Tulsi
According to ancient Hindu belief, it is essential that at least one Tulsi plant, commonly known as Holy Basil, Indian Basil or Sacred Basil, which helps to ward off evil and negative energies, with healing powers, should exist in the yard/garden of every home. It is customary to plant Tulsi in the month of Kartik.
The Skand Puran: 18 religious texts, 81,000 verses, titled after Skanda, the son of Shiva and Parvati, featuring topics that include mythology, geology, dharma and geography. It also deals with virtues and evil, the nature of Shiva. The Skand Puran says that one gets rid of the sins of as many lives as the number of Tulsi plants one grows.
Padma Puran: one of the 18 major puranas, named after the lotus in which the Creator, Brahma, appeared. The Padma Puran asserts that wherever there is a garden of Tulsi plants, that place is like a pilgrimage. Representatives of Yama, the God of Death, cannot enter this home. Homes with soil in which the Tulsi grows are free from disease.
Ancient religious texts have praised the Tulsi in many ways. Air that carries the fragrance of Tulsi benefits people it comes in contact with. Planting and caring for Tulsi helps people get rid of their sins. Even if one Tulsi is grown, the presence of Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and other gods is assured.
Kartik: Eighth month of Hindu calendar, facts between October-November of the Georgian calendar. Considered sacred for the worship of Lord Vishnu. During the month of Kartik when prayers are offered to Tulsi, or new plants are grown, the accumulated sins of many births are absolved.
Tulsi affords auspicious opportunities generously. Simultaneously, it removes worries and tension. By offering Tulsi leaves to Lord Krishna, one achieves salvation. Without Tulsi, religious ceremonies remain incomplete. When charity is given along with Tulsi, it ensures great benefits. And when shraddh is offered to forefathers near a Tulsi plant, it pleases them immensely.
Tulsi leaves have excellent qualities and whoever consumes them thrice daily achieves purity and benefits of the chandrayan fast (related to the waning and waxing of the moon). Whoever bathes in water in which a few Tulsi leaves have been added, is considered to have bathed at all important pilgrim centres. Whoever adds Tulsi leaves in the charanamrit offered in prayers and consumes it gets rid of all sins and attains salvation.
Such people are protected from ill health and sudden death. The addition of Tulsi leaves protects water from deterioration. At the time of death, it is customary to mix Tulsi with Ganga water and put this in the mouth of the dying person.
It is customary to offer prayers to the Tulsi plant in the evening and light a lamp. The woody stems of the plants that have died are used to make the beads for the sacred “Jape Mala” (rosaries). One attains the blessings of Sati Vrinda and Lord Vishnu. It is believed that the penance of Vrinda and her surrender and devotion to Lord Vishnu became a part of the fragrance and leaves of the Tulsi. It is customary to circumambulate the Tulsi plant 108 times on Monday, which coincides with the dark night of the month to get rid of insufficiency.
It is also said that whoever offers a single Tulsi leaf to Lord Vishnu and prays to him daily, attains the benefits of a hundred thousand yagyas. And, at the time of death, even if a single drop of Tulsi water inters the mouth of a dying person, Vishnu Lok (abode of Vishnu), it is attained definitely.
It is said that in its last birth, Tulsi was Vrinda, married to Jalandhar. To gain victory over him, Lord Vishnu persuaded Vrinda to give up devotion to her husband. Pleased with her, Vishnu gave her his blessings. Through his blessings, she became Tulsi and is worshipped by people all over the world.
The leaves and plant may be used in cooking or to make tea (caffeine free.) Eaten raw, it has a spicy bitter taste. Drinking Tulsi water daily is believed to offer several advantages, ranging from physical to mental well-being.
From the scientific point of view, Tulsi is excellent for physical and mental health, boosts immunity, heals infections, purifies blood, cures insect bites, and lowers blood pressure. Tulsi also treats respiratory disorders and maintains sugar levels. It is known to cure very serious ailments, improve the immune system and promote vigour and vitality. It is extensively used in Ayurveda.