TULASI, VISHNU AND TULASI VIVAH IN KARTIK

 TULASI, VISHNU AND TULASI VIVAH IN KARTIK

[Compilation for a discourse at Sri Ganesha Temple, Nashville, TN, USA, November 2020]

Tulasi or Tulsi is the most sacred plant for Hindus as this is considered as the earthly manifestation of goddess Lakshmi. According to some mythological story, it was said that Tulasi is actually an ardent lover of Krishna whom Radha has cursed to be a plant. Hindus believe that every house that has Tulasi plant is a place of pilgrimage and death can never enter. Even the withering of Tulasi indicates that some bad is going to happen in the house.

Tulsi Vivah is the ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi plant to the Hindu god Shaligram or Vishnu or to his avatar, Sri Krishna. The Tulsi wedding signifies the end of the monsoon and the beginning of the wedding season in Hinduism; the ceremonial festival is performed anytime during Kartika Suklapaksha ending in Kartik Poornima. The day varies regionally. Tulsi is venerated as a goddess in Hinduism and is sometimes considered as a wife of Vishnu, with the epithet, “Vishnupriya”, “the beloved of Vishnu”; the legend behind Tulsi Vivah and its rites are told in Padma Purana. According to Hindu scripture, the Tulsi plant was a woman named “Vrinda”, she was married to the Asura king Jalandhar, who due to her piety and devotion to Vishnu, became invincible. Shiva could not defeat Jalandhar, so he requested Vishnu - the preserver in the Trinity - to find a solution. Vishnu tricked Vrinda by touching her, she realized. This destroyed her chastity. With her chastity destroyed, Jalandhar was killed by Shiva. Vrinda cursed Vishnu to be separated from his wife, Lakshmi.

This was fulfilled when he was transformed into the black Shaligram stone and in his Rama avatar, was separated from his wife Sita, kidnapped by the asura king Ravana. Vrinda drowned herself in the ocean, the gods transferred her soul to a plant, henceforth called Tulsi; as per a blessing by Vishnu to marry Vrinda in her next birth, Vishnu – in form of Shaligram - married Tulsi on Prabodhini Ekadashi. To commemorate this event, the ceremony of Tulsi Vivah is performed. Another minor legend narrates that Lakshmi slew a demon on this day and remained on earth as the Tulsi plant; the marriage of Tulsi with Vishnu/Krishna resembles the traditional Hindu wedding. The marriage ceremony is conducted at homes and at temples where a fast is observed on the Tulsi Vivah day until evening when the ceremony begins. A mandap is built around the courtyard of the house where the Tulsi plant is planted in center of the courtyard in a brick plaster called the Tulsi vrindavana, it is believed that the soul of Vrinda leaves in the morning.

The bride Tulsi is clothed with   ornaments including earrings and necklaces. A human paper face with a bindi and nose-ring may be attached to Tulsi; the groom is a brass image or picture of Vishnu or Krishna or sometimes Balarama or more the Shaligram stone - the symbol of Vishnu. The image is clothed in a dhoti. Both Vishnu and Tulsi are decorated with flowers and garlands before the wedding; the couple is linked with a cotton thread in the ceremony.

At Prabhu Dham in Saunja, the festival is collectively celebrated by whole village which makes it a significant point of attraction. Here it is celebrated as three day festival in the month of Kartik from Ekadashi to Trayodashi; the festival is started with the vedic chanting of Ramcharitmanas or Ramayana by the villagers.  The second day is celebrated as Sobha Yatra, of significant importance in which the special prasad is Pongal, the third day is celebrated as Tilakotsav and Vivahotsav of Lord Vishnu and Devi Brinda; the villagers prepare 56 types of prasad distributed to all.  All castes takes participation in this village accordingly. Devotees including saints and mahants all over from Bihar visit this place to celebrate this festive occasion.

In Maharashtra, an important ritual in the ceremony is when the white cloth is held between the bride and the groom and the priest recites the Mangal Ashtaka mantras; these mantras formally complete the wedding. Rice mixed with vermilion is showered by the attendees on Tulsi and Vishnu at the end of the recitation of the mantras with the word "Savadhan" (literally "be careful" implying "You are united now"; the white curtain is removed. The attendees clap signifying approval to the wedding. Vishnu is offered men's clothing and the sacred thread; the bride is offered saris, vermilion and a wedding necklace called Mangal-sutra, worn by married women. Sweets and food cooked for an actual wedding are cooked for Tulsi Vivah too; this ceremony is performed by women. The prasad of sugar-cane, coconut chips and groundnut is distributed to devotees.

The expenses of the wedding are borne by a daughter-less couple, who act as the parents of Tulsi in the ritual wedding. The giving away of the daughter Tulsi to Krishna is considered meritorious to the couple; the bridal offerings to Tulsi are given to female ascetics after the ceremony. In two Rama temples in Saurashtra, the ceremony is more elaborate. An invitation card is sent to the groom's temple by the bride's temple. On Prabodhini Ekadashi, a barat bridal procession of Lalji - an image of Vishnu - sets off to the bride's temple. Lalji is accompanied by singing and dancing devotees; the barat is welcomed on the outskirts of Tulsi's village and the ceremonial marriage is carried at the temple. At the bride's side, Tulsi is planted in an earthen pot for the ceremony. People desirous of children perform Kanyadaan from Tulsi's side acting as her parents. Bhajans are sung throughout the night and in the morning the barat of Lalji returns to their village with Tulsi. Tulsi in Hinduism Tulsi Pujan Diwas Tulasi kalyana

Vishnu is one of the principal deities of Hinduism, the Supreme Being or absolute truth in its Vaishnavism tradition. Vishnu is the "preserver" in the Hindu triad that includes Shiva. In Vaishnavism, Vishnu is identical to the formless metaphysical concept called Brahman, the supreme, the Svayam Bhagavan, who takes various avatars as "the preserver, protector" whenever the world is threatened with evil and destructive forces, his avatars most notably include Rama in the Krishna in the Mahabharata. He is known as Narayana, Vasudeva and Hari, he is one of the five equivalent deities worshipped in Panchayatana puja of the Smarta Tradition of Hinduism. In Hindu iconography, Vishnu is depicted as having a pale or dark blue complexion and having four arms, he holds a padma in his lower left hand, Kaumodaki gada in his lower right hand, Panchajanya shankha in his upper left hand and the Sudarshana Chakra in his upper right hand. A traditional depiction is Vishnu reclining on the coils of the serpent Shesha, accompanied by his consort Lakshmi, as he "dreams the universe into reality".

Yaska, the mid 1st-millennium BCE Vedanga scholar, in his Nirukta, defines Vishnu as viṣṇur viṣvater vā vyaśnoter vā, "one who enters everywhere". He writes, atha yad viṣito bhavati tad viṣnurbhavati, "that, free from fetters and bondages is Vishnu"; the medieval Indian scholar Medhātithi suggested that the word Vishnu has etymological roots in viś, meaning to pervade, thereby connoting that Vishnu is "one, everything and inside everything". Vishnu means "all pervasive". Vishnu is a Vedic deity, but not a prominent one when compared to Indra and others. Just 5 out of 1028 hymns of the Rigveda, a 2nd millennium BCE Hindu text, are dedicated to Vishnu, he finds minor mention in the other hymns. Vishnu is mentioned in the Brahmana layer of text in the Vedas, thereafter his profile rises and over the history of Indian mythology, states Jan Gonda, Vishnu becomes a divinity of the highest rank, one equivalent to the Supreme Being. Though a minor mention and with overlapping attributes in the Vedas, he has important characteristics in various hymns of Rig Veda, such as 1.154.5, 1.56.3 and 10.15.3.

In these hymns, the Vedic mythology asserts that Vishnu resides in that highest home where departed Atman reside, an assertion that may have been the reason for his increasing emphasis and popularity in Hindu soteriology. He is described in the Vedic literature as the one who supports heaven and earth. In the Vedic hymns, Vishnu is invoked alongside other deities Indra, whom he helps in killing the symbol of evil named Vritra, his distinguishing characteristic in Vedas is his association with light. Two Rigvedic hymns in Mandala 7 refer to Vishnu. In section 7.99 of the Rgveda, Vishnu is addressed as the god who separates heaven and earth, a characteristic he shares with Indra. In the Vedic texts, the deity or god referred to as Vishnu is Surya or Savitr, who bears the name Suryanarayana. Again, this link to Surya is a characteristic Vishnu shares with fellow Vedic deities named Mitra and Agni, where in different hymns, they too "bring men together" and cause all living beings to rise up and impel them to go about their daily activities.

In hymn 7.99 of Rigveda, Indra-Vishnu are equivalent and produce the sun, with the verses asserting that this sun is the source of all energy and light for all. In other hymns of the Rigveda, Vishnu is a close friend of Indra. Elsewhere in Rigveda and Upanishadic texts, Vishnu is equivalent to Prajapati, both are described as the protector and preparer of the womb, according to Klaus Klostermaier, this may be the root behind post-Vedic fusion of all the attributes of the Vedic Prajapati unto the avatars of Vishnu. In the Yajurveda, Taittiriya Aranyaka, Narayana sukta, Narayana is mentioned as the supreme being; the first verse of Narayana Suktam mentions the words paramam padam, which mean highest post and may be understood as the supreme abode for all souls. This is known as Param Dhama, Paramapadam or Vaikuntha. Rig Veda 1.22.20 mentions the same paramam padam. In the Atharvaveda, the mythology of a boar who raises goddess earth from the depths of cosmic ocean appears, but without the word Vishnu or his alternate avatar names.

In post-Vedic mythology, this legend becomes one of the basis of many cosmogonic myth called the Varaha legend, with Varaha as an avatar of Vishnu. Several hymns of the Rigveda repeat the mighty deed of Vishnu called the Trivikrama, one of the lasting mythologies in Hinduism since the Vedic times, it is an inspiration for ancient artwork in numerous Hindu temples such as at the Ellora Caves, which depict the Trivikrama legend through the Vamana avatar of Vishnu. Trivikrama refers to "three strides" of Vishnu. Starting as a small insignificant looking being, Vishnu undertakes a herculean task of establishing his reach and form with his first step covers the earth, with second the ether, the third entire heaven; the Vishnu Sukta 1.154 of Rigveda says that the first and second of Vishnu's strides are visible to the mortals and the third is the realm of the immortals. The Trivikrama describing hymns integrate salvific themes, stating Vishnu to symbolize that, freedom and life; the Shatapatha Brahmana elaborates this theme of Vishnu, as his herculean effort and sacrifice to create and gain powers that help others, one who realizes and defeats the evil symbolized by the Asuras after they had usurped the three worlds, thus Vishnu is the savior of the mortals and immortals.

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

[This Discourse is a compilation from the desk of Religious Writers, Spiritual   Writers, Ayurveda Doctors and Internet Google  Search Engine  that is gratefully acknowledged]

 

 

APPENDIX

Why Tulsi is A Sacred Plant in Hinduism?

 [From the Desk of Spiritual Writers--Speaking Tree]

The 'tulsi' plant or Indian basil is an important symbol in the Hindu religious tradition. The name 'tulsi' connotes "the incomparable one". Tulsi is a venerated plant and Hindus worship it in the morning and evening. Tulsi grows wild in the tropics and warm regions. Dark or Shyama tulsi and light or Rama tulsi are the two main varieties of basil, the former possessing greater medicinal value. Of the many varieties, the Krishna or Shyama tulsi is commonly used for worship.

Tulsi as A Deity

The presence of tulsi plant symbolizes the religious bent of a Hindu family. A Hindu household is considered incomplete if it doesn't have a tulsi plant in the courtyard. Many families have the tulsi planted in a specially built structure, which has images of deities installed on all four sides, and an alcove for a small earthen oil lamp. Some households can even have up to a dozen tulsi plants on the verandah or in the garden forming a "tulsi-van" or "tulsivrindavan" - a miniature basil forest.

The Holy Herb

Places that tend to inspire concentration and places ideal for worship, according to the 'Gandharv Tantra,' include "grounds overgrown with tulsi plants". The Tulsi Manas Mandir at Varanasi is one such famous temple, where tulsi is worshiped along with other Hindu gods and goddesses. Vaishnavites or believers of Lord Vishnu worship the tulsi leaf because it's the one that pleases Lord Vishnu the most. They also wear beaded necklaces made of tulsi stems. The manufacture of these tulsi necklaces is a cottage industry in pilgrimages and temple towns.

Tulsi as An Elixir

Apart from its religious significance it is of great medicinal significance, and is a prime herb in Ayurvedic treatment. Marked by its strong aroma and a stringent taste, tusli is a kind of "the elixir of life" as it promotes longevity. The plant's extracts can be used to prevent and cure many illnesses and common ailments like common cold, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning and malaria. Essential oil extracted from karpoora tulsi is mostly used for medicinal purposes though of late it is used in the manufacture of herbal toiletry.

A Herbal Remedy

According to Jeevan Kulkarni, author of 'Historical Truths & Untruths Exposed,' when Hindu women worship tulsi, they in effect pray for "less and less carbonic acid and more and more oxygen - a perfect object lesson in sanitation, art and religion". The tulsi plant is even known to purify or de-pollute the atmosphere and also works as a repellent to mosquitoes, flies and other harmful insects. Tulsi used to be a universal remedy in cases of malarial fever.

Tulsi in History

Prof Shrinivas Tilak, who teaches Religion at Concordia University, Montreal has made this historical citation: In a letter written to 'The Times,' London, dated May 2, 1903 Dr. George Birdwood, Professor of Anatomy, Grant Medical College, Mumbai said, "When the Victoria Gardens were established in Bombay, the men employed on those works were pestered by mosquitoes. At the recommendation of the Hindu managers, the whole boundary of the gardens was planted with holy basil, on which the plague of mosquitoes was at once abated, and fever altogether disappeared from among the resident gardeners."

Tulsi in Legends

Quite a few myths and legends found in the Puranas or ancient scriptures point to the origin of importance of tulsi in religious rituals. Although tulsi is regarded as feminine, in no folklore is she described as the consort the Lord. Yet a garland solely made of tulsi leaves is the first offering to the Lord as part of the daily ritual. The plant is accorded the sixth place among the eight objects of worship in the ritual of the consecration of the Kalasha, the container of holy water.

A legend on Tulsi?

According to one legend, Tulsi was the incarnation of a princess who fell in love with Lord Krishna, and so had a curse laid on her by his consort Radha. Tulsi is also mentioned in the stories of Meera and of Radha immortalized in Jayadev's Gita Govinda. The story of Lord Krishna has it that when Krishna was weighed in gold, not even all the ornaments of Satyabhama could outweigh him. But a single tulsi leaf placed by Rukmani on the pan tilted the scale. (Krishna Tulabhara)

Hindu mythology-Tulsi?

In the Hindu mythology, tulsi is very dear to Lord Vishnu. Tulsi is ceremonially married to Lord Vishnu annually on the 11th bright day of the month of Karttika in the lunar calendar. This festival continues for five days and concludes on the full moon day, which falls in mid October. This ritual, called the 'Tulsi Vivaha' inaugurates the annual marriage season in India.

Tulsi

One plant you are bound to find in most of the Hindu homes is the holy basil. Commonly known as Tulsi, the plant is a very important and strong symbol of the Hindu community. Many Hindu mythologies, like the Gita and the Puranas, liken the Tulsi tree with various Indian Gods and Goddesses. As such, having a Tulsi plant at home is considered very auspicious. In the Sanskrit language, the term 'Tulsi' means "the incomparable one". In our country, two different forms of the Tulsi plants are found, the dark 'Shyama' Tulsi and the light 'Rama' Tulsi.

Tulsi in the stories

There are numerous mentions of the Tulsi in the stories, folklore and the quotes in the Indian mythologies. As per one such story, Tulsi was actually a Gopi who was madly and truly in love with Lord Krishna. The plant also finds mention in many stories related to the famous Krishna devotee, Mirabai. The significance of Tulsi is sketched out in one tale, in which Krishna was weighed in gold and even the entire jewelry of His consort, Satyabhama, could not outweigh Him, until a Tulsi was placed on the other scale.

Indian traditions

As per the Indian tradition, it is mandatory that all those people who plant Tulsi in their homes to take proper care of it. You may also find many people worshipping the Tulsi plant. It is regarded as Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and the consort of Lord Vishnu. Devotees offer a garland of its leaves to the Lord as part of the daily ritual. Due to time constraint, many people may simply offer water to the plant once or twice a day and place a diya under it. Tulasi occupies the sixth position amongst the eight objects needed for worship in Hindu rituals.

Tulsi at home?

If there is a Tulsi plant in a home, it reflects the religious bent of mind of the family members. In fact, a specific tubular shaped structure is often built in a specific corner of the house to plant Tulsi. Many religious people wear garlands made out of its stems. The manufacture of Tulasi necklaces takes place in the form of a cottage industry in places of pilgrimage and temple towns. Another name for Tulsi, within the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, is Vrindadevi, meaning Goddess of Vrindavan'.

Holy Basil in English

Known by the name of Holy Basil in English, the leaves of the Tulsi plant have medicinal properties and have long been known to be used in the treatment of various sicknesses. Tulsi is considered to be an adaptive, balancing different processes in the body, and helpful for adapting to stress. The juice of its leaves is used for treating cough, cold, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation and other illnesses. Tulsi leaves are very aromatic, so some people like to add them to their tea to get a unique flavor.

Peepal and Tulsi in Hinduism

Since the time of the Dravidians or even before them, worshiping different plants has been a part and parcel of life in India. Many herbs, shrubs and flowers are worshiped or deemed sacred for varied reasons. As per Hindu and Buddhist thoughts, the lotus flower symbolizes the unfolding of consciousness, the rose flower acts an inspiration for spreading sweet fragrance everywhere and the peepal tree is worshiped all across India and so on.

Tulsi- incarnation of Goddess?

Among all, the Tulsi is one such plant that is considered as the most sacred and worshiped by Hindus and Vaishnavas. As per the Christian tradition, it is believed that Tulsi grew around Calvary, the place where Jesus was crucified. In Greece and Rome,Ttulsi is valued for its medicinal Tso. In India, Tulsi is found in almost every home and worshiped daily. As per Hindu mythology, Tulsi is regarded as an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, wife of Lord Vishnu. So during puja, tulsi leaves are offered to the feet of Lord Vishnu. According to another legend, Tulsi was a Gopi (cowherd girl). She fell in love with Lord Krishna. But Radha, (female counterpart of Lord Krishna) could not bear this and cursed her. The Gopi then became a plant called Tulsi.

Tulsi Devi gives purity?

As per the ancient religious text, the Skanda Purana, touching Tulsi Devi gives purity. One gets free from all sorts of desires by praying to her. By watering her, fear of Yama Raj (Death in person) gets removed.

Kartik is the best month to worship of Tulsi

As per the Hindu calendar, the month of Kartik (October-November) is the best month to worship tulsi as this month is loved by her. During this period, people decorate the holy basil with mango leaves, flowers and sugarcane. In this month, devotees take 365 rounds around the tulsi plant at home in case they cannot go to temple daily. Also a wedding of tulsi with shaligram (sacred lingam) is performed on any one day during this month. I have also attended the marriage of the tulsi plant and it was altogether a different experience. Also the eleventh day of the Kartik month begins the marriage season in India.

Tulsi - 'incomparable one’

Tulsi or sacred basil or Tulsai is native to India and a small perennial shrub. Sanskrit meaning of tulsai is the ‘incomparable one’ and it is also known as the queen of herbs. Tulsi is an aromatic member of the basil family (ocinum tenuiflorum or ocimum sanctum.)

Medicinal Value of Tulsi

Apart from religious value, the Tulsi has many medicinal properties making it a sacred plant. Tulsi has been mentioned in Charaka Samhita, an ancient book of ayurveda. It proves that Tulsi has been used in many medicines since thousands of years. Cold, headache, heart disease, stomach infections can be cured by having an extract of tulsi. It acts as a pain killer. Almost all the ayurvedic cough syrups contain T ulsi as an important ingredient, as it helps in lessening bronchitis. Tulsi reduces blood glucose levels and so is an effective herb for diabetes. Radiation poisoning as well as cataract can also be cured to certain extent by having tulsi extract. Tulsi acts as a stress reliever by balancing various body processes. It promotes longevity. Tulsi leaves are beneficial for nervous system and help in enhancing memory.Tulsi helps in strengthening kidney. Drink juice of tulsi leaves mixed in honey for six months in case of renal stones. This will expel these stones through urinary tract. Mouth ulcers and infections can be cured with tulsi. Tulsi is also very beneficial against insect bites or stings. Drinking juice of tulsi leaves after every few hours in case of bite is very beneficial. You can also apply tulsi paste to the affected parts. Owing to immense medicinal value, tulsi is considered a sacred plant in India.

Types of Tulsi

There are three varieties of tulsi – a dark variety known as syama or krishna tulsi, a white variety known as rama tulsi and a very hard variety known as Fujian or Thai tulsi. Thai tulsi is the most common variety among all the three types, as it is easiest to grow but it is not considered as a tulsi by the Vaishnavas.

 Tulsi in Hinduism

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.