E-Book

TULASI

By

Tamarapu Sampath Kumaran

About the Author:

Mr T Sampath Kumaran is a freelance writer. He regularly contributes articles on

Management, Business, Ancient Temples, and Temple Architecture to many
leading Dailies and Magazines. His articles are, popular in “The Young World
section” of THE HINDU

His e-books and articles on nature, and different cultures of people around the
world are educative and of special interest to the young.

He was associated in the production of two Documentary films on Nava Tirupathi

Temples, and Tirukkurungudi Temple in Tamilnadu.

Acknowledgement to:

Google for the photographs and Scribd.com for hosting my e-books.

- Tamarapu Sampath Kumaran

Tulasi

The Botanical name of Tulasi is Ocimum tenuiflorum (commonly known as Holy

basil in English, and Tulasi or Tulsi in Sanskrit) is a well-known natural aromatic
plant in the family of Lamiaceae. Apart from its culinary uses, for which it is
known across the world, it is also used as a medicinal plant. Native to India, it is a
short lived perennial herbal, grown at most Hindu homes. The foliage is green or
purple, strongly scented. Leaves have petioles, and are ovate, up to 5cm long,
usually somewhat toothed. Flowers are white, tinged purple, borne in racemes.

Tulasi is the Queen of Herbs. Tulasi is a sacred plant in Hindu belief and Hindus
regard it as an earthly manifestation of the goddess Tulasi, a consort of the
god Vishnu. The offering of its leaves is mandatory in ritualistic worship of Vishnu
and his forms.

In Sanskrit that which is incomparable is called Tulasi. In Hindu mythology, Tulasi

("matchless") is known as Vaishnavi ("belonging to Vishnu"), Vishnu
Vallabha ("beloved of Vishnu"), Haripriya ("beloved of Vishnu"), Vishnu Tulsi.
The Tulasi with green leaves is called Shri Tulsi ("fortunate Tulsi"); also Shri is a
synonym for Lakshmi, the principal consort of Vishnu. This variety is also known
as Rama-Tulsi ("bright Tulsi"); Rama is also one of the principal avataras of
Vishnu. The Tulasi with dark green or purple leaves and purple stem is
called Shyama-Tulsi ("dark Tulsi") or Krishna-Tulsi ("dark Tulsi"); Krishna is also
a prominent avatar of Vishnu. This variety is considered especially sacred to
Krishna, as its purple colour is similar to Krishna's dark complexion.

Most sacred herb of India, Tulasi has been revered in India for over five thousand
years as a healing balm for body, mind and spirit, and is known to bestow an
amazing number of health benefits.

Hindus worship the Tulasi plant as the Goddess Lakshmi, who is the consort of
Lord Vishnu the Creator. During prayers or pooja as it is referred to in the Hindu
language, they offer Tulasi leaves to the feet of Vishnu, as it signifies the offering
of love. The deity Lakshmi is the wife of Vishnu and so the offering of Tulasi
leaves is the offering of love. There is also folklore of the Tulasi plant; that the
plant was actually a princess in her previous birth that was madly and truly in love
with Lord Krishna who already had a consort or wife. The consort cursed the
princess and as a result of the spell the princess turned into a plant. The
significance of Tulasi is also represented in one story, in which Lord Krishna was
weighed in gold and even the entire jewelry of his consort could not outweigh
Him, until a Tulasi was placed on the other scale.
In the Padma Purana there are thirty chapters describing Tulasi's appearance. Her
glorious attributes are recounted throughout the Vedic literature.

"Just by looking at Tulasi, all of one's sins are removed. Just by touching her, one's
body becomes purified. All diseases are removed by praying to her. Fear of death is
destroyed by watering her. Just by planting or transplanting her, one achieves
realization of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If someone offers her leaves at
the lotus feet of Sri Krishna, Tulasi will award liberation and devotion to Lord Sri
Krishna."

Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.15.19 explains the special position of the

Tulasi plant: “Although there are numerous flowering plants full of transcendental
fragrance in the spiritual realm, they are aware that Tulasi is given special
preference by the Lord, who garlands Himself with Tulasi leaves.”

The wood of dead Tulasi plants is used to carve sacred

beads devotees wear around their necks and use for chanting the “Hare Krishna”
mantra.

 In the Asta-Nama-Stava from the Padma Purana - the Eight Names of Tulasi
(Vrinda-devi) are” Vrindavani, vrinda, visvapujita, pushpasara, nandini,
Krishna-jivani, visva-pavani, tulasi”, which explains as under:

Vrindavani - One who first manifested in Vrindavan.

 Vrinda - The goddess of all plant and trees (even if one Tulasi plant is
present in a forest it can be called Vrindavana.)
Vishnupujita - One whom the whole universe worships.
Pushpasara -The topmost of all flowers, without whom Krishna does not
like to look upon other flowers.
Nandini - Seeing whom gives unlimited bliss to the devotees.
Krishna Jivani - The life of Sri Krishna.
Vishnu pavani - One who purifies the three worlds.
Tulasi - One who has no comparison.

It is believed that anyone while worshiping Tulasi-devi chants these eight

names will get the same results as one who performs the Ashvamedha sacrifice.
And one who on the full-moon day of Kartika (Tulasi-devi's appearance day)
worships Her with this Mantra will break free from the bonds of this miserable
world of birth and death, and very quickly attains “Goloka Vrndavan”.
On the full moon-day of Kartik Lord Sri Krishna Himself worships Srimati
Tulasi-devi with this Mantra.

It is strongly believed that Lord Krishna is partial with devotees who offer him the
leaf of Tulasi and a handful of water.

Tulasi Gayatri Mantra is regarded very sacred among Hindus

Om Tulasi devyai cha Vidhmahe, Vishnu priyayai cha Dheemahe

Thanno Brindah Prachodayath
Meaning
Om, Let me meditate on the Goddess of Ocimum,
Oh, Goddess who is dear to Vishnu, give me higher intellect,
And let Brindha illuminate my mind.(Brindha is another name for Thulasi
plant)

Sri Tulasi Pradaksina Mantra

'yani kani ca papani brahma-hatyadikani ca

tani tani pranasyanti pradaksinah pade pade'

By the circumambulation of Srimati Tulasi-devi all the sins that one may
have committed are destroyed at every step
 Uthana Dwadasi (Tulasi festival): This festival falls on Karthika Shudha
Dwadasi, in the month of Aipisi (October- November).

The presence of tulasi plant symbolizes the religious bent of a Hindu

family. A Hindu household is considered incomplete if it doesn't have a tulsi plant
in the courtyard. Many families have the tulsi planted in a specially built structure,
which has images of deities installed on all four sides, and an alcove for a small
earthen oil lamp.

In the Christians traditions, it is said that Tulasi grew around the place of
Crucifixion. Tulasi is also has a mention in the Shiite writings.

Constantine was the first Roman Emperor to

convert to Christianity. Legend says that he had a dream of a burning cross with a
message that he should ‘in this sign conquer’. So he did, earning control over
Western Europe.

They say it was Constantine’s influence on his mother that made her too, embrace
Christianity. She mingled freely with worshippers did many acts of charity and
released prisoners too.

Although she was pretty advanced in age, Helena set out on a pilgrimage to
Palestine, visiting Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Sinai. She built many churches and
continued her charity work.
She was very keen to find the ‘True Cross’….the cross on which Jesus had been
crucified.

She had been searching for many days, when on a barren hill outside Jerusalem she
noticed a sweet-smelling plant. That plant happened to be Basil. She gave orders
that the area under the plant be excavated and found the True Cross.

So to this day, especially in the Greek Orthodox Church, Sweet basil is used in the
preparation of Holy water.

Besides praying to the plant, a number of people advice to include the leaves and
roots of the plant in various medical decoctions.

In the ancient medical scripts, such as Padaartha Guna

Chinthamani, Agasthiyar Kural. Dhanvantri, Sushrutha Samhita, Charaka Samhita,
Ashtangahridya, etc., the medicinal values and qualities are mentioned.
Here are the top 10 benefits of tulasi.

Cures fever: Tulasi has very potent germicidal, fungicidal, anti-bacterial and anti-
biotic properties that are great for resolving fevers. It has the potential to cure any
fever right from those caused due to common infections to those caused due to
malaria as well. In ayurveda, it is strongly advised that a person suffering from
fever should have a decoction made of tulsi leaves

Controls diabetes: leaves of holy basil are packed with antioxidants and essential
oils that produce eugenol, methyl eugenol and caryophyllene. Collectively these
substances help the pancreatic beta cells (cells that store and release insulin)
function properly. This in turn helps increase sensitivity to insulin. Lowering one’s
blood sugar and treating diabetes effectively.

Protects the heart: Tulsi has a powerful anti-oxidant component called Eugenol.
This compound helps protect the heart by keeping one’s blood pressure under
control and lowering his/her cholesterol levels. Chewing a few leaves of tulsi on an
empty stomach everyday can both prevent and protect any heart ailments.
Controls stress: According to a study conducted by the Central Drug Research
Institute, Lucknow, India, tulsi helps to maintain the normal levels of the stress
hormone – cortisol in the body. The leaf also has powerful adaptogen properties
(also known as anti-stress agents). It helps sooth the nerves, regulates blood
circulation and beats free radicals that are produced during an episode of stress.

Dissolves kidney stones: The holy basil being a great diuretic and detoxifier is
great for the kidneys. Tulsi helps reduce the uric acid levels in the blood (one of the
main reasons for kidney stones is the presence of excess uric acid in the blood),

Anticancer medicine: With strong anti-oxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties

tulsi has been found to help stop the progression of breast cancer and oral cancer
(caused due to chewing tobacco). This is because its compounds restrict the flow of
blood to the tumour by attacking the blood vessels supplying it.

Helps to quit smoking: Tulsi is known to have very strong anti- stress compounds
and is great to help one quit smoking.

Supports the skin and hair healthy and glowing: The holy basil has powerful
purifying properties. When eaten raw, it purifies the blood giving the skin a
beautiful glow, and prevents the appearance of acne and blemishes.

Heals respiratory conditions: Tulsi has immunomodulatory (helps to modulate the

immune system), antitussive (suppresses the cough center, reducing the amount of
cough) and expectorant properties (helps expel phlegm from the chest), that make
it a great relief for coughs, cold, and other respiratory disorders including chronic
and acute bronchitis.

Cures headache: Tulsi helps to relieve headaches caused due to sinusitis, allergies,
cold or even migraines.

Apart from all these benefits, it has been recently discovered that tulsi has
environmental benefits too. Tulsi apparently gives out oxygen for 20 hours and
ozone for 4 hours along with the formation of nascent oxygen which absorbs
harmful gases like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide from the
environment.