Tulsi Vivah

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 Pournima (full moon of Kartik).

Spiritual significance

During this period the energy (Shakti) and Divine consciousness (Chaitanya) of Shri Vishnu are active in the universe at a 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 wedding, 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 Shrivishnu Principle active in the environment gets activated in the idol of Balkrushna and His energy in the tulsi plant. The Divine Consciousness endowing Principle of Shrivishnu and His energy in the form of tulsi unite in the subtle. So 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 Vivah

All rituals undertaken in the four months of Chaturmas culminate with the Tulsi Vivah. 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 from the Path of Rituals (karmakand) are observed. After culmination of Tulsivivaha the period of ritualistic actions in the gross is over. Hence the food items prohibited during Chaturmas as per rules and regulations (yama-niyam) 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 (Dharmadevata).

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

Reference : Theoretical information on religious festivals is available on Sanatan’s Holy text titled ‘Appropriate method of celebrating festivals and the underlying science’ Part 1, Volume 1,  and the spiritual analysis of religious festivals has been received by Miss Madhura Bhosale in the subtle.

Principle of the Deity, active three components and their benefits