Why do we worship the tulasi?

JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA

JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR

JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Dear Readers,

Radhekrishna! Let us continue our story from where we stopped in our previous post.

Satyabhama rushed to Krishna and hurriedly told him about her unfortunate vow to Narada. Krishna patiently listened to her and very meekly nodded his head. Satyabhama then commanded one of the servants to bring out the large scales used to weigh grains and groceries. She also sent the Caretaker of the Coffers to bring out all her jewels and gold to the grand court room. And gently leading Krishna, she went to the Courtroom. All the ministers stared at the scales that had been placed at the center of the court. Their mouths further fell when they saw box after box of gold being carried inside. Krishna was silent throughout the entire time. So great was the uproar of surprise at the court that Krishna’s other queens too hurried from their Anthapuram to the main court.

Amidst all the courtiers and with Krishna himself as the witness, Satyabhama gave away Krishna as donation to Narada. The other wives of Krishna were shocked at this, but being ever dutiful, they did not speak out in front of the assembled court. Narada then gave her the option of taking back Krishna but instead presenting him with an equivalent weight of riches. Amidst loud sighs of relief, Satyabhama agreed to it. She then placed Krishna on one plate of the Scales and with a smirk on her face started piling up the gold, jewels and gemstones on the other plate. She kept adding more and more of her wealth, but the pan with Krishna did not even budge. To top it all Narada kept giving her ominous warnings, “Remember devi, if you fail to supply me with sufficient wealth, Krishna will forever be a slave to me. I can even bid him out to anyone I want.” Satyabhama freaked out and swallowing her pride, begged the other wives of Krishna to give her their jewels so that they could retain Krishna. Out of their devotion to their lord, the wives removed every gold ornament on their body until they were wearing only the Mangalsutra. But the scale showed no signs of motion!

…to be continued

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

In this post let us know about the plant called as Harsingar, also known as the Night Jasmine in English and Nyctanthes Arbor-Tristis in Latin.

1. It’s a small tree the buds of which yield a dye used for dyeing cloth and colouring rice preparation

2. Its seeds and flowers are helpful in curing bleeding piles

That concludes our post for the fortnight. Till the next post, Radhekrishna to one and all!

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam

Why do we worship the tulasi?

JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA

JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR

JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Dear Readers,

Radhekrishna to all! As promised in our previous post, we shall narrate one of Lord Shri Krishna’s innumerable leelas; in this post. In this story the tulasi leaf was used as a mode of showing devotion towards the Lord by his beloved wife Rukmini. This story also involves Satyabhama, also a wife of the Lord.

Sathyabama was the beautiful daughter of Satrajith, the owner of the sacred Syamantaka jewel. She was haughty and proud of her royal lineage and good looks. She prided herself on her pure love for Krishna and yet she was jealous of Rukmini, the goddess of wealth incarnate. Rukmini on the other hand, being the first queen of Dwaraka was a very humble lady and a pious wife. She let nothing come in the way of her devotion to Krishna and served him with whole hearted love and devotion.

One day, the divine sage Narada, the creator of mischief, came to Dwaraka to offer his salutations to Shri Krishna. In the courtyard he met Satyabhama, beautifying herself with some flowers on her tresses. He walked up to her and with a voice of absolute innocence asked her, “Rani Satyabhama, don’t doubt my intentions, but is it my old age or is it really true that Krishna loves Rukmini more than you?” Sathyabhama was thoroughly shaken and stood still, looking at Narada.”You are far more beautiful and charming than her. You are the younger queen. Don’t you think you deserve more attention?” prodded Narada again. Pulling herself together, Satyabhama looked inquisitively at Narada, “Tell me divine sage, what should I do to gain his undivided attention? You are my only hope now”, she pleaded to him.

Narada, ever eager to cause confusion told, “That is my whole point of visit, mother. I have a first-class plan all hatched up to bring Krishna back to you.” Satyabhama’s eyes were twinkling and she listened to Narada with rapt attention.” You will now make a vow that you will hand over Krishna to me as a slave. Then to keep the sanctity of the vow but also to retain Krishna to yourself, I will allow you to trade him in for an equivalent weight of your riches. Seeing that you are willing to trade in your wealth for him, Krishna will admire you for your sacrifice and will keep you close to him. The only hitch is that I do not know if your wealth will suffice to balance out Krishna’s weight”, Narada asked skeptically. Proud as ever, Satyabhama flared up, “I am the daughter of Satrajith. My wealth is limitless. I am sure that I have enough to balance Krishna. We will carry on with this plan of yours.” And that was exactly what Narada wanted.

What happened later? Did Satyabhama’s plans succeed? Or did her plans boomerang on her? Wait till the next post for the answers!

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

In this post let us know about Binaula also called Cotton Seed in English and Gossypium Indioum in Latin.

1. It is used as part of cattle feed

2. It enhances milk yield from animals

3. It is a good cure for general debility, cough and ashthma

4. It is also an antidote for Opium and Dhatura poisoning

That concludes our post for the fortnight. Till the next post on 22^nd Radhekrishna!

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam