DEC.16: Sankranti. Sun enters zodiac Dhanu. Plucking Tulsi ji to avoid. Though there are such references in certain scriptures that tulsi plucking can be avoided on Purnima, Amavasya, Dvadashi, Sunday, a vaishnava should avoid “Dvadasi day” to pluck tulsi leaves. (1) Hari Bhakthi Vilasa (7.353) says like this: samkranty Adau ni Siddhopi tulasyavacayah smrtau param zrI viznu bhaktastu dvadazyam eva nesyate It is generally forbidden to pluck Tulasi on Sankranti, (Purnima, Amavasya, Dvadashi, Sunday) etc., according to the strict rules of the Smritis, but the most important rule (according to Shrila Sanatana Goswami) which the Vaishnava devotees should certainly follow is to not pluck Tulasi leaves on Dvadashi. (2) Hari Bhakthi Vilasa (7.354) says like this: NA CHINDYAT TULASIM VIPRA DVADASYAM VAISNAVAH KVACIT Oh brahmanas, a Vaisnava never picks Tulasi leaves on Dvadashi, (the day after Ekadashi). (3) Hari Bhaktha Vilasa (7.355) says like this quoting from Garuda Purana: BHANUVARAM VINA DURVAM TULASIM DVADASIM VINA JIVITASYA AVINASAYA NA VICINVITA DHARMA VIT A scripturally learned and religious person, if he does not want to destroy his balance duration of life, he should not pick Tulasi leaves on Dvadashi days and Durva grass on Sundays. (4) Hari Bhaktha Vilasa (7.353) says like this quoting from Padma Purana as conversation between Lord Krishna and Shrimati Satyabhama: DVADASYAM TULASI PATRAM DHATRI PATRAS CA KARTIKE LUNATI SA NARO GACCHET NIRAYAN ATI GARHITAN Any person, who picks Tulasi leaves on Dvadashi or Amalaki leaves in the Kartika month, falls into a grievously hellish planet to suffer. WHY SHOULD WE AVOID PLUCKING TULSI LEAVES ON DWADASI? Srimati Tulsi Maharani, the pure devotee of the Lord, keeps fasting on the whole Ekadashi and takes rest on Dwadashi. So the devotee in order to not to disturb or hurt her, dont pluck leaves. Then what to do to get the Tulsi leaves for offering on Dwadashi and other purposes? Follow advance savings. Keep some advance Tulsi leaves for Dwadashi for offering purposes. Or , one may pick the leaves fallen on the ground around the pot and then after thoroughly washing it, can use it for offering. HOW TO PLUCK & USE TULSI LEAVES FOR OFFERINGS TO KRISHNA? 1. The leaves should be washed 3 times before offering and kept in a bowl of fresh water inside of a refrigerator. If They are not kept like this They turn 1imp and pale . I f They are kept in water, but not in a refrigerator They will turn brown. 2. Be sure to change the water in the bowl everyday, and clean the sides of the bowl so no film will grow. (Proof that Mother Ganga is actually pure is that Ganga water will not become murky if kept contained) 3. Estimate the required amount of leaves needed a day and try to pick about the same amount each day and in that way you will always have a supply and She will feel regular. (Sometimes in the case of manjaris , there will be an extra amount of mercy. 4. Don t pick Her leaves sporadically, but aim for the same time, same amount, every day. It depends on how healthy and bushy the plant is. If there are hundreds of leaves on Her, it wont hurt to take a few-- if there are only 13 or 14 leaves, don t take any at all unless they are about to drop off . It depends on the size and health of the plant . Use your discretion in the matter. 5. Srila Prabhupada has said that dried leaves are just as offerable as fresh green ones . So rather than strip a weak Tulasi of Her few greatly needed leaves, the devotees can use dried leaves in case of non availability.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 17:10:25 +0000
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