Tulsi Seva

Brief story of Tulasi Devi

Shrimati Tulasi Devi is one of the most exalted devotees of Sri Krishna. All scriptures stress on the importance of getting the mercy of Tulasi Devi if one has to make progress in the path of devotion. In the Skanda Purana it is said: ‘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."

Vrinda Devi

Above this material world is the eternal spiritual world comprised of millions of Vaikuntha planets. The topmost planet in Vaikuntha is Golok which is presided by Sri Krishna in His original form. Here resides Vrinda Devi, an intimate associate of, and an expansion of Shrimati Radharani. Her partial expansion is Tulasi Devi in the Vaikuntha planets and they are all considered non-different from her.
As the embodiment of the lila-shakti (pastime potency), Vrinda Devi is the organizer of all the transcendental pastimes between Sri Krishna and Shrimati Radharani. In Golok every thing is animate (chit) and only for the pleasure of Sri Krishna. Vrinda Devi makes this happen. She is assisted by many confidential associates (which include two parrots) and with their help she makes sure that every thing is pleasing to Sri Krishna. She controls how the wind blows, when and where it rains, how the trees bend, and so many other things for the pleasure of the Divine Couple.

Tulasi Seva at ISKCON Toronto

Tulasi-room: ISKCON Toronto temple in the year 2005 started a special Tulasi room at the gallery to the temple room. This room complete with water supply, lots of sunlight from the sunrof at the top is a great sight for Krishna from his altar and the devotees. With Krishna’s mercy all the Tulasi plants are always full of leaves and fresh, resplendent with the aura of devotion. We recommend anyone visiting the temple to visit the Tulasi room. The temple from time to time distributes small Tulasi plants in plastic pots to devotees who can take care of them and spread Krishna consciousness with their devotion.

On Sunday evenings we perform the Tulasi Arati at the temple room. During the Arati devotees offer water to Tulasi devi and line up for the same. They also perform parikrama and the Arati is accompanied by kirtana.

Manifest Vrindavana

Five thousand years ago when Sri Krishna descended on Earth to do His pastimes, Vrinda Devi created the proper environment for His pastimes in Vrindavan. Millions of years before the descent of Sri Krishna, Vrinda Devi had appeared as the daughter of the pious Emperor Kedera. Then she performed penances for sixty thousand years. Pleased by her penances, Lord Vishnu gave the benediction that any austerities performed in Vrindavan would be very potent. Thus Vrinda Devi sanctified the place and it got the name Vrindavan. Later Vrinda Devi once again descended here as Tulasi Devi, the daughter of King Kushadvaja to perform penances and attain perfection here.

Vrindavan is completely under the control of Vrinda Devi. Without her mercy it is not possible to even approach the confidential pastimes of Radha-Krishna, even as audience. Even being allowed into Vrindavan dham indicates that one has received some mercy from Vrinda Devi.

In Krishna lila she appeared as a young gopi friend of Srimati Radharani. Under the instructions of Purnamasi (Yogamaya), she would arrange secret meeting between Krishna and Radha. She would also make all the material arrangements, like saffron, fruits, flowers, music etc. for Radha Krishna. Thus she carried on her eternal service in Golok Vrindavan in the earthly Vrindavan.

Once Shrimati Radharani was so pleased by the service of Vrinda devi that with the help of the other gopis she arranged a magnificent throne and had Krishna and Vrinda Devi sit on it. Lalita sakhi acting as the priest recited the mantras and performed the marriage ceremony of Krishna and Vrinda devi. Thus by the mercy of Srimati Radharani, Vrinda devi got Krishna.

Thus devotees never offer anything to Krishna without a Tulasi leaf. He always adorns Himself with a Tulasi garland. The goddess of fortune, Lakshmi, 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 Lakshmi, although stationed by the chest of the Lord, sometimes has to please other devotees who pray for her favor. Lakshmi sometimes has to go to satisfy her numerous devotees, but Tulasi leaves never forsake their position, and the Lord therefore appreciates the service of the Tulasi more than the service of Lakshmi.

Tulasi as the source of bhakti

The scriptures are full of pastimes that reveal the potency of Tulasi in developing devotion for the Lord.

The Srimad Bhagvatam talks about this pastime with the four Kumaras, the sons of Lord Brahma who were very much attached to the impersonal aspect of Godhead.

‘When the breeze carrying the aroma of tulasi 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 Kumaras], they experienced a change in both body and mind, even though they were attached to the impersonal Brahman understanding.'

Thus by simply smelling the fragrance of the Tulasi leaves the four Kumaras became pure devotees of the Lord.

In Chaitanya lila Srila Advaita Acarya was very much disturbed to see the growth of irreligiosity. Therefore He decided to call for the Personality of Godhead Krishna to descend by worshiping the Lord with tulasi leaves and the water of the Ganges. When Sri Krishna was pleased by this devotion He descended as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

‘Sri Krishna, who is very affectionate toward His devotees, sells Himself to a devotee who offers merely a tulasi leaf and a palmful of water.’

In the Skanda Purana there is a statement praising the Tulasi tree as follows: ‘Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the Tulasi tree, which can immediately vanquish volumes of sinful activities. Simply by seeing or touching this tree one can become relieved from all distresses and diseases. Simply by offering obeisances to and pouring water on the tulasi tree, one can become freed from the fear of being sent to the court of Yamaraja [the King of death, who punishes the sinful]. If someone sows a tulasi tree somewhere, certainly he becomes devoted to Lord Krishna. And when the tulasi leaves are offered in devotion at the lotus feet of Krishna, there is the full development of love of Godhead’

"Anyone who has received initiation in the Vaishnava mantras is obliged to engage in regular worship of the Deity, including offering all he eats to the Lord. When devotees make such food offerings, they should remember to place tulasi leaves or flowers on them because Lord Vishnu does not accept any food without tulasi. Tulasi is most beloved of Lord Krishna and thus her leaves and flowers are also most dear to Him. Her leaves and flowers are therefore prescribed as an essential part of the worship of the Lord.