*Lesssons from Indian Wisdom: The True Significance of Karthik Poornima - Part 1: Tulsi Vivah*
*Why Tulsi is so Sacred for Indians*
_Yesterday was Karthik Pournima, which is also Tulsi Vivah Samapti, or the end of the wedding of Tulso Plant. But why she being wedded and to whom?_
“Every home with a Tulsi plant is a place of pilgrimage, and no diseases, messengers of Yama, the God of Death, can enter it.”
Skandapurana 2, 4, 8, 13 Padmapurana Uttarakhanda
Wherever the aroma of Tulsi is carried by the wind, it purifies the atmosphere and frees all animals from all baser tendencies.”
Padmapurana, Uttarakhanda
*“Vishnu, the Lord of the Three Worlds, takes up abode in the village or the house where Tulsi is grown. In such a house no one suffers calamities like poverty, illness or separations from dear ones.” Padmapurana, Uttarakhanda, 6-24-31-32*
A close study of the above three Shlokas from Padmapurana and Skandapurana reveal the incredible value of the Tulsi plant to mankind since Vedic times. It is common knowledge that there is not a single plan in Bhaarat without medicinal properties but the Tulsi plant is absolutely special. The above three Shlokas speak about –
· Place of Pligrimage
· No diseases
· No death
· Purifies the atmosphere
· Frees animals from baser tendencies
· Divinity thrives
· No poverty
· No separation
But let us understand what the above eight benefits stand for
Place of pilgrimage – That which creates a salubrious and pleasant atmosphere
No diseases – Cures and heals all kinds of ailments
No death – Builds long term immunity and thus prolong life
Purifies the atmosphere – Has properties which fights germs in the air and water
Frees animals from baser tendencies – Creates positive energies which in turn cause humans (and other creatures) to operate from higher energy chakras
Divinity thrives – When positive energies are promoted, then we are closer to our divine nature
No poverty – Tulsi helps strengthen mind, body, spirit – thus enable humans to become productive and bring abundance
No separation – When all the above benefits of Tulsi are utilized , families are benefited and conflict is minimised (since mind, body, spirit are healthy)
Is it any wonder then than Tulsi is called Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons. A study describes how Tulsi is known as “The Incomparable One,” “Mother Medicine of Nature” and “The Queen of Herbs,” and is revered as an “elixir of life” that is without equal for both its medicinal and spiritual properties. Tulsi is hence a herb that has been common in Bhaarat since ancient times. Ayurveda has recognised Tulsi's importance equal to gold and has been hailed as a healer plant. Loaded with tonnes of health benefits, Tulsi is one of the best natural remedies with and for its therapeutic power, holy basil leaves are now used all across the world, even as supplements. They are now also widely used as adaptogens aka anti-stress agents and very popular known to combat various health issues like hypothyroidism, anxiety, balance blood sugar and also control acne.
*Little wonder then that Tulsi is raised to the level of divinity and a corresponding legend is created to symbolize it. Tulsi Vivah is celebrated after Prabodhini Ekadashi, the eleventh lunar day of the fortnight of the Hindu month of Kartik viz Karthik Dwadashi. The celebration of Tulsi Vivah includes a ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi plant to Lord Vishnu. Tulsi Vivah also holds a lot of significance as it marks the end of monsoon and the religiously official beginning of the wedding season among Indians.*
In the legend of Vrinda, she is married to the Asura Jalandhar and her husband is undefeated even by the Devas owing to her undying love for him combined with her reverence for Lord Vishnu – her devotion builds such a strong shield around him, that nothing can touch him, not even Shiva. This changes when Lord Vishnu himself impersonates Jalandhar and she stops her prayer, thinking her husband has won the war. The moment this reverie is broken, Jalandhar is killed by Shiva because Jalandhar had become so filled with ego, arrogance and anger that he even challenges the Lord who created him – Shiva. Vrinda curses Vishnu (that’s a different story) and herself falls dead from the shock. But due to her infinite devotion, she is reborn as Tulsi and married to Lord Vishnu, in the form of Shaligram. Tulsi the plant is wedded to the sacred Shaligram stone that holds, preserves and protects it.
*This legend is but a symbolism of the fact that no matter how strong the illness or how potent the negative forces, when it comes in contact with Tulsi, it is not only nullified but transformed. The transformation is so positive, that it potentially leads to union with the Divine. What a beautiful way of conveying the value of such a life giving herb! This medical and spiritual significance is commemorated every year through the ceremony of Tulsi Vivah. It is critical to understand that this not a religious ritual but yet another celebration of nature’s endless gifts for mankind. Tulsi Vivah is treating ourselves to goodness of Srishti.*
*Shubh Tulsi Vivah to all Indians!*
