Thulasi devi

Thulasi, the greatest devotee of Vishnu Bhagavan, is known by several names. All the names are equally dear to Bhagavan. Tulasi is the manifestation of Vrindadevi, the Goddess of forest. 1 Vrindavani: she who appears in the forest of Vrindavan. Thulasi is abundant in Vrindavan where Krishna's leelaas were staged. He grew up there until he went to Mathura to kill Kamsa. 2. Vrinda: Who appears in the form of plants or trees. Vrindadevi's manifestation as plant. 3. Vishva-pujita: one who is worshipped in all the 14 worlds 4. Pushpasara: the greatest of all flowers and Krishna's most favorite flower or leaf. According to Krishna, just a leaf of tulasi and water kept at His feet with devotion is the greatest offering. With out Thulasi on Him, he does not like to look at oither flowers, even lotus and rose. 5. Nandini: She who brings faith and joy. 6. Krishna-jivani: One who brings life to Lord Krishna. 7. Vishva-pavani: One who purifies all fourteen worlds. Modern science has proved that Thulasi gives off Ozone and hence pradakshinam of Thuslasi makes sense spiritually as well as scintifically. 8. Thulasi: matchless (tul +a+si) or atulyam. In Bhagavan's eyes, thulasi's greatness cannot be matched. Beautiful story of Sathyabhama' weighing Lord with all her jewels and finally Rumini's balancing of the weight of Lord with a thulasi leaf illustrates this. Thulasi vandanam: --------------------------- Vrindaayai Thulasidevyai priyayai Keshavaaya cha Krishnabhakthipradae Devi! sathyavathyai namo nama: I offer my repeated obeisances to Vrinda, or Tulasi-devi, who is very dear to Lord Kesava. O goddess, you bestow Bhakthi of Lord Krsna and you are truth personified. Thulasi pradakhinam ----------------------------- Yaani yaani cha paapaani brahmahathyaadikaani cha Thaani thaani pranashyanthi pradakshina padae padae By doing pradakshinam to Thulasidevi all the sins that one may have committed are destroyed at every step, even the sin of killing a brahmana or Brahmahathya.