tulasi devi instructions

ThefollowinglistwascompiledfromscripturesandfromSrilaPrabhupadasinstructions.

Tulasisbodyisspiritual.AlthoughTulasiappearsasmanyindividualtrees,sheisoneperson,andshecomeswhereversheseesdevotiontoKrsna.

EverymorningdevoteesshouldwaterandpraytoTulasideviandcircumambulateherthreetimes.

WorshipTulasiwithnicefood,flowers,incense,agheelamp,andothertraditionalarticlesofworship.

ProtectthedelicateTulasiseedlingsfrombirdsandinsects.Itisanoffensetoturntheseedlingsbackintothesoil.

InplaceswhereTulasicannotsurvivethewinterswhenplantedintheground,provideasuitablehouseforher.

EverydayprovideTulasifreshair,water(asneededbecarefulnottowatertoomuch),andsunshine(orplantlights).

NeglectingtocarefororwaterTulasiproperlyisagreatoffense.Doeverythingcarefully.

WhenpickingTulasileaves,chantthefollowingmantra:

tulasyamrtajanmasisadatvamkesavapriyakesavarthamcinomitvamvaradabhavasobhane

OTulasi,youwerebornfromnectar.YouarealwaysverydeartoLordKesava.Now,inordertoworshipLordKesava,Iamcollectingyourleavesandmanjaris.Pleasebestowyourbenedictiononme.

Pickonlytheleavesthatgrownexttothemanjaris(flowers)andtheleavesthatarereadytodrop(theywillturnapalecolor)notthenew,greenones.Pickthemanjarisassoonastheyblossom.Avoidlettingthemgotoseed,whichtakesmuchenergyfromtheplantthatcanbeusedtomakemoreleavesandflowersforKrsnasservice.Picktheleavesoneatatimewithyourfingertips.Dontshakeorstrokethebranchanddamagehealthyleaves.Pickwithcareandattention.Avoidusingcuttingtools.

NevercutorpruneTulasidevi.Thisisagreatoffense.Removedeadbranchesifabsolutelynecessary.Ifbranchesobstructapassageway,tiethemback,butdontcutthem.

PickTulasileavesandflowersinthemorning,neveratnight(fromsunsettosunrise).

NeverusechemicalspraysonTulasi.

CollectleavesonceinthemorningforworshipingKrsnaandforputtingontheplatesoffoodtobeofferedtoHim.Putatleastoneleafoneachpreparation.NeverpickTulasileavesforanyotherpurposethantooffertotheLord.

LordKrsnalikesgarlandsofTulasileaves.TulasileavesmixedwithsandalwoodpulpandplacedonthelotusfeetoftheLordisthetopmostworship.DonotplaceTulasileavesonthefeetofanyoneotherthanLordVisnuinHisvariousforms.SrimatiRadharanicanbegivenaTulasileafinHerhandforofferingtoLordKrsna.

KrsnaacceptsevendryTulasileaves.Tulasiwood(takenafteraplanthasfullydriednaturally)canbeusedtocarveworshipparaphernalia,suchasbeads.PlaceleftoverTulasiwoodwithintheearth.

NeveruseTulasileavesorflowerstomaketeasorjuices,evenaftertheyvebeenofferedtoKrsna.ItisagreatoffensetocookorheatTulasi,ortouseherformundanepurposes,suchasmedicinesandointments.

NevercutdownorpulluplivingTulasiplants.Thisisagreatoffense.

AvoidsteppingonTulasidevisshadow.

Tulasideviisvery,verydeartotheLord.Therefore,mostimportantistoserveherwithloveanddevotion.