Srila Prabhupada's Advice about Tulasi Devi
(from Hari Sauri prabhu's Transcendental Diary)
"There was an interesting letter today from Vidya dasi, the pujari for Srimati Tulasi devi in Los Angeles. She wrote at length asking about the care of Tulasi plants. She has been experimenting with trying to grow Tulasi in the open ground but has not met with much success. She asked if they should build a special Tulasi house.
"Prabhupada replied to the affirmative. "If it is not possible for Tulasi to survive the winters when planted in the ground, then a suitable house should be provided for her. Even the Canadian temples, which are in a much colder climate, are keeping Tulasi nicely. Why should there be so much difficulty in Los Angeles, which has such a nice climate? Just do everything very carefully. Tulasi flourishes where there is love and devotion."
"Vidya dasi also included a series of eighteen specific questions, some of which, I gathered from Prabhupada's reaction, he considered a bit trivial, but he answered them nevertheless. As he sat in the sunshine on a straw mat in the back garden receiving his massage, surrounded by Tulasi plants growing around the perimeter of the lawn, he listened carefully as Jagadisa asked the questions and replied them one by one.
Q1) Is each Tulasi a separate jiva soul or an expansion of one pure devotee?
A: Tulasi is one devotee who appears wherever there is devotion to Krsna.
Q2) Where does her spirit soul go when she leaves this body?
A: Tulasi's body is spiritual.
Q3) May we place jewelry on her soil or just moon stones?
A: Yes, jewelry is all right.
Q4) When Tulasi is being cared for by householders in their homes, must two arotikas still be offered?
A: If possible.
Q5) When Tulasi is being cared for by householders in their homes, may they use her leaves and manjaris on their offerings, or should they take them to the temple?
A: Tulasi leaves should be offered to the Deity.
Q6) When Tulasi is being offered arotika by the householders, must she have a ghee lamp?
A: If possible.
Q7) Is it offensive to turn the baby Tulasis back into the soil when they appear?
A: Yes.
Q8) There are even questions concerning Tulasi's arotikas. We have always offered her incense, ghee lamp, and flower. Is this correct?
A: Yes.
Q9) In the manual, it states that Tulasi should not be pruned. Does this also mean trimming the branches which no longer have leaves or life fluids flowing through them?
A: You may cut the dead branches, but what is the necessity?
Q10) We were told that once you spoke the "four regulative principles of Tulasi care" which will keep her from getting sick: a) keep her moist; b) keep her clean; c) give her morning sunlight (at least); d) give her two arotikas a day. Is this bona fide?
A: I never said that.
Q11) May Tulasi be made into a tea after she has been offered?
A: No.
Q12) May devotees carve Tulasi wood for Deities' paraphernalia?
A: Yes.
Q13) When Tulasi leaves her body and the body is too soft for carving beads, how should she be used? Should a small fire sacrifice be performed?
A: Use the wood for beads as far as possible; the balance may be placed within the earth.
Q14) We have a letter from you requesting that no sprays be used on Tulasi devi. May we use a spray of buttermilk and whole-wheat flour dissolved in water, which coats her leaves to keep spider mites from causing Tulasi to leave her body?
A: I said no chemical sprays.
Q15) Does Tulasi sleep? Should she be left undisturbed after nightfall?
A: Undisturbed means what?
Q16) Is it permissible to use scissors to cut her manjaris and when transplanting, to use knives to loosen her from her pot?
A: Use common sense and if you have none, then consult with others.
Q17) Is it an offense to step on or across her shadow (or the shadow of any pure devotee)?
A: You can step over the shadow, but not on it"
(Letter to Vidya dasi, Oct. 25, 1976.)
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