In Sanskrit, tulanaa naasti athaiva tulasi -
that which is incomparable (in its qualities) is the tulasi.
For Indians it is one of the most sacred plants. In fact
it is known to be the only thing used in worship, which, once used, can be
washed and reused in pooja - as it is regarded so selfpurifying.
As one story goes, Tulasi was the devoted wife of
Shankhachuda, a celestial being. She believed that Lord Krishna tricked her
into sinning. So she cursed Him to become a stone (shaaligraama).
Seeing her devotion and adhered to righteousness, the Lord blessed her saying
that she would become the worshipped plant, tulasi that would adorn His head.
Also that all offerings would be incomplete without the tulasi
leaf - hence the worship of tulasi.
She also symbolises Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord
Vishnu. Those who wish to be righteous and have a happy family life worship the
tulasi.
Tulasi is married to the Lord with all pomp
and show as in any wedding.
This is because according to another legend, the Lord
blessed her to be His consort. Satyabhama once weighed Lord Krishna against all
her legendary wealth. The scales did not balance till a single tulasi leaf
was placed along with the wealth on the scale by Rukmini with devotion.
Thus the tulasi played the vital role of
demonstrating to the world that even a small object offered with devotion means
more to the Lord than all the wealth in the world.
The tulasi leaf has great medicinal value and is
used to cure various ailments, including the common cold.
Yanmule sarvatirhaani
Yannagre sarvadevataa
Yanmadhye sarvavedaascha
Tulasi taam namaamyaham
I bow down to the tulasi, At whose base are all the holy
places, At whose top reside all the deities and In whose middle are all the
Vedas.
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