The Healing Power of Tulsi

From a satsang with Pundit Balram Persad, Spiritual Leader, SWAHA Om Shakti Mandali

Sanaatan Dharma teaches that there are numerous paths, practices and principles that can lead one to the Divine, each suited to various temperaments and personal inclinations. Among these is the path of “bhakti yoga”, the practice of unconditional and unselfish love for the Divine. Bhakti manifests in many forms—through the performance of rituals such as puja, the lighting of deeyas, offering sacred items, singing bhajans, reciting mantras and chanting the name of the Lord. Other paths include karma yoga (the path of selfless action), gyaan yoga (the path of knowledge), raja yoga, the path of meditation and ayurvedic yoga, which focuses on healing and purifying the mind and body. In essence, yoga means striving for self-realisation, and to attain this, both body and mind must be purified. It is within this broader understanding of yoga that we can appreciate the significance of Tulsi worship, particularly during the month of Kaartik.

Tulsi Maa is believed to have manifested during the full moon in the auspicious month of Kaartik. The day preceding this is known as Tulsi Vivaah, a deeply symbolic observance that celebrates the marital ceremony of Tulsi to Lord Krishna. Tulsi is revered not only for her spiritual importance but also for her many physical attributes. Her medicinal properties are highly valued in Ayurveda, where she is known for her ability to counteract toxins and protect against poisonous creatures. Our ancestors brought the Tulsi plant to this land, and traditionally, every Hindu household would have cultivated many Tulsi plants. The plant is said to have a protective energy—some believe that it acts as an insulator against electrical impulses, and homes blessed with a Tulsi plant are thought to be shielded from lightning strikes. The plant’s potent electrical energy is also believed to promote healthy blood circulation.

Tulsi’s importance spans religions, and in Christian tradition, it is said that holy basil (Tulsi) sprang from the ground where Christ’s blood fell upon the cross. This sacred plant is highly valued in Ayurvedic medicine for its ability to assist with numerous illnesses. From the leaves to the stems and roots, every part of the Tulsi plant offers health benefits, making it a true gift of nature. Its preservative properties further underscore its unique qualities.

Though Tulsi Vivaah is not widely celebrated in Trinidad, it remains an important aspect of Hindu tradition, imbued with profound spiritual meaning. It is said that Tulsi cannot survive extreme heat or cold, and thus, the symbolic wedding of Tulsi to Shree Krishna on the bright Ekaadasi of Kaartik emerged. During this ceremony, a red cloth is draped over the plant, representing marriage, with the intention that Lord Krishna will protect Tulsi from harsh weather conditions. This practice signifies a deep sense of duty that leads us closer to Godliness. Tulsi exemplifies a life of selfless service, and her union with Lord Krishna symbolises the union of duty and service. Just as rivers quench the thirst of all, trees bear fruit for the nourishment of others, and cows produce milk for the benefit of mankind, Tulsi teaches us to live selflessly for the welfare of others.

Daily consumption of Tulsi water is said to heal sore throats, and wearing a Tulsi mala (sacred necklace) is encouraged. In ancient times, people would even swear oaths by holding a Tulsi leaf in their right hand. Sprinkling water mixed with Tulsi leaves throughout the home, along with the recitation of the das akshar mantra, Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Aim Brindavanyai Swaha, is believed to drive away negativity. This mantra is traditionally recited during daily Tulsi puja throughout Kaartik.

Tulsi Maa is known by eight sacred names, each of which, when recited, brings happiness, success and fulfilment into our lives:

Om Brinda, Om Brindavani, Om Vishvapujita, Om Vishwapavani, Om Tulsi, Om Puspasara, Om Nandani, Om Krishna Jeevani.

It is also believed that at the root of the Tulsi plant lies the essence of all holy places of pilgrimage, and within her branches reside the 33,000 deities. Each leaf symbolises the various yagyas (religious sacrifices), making Tulsi the only sacred leaf that can be included in every religious offering (prasadam)—for all the Devtas are present within her.