worship of Tulsi devi on Dvadasi

[Paramananda das]

Jaya Sri Radhe Shyamasundara

Sastra describes one should worship Tulsi devi and Vrindadevi on dvadasi ,the day that follow ekadasi and the day one brakes ones ekadasi fast :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAVesW0agwM&feature=related

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NIRMITA TVAM PURA DEVAIR ARCITA TVAM SURASURAIH TULASI HARA ME PAPAM PUJAM GRHNA NAMOSTUTE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/101 from SKANDA PURANA)

Oh Tulasi, you previously appeared in this world due to the  demigods. The demigods and demons together worship you.  Please remove all of my sins. I pay my obeisances unto  you.

FOOTNOTE

YA DRSTA NIKHILA AGHA SANGHA SAMANI SPRSTA VAPUH PAVANI ROGANAM ABHIVANDITA NIRASINI SIKTANTAKA TRASINI PRATYA SATTI VIDHAYINI BHAGAVATAH KRSNASYA SAMROPITA NYASTA TACCARANE VIMUKTI PHALADA TASYAI NAMAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/104 from SKANDA PURANA, AVANTI  KHANDA)

Just by looking at you (Tulasi), all sins become removed. Just  by touching you, one's body becomes pure. By praying to  her, all diseases practically become removed. If one  waters her or makes her wet, the fear of Yamaraja (death personified) is destroyed. Just by planting or transplanting,  one achieves nearness to the Supreme Personality of  Godhead. If someone offers Tulasi at the lotus feet of  Lord Sri Krsna, she awards liberation and devotion to  Him, therefore I pay my humble obeisances to such a wonderful Tulasidevi.

PRADAKSINAM BHRAMITVA YE NAMASKURVANTI NITYASAH NA TESAM DURITAM KINCID AKSINAM AVASISYATE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/111 from AGASTYA SAMHITA)

If someone daily goes around Tulasi and pays obeisances to  her, there is no more sin to be destroyed in  him.

HITVA TIRTHA-SAHASRANI SARVAN API SILOCCAYAN TULASI KANANE NITYAM KALAU TISTHATI KESAVAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/116 from SKANDA PURANA)

In Kali-yuga, Lord Sri Kesava, after giving up thousands of  places of pilgrimage and holy days, He resides in the  forest of Tulasidevi.

DRSTVA SPRSTVA TATHA DHYATA KIRTITA NAMITA SRTA ROPITA SEVITA NITYAM PUJITA TULASI SUBHA NAVADHA TULASIM NITYAM YE BHAJANTI DINE DINE YUGA KOTI SAHASRANI TE VASANTI HARER GRHE

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/126,127 from SKANDA PURANA conversation  between Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

Any person who daily sees Tulasi, touches Tulasi, chants  Tulasi's prayers, meditates on Tulasi, pays obeisances  to her, hears about her, transplants and worships her,  he achieves all auspiciousness. Any person who does these nine kinds of service goes to the abode of the Supreme Lord Hari and remains  there eternally.

SNANE DANE TATHA DHYANE PRASANE KESAVA ARCANE TULASI DAHATE PAPAM ROPANE KIRTANE KALAU

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/132 from SKANDA PURANA, AVANTI  KHANDA)

In Kali-yuga, Tulasidevi burns up all of a person's sins who  bathes her, gives her in charity, meditates on her,  eats her leaves, worships Lord Sri Kesava with her,  transplants her or sings her glories.

TULASY ALANKRTA YE YE TULASI NAMA JAPAKAH TULASI VANA PALAYE TE TYAJYA DURATO BHATAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/133 from SKANDA PURANA, KASI KHANDA  Yamaraja instructs his messengers)

Oh messengers, anybody who is decorated with Tulasi wood or  chants her name, always protects a Tulasi forest, you  should give up bringing such persons to my  abode.

http://nimaipandit.ning.com/profiles/blogs/worship-of-tulsi-devi-on-dvadavasi

DARSANAM NARMADAYAS TU GANGA SNANAM VISAM VARA TULASI DALA SAMSPARSAH SAMAM ETAT TRAYAM SMRTAM ROPANAT PALANAT SEKAD DARSANAT SPARSANAT NRNAM TULASI DAHATE PAPAM VANG MANAH KAYA SANCITAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/139,140 from PADMA PURANA)

Oh best of the Vaisyas, seeing Narmada, taking bath in the  Ganges, and touching Tulasi leaves are equally  meritorious. If somebody plants, protects, waters, sees  or touches Tulasi, then that person's sins acquired by body, mind and words are burnt into ashes.

YAD GRHE TULASI BHATI RAKSABHIR JALASECANAIH TAD GRHAM YAMA DUTAS CA DURATO VARJAYANTI HI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/145 from PADMA PURANA, KARTIKA  MAHATMYA)

In any house where Tulasi Maharani is very carefully protected  and watered, the messengers of Yamaraja give up that  house from a distance.

VISNOS TRAILOKYA NATHASYA RAMASYA JANAKATMAJA PRIYA TATHAIVA TULASI SARVA LOKAIKA PAVANI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/151 from AGASTYA SAMHITA)

  As the daughter of Janaka, Sri Sitadevi, is very dear to Lord  Rama, the master of the three worlds, similarly,  Tulasidevi, who purifies all of the planets, is very  dear to Him.

TULASI VAPITA YENA PUNYARAME VANE GRHE PAKSINDRA TENA SATYOKTAM LOKAH SAPTA PRATISTHITAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/157 from GARUDA PURANA)

Oh king of the birds (Garuda), anyone who has planted a garden  of Tulasi, either in the forest or in the house, I  truthfully say that he has won the seven planetary  systems.

SANSARA-PAPA VICCHEDI GANGA NAMA PRAKIRTITAM TATHA TULASYA BHAKTIS CA HARI KIRTI PRAVAKTARI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/161 from BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA)

As by chanting the name of Ganges, one becomes free from all  kinds of worldly sins, if someone chants the name of  Tulasi or chants the glories of Lord Hari with  devotion, he gets the same merit.

TRNANI TULASI MULAT YAVANTYAPAHINOTI VAI TAVATTIR BRAHMA HATYA HI CHINATY EVA NASAMSAYAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/165 from BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA  conversation between Yamaraja and Bhagiratha)

Anybody who removes the straw or dirt from the root of  Tulasidevi, as many as he has removed, that many sinful  reactions of killing brahmanas will be removed from him  without a doubt.

DURLABHA TULASI SEVA DURLABHA SUNGATIH SATAM DURLABHA HARI BHAKTIS CA SANSARARNAVA-PATINAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/170 from BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA)

Those people who have fallen in the midst of this material  world, among them worship of Tulasi is very rare, the  association of real saintly persons is very rare, and  real devotion to Lord Hari is also very rare.

YASMIN GRHE DVIJA SRESTHA TULASIMULA MRTTIKA SARVADA TISTHATE DEHE DEVATA NA SA MANUSA TULASI MRTTIKA YATRA KASTHAM PATRAN CA VESMANI TISTHATE MUNI SARDULA NISCALAM VAISNAVA PADAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/183,186 from SKANDA PURANA conversation  between Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

Oh best among the brahmanas, in anybody's house or on his  body, if the mud from Tulasi is available, they are not  just men, but they are equal to the demigods. Oh best  among the sages, in anyone's house, if there is the clay of Tulasi, Tulasi wood, and Tulasi leaves available, that house is  certainly a place of Lord Visnu.

TULASI MULA SAMBHUTA HARI BHAKTA PADODBHAVA GANGODBHAVA CA MRLLEKHA NAYATY ACYUTA RUPATAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/189)

Any person who puts on tilaka from the mud or clay from the  root of Tulasi, mud from the lotus feet of Sri  Vaisnava, and mud from the Ganges is said to be equal  to the form of Lord Sri Visnu.

PATRAM PUSPAM PHALAM KASTHAM TVAT SAKHA-PALLAVANKURAM TULASI SAMBHAVAM MULAM PAVANAM MRTTIKADY API

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/191 from PRAHLADA SAMHITA and VISNU  DHARMOTTARA)

Leaves of Tulasi, flowers of Tulasi, fruits of Tulasi,  branches of Tulasi, bark of Tulasi, sprout of Tulasi,  blossom or bud of Tulasi, and clay of Tulasi are all  completely purified.

YAH KURYAT TULASI KASTHAIR AKSA MALAM SURUPINIM KANTHA MALAM CA YATNENA KRTAM TASYAKSAYAM BHAVET

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/199 from SKANDA PURANA, AGASTYA SAMHITA,  conversation between Lord Brahma and Narada  Muni)

Any person who makes a beautiful japamala or neck beads out of  Tulasi wood and uses them, if he does not perform any  worship to Lord Sri Visnu, all of his activities become  unlimitedly resultful.

YASYA NABHI STHITAM PATRAM MUKHE SIRASI KARNAYOH TULASI SAMBHAVAM NITYAM TIRTHAIS TASYA MAKHAIS CA KIM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/200 from SKANDA PURANA conversation  between Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

If anyone daily has Tulasi leaves on his navel, in his mouth,  on his head, or on both of his ears, what is the use of  him going to the places of pilgrimage in this  world?

YAH KASCIT VAISNAVO LOKE MITHYACARO'PY ANASRAMI PUNATI SAKALAN LOKAN SIRASA TULASIM VAHAN

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/202 from SKANDA PURANA)

If any Vaisnava in this world becomes a liar or becomes  degraded from his own asrama, if he has a Tulasi leaf  on his head, he can alone purify the three worlds.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami gives his Digdarsani-tika commentary on  this verse, stating that if Vaisnavas wear articles  which have been offered to the Supreme Lord, then one  may question how a Vaisnava can wear something which has not been offered to the Supreme Lord. In answer to this, it can be stated  that only a lying or cheating "Vaisnava" can do such a  thing because they are all hypocrites and not real  Vaisnavas.

BHAKSITAM LUBDHAKENAPI PATRAM TULASI SAMBHAVAM PASCAD DISTANTAM APANNO BHASMI BHUTAM KALEVARAM SITA SITAM YATHA NIRAM SARVA PAPA KSAYAVAHAM TATHA CA TULASI PATRAM PRASITAM SARVA KAMADAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/213,214 from SKANDA PURANA conversation  between Vasistha and King Mandhata)

Even if a most sinful hunter eats a Tulasi leaf and dies  afterwards, whatever sins he has in his body turn into  ashes. As whitish and blackish water (Ganges and Yamuna  water) remove all kinds of sins, in the very same way, white (green) and black Tulasis removes all kinds of sins, and if he eats  these leaves (after offering them to Lord Krsna), all  of his desires are perfectly achieved.

KRTVA PAPA SAHASRANI PURVE VAYASI MANAVAH TULASI BHAKSANAN MUCYET SRUTAM ETAT PURA HAREH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/218 from SKANDA PURANA conversation  between Vasistha and King Mandhata)

Any person, in his young age commits thousands of sins but  later on eats a Tulasi leaf, he becomes free from all  sins. This narration was heard previously near Lord Sri  Hari.

KIM CITRAM ASYAH PATITAM TULASYA DALAM  JALAM VA PATITAM PUNITE LAGNADI BHALA STHALAM  ALAVALA MRTSNAPI KRTSNA AGHA VINASANAYA SRIMAT TULASYAH PATRASYA MAHATMYAM YADYAPI DRSAM TATHAPI VAISNAVES TAN NA GRAHYAM KRSNARPANAM VINA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/226,227)

What can I say about the wonderful glories of Tulasi? Her  fallen leaves, her rotten leaves and her water, even if  fallen (mixed with her mud?) is purifying. If even a  minute quantity of the mud which has emanated from the Tulasi root has been placed on one's head, all of one's sins are  removed. Although Tulasi is so glorious (and her leaves  are so purifying), still Vaisnavas never eat Tulasi  leaves without first offering them to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna.

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"Anyone who has received  initiation in the Vaishnava mantras is obliged to engage in regular worship of  the Deity, including offering all he eats to the Lord. When devotees make such  food offerings, they should remember to place tulasi leaves or flowers on them  because Lord Vishnu does not accept any food without tulasi. Tulasi is most  beloved of Lord Krishna and thus her leaves and flowers are also most dear to  Him. The term värkñärcävatära, meaning the Lord's incarnation meant for  accepting worship (arcävatära) in the form of a tree (värkña) is applied to  Tulasi Devi. Her leaves and flowers are therefore prescribed as an essential  part of the worship of the Lord's other arcävatära, i.e., the deity form of the  Lord in the temple. These regulations are found in all the scriptural texts that  describe the procedures by which one is to worship such deity forms of the  Lord."

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, Gaudiya Bhasya.

http://nimaipandit.ning.com/profiles/blogs/worship-of-tulsi-devi-on...

Here is so much nectar about Vrindadevi from the ISKCON Vrindakunda side:

http://www.vrindavan-dham.com/vrinda/vrindadevi-sevamrita.php

In Garga Samhita it is described how Srimati Radharani worshipped Tulsidevi and Tulsidevi blessed  Her with Bhakti for Krsna, this is of course lila but ,if even Sri Radha worships Tulsidevi then that is pelnty of example for us.Srila Prabhupada introduced worship of Tulsi early into ISKCON,

Asta-Nama-Stava from the Padma Purana The Eight Names of Vrinda-devi

Vrindavani, vrinda, visvapujita, pushpasara, nandini, Krishna-jivani, visva-pavani,   tulasi

• VRINDAVANI - One who first manifested in Vrindavan.
• VRINDA - The goddess of all plant and trees ( even if one Tulasi plant is     present in a forest it can be called Vrindavana.)
• VISHVAPUJITA - One whom the whole universe worships.
• PUSHPASARA - The topmost of all flowers, without whom Krishna does not like     to look upon other flowers.
• NANDINI - Seeing whom gives unlimited bliss to the devotees.
• KRISHNA-JIVANI - The life of Sri Krishna.
• VISHVA-PAVANI - One who purifies the three worlds.
• TULASI - One who has no comparison.

Anyone while worshiping Tulasi-devi chants these eight names will get the   same results as one who performs the Ashvamedha sacrifice. And one who on the   full-moon day of Kartika (Tulasi-devi's appearance day) worships Her with this   Mantra will break free from the bonds of this miserable world of birth and death,   and very quickly attains Goloka Vrndavan. On the full moon-day of Kartik Lord   Sri Krishna Himself worships Srimati Tulasi-devi with this Mantra.

One who remembers this Mantra will very quickly attain devotion to Lord Krishna's   Transcendental Lotus Feet.

My Gurudeva instrcuted devotess to chant  the Vrindadevi astaka regularly he encouraged even children to learn this Vrindadevi astaka by heart:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fDAVUMBrsg

SRI VRNDADEVY-ASTAKA Eight Prayers Glorifying Sri Vrinda-devi by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura

gangeya-campeya-tadit-vinindi- rocih-pravaha-snapitatma-vrnde   bandhuka-bandhu-dyuti-divya-vasu   vrnde namas te caranaravindam

gangeya -- golden; campeya -- campaka flower; tadit --   lightning; vinindi -- chastising; rocih --splendor; pravaha   -- with rivers; snapita -- bathed; atma -- own; vrnde -- multitude;   bandhuka -- of the bandhuka flower; bandhu -- friend; dyuti -- splendor;   divya -- transcendental; vasah -- garments; vrnde -- O   Vrnda-devi; namah -- I offer respectful obeisances; te -- to your;   carana -- feet; aravindam - the lotus flower.

You are bathed by streams of splendor that rebuke gold, lightning, and the   campaka flower. Your splendid garments are friend to the bandhuka flower. O   Vrnda, I bow to your lotus feet.

bimbadharoditvara-manda-hasya-   nasagra-mukta-dyuti-dipitasye   vicitra-ratnabharana-sriyadhye   vrnde namas te caranaravindam

bimba -- bimba fruits; adhara -- lips; uditvara -- extraordinary;   manda -- gentle; hasya -- smile; nasa -- of the nose; agra   --on the tip; mukta -- pearl; dyuti -- by the splendor; dipita   -- illuminated; asye -- face; vicitra -- amazing and colorful;   ratna -- jewels; abharana -- and ornaments; sriya -- with   the beauty; adhye -- enriched.

Your face is splendid with a pearl decorating the tip of Your nose and a wonderful   gentle smile on Your bimba-fruit lips. You are decorated with wonderful jewel   ornaments. O Vrnda, I bow to your lotus feet.

samasta-vaikuntha-siromanau sri   krishnasya vrndavana-dhanya-dhamni   dattadhikare vrsabhanu-putrya   vrnde namas te caranaravindam

samasta -- all; vaikuntha -- of the Vaikuntha worlds; sirah-manau   -- the crown jewel; Sri Krishna -- of Sri Krishna vrndavana --   Vrndavana; dhanya -- opulent and auspicious; dhamni -- in the   abode; datta -- given; adhikare -- dominion; vrsabhanu   -- of King Vrsabhanu; putrya --by the daughter (Srimati Radharani)

Vrsabhanu's daughter Radha made you guardian of Krishna's opulent and auspicious   abode of Vrndavana, the crest jewel of all Vaikuntha planets. O Vrnda, I bow   to your lotus feet.

tvad-ajnaya pallava-puspa-bhrnga-   mrgadibhir madhava-keli-kunjah   madhv-adibhir bhanti vibhusyamana   vrnde namas te caranaravindam

tvat -- your; ajnaya -- by the order; pallava -- blossoming;   puspa -- by flowers; bhrnga -- by bumble-bees; mrga --   by deer; adibhih -- and others; Madhava -- of Lord Madhava; keli   -- for performing pastimes; kunjah -- groves; madhu -- with springtime;   adibhih -- and the other seasons; bhanti -- appears very splendid;   vibhusyamanah -- being decorated.

By Your order the groves where Madhava enjoys pastimes are splendidly decorated   with blossoming flowers, bumble-bees, deer, honey, and other things. O Vrnda,   I bow to your lotus feet.

tvadiya-dutyena nikunja-yunor   atyutkayoh keli-vilasa-siddhih   tvat-saubhagam kena nirucyatam tad   vrnde namas te caranaravindam

tvadiya -- your; dutyena -- because of the message; nikunja-yunoh   -- of Radha and Krishna who perform pastimes in the groves (of Vrndavana); ati-utkayoh   -- very enthusiastic (to perform pastimes); keli -- amorous; vilasa   -- pastimes; siddhih -- perfection; tvat -- your; saubhajam   -- good fortune; kena -- by whom?; nirucyatam -- may be described;   tat -- therefore.

Because you became Their messenger the eager and youthful divine couple enjoyed   the perfection of transcendental pastimes in the forest. O Vrnda, I bow to your   lotus feet.

rasabhilaso vasatis ca vrnda-   vane tvad-isanghri-saroja-seva   labhya ca pumsam krpaya tavaiva   vrnde namas te caranaravindam

rasa -- the rasa dance; abhilasah -- the desire; vasatih   -- residence; ca -- and; vrndavane -- in Vrndavana; tvat   -- your; isa -- of the Lord (Krishna); anghri -- feet; saroja   -- of the lotus flower; seva -- service; labhya -- is attainable;   ca -- and; pumsam -- by the living entities; krpaya --   by the mercy; tava -- your; eva -- indeed.

By your mercy people attain residence in Vrndavana, the desire to serve your   masters' lotus feet, and the desire to assist in the rasa dance. O Vrnda, I   bow to your lotus feet.

tvam kirtyase satvata-tantra-vidbhir   lilabhidhana kila krishna-saktih   tavaiva murtis tulasi nr-loke   vrnde namas te caranaravindam

tvam -- you; kirtyase -- are glorified; satvata-tantra-vidbhih   -- by those who know the Satvata-tantra; lila -- pastimes; abhidhana   -- by the name; kila -- indeed; Krishna -- of Lord Krishna; saktih   -- the potency; tava -- your; eva -- indeed; murtih --   form; tulasi -- Tulasi; nrloke --in human society.

They who are learned in the Satvata-tantra glorify you. You are Krishna's pastime-potency.   The Tulasi plant is your form in the world of men. O Vrnda, I bow to your lotus   feet.

bhaktya vihina aparadha-laksaih   ksiptas ca kamadi-taranga-madhye   krpamayi tvam saranam prapanna   vrnde namas te caranaravindam

bhaktya -- of devotional service; vihinah -- devoid; aparadha   -- of offenses; laksaih -- with thousands; ksiptah -- thrown;   ca -- and; kama -- of lust; adi -- and other inauspicious   qualities; taranga -- of the waves; madhye -- in the midst; krpamayi   -- O merciful one; tvam -- you; saranam -- shelter; prapannah   -- attain.

O merciful one, I have no devotion and have committed millions of offenses.   I am drowning in the turbulent ocean of lust. Thus I take shelter of you. O   Vrinda, I bow to your lotus feet.

vrndastakam yah srnuyat pathed va   vrndavanadhisa-padabja-bhrngah   sa prapya vrndavana-nitya-vasam   tat-prema-sevam labhate krtarthah

vrinda -- glorifying Vrnda-devi; astakam -- eight verses; yah   -- who; srnuyat -- may hear; pathet -- may read; va --   or; vrndavana -- of Vrndavana; adhisa -- of the monarchs (Radha   and Krishna); pada -- feet; abja -- at the lotus flowers; bhrngah   -- a bumble-bee; sah -- he; prapya -- attaining; vrndavana   -- at Vrindavana; nitya -- eternal; vasam -- residence; tat   -- of Lord Krishna; prema -- in pure love of Godhead; sevam --   devotional service; labhate -- attains; krita-arhah -- and his   spiritual desires are satisfied.

A person who is like a bumblebee at the lotus feet of Vrindavana's king and   queen, and who reads or hears this Vrindastaka, will eternally reside in Vrindavana   and attain loving service to the divine couple.

In his poem titled Sri Sankalpa-kalpadruma, Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti   Thakura has prayed:

vrndavana-sthira-caran paripalayitri vrnde tayo rasikayor ati-saubhagena adhyasi tat kuru krpam ganana yathaiva sri-radhika-parijanesu mamapi siddhet

O Vrndadevi, O protectress of the moving and non-moving living entities in   Vrndavana, you are wealthy in the mercy of the divine couple who enjoy pastimes   in Vraja. Please be merciful to me. Please place me among Sri Radha’s associates.

he sri-tulasy uru-krpa-dyu-tarangini tvam yan murdhni me carana-pankajam adadhasvam yac caham apy apibam ambu manak tadiyam tan me manasy udayam eti manoratho’yam

O Srimati Tulasi Devi, O celestial Ganges river of mercy, it is because I   once placed my head at your lotus feet and drank some drops of water that washed   your lotus feet, that these desires have risen in my heart.

kvaham parah sata-nikrty-anuviddha-cetah sankalpa esa sahasa kva su-durlabhe’rthe eka krpaiva tava mam ajahaty upadhi- sunyeva mantum adadhaty agater gatir me

O Srimati Tulasi Devi, how low I am, my heart pierced by hundreds of offenses!   How exalted and difficult to attain is my aspiration! Your causeless mercy is   my only hope. It is by Your mercy that I, who am so fallen, can have these desires   my thoughts.

kim citram asyah patitam tulasya   dalam jalam va patitam punite   lagnadi bhala sthalam alavala   mrtsnapi krtsna agha vinasanaya   srimat tulasyah patrasya mahatmyam yadyapi drsam   tathapi vaisnavas tan na grahyam krsnarpanam vina

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/226,227)

What can I say about the wonderful glories of Tulasi? Her fallen leaves,   Her rotten leaves and Her water, even if fallen (mixed with Her mud?) is purifying.   If even a minute quantity of the mud which has emanated from the Tulasi root   has been placed on one's head, all of one's sins are removed. Although Tulasi   is so glorious (and Her leaves are so purifying), still Vaisnavas never eat   Tulasi leaves without first offering them to the Supreme Personality of Godhead,   Krsna.

see also http://www.vrindavan-dham.com/vrinda/vrinda-devi.php

durlabha tulasi seva durlabha sungatih satam   durlabha hari bhaktis ca sansararnava-patinam

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/170 from Brhan Naradiya Purana)

Those people who have fallen in the midst of this material world, among   them worship of Tulasi is very rare, the association of real saintly persons   is very rare, and real devotion to Lord Hari is also very rare.

yasmin grhe dvija srestha tulasimula mrttika   sarvada tisthate dehe devata na sa manusa   tulasi mrttika yatra kastham patran ca vesmani   tisthate muni sardula niscalam vaisnava padam

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/183,186 from Skanda Purana, conversation between Lord   Brahma and Narada Muni)

Oh best among the brahmanas, in anybody's house or on his body, if the   mud from Tulasi is available, they are not just men, but they are equal to the   demigods. Oh best among the sages, in anyone's house, if there is the clay of   Tulasi, Tulasi wood, and Tulasi leaves available, that house is certainly a   place of Lord Visnu.

ya drsta nikhila agha sangha samani sprsta vapuh pavani   roganam abhivandita nirasini siktantaka trasini   pratya satti vidhayini bhagavatah krsnasya samropita   nyasta taccarane vimukti phalada tasyai namah

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/104 from Skanda Purana, Avanti khanda)

Just by looking at you (Tulasi), all sins become removed. Just by touching   you, one's body becomes pure. By praying to Her, all diseases practically become   removed. If one waters Her or makes Her wet, the fear of Yamaraja (death personified)   is destroyed. Just by planting or transplanting, one achieves nearness to the   Supreme Personality of Godhead. If someone offers Tulasi at the lotus feet of   Lord Sri Krsna, She awards liberation and devotion to Him, therefore I pay my   humble obeisances to such a wonderful Tulasi-devi.

This is of   no excuse to commit sins on the strength of worship of Tulsi devi, but even the most fallen can get purified by worship of Tulsi devi

In Govinda lilamrta and so many books of the acaryas Vrindadevi is glorified, but they are confidential subjects I will not discuss at this time.

nirmita tvam pura devair arcita tvam surasuraih   tulasi hara me papam pujam grhna namostute

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/101 from Skanda Purana)

Oh Tulasi, you previously appeared in this world due to the demigods. The demigods   and demons together worship you. Please remove all of my sins. I pay my obeisances   unto you.

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