gives added support to Her and also you can very gently shake off the excess water (Like the Boar incarnation, shaking off the water after saving the world from the filthy place. )

The next step is to hose Her off with fresh water, one reason is to wash the old soap off Her leaves and the other is to finish off those spiders who were shaken loose by the bath but not completely removed. By placing a finger over the nozzle you can make a jet-spray-- there must be force enough to knock the spiders off but not enough to tear or rip Her leaves. Be sure to get the underside of the leaves as that is where the spiders hide out. The main concern here is the possibility of flooding Her pot with the excess water, so turn Her pot on one edge, tilted to one side, and in that way you have a clean shot at the underside, and the excess water just travels right on by.  Also you could cover her root ball and the earth at the top of the pot with a sphere of plastic or something like plastic wrap. Now very carefully shake off the water, and unfold Her leaves. Remove any of the old yellow leaves that may be caught in Her branches. Have a sacred throw away to take care of the unoffered leaves. She may be a bit limp (be very careful when you do this, have an assistant and think it out thoroughly before acting), but you will see Her perk up by morning (You may have to prop up a branch or two for a day or so-- use a stick, being sure not to crush any buds or leaves.)

I haven't used any store bought insecticides in a very long time. If the plants are kept healthy, there won't be a need for such things. Also they are poisonous, and I know Srila Prabhupada didn't really like the idea. The only thing I used was sulfur (a couple of years ago) for the mites, and it is an organic control. We used Malathion once or twice but decided against it, and I haven 't used anything at all for perhaps 2 years. By using such things the leaves practically become unofferable, as they are poisoned. Sulfur washes off, true, but you have to have very hot sunshine in order to activate its working principle.

The spiders are spread by eggs which the mothers lay along the veins on the underside of Tulasi's leaves. These serve as breeding grounds and as the eggs are stuck on to Her leaves with a type of secretion, they are virtually impossible to remove with simple washing, so the successful process consists of bi-weekly baths with soap (every 14 days) and spraying Her off every day or every other day (every other day is probably sufficient). Our greenhouse is arranged in such a way that 70 Tulasi s can be rinsed at-a time, The water soaking into Her stems helps to generate healthy fibers for carrying fluid. Some ideas are: put Her on some shelves so that by kneeling down you can get right under Her leaves. Be sure that it is done in a reasonably warm place so She won't catch cold. During the summer months we spray Her with water twice a day, once in the morning around 10:00 and again the afternoon about 2:30. She loves it as manifested by Her green effulgence.

There is also the possibility that you are taking over after the spiders have gotten a strong grip and done much damage. Check the tops of Her branches by holding Her in different angles of light. Very fine meshing of webs can be seen. At this stage the spiders are like cancer and the only combating element is to somehow remove the sick limb. There are so many eggs that they will just serve to contaminate the rest of Her; also it is like fighting a battle-- if She is fighting off the spiders on too many fronts She will be ineffectual on all fronts. Better to remove the worst places and let Her concentrate on that which has potential to be saved. Once the leaves are yellow with browning tips and covered with the webs, there is no hope. Best to remove by following the tip down the stem to where She still remains healthy. Cut above a pair of healthy buds as seen in collecting seeds section. Contemplate the move first, cut off as little as possible and still do the job. Better to just cut Her once than do many many small cuts—and yet don't butcher Her. This may seem harsh, but having done the initial cutting (better to cut once than to let Her go the slow way with a blanket of spiders) the regular bathing and spraying keep Her in the peak of health. (Note: 'It is a great offense to cut Her lotus branches, replied Srila Prabhupada to Rädhä ballabha in a letter. Also, he spoke last fall just prior to His leaving about this subject: generally plants are pruned before winter but Tulasi-devi is not ordinary. Sachidevi.) The Tulasi s that I have tended in this way have made a comeback and are now serving their Lord nicely, so judge by the results.

So far as I understand, pruning is not to be done except in most exceptional circumstances. Cutting a leaf or a flower stalk is not considered pruning so far as my understanding, but is rather a necessary everyday thing for gathering to offer to the Deities. (Here we are cutting flower stalks daily, and if we cut steadily for 2 or 3 hours, still we can't get them all. It is our major problem with our Tulasi plants. I want to keep them from going to seed, but it is virtually impossible as it would require an 8 hour a day job practically-which is not practical.) So to pick off a mosaic leaf or infected leaf or a few infected leaves seems okay to me-- but to start cutting off branches, etc. . is where I would become most hesitant .

Pruning, so far as dictionary definitions, means to cut off branches or parts of a plant so generally it doesn't refer to cutting of flowers, etc.

I can relate one incident in this regard: last visit Srila Prabhupada made to New Nabadwip the Tulasi plants on either side of the temple gateway had grown overly large-- about 7 feet tall and 4 or 5 feet in diameter. So They had bushed out into the walkway, thus closing the entrance way except for about a foot and a half. We had tied them back repeatedly, but still They closed in again so that a person had to turn sideways and slither between them, and even then lightly brush them. This isn't so bad for devotees, but all guests aren't so considerate so They would get smashed against and so forth. So as Prabhupada walked between Them there being only enough space for Him to pass, I asked what can be done, the entrance being closed. He smiled and said, "You cannot cut them. Don't live, don't die. " He laughed. We did nothing, and then later got a letter from India and He said that in this case They could be trimmed back. So only then did we proceed to do it with reluctance. So you have perhaps understand the seriousness of pruning from this incident. I have heard such pruning is sometimes done on the mainland for some reasons, but you should explain it can only be done in extreme cases of necessity. If there is disease or heavy infestation of spider mites, then I suppose it The next step is to hose her off with fresh water, one reason is to wash the old soap off  Her leaves and the other is to finish off these spiders who could be concluded as necessary in order to save the plant, but should not "be done whimsically to "make the plant bushier

Her goal and reason for existence is to be offered to Krishna, so to spray Her with some poison defeats the whole purpose. Also, She is very tender and most sprays are extremely harsh; soap is mildest medium I hare found. One possibility that Is offered is a 3% oil spray, but I haven' t experimented with it and would like to avoid it. If there is trouble with larger bugs, try to purchase some lady bugs or praying mantises. Write: Bio-Control Company, Route 2, Auburn, California 95603, Box 2397, 50¢ for a small vialof 50 lady bugs which is more than enough. Write for information to the California address. (Remember this was written in 1970); I have used the lady bugs on spider mites with little results, but they may work on different types of bugs . Never use a systemic spray or soil soluble solution as it will almost kill Her and leave a lingering taste for up to 6 months.  Note: a good spray made for planets: OX bug spray . Wait 3 day safter spraying before offering to Krishna.

Flies are another botheration and must be avoided as they are very dirty. The best is to use screens and always be sure to shut doors.  A fan also helps to get rid of them if it has an outside sucking vent which will draw them out. (Good air circulation helps Her grow.)

If Her leaves become speckled with a brownish pattern it is called mosaic or tobacco worm . Sometimes it is caused by a fungus and the best method is to bathe Her and remove the contaminated leaves with sharp scissors. Another of the same type is" called a mosaic worm which tunnels in between Her two layers of skin in the leaf cells. They look just like they sound-- that is to say, the first sign is a white or tan line across the leaf which looks like someone dug a small tunnel . Just like a gopher, this little worm will weave all over Her leaf until it looks like a mosaic . They live on the inside of Her leaves, so the only spray that is effective would be a systemic spray which is added to Her water, drawn up through Her roots, and deposited in Her leaves. In other words Her leaves become poisonous and when the worm eats them, he dies. But what is the value if Her leaves are then unofferable? The easy and effective control is to simply nip the leaf containing the worm and be sure to remove it from the area. These worms do not spread at a rapid rate, so a few leaf removals and they are gone. (By Krishna's Grace. ) As a general law, always be sure to separate the healthy from the sick, and keep it that way until the danger has sufficiently passed away .

Small white mites, which look like tiny, white flies or mothers, come when the air is stuffy and moist. Too much incense in an enclosed area which is damp will bring them. They are of no real danger, and will leave as soon as there is fresh air. Leaving Her out at night, if steps are taken to protect Her, is first class, especially on moonlight nights. Always be sure She is protected by screens as summer brings out the bugs, and they are especially fond of tender young Tulasis.

Many abnormalities which appear to be symptoms of diseases are caused by changes in Her natural conditions, too much water, too much sunlight, not enough fresh air, too much cold; these can all cause discoloring and mutations . The sat e and sure course is to make friends with a local botanist; approach the city park.