Doubts regarding smelling/eating Tulasi leaves ?

Hare Krishna,

I have got below information about Tulasi in http://www.backtogodhead.in/cover-story-tulasi-devi-beloved-of-krsna-by-govinda-dasi/ and http://www.krishna.com/tulasi-devi-beloved-krishna . It says :

"Tulasi Devi can be used in many ways to please the Supreme Lord, but never for gratifying one's senses. To offer Tulasi Devi with a material incentive to destroy one's enemies, to remove anxieties, to make medicine will be the bridge by which one enters the hellish regions."

My question:

Since our childhood, we are observing people praying Tulasi, watering the plant regularly, and also eating Tulasi leaves - knowing it is good for us. Now this statement really baffles me.

1. What is exactly meant by the above statement ( i.e. To offer Tulasi Devi with a material incentive to.....) ?

2. Does it mean people should avoid taking/smelling Tulasi leaves ? We were knowing Tulasi is good for cough remedy or also very good for health, so it should be taken.

3. Should these be stopped ?

Here I have no one with whom I can clarify these things. Hence posting my queries on this site. Please do help with your noble guidance.

Thanks and Regards,

Prakash Barman

Hare krsna,

All glories to guru and gouranga!!

what about food offered to Krishna? Dont we take it as prasad? infact we "feast" on it, right? so whats wrong in consuming tulsi leaves?

When krsna himself says offer me a leaf, flower, fruit or water and if we dont partake it, then arent we rejecting Krsna's blessing and mercy? Once a prabhu told me, if anyone gives anything relating to krsna especially when it is something to eat, dont think twice, just put it in your mouth, coz we dont know when the mercy or blessing could be taken away.

We sing "krsna bhakthi prade devi" when worshipping her. Her presence in us will purify us just like how we take Ganga jal. We are seeking krsna's bhakthi through her. Anything that makes us progress towards Krsna SHOULD be accepted.

Obviously, nobody would intentionally pluck tulsi leaves from the pots and chew it. devotees take only the leaves that have fallen of the plant and accept it as prasad only. Its the consciousness that matters the most.

please accept my humble apologies if I have hurt anyone with my response.

Srila Prabhupada ki jai!!!

Hare krsna.

Replies

Walter Cloud ShaktimanahDasa May 3, 2017 at 12:14pm

Tulsy is like Vishnu, you can't see Krishna with out them. Yet they are requiring us to be sincear/devoted clean & our intentions are good ones. They are not Krishna but we will never know Krishna with out them?
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- This reply was deleted.
  - Prakash May 5, 2017 at 11:57pm
    
    Thanks a lot for these nice information, these are heart touching.
    
    - Hare Krishna!!
- Prakash April 30, 2017 at 9:28pm
  
  Hare Krishna,
  
  When you say :
  
  Another consideration is also there, it is said that by seeing, touching,watering,planting, protecting,smelling,offering tulasi etc.. one gets sukrti which leads to krsna bhakti.
  
  If it leads to Krishna Bhakti, why devotee should not do this ? If we smell/take it, with a prayer to purify our Mati/buddhi - would this be considered as dislikingly or humorously ?
  
  Please help put some more light to this point.
  
  Hare Krishna!!
Volunteer

rakesh roshan April 27, 2017 at 11:21am

Hare Krsna pr
Tulasi Mahrani is a pure devotee of Lord Krsna and hence she should be only offered to Krsna. Offering Tulasi so that one can consume it for cough treatment or any such thing is not recommended. Eating unoffered Tulasi leaves is not at all recommended.
ys
- Prakash > rakesh roshan April 27, 2017 at 6:32pm
  
  Thank you very much for your kind words. Your reply clarifies my doubt. But I would like to read more about Tulasi mata.
  
  Can anyone suggest some scriptures where we can find more information about Tulasi mata ? Is it mentioned in some parts of Srimad Bhagavatam ? Eagerly waiting to hear from someone. - Hare Krishna.
  - Volunteer
    
    kŗşņa dasa > Prakash April 29, 2017 at 4:51pm
    
    Hare krsna,
    
    All glories to guru and gouranga!!
    
    what about food offered to Krishna? Dont we take it as prasad? infact we "feast" on it, right? so whats wrong in consuming tulsi leaves?
    
    When krsna himself says offer me a leaf, flower, fruit or water and if we dont partake it, then arent we rejecting Krsna's blessing and mercy? Once a prabhu told me, if anyone gives anything relating to krsna especially when it is something to eat, dont think twice, just put it in your mouth, coz we dont know when the mercy or blessing could be taken away.
    
    We sing "krsna bhakthi prade devi" when worshipping her. Her presence in us will purify us just like how we take Ganga jal. We are seeking krsna's bhakthi through her. Anything that makes us progress towards Krsna SHOULD be accepted.
    
    Obviously, nobody would intentionally pluck tulsi leaves from the pots and chew it. devotees take only the leaves that have fallen of the plant and accept it as prasad only. Its the consciousness that matters the most.
    
    please accept my humble apologies if I have hurt anyone with my response.
    
    Srila Prabhupada ki jai!!!
    
    Hare krsna.
    - Prakash > kŗşņa dasa April 29, 2017 at 8:31pm
      
      Hare Krishna,
      
      Thank you very much for your kind words. So I have understood below points from this discussion.
      
      1. We should avoid taking un-offered Tulasi leaves ( e.g. by plucking from the plant) for our own benefit even though it may be materially helpful for health. This is not out of force, but due to the utmost deeper respect for one of Lord's great devotees - Tulasi mata.
      
      2. We should not offer Tulasi (rather anything) with an intention for material gain.
      
      3. Lastly, the offered Tulasi as per devitional service, should be accepted as Prasada, which actually carries Lord's mercy/blessings, and can do wonders in Krsna consciousness.
      
      Jai Srila Prabhupada!! Haribol!!

This reply was deleted.