Blossoming Devotion: A Journey with Tulasi Devi and Prabhupada

This is part 1 of a series of 4 articles. Here is part 2, part 3, and part 4.

In this article Govinda Dasi shares her personal journey of fascination and devotion to Tulasi Devi. The narrative unfolds in 1967 when Tulasi Devi was a rarity in the West, and Govinda Dasi embarked on a quest to find Tulasi japa beads in New York City. As the story weaves through the years, Govinda Dasi’s deepening connection with Tulasi takes root, leading to the joyous discovery of the significance of cultivating Tulasi plants within the Gaudiya-vaisnava tradition. Join us on a heartfelt exploration of Tulasi’s divine presence and Govinda Dasi’s humble service to Tulasi Devi and Srila Prabhupada.

The following article is an excerpt from the writings of Govinda Dasi (ACBSP) Published in Back To Godhead Magazine January/February 1993 edition

Govinda Dasi: My fascination with Tulasi Devi began very soon after meeting Srila Prabhupada in 1967. I searched Indian stores all over New York City to find a set of Tulasi japa beads. One clever man sold me rosewood beads, assuring me they were Tulasi. When I presented them to Srila Prabhupada, he held them and looked at them with scrutiny, then simply said, “No, not Tulasi.” But he chanted on them anyway.

Later, in 1968, as I was cleaning Srila Prabhupada’s room I found his Tulasi japa beads lying near his bead bag on his cushion. As I carefully put them back into their bag, I was mesmerized by their smooth touch and golden glow. They were large, round beads, shiny from years of use, with a mystical quality that still sticks in my mind.

Prabhupada talked on and on about the glories of Tulasi Devi, and he was in such joyful spirits! Srila Prabhupada’s servant, Kartikeya Dasa, was astonished. He later told me that he had not seen Srila Prabhupada so light-hearted and happy in over a year.

In 1969, Srila Prabhupada sent me to Honolulu to open a temple. I spent much time at the research library of the University of Hawaii’s East-West Center. I found many ancient texts from India, some by Srila Prabhupada’s guru and other Vaishnava saints. And I found information on Tulasi Devi—her botanical names, her history, and ways to grow her. My desire to grow Tulasi became an obsession, and somehow I got seeds from India.

The first set of seeds did not grow. I daily worshiped a thin green sprout until it became painfully evident that it was a blade of grass. The second batch of seeds proved fruitful, however, and tiny heart-shaped seedlings spread their delicate leaves in our Honolulu home. That was the beginning.

I still didn’t know why growing Tulasi was important to Srila Prabhupada or his mission. But when I later presented two small Tulasi plants to him in Los Angeles, he was delighted. He held one of the small pots in his hand for a long time, gazing at the seven-inch seedling, noting that she was indeed Srimati Tulasi Devi.

It is specifically mentioned herein that Tulasi leaves are very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and devotees should take particular care to have Tulasi leaves in every temple and center of worship

Prabhupada talked on and on about the glories of Tulasi Devi, and he was in such joyful spirits! Srila Prabhupada’s servant, Kartikeya Dasa, was astonished. He later told me that he had not seen Srila Prabhupada so light-hearted and happy in over a year.

At one point, Srila Prabhupada told us that Tulasi Devi was a great devotee of Lord Krishna, and that her husband, a demon, was killed by Krishna. Then Prabhupada stopped short and became thoughtful. My intuition was that he had given us as much as we could then understand.

So my understanding became quite basic: somehow, growing Tulasi made Srila Prabhupada very, very pleased. That was enough. I proceeded to cultivate Tulasi plants on a large scale. I wrote a booklet entitled “How to Grow Tulasi Devi,” sent seeds and booklets to every temple, and tried to offer advice and assistance to devotees in their efforts to cultivate Tulasi.

Later, I came across the following purport by Srila Prabhupada in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (4.8.55):

It is specifically mentioned herein that Tulasi leaves are very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and devotees should take particular care to have Tulasi leaves in every temple and center of worship. In the Western countries, while engaged in propagating the Krishna consciousness movement, we were brought great unhappiness because we could not find Tulasi leaves. We are very much obliged, therefore, to our disciple Srimati Govinda Dasi because she has taken much care to grow Tulasi plants from seeds, and she has been successful by the grace of Krishna. Now Tulasi plants are growing in almost every center of our movement.

Only then did I become truly aware of the importance of cultivating Tulasi plants. I realized that my initial attraction to Tulasi and my obsessive desire to grow Tulasi plants, though not inspired by a direct instruction from Srila Prabhupada, were communicated from within the heart by the Lord to please and assist Srila Prabhupada in his mission. I felt humbled and joyful that even in my ignorance I had been given an opportunity to serve him in this way.

We welcome you to check out our other articles about Tulasi Devi.