• Tulasi Kalyanam - 8/11/00

'Tulasi' Kalyanam - 8/11/00:

'Tulasi'^* - the very name smells of sweetness and Bhakti! Tulasi was one of the innumerable gopis for whom Lord Krishna was the 'Beloved'. However, she occupied a special place in Lord Krishna's heart, as her love for Him was unconditional.

* - She later took the form of a plant called the 'Tulasi' (basil). She is of immense medicinal value in the Ayurvedic school of medicine.

' Vrindavan' the forest of Tulasi is the holy soil on the banks of river Yamuna where Lord Krishna conducted His Divine Sport with His companions.

'Ippasi' 'Dwãdasi' is celebrated as 'Tulasi Kalyanam' (Lord Krishna weds Tulasi on this day). Our Satsang, too, celebrated this occasion. Sri Swamigal decorated Tulasi with ornaments and flower garlands and the oil lamps placed all around her added to her beauty. She adorned new orange coloured zareed 'pãvadai-melaku'. 'Nelli pattai' (a small branch of the Gooseberry tree) had been placed beside her. In front of her was Krishna along with a cow and a calf. All of them wore jasmine flowers. Colourful 'kadamba' garland, with the fragrant 'marikozhundu', was wound around the small tank in which Tulasi was placed. Light, fragrance and beauty filled Premika Bhavanam Hall. Devotees had gathered to enjoy the wedding!

Sri Sumanth Bhagavathar accompanied by Sri Balaji rendered Jayadev's Ashtapathi. Later, Sri Ekamram performed 'archanai' to Tulasi and Sri Krishna. The ladies sang a few selected verses from 'Radhika Shatakam' and Sri Swamigal's song on Tulasi devi. Tulasi and 'Vilakku' stotrams were chanted. 'Bagyada Lakshmi bãramma' was sung.

Sri Swamigal's song on Tulasi:

Raga: Shivaranjani
Tala: Ãdi

Rukmini Radha pujita Tulasi
Brindãvana sanchãrini Tulasi
Priya jana pãlini poshini Tulasi
Tvãm pranamãmi Haripriya Tulasi!

Manjula Bhãshini sumadhura Tulasi
Sanchita pãpa vinãshini Tulasi
Mãnasa puja thoshini Tulasi
Tvãm pranamãmi Haripriya Tulasi!

Priya Hari Nãma Sankîrthana Tulasi
Hari charanãrpita mãrgava Tulasi
Ranaruna sankata vãrini Tulasi
Tvãm pranamãmi Haripriya Tulasi!

Kunkuma chandana lepita Tulasi
Mangala bhushana bhushita Tulasi
Pankaja lochana kãmini Tulasi
Tvãm pranamãmi Haripriya Tulasi!

Munigana mandala pujitha Tulasi
Sanmana mangala kãrini Tulasi
Sri Muralidhara jîvana Tulasi
Tvãm pranamãmi Haripriya Tulasi!

The Translation:

Tulasi! the Beloved of (Lord) Hari
Who (is)

Worshipped by Rukmini and Radha
Ever present in Vrindavan
Protects Krishna's dear ones
Oh! Tulasi, the Beloved of Hari!
Unto You I bow down!

Soft and sweet-tongued
Destroyer of 'Sanchita pãpa'
Pleased with inner worship
Oh! Tulasi, the Beloved of Hari!
Unto You I bow down!

Singer of dear Hari's Nãma
One (so soft) offered to Hari's Holy Feet
Remover of hurts, debts and grief
Oh! Tulasi, the Beloved of Hari!
Unto to You I bow down!

Adorns 'kumkum' and 'chandana' (sandalpaste)
Adorns auspicious ornaments
Love of the Lotus Eyed One!
Oh! Tulasi, the Beloved of Hari!
Unto to You I bow down!

Worshipped by the Sages
The cause of all auspicious deeds
The very life of Sri Muralidhara
Oh! Tulasi, the Beloved of Hari!
Unto to You I bow down!