Sunil Kumar D.
Tulsi is a sacred plant in Hinduism and is worshipped as a goddess, every part of the Tulsi plant is revered and considered sacred, including the leaves, stem, flower, root, seeds, and oil. Hindus regard it as an earthly manifestation of the goddess Tulsi/Vrinda who is regarded as a great worshipper of the god Vishnu.
It is viewed as a threshold point between heaven and earth. It is believed that the god Brahma resides in its branches, all Hindu pilgrimage centers reside in its roots, the Ganges flows through its roots, all deities reside in its stem and its leaves, and the Hindu scriptures – the Vedas in live the upper part of its branches. She is regarded as a household Goddess particularly referred to as a “Women’s deity”. She removes negativity and eliminates Vastu Dosh from the house.
About Tulsi Puja Vidhi
Tulsi Puja brings prosperity and happiness to the family and helps to attain salvation and reduce sins. It reduces the Dev Dosh. Therefore, freshwater should be offered to Tulsi, then offer Haldi and Kumkum and a lamp should be lighted every morning and evening while chanting Tulsi Pranam Mantra. It is believed that Tulsi was born on Kartik month’s Amavasya.
Therefore, worshipping Tulsi in Kartik month is considered very important. The chanting of the mantra brings positivity when we connect to the energy of the deity through associated mantras.
Sri Tulasi Pranam
Vrindayai tulasi-devyai priyayai keshavasya cha krishna-bhakti-prade Devi satyavatyai namo namaha
I offer my salutations to Vrinda, the goddess Tulsi, who is dear to Lord Keshava (Krishna). O Devi, you offer devotion to Lord Krishna and are known as Satyavati. I bow to you again and again.”
About Tulsi Vivah – The Legend
A demon called Jalandhar had a chaste wife named Brindha. Due to her piousness, the demon King secured immortal powers and became invincible with a condition that unless the chastity of Brindha was challenged, the demon could not be conquered. Upon the request of the Gods who were troubled immensely by Jalandhar, Lord Vishnu disguised himself in the form of Jalandhar and sullied her chastity.
Thereupon, Lord Shiva killed Jalandhar in the battle. Brindha cursed Lord Vishnu that he would turn black and would be separated from his wife. Brindha burnt herself in atoning for her sin. Lord Vishnu apologized for his wrongdoings and brought justice to Brindha by marrying her in his next incarnation As a result, the Lord changed her soul into a Holy Basil/Tulsi plant. As per her prayers, she was married to Lord Vishnu in this form and attained immortality. Without offering Tulsi leaves, Lord Krishna does not accept his Bhog.
About Tulsi Vivah Ceremony
Tulsi Vivah will be celebrated on Friday, November 24, 2023, on the 12th day of the Shukla Paksha of the Kartik month, as per the Hindu calendar. Although this ceremony may be held at any time from the Ekadashi of Prabodhini to Kartik Poornima.
Sometimes the festival is held for five days, ending on the full moon day of the month of Kartik. Tulsi Vivah signifies the beginning of the Hindu wedding season and the end of the monsoon season. Tulsi Vivah’s day is different from one region to another.
On the day of Prabodhini Ekadashi, the devotees wake up early in the morning, take holy bath, and clean their homes. The Tulsi plant is placed in the center of the house, given a holy bath and decorated with turmeric, vermilion, sacred thread, ornaments and flowers. Get the Tulsi plant ready in the form of a bride.
You can wrap a red cloth around and embellish her with ornaments like bangles and Bindi. The idol of Krishna/Shaligram is decorated with male attire and placed adjacent to the Tulsi plant. Usually, on the day of Tulsi Vivah, the devotees observe a daylong fast, and the Vivah takes place in the evening.
The women of the household with the attendees perform the marriage. After invoking the presence of Tulsi and Krishna, the mantras are chanted and a cotton thread is tied around the statue and planted as a mark of wedding lock. Offer flowers and fruits to the holy Tulsi plant and Lord Vishnu. You may also sing devotional songs and read the Tulsi Vivah Vrat Katha. After the ceremony, Panchamrit, Prasad, or Bhog is distributed to all the family members and other devotees.
What are the benefits of Tulsi Vivah Puja?
The day of Tulsi Vivah is very auspicious and divine. Performing puja on this day confers you with many benefits.
- It helps one to overcome any obstacles and misfortunes happening within their family.
If you are facing a delay in marriage, performing Tulsi Vivah Puja can remove all your marriage difficulties. Unmarried girls and boys to get a good life partner. - Childless couples who perform Tulsi’s Kanyadaan, are blessed with children.
- It brings good luck, good health happiness, prosperity, and wealth.
Why is Tulsi offered to gods with Prasad?
Krishna who has shown the entire universe within his mouth to Devaki revealed that Tulsi leaves are more scared than Krishna himself. To praise the significance and sacredness of Tulsi it was added to any Prasadam offered to Krishna, as he resides in it!
Which mantra for Tulsi helps provide maximum benefit to its devotee? Mahaprasad janani sarva saubhagya vardhini, aadhi vyadhi hara nityam tulsi twam namostutte, should be recited.
O Mother, accept you in the form of Shri Hari Mahaprasad. O mother who blesses you with good fortune, we salute you again and again.
Offering water to Tulsi also has special significance. Before Tulsi, offer water to the Sun, and the water which is left in the pot, pour into the Tulsi plant. On offering more water, the roots of Tulsi start rotting and the Tulsi plant starts drying up, which is not auspicious at all from the architectural and religious point of view. It also leads to loss of money. Therefore, offer water only a little in Tulsi and while offering water, you should also chant this mantra.
How should tulsi be placed in a house?
The Tulsi plant should be placed in the North or North-East direction of your house.
What is the spiritual significance of tulsi vivah?
The Vivah of Tulsi with Lord Vishnu means that god likes purity as a quality. The meaning of the word marriage is the merging and oneness of the embodied soul and god.
Worshipping Tulsi daily with full devotion can help you overcome challenges and obstacles with ease in life.
Also Read: Significance of Kartika Maas