attracts disciples and gains fame in his worship of
Vithoba at Pandharpur. The famous Maratha king
Shivaji visits Tukaram, who tells him to return to
kingship and not renounce the world. Tukaram
performs many miracles, including turning iron
into gold. After many visitations, God himself
escorts the glorious Tukaram to heaven.
Further reading: Justin Abbott, Life of Tukaram (Delhi:
Motilal Banasidass, 1980); Ajit Lokhande, Tukarama,
His Person and His Religion: A Religio-Historical, Phe-
nomenological and Typological Enquiry (Frankfurt: Peter
Lang, 1976); Eleanor Zelliot, “Four Radical Saints
of Maharastra,” in Milton Israel and N. K. Wagle,
eds., Religion and Society of Mahatrastra. South Asian
Papers, No. 1 (Toronto: Centre for South Asian Stud-
ies, University of Toronto, 1987); Eleanor Zelliot and
Maxine Berntsen, The Experience of Hinduism: Religion
in Maharastra (Albany: State University of New York
Press, 1988).
tulsi (tulasi)
Tulsi (Ocymum sanctum) is a species of plant
resembling European basil that is sacred to the
Vaishnavites (worshippers of VISHNU) and is culti-
vated by them for use in PUJAS (worship services)
and offerings. It is often put on a four-sided ped-
estal placed in a special location in one’s house or
near a place of worship. It is sometimes seen to be
the wife of Vishnu, LAKSHMI herself.
One popular legend explains its origin: once
Lakshmi and SARASVATI quarreled and cursed
each other. Sarasvati’s curse turned Lakshmi into
a tulsi plant and forced her to live on Earth for-
ever. Vishnu, however, intervened and modified
the curse, saying that Lakshmi would remain on
Earth as tulsi until the river Gandaki flowed from
her body.
In another story tulsi is understood to be the
plant incarnation of Vrindadevi, the primary and
archetypal “forest goddess.” She beautifies the
flora and fauna of the ultimate spiritual forest,
Vrindavana (BRINDAVAN). She appears in this world
so that her leaves may be used in the worship of
KRISHNA.
Tulsi is offered daily in Vaishnavite pujas,
whether in the temple or at home. When an
orthodox Vaishnavite BRAHMIN male dies, a tulsi
plant is worshipped and a bit of root is placed in
his mouth and leaves are placed on his face and
eyes; he is sprinkled with a tulsi sprig that has
been dipped in water. This ritual is said to guar-
antee heaven. Some say that even looking at this
sacred plant confers release from sins.
Any illness or pollution from contact with pol-
luting people or substances is said to be removed
by worship of the plant. Tending the tulsi plant
is said to assure liberation from birth and rebirth.
Sprigs of tulsi are offered to Vishnu especially in
the month of Karttika (October–November). Tulsi
dipped in saffron will please Vishnu. A twig of
tulsi given to someone can lift his or her troubles
and anxieties.
Tulsi leaves are aromatic, and the plant is
thought to help with coughs; it is taken as a folk
medicine. Orthodox Vaishnavite Brahmins take
it after meals to help digestion. It is also taken
before and after rituals.Further reading: Abbé J. A. Dubois, Hindu Manners,
Customs and Ceremonies. Translated by Henry K. Beau-
champ, 3d ed. (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1959); Yash
Rai, Holy Basil, a Herb: A Unique Medicinal Plant. Trans-
lated by K. K. Sata (Ahmedabad: Gala, 1992).Tulsidas (1532–1623) greatest Hindi poet
It can be said without reservation that Tulsidas is
the greatest poet to write in the Hindi language.
Tulsidas was a BRAHMIN by birth and was believed
to be a reincarnation of the author of the SANSKRIT
RAMAYANA, VALMIKI.
Tulsidas was born in the village of Rajpur in
Uttar Pradesh in 1532 C.E. He died in 1623 C.E. at
the age of 91 at Asighat in BENARES (Varanasi). His
father’s name was Atmaram Shukla Dube and his
mother’s was Hulsi. Tulsidas’s birth name was Tul-K 456 tulsi