SB 2.3.23
jivañ chavo bhagavatanghri-renum
na jatu martyo 'bhilabheta yas tu
sri-visnu-padya manujas tulasyah
svasañ chavo yas tu na veda gandham
The person who has not at any time received the dust of the feet of the Lord's pure devotee upon his head is certainly a dead body. And the person who has never experienced the aroma of the tulasi leaves from the lotus feet of the Lord is also a dead body, although breathing.
Saunaka Rsi
Sri Tulasi Pranama
vrndayai tulasi-devyai
priyayai kesavasya ca
krsna-bhakti-prade devi
satyavatyai namo namah
I offer my repeated obeisances unto Vrnda, Srimati Tulasi Devi, who is very dear to Lord Kesava. O goddess, you bestow devotional service to Lord Krsna and
possess the highest truth.
From Srila Prabhupada letters / lectures:
"I am very glad to learn that Srimati Tulasi-devi has favored you so much. If you actually grow
this Tulasi plant, and I am sure you will do it, then you must know it for certain that your
devotion for Krsna is testified. I was very much anxious to introduce this worship of Tulasi
plant amongst our Society members, but it has not become successful till now, therefore,
when I hear that you have got this opportunity, my pleasure does not have any bounds.
"Please take care of the Tulasi plants in the following way. This is the best season for
growing Tulasi plants. From 15th April to 15th June is the best season for growing this plant.
Now I understand that the seedlings are coming out, so the whole spot if possible may be
covered by some net because the seedling stage creepers being very delicate are sometimes
eaten up by the sparrows, so we have to give a little protection from attack of the sparrows.
All the devotees should pour water at least once in the morning before taking prasadam.
The watering should not be very much large in quantity, but it should be poured just to
keep the ground soft and moist. Sunlight also should be allowed. When the creepers are
grown at least 7 inches high, then you can take them out from the planting soil and transplant
them in a row in a different place. Then go on watering and they will grow like anything.
I think this plant cannot grow in cold countries, but if the plants are dispatched from
your place and if the devotees take care of the plant with a little care in a flower pot,
then it may grow."
Note: Tulasi leaves must be offered to Lord Visnu or Lord Krsna, Lord Narayana, Caitanya (Visnu-tattva only).
"Tulasi leaf is very, very dear to Visnu. All Visnu-tattva Deities require profusely Tulasi leaves. Lord Visnu likes garland of Tulasi leaves. Tulasi leaves mixed with
sandalwood pulp and placed on the lotus feet of the Lord is the topmost worship. But we must be very careful that Tulasi leaves cannot be placed on the feet of
anyone else than Lord Visnu and His different forms. Tulasi leaves cannot be placed even on the lotus feet of Radharani or on the lotus feet of the Spiritual Master.
It is entirely reserved for being placed on the lotus feet of Krsna. We can place, however, Tulasi leaves in the hands of Radharani for being placed on
the lotus feet of Krsna, as you have seen on the Govinda Album."
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The Lord states in the Gita that He accepts a leaf, flower, fruit or water from His bhaktas if it is offered with devotion. These items are easily available and by offering these things one can get His blessings to enter into His Kingdom. And from the scriptures we hear that the Lord has great liking for Tulasi leaves and He is very much pleased if we offer tulasi leaves to Him.
There is an interesting incident in the Mahabharata in this connection. After the Kurukshetra war was over and Yudhistra became the King, the King performed a great Aswamedha sacrifice. After the sacrifice, he question Lord Krishna on a variety of spiritual subjects and he requested Lord Krishna to explain the process of devotional service. The Lord spoke elaborately on this subject and this section is popularly known as 'Vaishnava Dharma'. In this section the King asked, "Which flowers can be used by your devotees to worship you?". The Lord then gave a list of flowers beginning with Jasmine etc., which are dear to Him. Then the Lord gave a hierarchy of the flowers He likes (Mahabharata- Ashwamedhika Parva 14.96.15).
sarveshaam api pushpaanaam / sahasragunam utpalam
tasmaat padmam tathaa raajan / padmaat tu shatapatrakam
tasmaat sahasrapatram tu / pundareekam tatah param
pundareeka sahasraat tu tulasi gunato 'dhikaa
"Of all the flowers, O King, the bluish lotus flower (Utpalam) is thousand times more qualified for My worship. Greater than that is the red lotus (Padmam) flower. Of the red lotus, the lotus with hundred petals is more qualified. Better than that is the red lotus with thousand petals. Better than this is the white lotus flower (Pundarika). And better than white lotus flower with thousand petals is the Tulasi leaf, which is even more qualified for My worship".
Srila Prabhupada therefore introduced the worship of Tulasi Devi in the Krishna Consciosuness movement and encouraged all devotees to offer Tulasi leaves to the Lord. Srila Prabhupada also taught the devotees to add Tulasi leaves while offering bhoga to the Lord. Srila Prabhupada also quoted about Tulasi worship in many places. "A householder worshipping Tulasi Devi will make vigorous spiritual advancement." (Cc Madhya Lila 23.261), Tadiya (that which is dear to the Lord) means the Tulasi leaves, the devotees of Krishna, the birthplace of Krishna, Mathura, and the Vedic literature Srimad Bhagavatam. Krishna is very eager to see His devotee serve Tulsi, Vaisnavas, Mathura, and Bhagavatam." (Chaitanya Caritamrta, Madhya-Lila 22.125- Lord Caitanya's instruction to Sanatana Goswami).
There is a beautiful verse explaining the Lord's liking for Tulasi leaves.
tulasi-dala-maatrena / jalasya chulakena va
vikrinite svam aatmaanam bhaktebhyo bhakta-vatsalah
"The Supreme Lord, who is very affectionate toward His devotees, sells Himself to a devotee who offers Him merely a tulasi leaf and a palmful of water."
There are two interesting pastimes proving that the Lord gave Himself when devotees offered Him Tulasi leaves.
From the Caitanya Caritamrita, we learn that Sri Advaita Acharya had a Narasimha Saligrama and worshipped the Lord in the Saligrama form with Ganges water and Tulasi Leaves. He prayed to the Supreme Lord to appear in this world to deliver the people of Kali Yuga. Pleased by this simple worship, the Lord advented Himself as Lord Caitanya and propagated the chanting of Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
Once Narada muni visited the palace of Lord Krishna in Dwaraka. He met Satyabhama and Rukhmini and told that they should give charity to him something which equals Lord Krishna's weight and in this way manifest their devotion to the Lord. Satyabhama always had the opinion that her devotion was always greater than Rukhmini's devotion. Satyabhama made the Lord sit on the balance on one side and on the other side she started keeping her jewels. But the jewels did not match Krishna's weight. She then completely emptied all her treasury and kept all the jewels and gold in her possession. Still the riches did not become equal to the Lord's weight. She was completely baffled and finally accepted her defeat. Rukhmini whose attitude was very meek and humble, prayed intensely to the Lord and Narada Muni and placed a small leaf of Tulasi in the balance. The balance then became equal on both side. Narada Muni then happily accepted the Tulasi Leaf as the charity from Rukhmini.
By these pastimes, the Lord is conveying the simple and sublime nature of devotional service and how one can attain His Kingdom easily in this age of Kali.
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Benefits of Worshiping Tulasi Devi
Although we can never fully describe the glories of Tulasi Devi, an eternal associate of Lord Krsna, the scriptures give us a hint of the value of worshiping her. The following list comes from the Padma Purana.
Tulasi is the essence of all devotional activities.
The leaves, flowers, roots, bark, branches, trunk, and shade of Tulasi Devi are all spiritual.
One who with devotion applies the paste of Tulasi wood to the Deity of Krsna will always live close to Krsna.
One who puts mud from the base of the Tulasi tree on his body and worships the Deity of Lord Krsna gets the results of one hundred days worship each day.
One who offers a Tulasi manjari to Lord Krsna gets the benefit of offering all other varieties of flowers, and he goes to the abode of Krsna.
One who sees or comes near a house or garden where the Tulasi plant is present gets rid of all his sinful reactions, including that of killing a brahmana.
Lord Krsna happily lives in the house, town, or forest where Tulasi Devi is present.
A house where Tulasi Devi is present never falls on bad times, and it becomes purer than all holy places.
The fragrance of Tulasi Devi purifies all who smell it.
Lord Krsna and all the demigods live in a house where mud from the base of the Tulasi tree is found.
Without Tulasi leaves, Lord Krsna does not like to accept flowers, food, or sandalwood paste.
One who worships Lord Krsna daily with Tulasi leaves attains the results of all kinds of austerity, charity, and sacrifice. In fact, he has no other duties to perform, and he has realized the essence of the scriptures.
One who puts into his mouth or on his head Tulasi leaves that have been offered to Lord Krsna attains Lord Krsna's abode.
In Kali-yuga, one who worships, remembers, plants, keeps, or performs kirtana before Tulasi burns up all sinful reactions and quickly attains Lord Krsna's abode.
One who worships Lord Krsna with Tulasi leaves releases all his ancestors from the realm of birth and death.
One who remembers the glories of Tulasi or tells others about them will never take birth again.
Worshipping Tulasi Devi
The following list was compiled from scriptures and from Srila Prabhupada's instructions.
· Tulasi's body is spiritual. Although Tulasi appears as many individual trees, she is one person, and she comes wherever she sees devotion to Krsna.
· Every morning devotees should water and pray to Tulasi Devi and circumambulate her three times.
· Worship Tulasi with nice food, flowers, incense, a ghee lamp, and other traditional articles of worship.
· Protect the delicate Tulasi seedlings from birds and insects. It is an offense to turn the seedlings back into the soil.
· In places where Tulasi cannot survive the winters when planted in the ground, provide a suitable house for her.
· Every day provide Tulasi fresh air, water (as needed be careful not to water too much), and sunshine (or plant lights).
· Neglecting to care for or water Tulasi properly is a great offense. Do everything carefully.
· When picking Tulasi leaves, chant the following mantra:
tulasy amrta janmasi
sada tvram kesava-priya
kesavartham cinomi tvam
varada bhava sobhane
"O Tulasi, you were born from nectar. You are always very dear to Lord Kesava. Now, in order to worship Lord Kesava, I am collecting your leaves and manjaris. Please bestow your benediction on me."
Pick only the leaves that grow next to the manjaris (flowers) and the leaves that are ready to drop they will turn a pale color not the new, green ones. Pick the manjaris as soon as they blossom. Avoid letting them go to seed, which takes much energy from the plant that can be used to make more leaves and flowers for Krsna's service. Pick the leaves one at a time with your fingertips. Don't shake or stroke the branch and damage healthy leaves. Pick with care and attention. Avoid using cutting tools.
· Never cut or prune Tulasi Devi. This is a great offense. Remove dead branches if absolutely necessary. If branches obstruct a passageway, tie them back, but don't cut them.
· Pick Tulasi leaves and flowers in the morning, never at night (from sunset to sunrise).
· Never use chemical sprays on Tulasi.
· Collect leaves once in the morning for worshiping Krsna and for putting on the plates of food to be offered to Him. Put at least one leaf on each preparation. Never pick Tulasi leaves for any other purpose than to offer to the Lord.
· Lord Krsna likes garlands of Tulasi leaves. Tulasi leaves mixed with sandalwood pulp and placed on the lotus feet of the Lord is the topmost worship. Do not place Tulasi leaves on the feet of anyone other than Lord Visnu in His various forms. Srimati Radharani can be given a Tulasi leaf in Her hand for offering to Lord Krsna.
. . .
· Krsna accepts even dry Tulasi leaves. - Tulsa wood (taken after a plant has fully dried naturally) can be used to carve worship paraphernalia, such as beads. Place leftover Tulasi wood within the earth.
· Never use Tulasi leaves or flowers to make teas or juices, even after they've been offered to Krsna. It is a great offense to cook or heat Tulas~, or to use her for mundane purposes, such as medicines and ointments.
· Never cut down or pull up living Tulsa plants. This is a great offense.
· Avoid stepping on Tulasi Dev~'s shadow.
· Tulasi Devi is very, very dear to the Lord. Therefore, most important is to serve her with love and devotion.
Siddha-svarupananda: Tulasi grows profusely in Hawaii.
Prabhupada: That's a good sign.
Siddha-svarupananda: Yes. Many people, hundreds of people, are worshiping
tulasi. Even people we don't know, they, somehow or other, they have gotten
tulasi, and they are worshiping.
Prabhupada: Very good. They will become devotee. Without any fail, they will
become devotees. If they chant Hare Krsna and worship tulasi leaf, they'll
be liberated without any fail, and they will become devotee.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Morning Walk -- February 4, 1975, Hawaii
Tulasi Neck Beads (tulasi-kanthi-mala)
Like urdhva-pundra, beads worn around the neck indicate a devotee's surrender to the Lord, and therefore a person wearing
tulasi beads around his neck is dear to the Lord. However, a person is an offender if he wears tulasi neck-beads simply to
imitate a Vaisnava but is not seriously trying to surrender to the Lord. Some devotees also wear other kinds of auspicious
malas-either made of tulasi beads, lotus seeds, rope from Jagannatha's ratha, or silk pavitras-while performing puja, japa,
or other sacred functions; these should be removed when bathing or leaving the temple or house. The kanthi-mala is worn
permanently, for the beads protect one from bad dreams, accidents, attack by weapons, and the servants of Yamaraja. Upon
seeing tulasi-mala, the Yamadutas flee like leaves scattered by the wind.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => PP 1.9: Marking The Body with Visnu-Tilaka (urdhva-pundra)
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Srimati Tulasi Devi
Srimati Tulasi devi is one of the most exalted devotees of the Sri Krishna. All scriptures stress on the importance of
getting the mercy of Tulasi devi if one has to make progress in the path of devotion. In the Skanda Purana it is said:
'Tulasi is auspicious in all respects. Simply by seeing, simply by touching, simply by remembering, simply by praying to,
simply by bowing before, simply by hearing about or simply by sowing this tree, there is always auspiciousness. Anyone who
comes in touch with the Tulasi tree in the above-mentioned ways lives eternally in the Vaikuntha world."
Vrinda devi
*********
Above this material world is the eternal spiritual world comprised of millions of Vaikuntha planets. The topmost planet in
Vaikuntha is Goloka which is presided by Sri Krishna in His original form. Here resides Vrinda devi, an intimate associate
of and an expansion of Srimati Radharani. Her partial expansion is Tulasi devi in the Vaikuntha planets and they are all
considered non-different from her.
As the embodiment of the lila-sakti (pastime potency), Vrinda devi is the organizer of all the transcendental pastimes
between Sri Krishna and Srimati Radharani. In Goloka every thing is animate (cit) and only for the pleasure of Sri Krishna.
Vrinda devi makes this happen. She is assisted by many confidential associates (which include two parrots) and with their
help she makes sure that every thing is pleasing to Sri Krishna. She controls how the wind blows, when and where it rains,
how the trees bend, and so many other things for the pleasure of the Divine Couple.
Manifest Vrindavana
*****************
Five thousand years ago when Sri Krishna descended on Earth to do His pastimes, Vrinda devi created the proper environment
for His pastimes in Vrindavana. Millions of years before the descent of Sri Krishna, Vrinda devi had appeared as the
daughter of the pious Emperor Kedera. Then she performed penances for sixty thousand years. Pleased by her penances, Lord
Vishnu gave the benediction that any austerities performed in Vrindavana would be very potent. Thus Vrinda devi sanctified
the place and it got the name Vrindavana. Later Vrinda devi once again descended here as Tulasi devi, the daughter of King
Kushadvaja to perform penances and attain perfection here.
Pastimes of Radha-Krishna
**********************
Vrindavana is completely under the control of Vrinda devi. Without her mercy it is not possible to even approach the
confidential pastimes of Radha-Krishna, even as an audience. Even being allowed into Vrindavana dhama indicates that one
has received some mercy from Vrinda devi.
In Krishna lila she appeared as a young gopi friend of Srimati Radharani. Under the instructions of Purnamasya (Yogamaya),
she would arrange secret meeting between Krishna and Radha. She would also make all the material arrangements, like
saffron, fruits, flowers, music etc. for Radha Krishna. Thus she carried on her eternal service in Goloka Vrindavana in the
earthly Vrindavana.
Once Srimati Radharani was so pleased by the service of Vrinda devi that with the help of the other gopis she arranged a
magnificent throne and had Krishna and Vrinda devi sit on it. Lalita sakhi acting as the priest recited the mantras and
performed the marriage cermony of Krishna and Vrinda devi. Thus by the mercy of Srimati Radharani, Vrinda devi got Krishna.
In another pastime, Vrinda devi offered all the forests of Vrindavana to Srimati Radharani. Thus Radharani is also known as
Vrindavaneshwari or the queen of Vrindavana.
Tulasi devi becomes a plant
**********************
Pastimes involving pure devotees are only for the benefit of conditioned souls in the material world. This pastime, given
in the Padma purana and in the Brahma-vaivarta purana involvong Tulasi devi reveals this clearly.
Once Tulasi devi descended as the daughter of King Kushadvaja. She was married to Jalhandara. It is said that Samudra deva
the demigod controlling the nether regions had Lakshmi devi as a daughter (since she appeared from him at time of the
churning of the ocean) and Jalandara (one who is born from water).
Jalandara was married to Tulasi devi and drew strength from her purity and chastity. So firm was her chastity that even
Lord Shiva could not defeat Jalandara in battle and all the demigods went to Lord Vishnu for help.
At this time, Lord Vishnu went to Tulasi devi assuming the form of her husband, Jalandara. When Tulasi devi greeted Him,
thinking Him to be her husband, her chastity was momentarily broken. Taking advantage of this the demigods killed
Jalandara.
When Tulasi devi understood what happened, Lord Vishnu revealed His original form. An enraged Tulasi devi cursed Lord
Vishnu for His stone hearted behavior to become a stone. Honoring His pure devotee, Lord Vishnu accepted this curse and
promised to appear as the Saligrama shila in the Gandika river (now in Nepal). He also gave Tulsai devi the benediction
that she will eternally reside with Him as His consort in Vaikuntha. He said that for the benefit of every one she will
assume the form of a plant which will be most auspicious for anyone performing devotional service.
Thus devotees never offer anything to Krishna without a Tulasi leaf. He always adorns Himself with a Tulasi garland. The
goddess of fortune, Laksmi, is sometimes envious of the Tulasi leaves which are placed at the lotus feet of the Lord, for
they remain fixed there and do not move, whereas Laksmiji, although stationed by the chest of the Lord, sometimes has to
please other devotees who pray for her favor. Laksmiji sometimes has to go to satisfy her numerous devotees, but tulasi
leaves never forsake their position, and the Lord therefore appreciates the service of the tulasi more than the service of
Laksmi.
Tulasi as the source of bhakti
************************
The scriptures are full of pastimes that reveal the potency of Tulasi in developing devotion for the Lord.
The Srimad Bhagavatam talks about this pastime with the four Kumaras, the sons of Lord Brahma who were very much attached
to the impersonal aspect of Godhead.
'When the breeze carrying the aroma of tulasi leaves and saffron from the lotus feet of the lotus-eyed Personality of
Godhead entered through the nostrils into the hearts of those sages [the Kumaras], they experienced a change in both body
and mind, even though they were attached to the impersonal Brahman understanding.'
Thus by simply smelling the fragrance of the Tulasi leaves the four Kumaras became pure devotees of the Lord.
In Caitanya lila Srila Advaita Acarya was very much disturbed to see the growth of irreligiosity. Therefore He decided to
call for the Personality of Godhead Krsna to descend by worshiping the Lord with tulasi leaves and the water of the Ganges.
When Sri Krishna was please by this devotion He descended as Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Haridasa Thakura a great devotee of Caitanya Mahaprabhu purified a prostitue who had come with the intention of seducing
him with instructions to chant the holy name and worship Tulasi. She became so elevated by this service that even great
Vaishnavas would come to get her mercy.
Glories of Tulasi devi
*****************
Quoting from the Gautamiya-tantra, the Hari-bhakti-vilasa states:
tulasi-dala-matrena
jalasya culukena va
vikrinite svam atmanam
bhaktebhyo bhakta-vatsalah
'Sri Krsna, who is very affectionate toward His devotees, sells Himself to a devotee who offers merely a tulasi leaf and a
palmful of water.'
In the Nectar of Devotion, service to Tulasi is glorified as one of items of devotional service.
In the Srimad Bhagavatam (3.15.19) it is said that although flowering plants like the mandara, kunda, kurabaka, utpala,
campaka, arna, punnaga, nagakesara, bakula, lily and parijata are full of transcendental fragrance, they are still
conscious of the austerities performed by tulasi, for tulasi is given special preference by the Lord, who garlands Himself
with tulasi leaves.
In the Skanda Purana there is a statement praising the Tulasi tree as follows: 'Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto
the Tulasi 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 tulasi
tree, one can become freed from the fear of being sent to the court of Yamaraja [the King of death, who punishes the
sinful]. If someone sows a tulasi tree somewhere, certainly he becomes devoted to Lord Krsna. And when the tulasi leaves
are offered in devotion at the lotus feet of Krsna, there is the full development of love of Godhead.'
All glories to Tulasi devi !!
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Tulasi Devi Cures Devotee's Cancer
Today, at 69 years old, Chaitanya Prema Dasa is a robust, healthy devotee,
visiting the Potomac, Maryland ISKCON temple every Sunday and working at the
Pentagon, where he has served for twenty-five years in the Department of the
Defense Inspector General. He keeps a small altar with Srila Prabhupada and
a large, beautiful picture of Lord Krishna in his office, so that his boss
and co-workers see the Lord every time they have meetings there.
Seeing him, you would never guess that back in 1997, at age 55, Chaitanya
Prema was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma—or blood cancer—that had
already reached stage four.
The disease spread to his bone marrow, liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. His
white blood cell count was high.
"The only thing we could do was to pray nonstop," says his daughter Jahnavi
Dasi, who is now doing her PhD in microbiology and holds weekly Krishna
conscious programs at the University of Maryland. "I was so worried, I
couldn't let go of my beads. I chanted all the time because I was extremely
scared."
Chaitanya Prema's doctors wanted him to undergo chemotherapy, but Jahnavi
was apprehensive. She knew that radiation treatment not only killed the
cancer cells, but also burned, scarred and damaged healthy cells in the bone
marrow and gastro-intestinal tract, and could cause tissue and organ damage.
They could even destroy our immune system's defence cells, known as Natural
Killer Cells. In fact in the past, two of her family's friends had gotten
chemotherapy for their cancer, seen remission initially, and then died two
years later when their cancer returned more aggressively than ever before.
Jahnavi asked the doctors if, instead of doing chemotherapy, they would let
her try to boost her father's immune system by natural means to fight the
cancer. She had beeen inspired by the movie Lorenzo's Oil, a true story
about parents who were determined to save their son from an incurable brain
disease. She felt that there must be powerful medicines out there that had
not yet been discovered or become mainstream.
"I'll monitor his blood counts the entire time," she said. "And we'll always
have chemo to fall back on." All of her father's doctors—the oncologist, the
surgeon, and primary care physician—were upset with her, and told her she
was making a big mistake. But Jahnavi felt sure there was a way.
Then, on the holy night of Gaura Purnima 1998, Jahnavi dreamt that she was
in the Potomac ISKCON temple, looking into a miscroscope. Through it, she
saw Tulasi Devi, the personification of the famous sacred plant, telling her
father's Natural Killer Cells to eat the cancer. When she straightened up,
she saw Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura, the spiritual grandfather of ISKCON's
founder Srila Prabhupada.
"Don't take your spiritual dreams lightly," he said. "Tulasi Devi is the
cure."
As soon as Jahnavi woke up, the tightness in her throat and the fear in the
pit of her stomach that had been there for so long faded away. Now she knew
what to do.
Jahnavi began to research Tulasi, also known as holy basil, or by her
botanical name Ocimum sanctum. She found and read many studies from around
the world explaining that Tulasi (as well as turmeric) was very powerful and
rich in antioxidants that kill cancer. She also read that the sacred plant
contained a phytonutrient called ursolic acid, which has been found to cause
the programmed cell death of human leukemia cells. This she was excited by,
since her father's cancer, like leukemia, was blood-related.
The studies she read were done by major Universities and published in
prestigious medical journals. There was a November 2006 study done at the
Center for Cancer Biology in Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center; a
2009 study done in Texas and published in the International Journal of
Oncology; an October 2009 study conducted at the College of Oriental
Medicine in Seoul, South Korea; and a June 2010 study published in the
medical journal Food and Chemical Toxicology.
They all showed how Tulasi causes cancer cells to self-destruct, and repairs
damaged DNA by activating MGMT repair protein. They also proved how holy
basil is radioprotective, and increases the activity of Natural Killer
Cells.
Jahnavi contacted devotees in Hawaii, who FedExed her large boxes full of
Tulasi Manjari garlands offered to the Deities. It wasn't unusual for them
to have giant Tulasi plants growing everywhere on their property, or to be
making such large quantities of Manjari garlands—the same is true for many
temples located in warm climates.
"I began to get my father to eat several Tulasi leaves a day, and then to
munch on the Tulasi Manjari garlands," Jahnavi says. "I also mixed the dried
Tulasi leaves with honey. He loved it!"
Along with Tulasi, Jahnavi also added many natural foods and supplements to
her father's diet to help boost his immune system and Natural Killer Cells
to fight the cancer.
"I started giving him carrot juice, wheatgrass or spinach green juice daily,
which are all high in phytonutrients," she says. "We switched to a low fat
diet, with whole grains, unrefined sweeteners, spring water, and organic
foods. We also made sure to avoid fried food, artificial colors, flavors,
and preservatives."
Jahnavi also gave her father ginseng, and ten grams of Vitamin C a day.
"Nobel Prize winner Dr. Linus Pauling made many studies showing how vitamin
C is one of the key nutrients that are needed to give the patient's body
cancer-fighting ability," she says. "He describes how when he gave one
patient with an inoperable brain tumor ten grams of vitamin C every day, her
tumor shrank in eight months. This daily dose of Vitamin C was also found to
significantly increase the life span and enhance the quality of life in 100
terminal cancer patients."
In addition to the Vitamin C, Jahnavi started giving her father 500 mg of
Vitamin B3 three times a day and 25,000 IU daily of Beta Carotene and
Vitamin E, as well as B complex, Selenium Zinc, and Coenzyme Q10.
Adding to his treatment, Chaitanya Prema also absorbed himself in chanting
the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and meditating on God.
Within only six months, he showed marked progress. Eight months after
starting his new regimen, repeated CT scans and blood work demonstrated that
his body no longer showed any signs of cancer.
"It was all by Lord Krishna and Srila Prabhupada's mercy," Jahnavi says.
"Tulasi Devi is our hero!"
She explains that all types of cancer grow due to deficiencies in the immune
system, and that the way to defeat cancer is to strengthen the immune
system.
"The immune system can be compared to the police department, and cancer
cells of any kind to criminals," she says. "If we have weak police officers
that are thin and malnourished, then how will they fight the criminals? But
if we have lots of strong, powerful policemen (Natural Killer Cells) that
outnumber the bad guys (cancer cells), then the policemen will defeat them.
No more criminals—no more cancer."
Following Jahnavi's footsteps, we can boost our immune systems by taking
vitamins and nourishing foods such as fresh fruit like grapes, blueberries,
acai berries and pomegranate, which are are loaded with phytonutrients that
have anticancer properties. Eliminating toxic overload on our immune systems
is also a must, including unnecessary over-the-counter drugs, chemical
additives, artificial colors, and MSG in foods. Keeping away from
second-hand smoke, pollution, and intoxicants also helps to relieve the
burden on your "police officers" so that they can be at their optimal
strength.
Keeping a positive mindset helps, too. Jahnavi believes in the therapeutic
power of hope, and feels that enhanced hope has a considerable positive
impact on the immune system and can contribute to a much more favorable
outcome in the fight against cancer.
"Our immune system is there for a purpose," Jahnavi says. "It's designed to
kill cancer before cancer can spread. So let's give it a boost."
And of course, one of the biggest boost-givers is Tulasi Devi, the sacred
plant and beloved servant of Lord Krishna.
"It's been fourteen years now since my father's cancer went into remission,
and to this day, he's still cancer-free—and he still takes his Tulasi leaves
every day!" Jahnavi says. "We pray that our story can help others with
cancer, too. Remember, there is hope. After all, anything is possible by the
power of Lord Krishna, and his miraculous servant Tulasi Devi."
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
=============================================================================================
Sri Tulasi-kirtana
l
namo namah tulasi! krsna-preyasi
radha-krsna-seva pabo ei abhilasi
2
je tomara sarana loy, tara vancha purna hoy
krpa kori' koro tare brndavana-basi
3
mor ei abhilas, bilas kunje dio vas
nayane heribo sada jugala-rupa-rasi
4
ei nivedana dharo, sakhir anugata koro
seva-adhikara diye koro nija dasi
5
dina krsna-dase koy, ei jena mora hoy
sri-radha-govinda-preme sada jena bhasi
(1) O Tulasi, beloved of Krsna, I bow before you again and again. My desire is
to obtain the service of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna.
(2) Whoever takes shelter of you has his wishes fulfilled. Bestowing your mercy
on him, you make him a resident of Vrndavana.
(3) My desire is that you will also grant me a residence in the pleasure groves
of Sri Vrndavana-dhama. Thus, within my vision I will always behold the
beautiful pastimes of Radha and Krsna.
(4) I beg you to make me a follower of the cowherd damsels of Vraja. Please
give me the privilege of devotional service and make me your own maidservant.
(5) This very fallen and lowly servant of Krsna prays, ''May I always swim in
the love of Sri Radha and Govinda.
Sri Tulasi Pranama
vrndayai tulasi-devyai
priyayai kesavasya ca
krsna-bhakti-prade devi
satyavatyai namo namah
vrndayai--unto Vrnda; tulasi-devyai--unto Tulasl Devi; priyayai-- who is dear;
kesavasya--to Lord Kesava; ca-and; krsna-bhakti-- devotional service to Lord
Krsna, prade--who bestows; devi--O goddess; satya-vatyai--unto Satyavati; namah
namah--repeated obeisances.
I offer my repeated obeisances unto Vrnda, Srimati Tulasi Devi, who is very
dear to Lord Kesava. O goddess, you bestow devotional service to Lord Krsna and
possess the highest truth.
Sri Tulasi Pradaksina Mantra
yani kani ca papani
brahma-hatyadikani ca
tani tani pranasyanti
pradaksinah pade pade
yani kani--whatever; ca--and; papani--sins; brahma-hatya--killing of a
brahmana; adikani--and so on; ca--also, tani tani--all of them;
pranasyanti--are destroyed; pradaksinah--(by) the circumambulation (of Tulasi
Devi); pade pade--at every step.
By the circumambulation of Srimati Tulasi Devi all the sins that one may have
committed are destroyed at every step, even the sin of killing a brahmana.
Sri Tulasi-arati by Candrasekhara Kavi
1
namo namah tulasi maharani,
vrnde maharani namo namah
namo re namo re meiya namo narayani
2
jako darase, parase agha-nasa-i
mahima beda-purane bakhani
3
jako patra, manjari komala
sri-pati-carana-kamale lapatani
dhanya tulasi meiya, purana tapa kiye,
Sri-salagrama-maha-patarani
4
dhupa, dipa, naivedya, arati,
phulana kiye varakha varakhani
chapanna bhoga, chatrisa byanjana,
bina tulasi prabhu eka nahi mani
5
siva-suka-narada, aura brahmadiko,
dhurata phirata maha-muni jnani
candrasekhara meiya, tera jasa gaowe
bhakati-dane dijiye maharani
(1) O Tulasi Maharani! O Vrnda! O mother of devotion! O Narayani, I offer my
obeisances to you again and again.
(2) By seeing you or even by touching you, all sins are destroyed. Your glories
are described in the Vedas and Puranas.
(3) Your leaves and soft manjaris are entwined at the lotus feet of Narayana,
the Lord of Laksmi. O blessed mother Tulasi, you performed successful
austerities and have thus become the chief consort and queen of Sri
sgalagrama-sila.
(4) You engladden and shower your rain of mercy upon one who offers you some
incense, a ghee lamp, naivedya, and arati. The Lord does not care for even one
of fifty-six varieties of cooked food or thirty-six different curries offered
without tulasi leaves.
(5) Lord Siva, Sukadeva Gosvami, Devarsi Narada, and all the jnanis and great
munis, headed by Lord Brahma, are circumambulating you. O mother! O Maharani,
Candrasekhara thus sings your glories. Please bestow upon him the gift of pure
devotion.
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