How To Pick Tulasi Leaves and Manjaris

Picking Tulasi leaves and manjaris is an important activity in the life of a sadhaka because Tulasi is absolutely needed to worship Krishna in His deity form. We put Tulasi in the water we bathe Him with, the food He eats, and on His lotus feet. The video above goes in detail on how to properly pick Tulasi Devi to help her grow more bushy. In this short article, I will outline the method of how to pick Tulasi leaves and manjaris.

There is a quote by Srila Prabhupada where he mentions that Tulasi leaves that have fallen should be collected first. This is practical advice because if we pick too many green leaves, Tulasi may be troubled because scientifically, a plant eats through its leaves. Of course, Tulasi is transcendental, but we have to keep this in mind.

“You can take for worshiping Krishna leaves from the Tulasi plant. First utilize the dead leaves or leaves which have fallen down, and if more leaves are required for worshiping Krishna, you may take them from Tulasi plant in this way: First approach Tulasi Devi and offer your obeisances, requesting her that for worshiping Krishna you want to take some leaves. Then if she allows you may take.”

– Letter from Srila Prabhupada, 1977 unknown correspondence

Manjaris, on the other hand, take a lot of energy to grow. They should be cut when they are soft and when they look like small pyramids. In the sastras, it is said that we should offer soft manjaris to Krishna. In the above video you can see where you have to pick, just underneath a manjari with two leaves, one on each side.

Some say you shouldn’t use scissors, but I personally use a dedicated pair of scissors that I use for Tulasi only. This makes sure I don’t accidentally pluck too much off or perhaps even split a branch.

When picking leaves or manjaris, it should be daytime, not Dvadashi (the day after Ekadashi), and you should be altar clean (freshly bathed and wearing clean clothing). Chant the mantra:

tulasy amṛta-janmāsi
sadā tvaṁ keśava-priyā
keśavārthaṁ cinomi tvāṁ
vara-dā bhava śobhane

“Oh Tulasi, you were born from nectar. You are always very dear to Lord Kesava. Now, in order to worship Lord Kesava, I am collecting your leaves and manjaris. Please bestow your benediction on me.”

It’s best to pick the manjaris as soon as you see them so that Tulasi can direct her energy elsewhere. Also, you don’t always need to pick green leaves, first use leaves that have fallen or are yellow and about to fall. When you are done picking, chant the mantra:

cayanodbhava-duḥkhaṁ ca
yad hṛdi tava vartate
tat kṣamasva jagan-mātaḥ
vṛndā-devī namo ’stu te

“Oh Tulasi-Devi, I offer my respectful obeisances unto you. Kindly forgive me if I have caused you pain by picking your leaves and manjaris, Oh mother of the universe.”

Keep Tulasi’s area clean by sweeping daily, and her pot free from dry leaves and flowers. She is a pure devotee of the Lord and should be treated as such!

Check out the video above for a visual explanation of how to pick Tulasi Devi properly and how to help her grow more bushy.

Check out our other foundational articles on watering, lighting, nutrients, bugs, temperature, humidity and soil to learn how to take care of the Tulasi plant. If you don’t already have a plant, get some seeds here, and watch our video on how to grow them.

Look over this article to learn how to diagnose your Tulasi plant when she’s sick and feel free to contact us with any questions. If you want to deepen your knowledge about the Tulasi plant from ancient Vedic wisdom, check out this amazing book.