TULSI CURSES LORD VISHNU Meanwhile, at the palace, Tulsi Devi was still lying on the bed with Lord Vishnu, who was still disguised as Shankhachuda. She suddenly realized that there was a distinct difference in the way her husband had expressed his affection to her in the past from the way he had just expressed it. This made her suspicious, and she began to wonder whether the man with whom she had just been intimate was really her husband. Then, not feeling the same happiness, affection and attraction, she looked at him distrustfully and said, “You’re–you’re not–” Realizing in the core of her heart that He was not her husband, she asked, “Who–who are you?” Tulsi Devi became angry. “Yes, who are you? I want to know immediately. For I know you have deceived me to enjoy me! You have outraged my modesty! For this I shall curse you!” Lord Vishnu then assumed His own true beautiful form. Tulsi saw the Lord of the demigods before her. His complexion was deep blue, like fresh rain clouds, His eyes were like autumnal lotuses, and He was decked with jewels and ornaments. His smiling face looked very gracious, and He wore a yellow robe. Seeing Vasudeva’s handsome form, Tulsi fainted. A few moments later she regained consciousness and said, “O Lord, you are like a stone! You are merciless! You violated my chastity by deception. And by this means you have killed my husband. O Lord, you are merciless! Yes, Your heart is like a stone. Therefore, I curse you to become a stone. Those who call you holy are doubtlessly wrong. Your devotee committed no offense and yet, for the sake of others, You killed him! Why?” Overpowered with grief and sadness, Tulsi cried loudly and repeatedly lamented. Seeing her so upset, Narayana, who is an ocean of mercy, tried to console her according to dharmic rules. He said, “O exalted one, you performed austerities for a long time to get Me as your husband. And Shankhachuda also performed austerities for a long time to get you as his wife. By that austerity, he fulfilled his wish. It was then necessary for Me to fulfill your wish. For this reason, I did what I did. Now leave your earthly body and assume a spiritual body–and be married to Me. Be like Lakshmi. Your body will become a famous river known as Gandaki, a virtuous, pure and transparent river in this holy land of India. Your hairs will be transformed into holy trees; and since the trees will be born of you, they will be known as Tulsi trees. All the residents of the three worlds will perform worship with the leaves and flowers of this tree. Thus, you, Tulsi, will reign as the best among trees and flowers.” BLESSINGS TULSI DEVI WILL BESTOW Lord Narayana continued… “The sanctifying Tulsi tree will grow in Goloka, on the coast of the Viraja River, on the rasa-dance site, in the forests of Vrindavana, Bhandira, Champaka, Chandana, and in the groves of Madhavi, Ketaki, Kunda, Mallika and Malati. You will live in sacred places and bestow the highest religious merit. All the holy spots will converge and reside at the root of the Tulsi tree, and thus spiritual merits will accrue to all. O fair one, all the demigods and I will wait there to gather the falling Tulsi leaves. “Whoever will be moistened or anointed with the water that has been sanctified by Tulsi leaves, will reap the benefits of having bathed in all the sacred rivers and performed all kinds of sacrifices. “Lord Hari will not be as pleased with the gift of a thousand jars of honey as with one Tulsi leaf. “Offering one such leaf as a gift will bring the same reward obtained by offering millions of cows. “If one offers Tulsi leaves during the month of Kartika, he gets the same rewards as those just mentioned. “If, at the time of death, one drinks or gets the Tulsi-leaf water, one will be freed of all his sins and proceed to Vaikuntha. “Whoever drinks the Tulsi-leaf water daily will be redeemed in his lifetime and receive the benefit of a dip in the Ganges. “Whoever plucks a Tulsi leaf, keeps it on his person, and then leaves his body in a holy place, will go to Vishnuloka. “Anyone who worships Me with this leaf daily will reap the blessings of a hundred thousand horse sacrifices. “Anyone who leaves his body holding a Tulsi leaf in his hands will be saved from all sins. “Anyone who wears a necklace composed of Tulsi wood, will surely, at every step, get the reward of a horse sacrifice. “Whoever breaks his promise while holding the Tulsi leaf will go to the Kalasutra hell for as long as the sun and moon last. “Anyone who gives false evidence in the presence of the Tulsi leaf, will go to the Kumbhipaka hell for as long as the lifespans of fourteen Indras. “Whoever at the time of death drinks or gets a little Tulsi-leaf water will certainly proceed to Vaikuntha, leaving in a jeweled airplane. “Lord Hari will decapitate that person who, on the day of the new moon or the full moon, or on the twelfth or last day of the lunar month, or after being anointed with oil just before taking a bath, or at noon, night, daybreak or sundown, or in a state of impurity or in one’s night dress–will cull or pluck the Tulsi leaf. “O chaste one, even if such a leaf is kept for three nights and becomes dry, it can still be employed in connection with funeral ceremonies, vows, gifts, consecration of temples and the worship of demigods. “If Tulsi leaves that were offered to Lord Vishnu have fallen on the ground or on water are then properly washed, they may still be used for other sacred purposes. “You will always be the presiding deity of the Tulsi plant here on Earth, and at the same time you will always sport with Sri Krishna in solitude in Goloka. You will also be the presiding deity of the Gandaki River, and thereby shower India with religious merit. You will further be the wife of the ocean of salt, which is My partial expansion. O chaste goddess, you will always remain personally by My side and enjoy My company, as Lakshmi does. BLESSINGS OF THE SHALAGRAMA Lord Hari continued… “As for Me, by your curse, I will become a stone and remain close to the bank of the Gandaki River. Millions of Vajrakita worms, with their sharp teeth, will make convolutions or rings in the stones there, representing Me. These will be known as Shalagramas or sacred stones. “Those stones which have one entrance hole, four rings, are marked with a garland of wild flowers, and look like a fresh rain cloud, will be known as Lakshmi-Narayana murtis or forms. “Those stones that have one entrance hole, four rings, look like fresh rain clouds but have no garland mark will be called Lakshmi-Janardana chakras. “Those that have two entrance holes, four rings, are impressed with the marks of cow-hooves but have no garland mark, will be called Raghunatha chakras. “Those that are very small, have two rings, look like fresh rain clouds but have no garland mark will be called Vamana chakras. They shall be auspicious to householders. “Those stones that are very small, have two rings and a garland mark will be called Sridhara chakras. They will bring prosperity to householders. “Those stones that are large, circular, have two rings but no garland mark will be known as Damodara chakras. “Those that are medium-large, have two rings, have the marks of arrows and quivers will be known as Rana-rama chakras. “Those that are medium-sized, have seven rings, and have the marks of an umbrella and ornaments will be called Rajarajesvaras (king of kings) chakra, and give royal prosperity to the people. “Those that are large, have fourteen wheels, look like fresh rain clouds will be called Ananta chakras. They will bestow the fourfold fruits–artha, kama, dharma and moksa (wealth, pleasure, righteousness and liberation). “Those that are spherical, beautiful, medium-large, have two rings, look like rain clouds, and are marked with cow hooves will be called Madhusudana chakras. “Those that have one ring will be called Sudarshana chakras. “Those that have their rings hidden will be called Gadadhara chakras. “Those that have two rings and the face of a horse will be called Hayagrivas. “Those that have two rings, their mouths very wide and extended, and look very terrifying will be called Narasimhas. They will bestow detachment on their worshipers. “Those that have two rings, extended mouths and garland marks (elliptical) will be called Lakshmi Narasimhas. They will bestow blessings on the householders who worship them. “Those that have, near their doors, two rings that are of equal size and beautiful, with manifested marks, will be known as Vasudevas. They will fulfill all desires. “Those that have a thin ring, look like fresh rain clouds, and have many fine holes within their wide gaping facets will be called Pradyumnas. They will give happiness to all householders. “Those whose rings are united and whose backs are capacious will be called Sankarsanas. They will always bestow happiness to householders. “Those that look yellow, round and very beautiful will be known as Aniruddhas. They also will give happiness to householders. “Wherever there are Shalagrama stones, Lord Hari Himself exists. And wherever Lord Hari is, Goddess Lakshmi and all the holy places also exist. “By worshiping the Shalagrama sila (stone), one destroys the sin of having killed a brahmana and any other type of sin. “By worshiping Shalagrama stones of the following shapes, the following effects take place: “If the stone looks like an umbrella, one may obtain a kingdom. “If the stone looks round, great prosperity. “If it is cart-shaped, miseries. “If its ends are spear-shaped, death. “If its facets are distorted, poverty. “If it is yellow, evils and afflictions. “If its rings look broken, diseases. “If its rings are split into fragments, certain death. “If one observes vows, offers gifts, consecrates a temple, performs sraddha or funeral ceremonies, or worships the demigods before the Shalagrama sila–all these acts become highly exalted. “If one worships the Shalagrama sila, one acquires the merits of bathing in all the tirthas (holy rivers) and being initiated into all the Vedic sacrifices. “Furthermore, one acquires all the merits acquired by performing all the Vedic sacrifices by visiting all the holy places, by fulfilling vows, by practicing all austerities and by reading all the Vedas. “Whoever performs his abhisheka (bathing) ceremony always with Shalagrama water–being sprinkled with this water at the initiation and installation ceremonies–acquires the spiritual merits gained by offering all sorts of gifts and walking around the entire earth. “Without a doubt, the demigods are pleased with the person who daily worships the Shalagrama sila. He becomes so holy that even all the holy places desire his touch. He becomes a jivanmukta (liberated while in his physical body) and very godly. Ultimately he goes to Vaikuntha and serves Lord Hari there eternally. Any sin, such as the killing of a brahmana, flies away from him just as snakes flee at the sight of Garuda (Lord Vishnu’s eagle carrier). The earth is consecrated by the dust of his feet. By his birth, he redeems one hundred thousand of his ancestors. “Anyone who, while dying, drinks the Shalagrama sila water, will be freed from all his sins and go to Vaikuntha. He becomes completely freed from the effects of karma (material action and reaction) and, without a doubt, becomes forever absorbed in the vision of Lord Vishnu’s feet. “Anyone who lies while holding the Shalagrama in his hands goes to Kumbhipaka hell for as long as Lord Brahma is alive (311 trillion and 40 billion earth years). “If one breaks his promise while holding the Shalagrama in his hand, he goes to the Asipatra hell for one hundred thousand manvantaras. “He who worships the Shalagrama sila without offering Tulsi leaves on it, or who separates the leaves from the stone, will have to suffer separation from his wife in his next birth. “And if one does not offer the Tulsi leaves in a conch, he remains without his wife for seven births and becomes diseased. “He who maintains the Shalagrama sila, the Tulsi, and the conch in one place, becomes very dear to Lord Narayana. “It is painful for a person to separate from his beloved, whose company he once enjoyed. You were the dearmost of Shankhachuda for one manvantara, so it is now very difficult for you to separate from him. When Lord Hari stopped speaking, Tulsi left her physical body, assumed a celestial form and went to Vaikuntha. There she remained in the heart of Sri Hari, as did Goddess Lakshmi. Lord Hari also went with her to Vaikuntha. As soon as Tulsi Devi quit her physical body, this body became the Gandaki River; and Lord Hari manifested Himself as the mountain on the bank of that river, giving spiritual merit to the people. The worms on that mountain cut and fashion, i.e. construct, various kinds of stones. Those that fall into the river and assume the color of clouds, without a doubt, yield results; but those that drop onto the dry land become brown by the sun’s rays and unfit for worship. Lord Hari duly honored Tulsi and began to sport with her along with Goddess Lakshmi. He elevated Tulsi to the rank of Lakshmi, making her blessed and glorious. “Obeisances to Tulsi Devi, Queen of Vrindavana forest.” During the worship, Tulsi was offered a lighted ghee lamp, frankincense, sandal flowers and sacrificial offerings. Anyone who worships Tulsi in this way will achieve complete perfection. The Lord then began to praise His glorious devotee. “The Tulsi trees collect in many groups, thus the pandits call it Vrinda. I praise that dear Tulsi. Long ago she appeared in the Vrindavana forest and is thus known as Vrindavani. I adore that auspicious and glorious one. She is always worshiped in countless universes and so is known as Vishvapujita–one who is worshiped throughout the world. I worship that Vishvapujita. “Countless universes are made pure and holy by her contact. She is therefore called Vishvapavani–one who purifies the whole universe. Remembering her, I am suffering from separation from her. Though other flowers be heaped upon the demigods, they are not satisfied unless Tulsi is offered. Thus she is considered the essence of all flowers and is called Pushpasara. Now I am anguished and troubled and very eager to see her–she who is purity incarnate. I crave the favor of that goddess. Because attainment of her brings faith and joy, she is called Nandini. O may she be pleased with Me. In the whole world she is incomparable, thus she is called Tulsi. I take refuge of that dear Tulsi. Very chaste and dear, she is the life of Krishna and so is known as Krishnajivani. O may that goddess save my life.” After Lord Hari finished the ceremony and prayers, Tulsi was pleased and came out of the tree. She immediately took refuge at Lord Hari’s lotus feet. He blessed her by saying, “O Tulsi, you will be worshiped by all throughout the world. Dearest, I will hold you on my head and in my heart; and all the demigods will hold you on their heads.” WORSHIP OF TULSI DEVI Whoever worships Tulsi Devi with her eight names and their meanings–Vrinda, Vrindavani, Vishvapavani, Vishvapujita, Tulsi, Puspasara, Nandini, and Krishna Jivani–and properly sings this hymn of eight verses, acquires the merit of performing an Ashvamedha (horse) sacrifice. Because Tulsi was born on the lunar day of the full moon in the month of Kartika, Lord Hari prescribed this day for her worship. Whoever worships her on this day will be freed from all sins and go to Vaikuntha. Whoever, out of reverence, gives Lord Vishnu a Tulsi leaf in the month of Kartika, will gain the same benefit obtained by giving the gift of ten million cows. By hearing or recalling the Tulsi hymn, a son will be born to the sonless woman, a wife will be obtained by the wifeless man, health will be restored to a diseased person, freedom will be given to a prisoner, fearlessness will be bestowed upon the terrified, and salvation will be given to the sinners. In the Kanva Sakha branch of the Vedas, the method of worshiping and meditating on Tulsi Devi is described. Without invoking the goddess, one can reverentially meditate on her and adore her with sixteen ingredients in the following way: “Of all flowers, Tulsi is the best. She is worshipable and beautiful, and burns up the fuel of sins like a flame of fire. Of all the goddesses, she is the most sacred. Because no one can compare to her, she is called Tulsi. I worship this goddess who is entreated by all. She is placed on the heads of all, desired by all, and makes the universe holy. She bestows liberation from this world and devotion to Lord Hari. I worship her.” After this meditation and worship, the wise should read her praises and bow down to her.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 14:40:16 +0000
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