Tulsi Vivaha -13th November 2024

1. Tithi (Date as per Hindu calendar) : This ritual may be performed on any day from Kartik Shukla Dwadashi (Twelfth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartik) till Purnima (Full moon of Kartik).

Spiritual significance : During this period, the Shakti (Divine Energy) and Chaitanya (Divine consciousness) of Shri Vishnu are active in the Universe at the subtler level; hence, this ritual is performed.

2. Worship : This ritual consists of uniting Shri Vishnu (An Idol of Balkrushna [Infant Shrikrushna]) and the Tulsi (Basil plant) in wedlock. In ancient times, the practice of child marriage was prevalent. On the eve of the marriage, the Tulsi-vrundavan (A small rectangular structure in which the Tulsi is grown) is painted and decorated. Sugarcane and marigold flowers are placed in the Tulsi-vrundavan and tamarind and gooseberries are placed at the base of the plant. The wedding ceremony is performed in the evening.

Spiritual significance : The Shri Vishnu Principle active in the environment gets activated in the Idol of Balkrushna and His energy in the Tulsi plant. The Chaitanya bestowing Principle of Shri Vishnu and His energy in the form of Tulsi unite in the subtle. Hence, marriage of Tulsi with Shrikrushna in the gross symbolises this union in the subtle.

Different substances used in the worship of the Tulsi plant contain different active Principles. Sugar is distributed as Prasad (Holy sacrament).

3. Special features of Tulsi Vivaha : All rituals performed in the four months of Chaturmas culminate with the Tulsi Vivaha. All food items that are forbidden during the Chaturmas are offered first to a Brahman and then partaken.

Spiritual significance : In the four months of Chaturmas several rituals in the Karmakand (Path of ritualistic worship) are observed. After culmination of Tulsi Vivaha the period of ritualistic actions in the gross dimension gets over. Hence, the food items prohibited during Chaturmas as per the Yama-niyama (Rules and regulations) are offered to a priest. Thus, these prohibited food items merge into the priest (Brahman Principle) existing in the form of Dharma and the worshipper is granted permission to partake of that food item by the Deity of Dharma (known as Dharmadevata).

–  Ms  Madhura Bhosale, Sanatan Ashram, Ramnathi, Goa. (9.10.2017, 11 p.m.)

(Reference : Theoretical information on religious festivals is available in Sanatan’s Text – ‘Appropriate method of celebrating festivals and the underlying science’ Part 1, Volume 1; while the spiritual analysis of religious festivals has been received by Ms Madhura Bhosale of Sanatan Sanstha from the subtle dimension.)

What is ‘Subtle’ : The gross (physical) aspects of an individual are the five sense organs – the nose, ears, eyes, tongue and skin. These five senses, beyond the mind and intellect, are ‘subtle’. These ‘subtle’ sensations are felt by some people who have advanced in their spiritual practice. Various Scriptures contain references to subtle knowledge and the subtle dimension.