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Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare, Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma,
Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa,
Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare, Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma,
Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare
Krishna Productions presents, a dramatic narration of the book, "The Life of Tulasī Devī." It
was written by and narrated by Amala Bhakta dāsa. Both the book and narration were copyrighted
in 1991 and all rights are reserved. The book is based primarily on an English translation
of the Sanskrit text of the Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa by Rājendra Nath Sen which was published
in India in 1920. The text was occassionally supplemented with clarifications and elaborations
from the Śiva Purāṇa which was translated by a board of scholars and published in India
by Motilal Banarsidass and by the Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam which was translated by Swami Vijayananda
and published in India by Munshiram Manoharlal.
Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare, Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma,
Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare
However, this entire project was inspired by and is dedicated to His Divine Grace A.
C. Bhaktivedanta Svāmī Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya for the International Society for Krishna
Consciousness. For it was Śrīla Prabhupāda who brought to the Western world an understanding
of the importance and value of the glorious Tulasī plant, and it was under his guidance
and direction that countless devotees of God learned to honor and worship Tulasī Devī daily
and thereby make wonderful spiritual advancement. There practices are still going on in all
temples of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, and shall continue to go on,
for the benefits of such practices are incalculable.
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare,
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma
But who is Tulasī Devī? A great devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa? Yes, but what makes her so great?
Why is she worshiped in all ISKCON temples, in all Vaiṣṇava temples? What did she accomplish
to deserve such worship? What is her special distinction? These important questions will
be answered shortly in this brief description of her blessed life.
Let us begin with the introduction.
In his summary study of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī's book, the Nectar of Devotion, Śrīla Prabhupāda,
in chapter 11, quotes the Skanda Purāṇa as follows:
"Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the Tulasī tree, which can immediately vanquish
volumes of sinful activities. Simply by seeing or touching this tree one can become relieved
from all distresses and diseases. Simply by offering obeisances to and pouring water on
the Tulasī tree, one can become freed from the fear of being sent to the court of Yamarāja
[the King of death, who punishes the sinful]. If someone sows a Tulasī tree somewhere, certainly
he becomes devoted to Lord Kṛṣṇa. And when the Tulasī leaves are offered in devotion
at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, there is the full development of love of Godhead."
In Kusakrata dāsa's translation of the book "Śrī Garga Saṁhitā," canto 2, chapter 15,
verses 37-39, and chapter 16, verses 1-39, it is mentioned that Candranana, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī's
friend, had heard the scriptures directly from the lips of Garga Muni, thus Rādhārāṇī
asked her what kind of worship She should perform to please Śrī Kṛṣṇa and to bring Herself
good fortune, virtue and the fulfillment of Her wish. After reflecting on this question
for a moment, Candranana told Her that service to Tulasī Devī bestows the greatest virtue,
good fortune and blessing and offers one Lord Kṛṣṇa's company. She advised Rādhārāṇī to
gaze on Tulasī, to touch her, remember her, glorify her, bow down before her, offer prayers
to her, plant her and worship her. By doing this, Tulasī would grant Rādhārāṇī's desire
and also that anyone who serves Tulasī in any one of these nine ways, attains the result
one would attain if he performed pious acts in many thousands of millions of yugas, or
ages.
Candranana further said that whoever plants Tulasī liberates his family from the cycle
of birth and death. However many branches, sub-branches, seeds, flowers and leaves there
are on the Tulasī plant that one sows, that many ancestors and descendents in his family,
for thousands of kalpa yugas, go to Lord Kṛṣṇa's transcendental abode. When one offers Lord
Kṛṣṇa just one Tulasī leaf, he attains the same result as offering Him every leaf and
flower that exists. One who worships Lord Kṛṣṇa with Tulasī leaves, just as a lotus
leaf is not touched by water. Yamarāja's servants will never enter a home that is in the midst
of a Tulasī forest. If one plants, protects, waters, sees, or touches the Tulasī plant,
Tulasī burns away the reactions of sins committed with one's mind, body and words. Such holy
lakes as the Puskar, such holy rivers as the Ganges, and such Deities as Lord Vāsudeva,
reside on a single Tulasī leaf. If one serves the SrimTulasi plant daily, Śrī Kṛṣṇa will
become his submissive servant.
Thereafter, to please Lord Kṛṣṇa, Rādhārāṇī vowed to serve Tulasī Devī by following Garga
Muni's instructions daily for about 6 months. When Her vow was completed, She feasted numerous
Brāhmaṇas and donated to them an enormous amount of wealth. Then, in the sky, the demigods
sounded their drums and the apsarās began to dance. The demigods showered blossoms on
the temple of Tulasī. Next, the beautiful four-armed Tulasī, who is very dear to Lord
Kṛṣṇa, appeared. She had lotus-like eyes, a golden crown, and glittering earrings, and
she was seated on a glorious throne on a golden pedastal. When it descended to Earth, Tulasī
embraced and kissed Rādhārāṇī, who was wearing a new vaijayantī garland, and who's serpentine
braids were covered with a yellow cloth. Tulasī said to Rādhārāṇī, "I am pleased with You
and eternally conquered by Your loving devotion. Oh lovely one, You very faithfully follow
your vow as if You were an ordinary human being. You will attain the desire that fills
Your heart, mind, intelligence and senses. Lord Kṛṣṇa will be kind to You." Rādhārāṇī
then bowed down and prayed, "May I have pure devotion to Lord Kṛṣṇa's lotus feet." Tulasī
replied, "Yes you shall," and then disappeared. Rādhā, King Vṛṣabhānu's daughter, went home
feeling happy at heart.
Anyone who hears this amazing story about Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī attains wealth, pleasure,
virtue, and the supreme spiritual goal of life: love for Lord Kṛṣṇa.
We now conclude the introduction with the following prayers:
I offer my repeated obeisances unto Vṛndā, Śrīmatī Tulasī Devī, who is very dear to Lord
Keśava.
Oh goddess, you bestow devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa and possess the highest truth.
Oh Tulasī, I bow before you again and again. My desire is to attain the service of Śrī
Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa.
Whoever takes shelter of you has his wishes fulfilled. Bestowing your mercy on him, you
make him a resident of Vṛndāvana. My desire is that you will also grant me a residence
in the pleasure groves of Śrī Vṛndāvana-dhāma. Thus, within my vision, I will always behold
the beautiful pastimes of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. I beg you to make me a follower of the cowherd
damsels of Vraja. Please give me the priviledge of devotional service and make me your own
maidservant. This very fallen and lowly servant of Kṛṣṇa prays, "May I always swim in the
love of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Govinda."
And now, the Life of Tulasī Devī:
Nārada Muni asked Lord Nārāyaṇa, "O Bhagavān! How did the pure, chaste Tulasī Devī become
Your wife? Where was she born? Who was she in her previous birth? What family did she
come from? And what austerities did she perform to get You as her husband-You, who are above
the material energy, not subject to change, the Cosmic Self, the Supreme God, the Lord
of all, omniscient, the cause of all, omnipresent, container and preserver of all. And how did
Tulasī Devī, Your chief goddess, become a tree? O You who resolve all doubts, my mind
is curious to know all about these points; therefore, it compels me to ask you these
questions. Kindly remove these doubts from my mind."
Lord Nārāyaṇa then related the following account.... Manu Dakṣa Sāvarṇi was a partial expansion
of Lord Viṣṇu. He was extremely virtuous, devoted to the Lord, and very famous for his
good deeds. Dakṣa Sāvarṇi's son, Dharma Sāvarṇi, was also extremely virtuous. Dharma Sāvarṇi's
pious son was called Viṣṇu Sāvarṇi, and his son, who was a great Vaiṣṇava, was known as
Rājā Sāvarṇi. However, Rājā Sāvarṇi's son, Vrsadhvaja, was
fanatically devoted to Lord Śiva. Lord Śiva lived in Vrsadhvaja's house for three celestial
yugas (ages) and loved him more than his own sons. Vrsadhvaja did not revere Lord Nārāyaṇa,
Goddess Lakṣmī or any of the demigods. He abolished the worship of Lakṣmī in the month
of Bhadra (Aug., Sept.) and the worship of Sarasvatī in the month of Māgha (Jan., Feb.).
He did not participate in the sacrifice and worship performed out of respect for Lord
Viṣṇu (Nārāyaṇa) and criticized them rather severely.
The demigods did not curse him because they feared Lord Śiva. However, Sūrya, the sun
god, no longer able to restrain his wrath, cursed him: "O King, just as you are completely
devoted to Lord Śiva and only to Lord Śiva, and just as you do not recognize any of the
other demigods, I declare that you will now lose your wealth and prosperity!"
When Lord Śiva heard this curse, he became angry. Seizing his trident, he ran after Lord
Sūrya. Afraid, the sun god went with his father, Kaśyapa Muni, to Brahmaloka, the highest material
planet, to take shelter of Lord Brahmā. But Lord Śiva pursued him there. Lord Brahmā,
also afraid of Lord Śiva, took Lord Sūrya and Kaśyapa Muni to the region of Vaikuṇṭha,
the spiritual or eternal world. There, with throats parched due to anxiety, they took
refuge of Lord Nārāyaṇa, the Lord of all. They offered obeisances to Him and praised
Him repeatedly and finally explained why they were so apprehensive.
Lord Nārāyaṇa bestowed His mercy on them and granted them the power to be fearless. He
said, "O fearful ones, be consoled. How can you be afraid of anyone while I am here? If
anyone remembers Me when he is in danger, wherever he may be, I hurry to him with my
Sudarśana disc in my hand and save him. O demigods! I am always the creator, preserver
and destroyer of this universe. In the form of Viṣṇu, I am the preserver; in the form
of Brahmā, the creator; and in the form of Śiva, the destroyer. I am Śiva, I am you,
and I am Sūrya. I assume numerous forms and preserve the universe. So go back to your
respective places. You have nothing to be afraid of. All will be well.
"From this day on, you have nothing to fear from Lord Śiva. He is the shelter of the pious,
is easily pleased, is the servant and lord of his devotees, and is great minded. Lord
Śiva and the Sudarśana-cakra are dearer to Me than My life. In the world of valor, they
excel all. Lord Śiva can easily create ten million Sūryas and ten million Brahmās. For
him, nothing is impossible. He is not conscious of the external world. Meditating on Me, his
heart centered, he is absorbed day and night. From his five faces he repeats My mantra with
devotion, and he always sings My glories. Day and night, I also always think of his
welfare. To whatever degree one worships Me, to that degree I favor one. The nature of
Śiva is all-auspiciousness." While Lord Nārāyaṇa was speaking, Lord Śiva
arrived. His eyes red, he was sitting on his bull carrier holding his trident. He dismounted
quickly and humbly offered obeisances with devotion to the Lord of Lakṣmī, the tranquil
Supreme Being. Lord Nārāyaṇa, Viṣṇu, was sitting on His jewel-studded
throne. He was decorated with a crown, earrings, and a garland, and was holding His disc. His
form was extremely beautiful, and His complexion like a fresh blue rain cloud. Each of His
attendants had four arms and was fanning Him with four hands. His body was anointed with
sandal paste and He was wearing a yellow garment. Lord Viṣṇu, who shows kindness to His devotees,
was chewing betel nut that had been offered to Him by His wife Lakṣmī. Smiling, He was
watching and listening to the dancing and singing of the Vidyādharīs.
After Lord Śiva bowed down to Lord Nārāyaṇa, he bowed to Lord Brahmā. Lord Sūrya and Kaśyapa
Muni respectfully saluted Lord Śiva. Then Lord Śiva worshiped Lord Viṣṇu, the Lord of
all, and seated himself on a throne. The attendants of Lord Nārāyaṇa began to fan Lord Śiva with
white whisks to relieve him of the fatigue of his journey. Lord Śiva, because of being
in contact with Lord Viṣṇu's virtues, then assumed a cheerful disposition and adored
the Eternal Being with his five mouths. Lord Nārāyaṇa was highly gratified. With sweet,
nectarean words, He said, "O Lord Śiva, you are the symbol of all good and welfare. Thus,
to ask about your welfare would be foolish. I would ask you only out of respect for the
rules of society and the method prescribed in the Vedas. One who yields fruits of devotion
and gives all prosperity should not be asked about his austerities or material prosperity.
Since you preside over knowledge, it would be useless to ask if you are increasing in
knowledge. It would be equally useless to ask a conqueror of death if he is free from
all danger. But you have come to my residence for a reason. What is it? Have you become
angry over something?" "O Lord Viṣṇu!" Lord Śiva began. "King Vrsadhvaja
is my great devotee. Lord Sūrya has cursed him and that has made me angry. Out of affection
for my son, the king, I was about to kill Sūrya. But Sūrya sought shelter of Lord Brahmā,
and now both of them have sought Your protection. Those who are distressed and take shelter
of You, either by speaking about You or by remembering You, become completely safe and
free from danger. They overcome death and old age. What to speak of those who come personally
to You and take shelter. When one remembers You, his dangers disappear. All good comes
to him. O Lord of the world! What will become of my foolish devotee who, by the curse of
Lord Sūrya, has lost his fortune and prosperity?" Lord Viṣṇu replied, "O Lord Śiva! A half hour
has elapsed here in Vaikuṇṭha. In that time, twenty-one celestial yugas have passed away.
Therefore, King Vrsadhvaja, through the revolution of irresistible and dreadful time, is dead.
His son, Hamsadhvaja, in the course of time, also died. Hamsadhvaja begot two noble sons
named Dharmadhvaja and Kuśadhvaja. They are both great Vaiṣṇavas but, because of Lord
Sūrya's curse, they have become luckless. They lost their kingdoms, including all property
and prosperity. But they are now engaged in worshiping Goddess Lakṣmī, who is pleased
with their efforts. Therefore, She has agreed to descend to Earth and expand Herself partially
by taking birth from the wives of those two kings. Then, by the favor of Goddess Lakṣmī,
Dharmadhvaja and Kuśadhvaja will become prosperous, mighty kings. O Lord Śiva! Your devotee Vrsadhvaja
is dead, so return to your abode. O Lord Brahmā, Lord Sūrya and Kaśyapa Muni-you also should
return your realms." Bhagavān Viṣṇu then went with His wife to
the inner apartments. The demigods went cheerfully to their own abodes, Lord Śiva continuing
his practice of austerity. Dharmadhvaja and Kuśadhvaja performed harsh
asceticism and worshiped Godesss Lakṣmī. Thereafter, they separately obtained the blessings they
desired. By Goddess Lakṣmī's favor, they again became the rulers of the earth. They acquired
great spiritual merits, were married, and begot children. King Dharmadhvaja was married
to Mādhavī. After some time, she became pregnant with a partial incarnation of Goddess Lakṣmī.
However, the infant remained in Mādhavī's womb for one hundred celestial years. Day
by day Mādhavī's luster increased. Then, on an auspicious day and moment, when there was
a full moon, in the month of Kārttika, on a Friday, she gave birth.
The grace of the Goddess of Fortune, Lakṣmī, manifested through the baby. There were marks
of the lotus flower on the infant's feet. Her face looked like the autumnal moon, her
eyes resembled blooming lotuses, and her lips appeared like ripe bimba fruit. Her palms
and the soles of her feet were reddish, her navel was deep, and just above it were three
folds. Her buttocks were round, and her body was delightfully warm in the winter and cool
in the summer-very pleasant to touch. Her breast was firm and her waist thin, and the
light shining from her body surrounded her like a halo. Her complexion was white, like
a campaka flower, and her hair looked beautiful. Because her beauty was incomparable, the sages
called her Tulasī.