Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

...contact these devotees,they may be on to something.

Vidya dasi: Is each Tulasi plant a separate jiva soul or an expansion of one pure devotee?

Srila Prabhupada: Tulasi is one devotee who appears wherever there is devotion to Krishna.

- September 27, 1976 letter

Hare Krishna, PAMHO...

How about reading the Story of Tulasis Appearance: http://www.vrindavan-dham.com/vrinda/tulasi-story.php

Very interesting, and it should nswer your question

nice pick there is Rudrani devi dasi she who took care of Tulsi Budds in Vancouver, Canada for looong time. i have budds from there..
rest in peace, Hare Krsna !

Vidya dasi also included a series of eighteen specific questions, some of which, I gathered from Prabhupada'92s reaction, he considered a bit trivial, but he answered them nevertheless. As he sat in the sunshine on a straw mat in the back garden receiving his massage, surrounded by Tulasi plants growing around the perimeter of the lawn, he listened carefully as Jagadisa asked the questions and replied them one by one.

Q1) Is each Tulasi a separate jiva soul or an expansion of one pure devotee?
A: Tulasi is one devotee who appears wherever there is devotion to Krsna.

Q2) Where does her spirit soul go when she leaves this body?
A: Tulasi'92s body is spiritual.

Q3) May we place jewelry on her soil or just moon stones?
A: Yes, jewelry is all right.

Q4) When Tulasi is being cared for by householders in their homes, must two arotikas still be offered?
A: If possible.

Q5) When Tulasi is being cared for by householders in their homes, may they use her leaves and manjaris on their offerings, or should they take them to the temple?
A: Tulasi leaves should be offered to the Deity.

Q6) When Tulasi is being offered arotika by the householders, must she have a ghee lamp?
A: If possible.

Q7) Is it offensive to turn the baby Tulasis back into the soil when they appear?
A: Yes.

Q8) There are even questions concerning Tulasi'92s arotikas. We have always offered her incense, ghee lamp, and Flower. Is this correct?
A: Yes.

Q9) In the manual, it states that Tulasi should not be pruned. Does this also mean trimming the branches which no longer have leaves or life Fluids Flowing through them?
A: You may cut the dead branches, but what is the necessity?

Q10) We were told that once you spoke the '93four regulative principles of Tulasi care'94 which will keep her from getting sick: a) keep her moist; b) keep her clean; c) give her morning sunlight (at least); d) give her two arotikas a day. Is this bona fide?
A: I never said that.

Q11) May Tulasi be made into a tea after she has been offered?
A: No.

Q12) May devotees carve Tulasi wood for Deities'92 paraphernalia?
A: Yes.

Q13) When Tulasi leaves her body and the body is too soft for carving beads, how should she be used? Should a small fire sacrifice be performed?
A: Use the wood for beads as far as possible; the balance may be placed within the earth.

Q14) We have a letter from you requesting that no sprays be used on Tulasi devi. May we use a spray of buttermilk and whole-wheat Flour dissolved in water, which coats her leaves to keep spider mites from causing Tulasi to leave her body?
A: I said no chemical sprays.

Q15) Does Tulasi sleep? Should she be left undisturbed after nightfall?
A: Undisturbed means what?

Q16) Is it permissible to use scissors to cut her manjaris and when transplanting, to use knives to loosen her from her pot?
A: Use common sense and if you have none, then consult with others.

Q17) Is it an offense to step on or across her shadow (or the shadow of any pure devotee)?
A: You can step over the shadow, but not on it.

Q18) For 2 years we have been waiting permission to use the following 2 prayers plus translations and translations of the already existing prayer. Please tell us if these are bona fide:

Om govinda-vallabham devim bhakti caitanya karinim
snapayami jagad-dhatrim hari-bhakti-pradayinim
'93Now I am bathing the mother of the Universe, the bestower of Krsna bhakti, the enlivener of the living force of the devotees and the dear one of Govinda.'94

cayanod bhava-dukhan ca yad hrdi tava vartate
tat ksamasva jagan-matah vrnda devi namo'92stu '91te
'93O mother of the universe, please forgive whatever misery exists in your heart caused by the cutting of your leaves. O Vrnda devi, let me offer my obeisances to you.'94

Om tulasy amrta-jamasi sada tvam kesava-priya
kesavartham cinomi tvam barada bhava sobhane
'93O Tulasi, you are born from nectar and are always dear to Lord Kesava. Now, for the service of Lord Kesava I am cutting your leaves, O one who is shining brightly.'94

A: Don'92t try to introduce something new. The most important thing is the love and devotion.