The ‘holy basil’ called tulasii (तुलसी) in Sanskrit is considered to be a holy plant in India, not only due to the legends in the puraanas, but also due to the medicinal value of the plant. WRndaa (वृन्दा) is another Sanskrit name for tulasii.

This plant is so significant that it can be found at the entrance of most of Indian households and is worshipped by people throughout, for its utility and auspice. The place at the entrance of the home where tulasii is planted is called wRndaa-wana (वृन्दावन: a bush of tulasii). It is generally a decorative structure made of stone/bricks/soil with a pot at the top for the tulasii plant. An oil lamp is placed every evening near the wRndaawana indicating the arrival of prosperity and destruction of evil.

Benefits of Tulasii:

• Tulasii has anti-oxidant properties and sufficient medical research has showed that it is an effective medicine for controlling sugar levels in diabetes, cholesterol and blood glucose levels.
• It is also helpful for reducing stress levels.
• Tulasii leaves are used for preparing household medicines for curing common cold, headache, inflammation, stomach disorders, etc.
• Two cups of water mixed with tulasii leaves, ginger, raw corriander seeds & Jesthimadhu, then boiled to reduce up to one cup, can help control fever, cold, cough, headache, etc.
• The tulasii wood is used for making beads for a japa-maalaa (जपमाला a string of beads used for chanting & meditation). Wearing such a maalaa around the neck is considered to be auspicious as well.

Tulasii is so important that it is considered to be an ‘elixir of life’. It also enjoys a special place in Hindu tradition, since according to the Puraanas, it is an expression of Siitaa (सीता).The seeds of tulasii are called manjirii (मञ्जिरी) and it is believed that Lord Krishna wore a stem of manjiri in his turban, indicating his affection towards tulasii.

According to the Padma Puraana (पद्मपुराण), Princess Wrinda (वृन्दा) an ardent devotee of Lord Wishnu wanted to marry him, but she was already married to another Prince. She was eventually reborn in the form of a Tulasii plant and then Lord Wishnu married her, fulfilling her desire, on the Prabodhini Ekaadashii (प्रबोधिनी एकादशी) day i.e. the 11th day of dark half of the kaartika month according to the shaka calendar. This event is celebrated as tulasii-wiwaaha (तुलसी-विवाह) on the same/subsequent day every year.

People, who have a wrindaa-wana at home, generally paint and decorate it on the tulasii-wiwaaha day. Then they decorate the plant itself with silk cloth and a few ornaments, depicting her to be the bride. An idol of Krishna, similarly decorated as a groom, is placed in front of the plant and a traditional wedding-like ceremony is performed. Wedding songs are sung and sweets are distributed on this occasion. This year, the tulasii-wiwaaha will be celebrated on the 6th/7th of Nov 2011 CE.

The following verse in wiSama (विषम) meter pays obeisance to Goddess Tulasii (wRndaa वृन्दा) and requests her to give health and joy always.