Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

It is from Tulasi Purana, I wrote it.

Dear Radhav, There are countless references but the Skanda Purana has a great deal of information on Vrnda Devi (Tulasi Maharani)

I am not sure of the origins of "The Sri Tulasi Pranama"

"Every home with a Tulasi plant is a place of pilgrimage, and no diseases, messengers of Yama, the God of Death, can enter it."
Skanda Purana 2, 4, 8, 13 Padmapurana Uttarakhanda

Every devotee of Radha Krishna regardless of what camp you belong to should have a Tulasi plant, in this way you will have the constant association of one of the supreme associates of Radha and Krishna.

Vrinda devi organises the pastimes between Radha & Krishna. She is assisted by many confidential associates including two parrots, often seen in pictures painted by Krishna bhaktas and with their help she makes sure that every thing is pleasing to the Divine Couple.

Vrindavana is named after Vrnda devi and is completely under Vrinda devis control. Without Vrnda Devis blessings it is not possible to even approach the confidential pastimes of Radha-Krishna, even as an audience. Even being allowed into Vrindavana dhama indicates that one has received some mercy from Vrinda devi.

Once Tulasi devi descended as the daughter of King Dharmadhvaja. She was married to Sankhacuda. Sankhacuda drew strength from her purity and chastity. So firm was her chastity that even Lord Shiva could not defeat Sankhacuda in battle and all the demigods went to Lord Vishnu for help.

Lord Vishnu went to Tulasi devi assuming the form of her husband, Sankhacuda. When Tulasi devi greeted Him, thinking Him to be her husband, her chastity was momentarily broken. Taking advantage of this the demigods killed Sankhacuda.

When Tulasi devi understood what happened, Lord Vishnu revealed His original form. An enraged Tulasi devi cursed Lord Vishnu for His stone hearted behavior to become a stone. Honoring His pure devotee, Lord Vishnu accepted this curse and promised to appear as the Saligrama shila in the Gandika river (now in Nepal). He also gave Tulsai devi the benediction that she will eternally reside with Him as His consort in Vaikuntha. He said that for the benefit of every one she will assume the form of a plant which will be most auspicious for anyone performing devotional service.

Thus devotees never offer anything to Krishna without a Tulasi leaf. He always adorns Himself with a Tulasi garland. The goddess of fortune, Laksmi, 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 Laksmi, although stationed by the chest of the Lord, sometimes has to please other devotees who pray for her favor. Laksmi 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 Laksmi.

Shortly after joining Iskcon I was given the great honour of looking after the temples Sri Tulasi Devis greenhouse, to this day I am benefited and convinced that by this service it has allowed me to visit Vrndavana several times.

I feel a sense of great joy and honour just being able to have a small appreciation for Vrnda Devi and to be able to type this into Pariprashnena, and I repeat my request to all Krishna Bhaktas, please, please, please! if you do not have a Tulasi plant please obtain one and use the website below to take care of her and she will never forsake you.

One of the most beautiful websites on the planet is dedicated to Vrinda Devi and Vrinda Kunda and is a great example of how inspiring and useful a website can be! This website may contain the exact information you are after Radhav.

http://www.vrindavan-dham.com/vrinda/index.php

Thanx for the site promo. Done by my friend with my help (some articles).

Yes and all us would know nothing about this if it wasnt for his Divine Grace Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. How much debt this world (especially us from the west) has to this great soul we can never know.