MORE THAN A HERB, “GODDESS TULSI”
….being a hindu I could not write about or place this particular
herb in the group of other plants, as while other herbs may be worshipped, this
particular one itself is a deity, a reincarnation of goddess lakshmi on earth,
it being occupying an important place decorating heads and necks of all hindu
gods in all big and small temples, it is offered as a prasada, and is
considered the best offerings to god, more than even money, it is sacred, it is
spiritual, it is a part of hindu mythology, so I have compiled out certain
aspects of this herb other than just limiting it to a medicinal herb, it has
got some spiritual value, much more than medicinal, so its more than a herb ,
no doubt, an no hindu will considered it as one, but for others it might not be
the same case, it is a way of approach of vedas of assigning “bhavas” or
feelings to non-living matter and non-human matter, namely sattvika or
pure-consciousness state, rajasa or vibrant state and tamasa or the negative, dormant
state ! Tulsi is said to possess sattvik bhava, or the qualities of pure
consciouness, and in hindu mythology, consciouness is god (AHAM BRAHMAASMI),
for better understanding of the bhaavas I will also say other examples too, cow
is sacred as it possess sattvik bhava, lotus is sacred due to that, pegion is
said to possess sattvik bhava and the like,…so it will be a bit of injustice if
the cultural importance of the herb was uncovered here ! Do understand that
point of view as this means god to majority of population in India, the Hindus
!
TULSI IN HINDUISM
Tulsi or Tulasi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) or Holy basil is a sacred plant
in Hindu belief. Hindus regard it as an earthly manifestation of
the goddess Tulsi, a consort of the god Vishnu. The offering of its leaves is
mandatory in ritualistic worship of Vishnu and his forms like Krishna and Vithoba.
Many Hindus
have tulsi plants growing in front of or near their home, often in special pots
or special small masonry structures. Traditionally, Tulsi is planted in the
center of the central courtyard of Hindu houses The plant is cultivated for
religious and medicinal purposes, and for its essential oil. It is widely
known across the Indian Subcontinentas a medicinal plant and a herbal
tea, commonly used in Ayurveda.
SALUTATIONS TO TULSI
1) namah tulasi kalyaaNi namo vishnu priye
shubhe
namo moksha pradaayike devi namaH sampatpradaayike
Salutations to the benevolent Thulasi, Salutations to the holy
darling of Vishnu Salutations to goddess giving
salvation, Salutations to her who grantswealth.
2) Yanmule sarva thirthani yanmadye sarva devatha
yadagre sarva vedashcha Tulasi thvam namam mayham
I bow to the Tulasi at whose base (Yanmule) are all the holy places (Sarva thirthani), at whose middle
(yanmadye) are all deities (sarva devatha) and on whose top (yadagre) reside
all Vedas (sarva vedashcha) . We see Tulasi as the embodiment of everything
EIGHT NAMES OF TULASI
Vrindavani – one who first manifested in Vrindavan.
Vrinda – The goddess of all plants and trees (even if one Tulasi
plant is present in a forest it can be called Vrindavan.).
Visvapujita – one whom the whole universe worships.
Pushpasara – the top most 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 Krishna.
Visva-pavani – one who purifies the three worlds.
Tulasi – one who has no comparison.
GLORIES OF TULASI ACCORDING TO PADMA PURANA
Lord Shiva said: "My dear Narad Muni, kindly listen now I
will relate to you the wonderful glories of Tulasi Devi.
One who hears Tulasi
Devi’s glories will have all his sinful reactions, stored from many births,
destroyed and very quickly attain the lotus-feet of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna.
The leaves, flowers,
roots, bark, branches, trunk and the shade of Tulasi Devi are all spiritual.
One, whose dead body is
burnt in a fire, which has Tulasi wood as fuel, will attain the spiritual
world, even if he is the most sinful of sinful persons, and the person who
lights up that fire, will be freed from all sinful reactions.
One who at the time of
death takes the name of Lord Krishna and is touching the wood of Tulasi Devi
will attain the spiritual world.
When the dead body is
being burnt, even if one small piece of Tulasi wood is put in the fire, then
that person will attain the spiritual world; by the touch of Tulasi all other
wood is purified. When the messengers of Lord Vishnu see a fire which has
Tulasi wood burning in it they immediately come and take that person whose body
has been burnt to the spiritual world. The messengers of Yamaraj will not come
to that place when Tulasi wood is burning. That person’s body which has been
burnt by Tulasi wood goes to the spiritual world and on his way all the
demigods shower flowers on him. When Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva see that person
on his way to the spiritual world, they become very happy and bless him and
Lord Krishna comes before him and taking his hand, He takes him to His own abode.
One, who happens to go
to a place where Tulasi wood has been burnt will become purified of all sinful
reactions. That Brahmin, who is performing a fire sacrifice and places amongst
the other wood Tulasi wood, will get the result of one agnihotra yajna (fire
sacrifice) for each grain offered in that fire.
One who offers Lord
Krishna incense made of Tulasi wood will get the same result of one hundred
fire sacrifices and of giving one hundred cows in charity.
One who cooks an
offering for Lord Krishna on a fire which has Tulasi wood in it, will attain
the same benefit as one who gives in charity a hill of grains as large as Mount
Meru for each grain of such an offering to Lord Krishna.
One who lights up a
lamp to be offered to Lord Krishna with a piece of Tulasi wood will attain the
same benefit as one who offers ten million lamps to Lord Krishna.
There is no one more
dear to Lord Krishna than that person.
One who applies the
paste of Tulasi wood to the body of the Deity of Lord Krishna with devotion
will always live close to Lord Krishna.
That person who puts
the mud from the base of Tulasi Devi on his body and worships the Deity of Lord
Krishna, gets the results of one hundred days worship each day.
One who offers a Tulasi
Manjari to Lord Krishna gets the benefit of offering all the varieties of
flowers after which he goes to the abode of Lord Krishna.
One who sees or comes
near a house or garden where the Tulasi plant is present gets rid of all his
previous sinful reactions including that of killing a Brahmin.
Lord Krishna happily
resides in that house, town, or forest, where Tulasi Devi is present.
That house where Tulasi
Devi is present never falls on bad times and due to Tulasi Devi’s presence that
place becomes more pure than all the Holy places.
Wherever the smell of
Tulasi Devi is taken by the wind it purifies everyone who comes in contact with
it.
In that house where the
mud from the Tulasi Devi is kept, all the demigods along with Lord Krishna will
always reside.
Wherever the shade of
Tulasi Devi falls is purified and is the best place for offering fire
sacrifices.
Kartikeya inquired: "My dear father (Lord Shiva) which tree
or plant is capable of giving love of God?"
Lord Shiva replied:
"My dear son, of all trees and plants Tulasi Devi is the topmost; She is
all auspicious, the fulfiller of all desires, completely pure, most dear to
Lord Krishna and the topmost devotee.
Long ago, Lord Krishna
for the welfare of all conditioned souls brought Vrindadevi in her form of a
plant (Tulasi) and planted her in this material world. Tulasi is the essence of
all devotional activities. Without Tulasi leaves, Lord Krishna does not like to
accept flowers, food stuffs, sandalwood paste, in fact anything without Tulasi
leaves is not looked upon by Lord Krishna.
One who worships Lord
Krishna daily with Tulasi leaves attains the results of all kinds of
austerities, charity, fire-sacrifices. In fact he does not have any other
duties to perform, and he has realized the essence of all scriptures.
Just as the Ganges
river is purifying all who bathe in her, so Tulasi Devi is purifying the three
worlds.
It is not possible to
describe the full benefit of offering Tulasi Manjaris (flowers) to Lord
Krishna. Lord Krishna, along with all the other demigods lives wherever there
is Tulasi Devi. For this reason one should plant Tulasi Devi at one’s home and
offer worship daily. One who sits near Tulasi Devi and chants or recites
prayers will attain the results much faster.
All forms of ghosts and
demons run away from that place where Tulasi Devi is planted and all kinds of
sinful reactions are destroyed when one comes close to Tulasi Devi. One who
makes a garden of Tulasi plants gets the result of all charities and of one
hundred fire sacrifices.
One who puts into his
mouth or on his head the Tulasi leaves after they have been offered to Lord
Krishna attains the abode of Lord Krishna. In Kali-yuga, one who worships,
performs kirtan in front of, remembers, plants or keeps Tulasi, burns up all
his sinful reactions and attains Lord Krishna’s abode very quickly.
One who preaches the
glories of Tulasi Devi and also practices what he preaches, becomes very dear
to Lord Krishna.
One who worships Tulasi
Devi has already satisfied his guru, the Brahmins, demigods, and all the Holy
places.
One who offers a Tulasi
leaf to Lord Krishna becomes a Vaishnava very quickly. What is the need of
understanding all the scriptures for one who has offered the wood or leaves of
Tulasi Devi to Lord Krishna, for he will never have to taste the milk from the
breast of a mother again (he will never take birth again).
One who has worshipped
Lord Krishna with the leaves of Tulasi Devi has already released all his
ancestors from this realm of birth and death.
My dear Kartikeya, I
have told you many of the glories of Tulasi Devi. If I was to describe her
glories for eternity I still would not be able to reach their conclusion.
One who remembers or
tells others these glorifications of Tulasi Devi will never take birth again.
PLANT DESCRIPTION
Tulsi belongs in the basil genus in
the family Lamiaceae. It is an aromatic plant which is native throughout
the Eastern World tropics and widespread as a cultivated plant and an escaped
weed.The plant is an erect, much branched subshrub, 30–60 cm tall with
hairy stems and simple, opposite, green leaves
that are strongly scented. Leaves have petioles, and are ovate, up to
5 cm long, usually slightly toothed. The flowers are purplish in elongate racemes in close
whorls.The two main morphotypes cultivated
in India and Nepal are green-leaved and purple-leaved.
AYURVEDA
Tulsi has been
used for thousands of years in Ayurveda for its
diverse healing properties. It is mentioned in the Charaka Samhita,an ancient
Ayurvedic text. Tulsi is considered to be an adaptogen, balancing
different processes in the body, and helpful for adapting to
stress. Marked by its strong aroma and astringent taste, it
is regarded in Ayurveda as a kind of "elixir of life" and believed to
promote longevity. It is an elixir for cough; the leaves when chewed after
meals acts as a digestive, and when taken before and after cold water bath
controls temperature in the stomach and prevents cold. If sprinkled over cooked
food in stored water, tulsi leaves prevent bacterial growth.
NAMES
In Hindu mythology, Tulsi ("matchless") is
known as Vaishnavi ("belonging to Vishnu"), Vishnu
Vallabha ("beloved of Vishnu"),Haripriya("beloved
of Vishnu"), Vishnu Tulsi. The Tulsi 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 avatars of
Vishnu. The Tulsi 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 Tulsi. This
variety is considered esspecially sacred to Krishna, as its purple colour is
similar to Krishna's dark complexion.
WORSHIP
While tree worship is not uncommon in Hinduism, the
Tulsi plant is regarded the holiest of all plants.The Tulsi plant is regarded
as a threshold point between heaven and earth. A traditional prayer tells that
the creator-godBrahma resides in its branches, all Hindu pilgrimage centres
reside in its roots, the Ganges flows through its roots, all deities in its
stem and its leaves and the Hindu scriptures - the Vedas in the
upper part of its branches.It is considered as household god particularly
referred as a "Women's deity". It is called as "the central
sectarian symbol of Hinduism" and Vaishavas consider it as "the
manifestation of god in the vegetable kingdom”.
The Tulsi plant is grown in or near almost every
orthodox Hindu house, especially by Brahmins and
Vaishnavas. A house with a Tulsi plant is sometimes considered a place of
pilgrimage.[16] Sacred
places where they are grown are also known as Vrindavan (grove of Tulsi).
Vrindavan is a raised cuboid stone or brick structure often in middle of the
house's courtyard or in front of the house.
A person who waters and cares for the Tulsi daily is
believed to gain moksha (salvation) and the divine grace of Vishnu, even if he
does not worship it. Traditionally, the daily worship and care of the plant is
the responsibility of the women of the household. The plant is regarded as a
"women's deity" and a "symbol of ideal wifehood and
motherhood". Though daily worship is prescribed, Tuesdays and Fridays are
considered especially sacred for Tulsi worship. Rituals involve watering the
plant, cleaning the area near the plant with water and cow dung (considered
sacred) and making offerings of food, flowers, incense, Ganges water etc. Rangoli (decorative
designs) of deities and saints are drawn near its foot. Devotees pray to Tulsi
and circumbulate it,chanting mantras. The Tulsi
plant is often worshipped twice in a day: in the morning and in the evening,
when a lamp or candle is lit near the plant.
FESTIVALS
A ceremony known as Tulsi Vivah is
performed by the Hindus between Prabodhini Ekadashi (eleventh lunar day of the
waxing moon of Kartika) to Kartik Poornima (full
moon in Kartika), usually on the eleventh or the twelfth lunar day. It is the
ceremonial wedding of the Tulsi plant to Vishnu, in the form of his image,
Shaligram or a Krishna or Rama image. Both the bride and the groom are ritually
worshipped and then married as per traditional Hindu wedding rituals.
It marks the end of the four-month Chaturmas period,
which corresponds to the monsoon and is considered inauspicious for weddings
and other rituals, so the day inaugurates the annual marriage season in India.
In Orissa, on the first day of the Hindu month Vaishakha (April -
May), a small vessel with hole at the bottom is filled with water and suspended
over the Tulsi plant with a steady stream of water, for the entire month. In
this period, when a hot summer reigns, one who offers cool water to Tulsi or an
umbrella to shelter it from the intense heat is believed to be cleansed of all
sin. The stream of water also conveys wishes for a good monsoon.
IN WORSHIP OF OTHER DIETIES
Tulsi is especially sacred in the worship of Vishnu
and his forms Krishna and Vithoba and other
related Vaishnava deities. Garlands made of 10000 tulsi leaves, water mixed
with tulsi, food items sprinkled with Tulsi are offered in veneration to Vishnu
or Krishna.
Vaishnavas traditionally use japa malas (a
string of Hindu prayer beads) made from Tulsi stems or roots
called Tulsi malas, which are an important symbol of the
initiation. Tulsi malas are considered to be auspicious for
the wearer, and believed to connect the him with Vishnu or Krishna and confer
the protection of the deity. They are worn as a necklace or garland or held in
the hand and used as a rosary. Tulsi's great connection with Vaishnavas is
communicated with the fact that Vaishnavas are known as "those who bear
the tulsi round the neck".] Some
pilgrims carry tulsi plants in their hands throughout their pilgrimage to Dwarka, the legendary
capital of Krishna and one of the seven most sacred Hindu cities.
There are conflicting accounts about Tulsi leaves
being used in the worship of the god Shiva, a rival sect
(Shaiva) god to the
Vaishnava Vishnu. While Bael leaves are often offered to Shiva, some authors note that
Tulsi may also be offered to him. Tulsi worship is sometimes regarded the
worship of Shiva, conveying the deity's omnipresence. Shiva's aniconic symbol -
the linga - is
sometimes prescribed to have made from the black soil from the roots of the
Tulsi plant. However, Tulsi is taboo in worship of theDevi - the
Hindu Divine Mother as the pungent aroma of the Tulsi plant angers her. It
is also important for the worship of Hanuman. In Orissa, the Tulsi
plant represents all local deities and rituals to propitiate them are offered
in front of the plant. The Nayars of Malabar offer
Tulsi plants to pacify evil spirits.
IMPORTANCE IN HINDUISM
Every part of the Tulsi plant is revered and
considered sacred. Even the soil around the plant is holy. The Padma Purana declares
a person who is cremated with Tulsi twigs in his funeral pyre gains moksha and a
place in Vishnu's abode Vaikuntha. If a Tulsi
stick is used to burn a lamp for Vishnu, it is like offering the gods lakhs of
lamps. If one makes a paste of dried Tulsi wood(from a plant that died
naturally) and smears it over his body and worships Vishnu, it is worth several
ordinary pujas and lakhs of Godan (donation of cows). Water mixed with the
Tulsi leaves is given to the dying to raise their departing souls to heaven.
Just as Tulsi respect is rewarding, her contempt
attracts the wrath of Vishnu. Precautions are taken to avoid this. It is taboo
to urinate, excrete or throw waste water near the plant. Uprooting and cutting
branches of the plant is prohibited. When the plant withers, the dry plant
is immersed in a water body with due religious rites as is the custom for
broken divine images, which are unworthy for worship. Though Tulsi leaves
are necessary for Hindu worship, there are strict rules for it. Only a male
must cut them and only in the daylight. A prayer of forgiveness may also be
offered to Tulsi before the act.
The word Tulsi is used in many place
names and family names.
With immense benefits right from
clear skin to dissolving kidney stones, tulsi is tonic for the entire body.
Here are the top 10 benefits of tulsi.
Cures
a fever: Tulsi
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. In case of a fever boil
a few leaves of tulsi with powdered cardamom in half a litre of water( The
proportion of tulsi to cardamom powder should be in the ratio 1:0.3). Let it
reduce to half its total volume. Mix this decoction with sugar and milk. Sip
every two to three hours. This remedy is especially good for children.
Beats
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. An added advantage is that the
antioxidants present in the leaves help beat the ill effects of oxidative
stress.
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.
Beats
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. People who
have high stress jobs can chew about 12 leaves of tulsi twice a day to beat
stress naturally.
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), helps
cleanse the kidneys, the presence of acetic acid and other components in its
essential oils helps in breaking down kidney stones and its painkiller effect
helps dull down the pain of kidney stones. To relieve kidney stones one must
have the juice of tulsi leaves with honey, every day for six months to help
wash out the stone from the kidney.
Beats
cancer: 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. Have the extract of
tulsi every day to keep these conditions at bay.
Helps
to quit smoking: Tulsi
is known to have very strong anti- stress compounds and is great to help one
quit smoking. It helps by lowering the stress that may be involved in trying to
quit smoking, or stress that leads to the urge to smoke. It also has a cooling
effect on the throat just like menthol drops and helps control the urge to
smoke by allowing the person to chew on something. Ayurveda relies heavily on
tulsi leaves as a smoking cessation device. Keep some leaves with you and chew
it whenever the urge to smoke arises. Another plus is that the antioxidant
property of the leaves will help fight all the damage that arises out of years
of smoking.
Keeps
your 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. Its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties are very effective in
preventing breakouts on acne prone skin. Ayurvedic doctors say that this herb
can cure difficult skin conditions like those caused due to ring worms and even
leucoderma. Apart from all this, it helps in reducing itchiness of the scalp
and helps to reduce hair fall. Mix the powder in coconut oil and apply
regularly to the scalp to prevent hair fall. Eating tulsi leaves, drinking the
juice, or adding its paste to a face pack can help cure skin and hair
conditions.
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. Another great property of this leaf is that it has anti-bacterial
and anti-fungal properties that help to beat the infection causing the
respiratory problem. It also relieves congestion since it contains potent
components like camphene, eugenol and cineole in its essential oils. Its
anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties also help to treat allergic
respiratory disorders.
Cures
a headache: Tulsi
helps to relieve headaches caused due to sinusitis, allergies, cold or even
migraines. This is because it has pain relieving and decongestant
properties, that help relieve the pain and resolve the root cause of the
condition. If you are suffering from a headache, make a bowl of water that has
been boiled with crushed tulsi leaves or tulsi extract. Cool the water till it
is room temperature or bearably hot. Place a small towel in it, wring out the
excess water and place this on your forehead to treat a headache. Alternatively
you could dip a towel in plain warm water and add a few drops of tulsi extract
to the towel for immediate relief.
These are just some benefits of the
plant, other benefits include treatment for common colds, itchiness of the
skin, treatment for insect bites, curing common conditions of the eye and as a
herbal remedy for bad breath. So the text time you feel ill, try having a few
leaves of tulsi. To know more about the health benefits of various everyday
ingredients, check out our natural remedies page.
other relevant informations about tulsi in ayurvedic pharmacoepia
SANSKRIT : MANJARI, KRUSHNATULASI, SURASA, GRAMYA, SURABHI, BAHUMANJARI, BHOOTAGHNI, DEVADUNDHUBHI
HINDI : TULSI
GUJARATHI : TULSI
BENGALI : TULASI
TAMIL : TULACHI
TELUGU : TULUCHI
ENGLISH : HOLY BASIL, SACRED BASIL
Uses :
In jwara, hrudroga, swas, kasa tulsi gives relief. It is ruchi prada. For scorpion stings, spider poisoning, snake bites tulsi is used as an anti dote. It is used for krimis. It is vata hara. It increases mutra. It is good for twak roga.
Therapeutic uses of Tulsi :
-in small pox and chicken pox 10ml of juice of tulsi and equal amount of honey three times daily gives relief
-5ml of tulsi juice thrice daily if taken for three days gives benefit for jeerna jwara, jeerna kasa
-for insect bites, tulsi leaves, flowers, turmeric, punarnnava all made into a paste when applied over it gives relief
-the same paste if taken 6gms thrice daily for 7 days cures poison
-for jaundice, malaria, IBS, one tbsp of juice of tulsi morning and evening gives relief
-dried leaves of tulsi is used for powder inhalation in pinasa, nasal blockage
-tulsi juice and turmeric made into paste applied over spider bite
-tulsi when placed below pillow while sleeping gets rid of lice, placing it over hair is also beneficial
-neelethulasyadi kashayam, sheetajwaradi kashayam, vilwadi gulika, manasa mitra vatakam contains tulasi
RASA : KASHAYA, KATU, TIKTA
GUNA : LAGHU, ROOKSHA
VIRYA : USHNA
VIPAKA : KATU
( reference : wikipedia, internet, nesamai ayurvedic med plants )
