HinduOfUniverse

Tulsi

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Ocimum
Species: O. tenuiflorum
Botanical name: Ocimum tenuiflorum

The Indian herbal plant Tulsi has a lot of significance in the Hindu religion. The term "Tulsi" is used in the context of one who is absolutely incomparable. Tulsi has a lot of reverence for the Hindus. Infact, people worship Tulsi everyday in the morning as well as evening time. This Indian basil basically grows in the warm and tropical regions. There are two main varieties of this aromatic plant, namely Shyama tulsi and Rama tulsi. Well, out of the two, the former one is of greater medicinal value. Rama Tulsi, on the hand, is primarily used for worship.

In this section, we will cover the following aspects related to the holy basil Tulsi:

Tulsi Benefits

Tulsi plant has a lot of significance for mankind, due to the manifold medicinal benefits it provides. Tulsi leaves are widely used in the preparation of Ayurvedic medicines. It is known to promote the longevity of life. The extracts obtained from the plant are extensively brought to use for curing various diseases such as the common cold, inflammation, malaria, heart disease, headaches, stomach disorders, kidney stones, heart disorders, and many more. The Indian basil Tulasi also aids in the purification of atmosphere.

Tulasi plant serves as a fabulous repellant in fighting against flies, mosquitoes and insects. It is especially valuable in combating malarial fever. It is said that at the time of establishment of Victoria gardens in Bombay (now Mumbai), the workers became victims of mosquito bites and suffered from chronic malaria. Seeing the pitiable situation of the workers, some of the Hindu managers recommended the plantation of Tulsi plant in the garden. On following their advice, fruitful results were obtained. Thus, holy basil Tulsi helped to abate the growth of mosquitoes and control malaria.

There are numerous uses of Tulsi plant. The plant is increasingly finding its way in the Ayurvedic treatment of diseases. Tulsi leaves are widely used due to their healing power. It is a tonic for the nervous system and thus, helps a great deal in sharpening the memory. This aromatic plant supports the removal of phlegm and catarrhal matter from the bronchial tube. It also works wonders in preventing stomach disorders. The herb Tulsi is known to cure the respiratory disorders. The decoction prepared by mixing honey, ginger and Tulsi leaves is quite helpful in combating bronchitis, influenza and asthma.

The leaves of Tulsi plant are extremely beneficial during the rainy season, when diseases like malaria and dengue victimize the country. Boil the tender leaves of Tulsi in tea and give it to the patient. The juice extracted from Tulsi leaves serves as the best remedy to bring down fever. Tulsi is an essential ingredient in the preparation of Ayurvedic cough syrups. It is highly useful in getting rid of cold and flu. Even, for sore throat, the leaves of medicinal plant Tulsi is of great value. Just boil the leaves of Tulsi in water and ask the patient to gargle with this decoction.

Tulsi has the ability to strengthen the kidneys. For those suffering from the problem of renal kidney stones, the decoction prepared by mixing the juice of Tulsi leaves with honey, if taken sincerely for six consecutive months can oust these stones via the urinary tract. For maintaining healthy heart, Tulsi is of utmost value. It helps in lowering the level of cholesterol in blood. Thus, Tulsi plant serves as the most effective remedy to combat cardiac diseases.

Tulsi Legends

Tulsi is considered to be highly sacred in the Hindu religion. Most of the Hindus offer daily prayers to Tulsi Devi. But, not many people are aware about the origin of Tulasi plant. Well, there are many interesting legends about Tulsi. There is a famous legend about Krishna Tulsi, which suggests that Tulsi was the incarnation of a gopi, who was deeply in love with Lord Krishna. She was cursed by Radha, the consort of the Lord. To know some more myths about Tulasi plant, read on.

There is a story about Krishna, in which the Lord was weighed in gold. Satyabhama, one of the wives of Lord Krishna gave away all her ornaments; even then they could not outweigh him. Seeing this, Rukmani, the consort of Lord Krishna, placed a single leaf of Tulsi plant on the weighing scale. This brought about a tilt in the scale. Numerous mentions have been made about Tulasi in the stories of Meera and Radha in Jayadeva's Gita Govinda.

As per the Hindu mythology, Tulsi is very close to Lord Vishnu, Infact, a ceremony is held annually in which Tulsi is married to the Lord in the month of Kartik on the 11th bright day, as per the lunar calendar. It is a grand celebration that continues for five consecutive days and ends up on the full moon day. It usually falls in the mid of October. This Hindu ritual is known as Tulsi Vivah. As a part of daily custom, a garland made up of Tulsi leaves is firstly offered to Lord Vishnu. According to a Christian folklore, the sacred plant Tulsi grew around the place, where Jesus Christ was crucified.

Tulsi as a Deity

Tulsi is a prominent Indian basil that is considered to be very sacred. In the house of every Hindu family, you'll find a Tulsi planted in the courtyard. In certain homes, Tulsi plant is kept in a specially constructed structure and is surrounded by images of Hindu Gods and Goddesses from all four sides. Some people establish a small basil forest, by planting dozens of Tulsi plants in their garden. Such kind of a miniature forest is called "Tulsivan" or "Tulsivrindavan". Thus, Hindus worship Tulsi as a deity.

According to the Gandharv Tantra, the ideal place for worship is believed to be the one where there is an abundance of Tulsi plants. Tulsi plants sharpen the memory and enhance the concentration. There is a temple at Varanasi that was established in the dedication of Goddess Tulsi. Tulsi Manas Mandir is a very famous temple at Varanasi that draws huge crowds every year. Here, people come from different parts of the country to offer prayers to Tulsi Devi.

The devotees of Lord Vishnu, also known as Vaishnavites, worship the leaf of Tulsi, due to the fact that Tulsi was very dear to Lord Vishnu. Infact, as a part of devotion, there are many worshippers, who wear beaded necklaces made by using the stems of Tulsi. As per the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, Tulsi is known as Vrindadevi, which means the Goddess of 'Vrindavan'. There are many interesting legends about Tulsi, which have given her a very high status in the eyes of people. Since, numerous mentions have been made about Tulsi in association with Lords like Krishna and Vishnu, it is worshipped as a Goddess.

Tulsi Puja

Tulsi is a consecrated plant that holds lot of importance for the traditional Hindus. In most of the Hindu homes, people worship Tulsi plant on a daily basis. Many people keep a plant of Tulsi in front of their house, since Tulsi has a lot of reverence for them. On the festive occasion of 'Kartik Shukla Dwadashi' that usually falls two weeks after the celebration of Diwali, tulsi plants are adorned with varied artistic things made from sugarcane, flowers and mango leaves. After decorating Tulsi Vrindavana, people offer prayers to Tulsi. Clay lamps are lit all around the tulsi plant. The event is usually celebrated as tulsi vivah, in which tulsi is married to Lord Vishnu.

Tulsi symbolizes devotion, love, responsibility, virtues and miseries of women. This Indian basil is worshipped by females of all age groups. To perform tulsi puja, one needs to take bath and get rid of all sorts of dirt, then be it physical or mental. People decorate the vessel or pot, in which tulsi is planted. Water is then offered to the holy basil. Kumkum is applied to one of the leaves. Some people tie a small piece of red cloth on its branch. Red flower is offered to the herbal plant Tulsi. Clay lamps are lighted all around the plant and then aarti is performed to complete the pooja. On the completion of puja, people usually eat a leaf of tulsi, with the belief that this act would enable them to take the Holy Spirit inside them.

Tulsi Vivah

Tulsi vivah is a grand festivity that has a lot of significance for Hindus. There is an interesting legend behind the celebration of Tulsi vivah festival. Tulsi is considered to be an incarnation of Maha Lakshmi, who was born as Vrinda in her previous birth. Tulsi was married to a demon king Jalandhar. She offered prayers to Lord Vishnu to protect her husband from being harmed by any God. Several Gods approached Lord Vishnu and requested him to take the form of Jalandhar and live with Tulasi, without letting her know about the truth. To know the complete story, read on.

Lord Vishnu agreed to the request and did as told by other Gods. After the death of Vrinda's husband, when truth was known to her, she cursed Lord Vishnu and converted him into a stone, i.e. Shaligram and after that, she collapsed. From her body, came out a tulsi plant. It is due to this reason that Vishnu puja is regarded incomplete without the presence of Tulsi leaves. Since then, every year Tulsi is married to Lord Vishnu and the event is known as Tulasi Shaligram Vivah. It is said that the person who performs the custom of giving away Tulsi to Lord Vishnu, considering her to be his own daughter, is considered to earn the credit of performing kanyadan.

Tulsi vivah is conducted on the next day after Kartiki Akadashi. As a part of festivity celebration, tulsivrindavan is adorned like a bride. Along with tulsi, the plants of amla, sugarcane and tamarind are planted. Special feast is prepared consisting of delicious vegetarian dishes. A full meal consisting of puri, rice, sweet potato kheer, moongachi gathi, red pumpkin vegetable is offered to Tulsi Vrindavan in the afternoon time. The ceremony of wedding takes place during evening. Several dishes made from poha are served to Lord Vishnu. Prasad is then distributed amongst all. This ceremonial day marks the beginning of the auspicious marriage season for Hindus.