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Jainarayan
01 October 2011, 01:21 PM
I got a set of neck beads and a japa mala of tulasi. I want to wear the neck beads; of course I know it would be permanent. I got two sets, an 18" which may be too tight, and a 48" which will go around twice at 24" which is very good. I can also string them together to go around three times at 22" which is even better.

I found instructions on how to offer them to Lord Krishna before using. I've also found conflicting information on how many times to go around the neck. But conflicting is as conflicting does, i.e., everyone has an opinion.

This is the article about offering:


Japa-mala and kanthi-mala must be purified and offered before they are taken into use. The rite of sanctifying the mala should performed by gurudeva or another senior Vaishnava. In their absence, one may also do it himself.

To purify the mala, you should first bathe it in sacred water. Then, place it on a tray and bathe it with pancha-gavya, or the five substances of cow (milk, yoghurt, ghee, cow dung and cow urine), followed by the pancha-amrita, or the five nectarine substances (milk, yoghurt, ghee, honey and sugar-water).

Having completed the bathing, chant the eighteen-syllable Krishna-mantra and the kama-gayatri eight times each over the mala. Then, worship the mala with the touch of the fumes of incense, chanting the sadyojAta-mantra:

sadyojAtaM prapadyAmi sadyojAtAya vai namo namaH |
bhave bhave nAtibhave bhavasva mAm bhavodbhavAya namaH || mnu 17.1

“I seek shelter in the giver of new life, I salute him again and again. Do not leave me amidst the mundane world, lead me beyond; Obeisances to the one at the source of the worlds!”

With this rite, new life is invoked into the mala for the deliverance of the sadhaka. Before employing the mala, one should pray to the sacred mala, offering it to Krishna. One should never employ a mala without offering it first:

haraye nArpayed yas tu tulasI-kASTha-sambhavAm |
mAlAM dhatte svayaM mUDhaH sa yAti narakaM dhruvam || hbv 4.310

“That fool, who accepts the mala made of tulasi-wood without offering it to Hari, will attain a permanent hell.”

Having duly offered the mala to Thakur by wearing it around his neck or touching it to his hand, and then touching it to the heads of his companions and the guru-varga, one may employ it himself. If a kanthi-mala has been sanctified, it should be bound around the neck with the following mantra:

tulasI-kASTha-sambhUte mAle kRSNa-jana priYe |
bibharmi tvAm ahaM kaNThe kuru mAM kRSNa-vallabhaM || hbv 4.312

“Born of the branches of Tulasi, mala, dear to Krishna’s people; I carry you in my neck, make me dear to Krishna.”

If a japa-mala is been sanctified, it should be taken with folded hands and placed into the bead bag with the following prayers:

avighnaM kuru mAle tvaM hari.nAma-japeSu ca |
zrI-rAdhA-kRSNayor dAsyaM dehi-mAle tu prArthaye || mbd 4.223

“O mala, I implore you: Make my harinama-japa free of obstacles, bestow me the servitude of Radha and Krishna!”

tvaM mAle sarva-devAnAM sarva-siddhi.pradA matA |
tena satyena me siddhiM dehi mAtar namo’stu te || mbd 4.225

“You, O mala, we know as the abode of all gods and the bestower of all perfections. Thus, verily, bestow perfection unto me; Obeisances unto you!”

I don't have access to cow dung or cow urine. I can make a panchamrit to bathe them with, and I can say the prayers. But I am wondering if it's also OK to put them on the altar when I do puja and offer panchamrit (without bathing them) and other offerings, then accept them as prasad just like the panchamrit and other offering(s), and use them.

Now, I'm not Gaudiya or ISKCON, but I thought wearing the tulsi neckbeads would be a nice gesture to show devotion to Sri Krishna, not to mention using the mala for japa.

devotee
01 October 2011, 10:29 PM
I got a set of neck beads and a japa mala of tulasi. I want to wear the neck beads; of course I know it would be permanent. I got two sets, an 18" which may be too tight, and a 48" which will go around twice at 24" which is very good. I can also string them together to go around three times at 22" which is even better.

I found instructions on how to offer them to Lord Krishna before using. I've also found conflicting information on how many times to go around the neck. But conflicting is as conflicting does, i.e., everyone has an opinion.

This is the article about offering:



I don't have access to cow dung or cow urine. I can make a panchamrit to bathe them with, and I can say the prayers. But I am wondering if it's also OK to put them on the altar when I do puja and offer panchamrit (without bathing them) and other offerings, then accept them as prasad just like the panchamrit and other offering(s), and use them.

Now, I'm not Gaudiya or ISKCON, but I thought wearing the tulsi neckbeads would be a nice gesture to show devotion to Sri Krishna, not to mention using the mala for japa.

Wearing a Tulsi maalaa is seen a very sacred and strict vow to be a true Vaishnava. Are you ready to strictly follow the Vaishnava path ? You have to decide. :)

OM

anadi
02 October 2011, 05:32 AM
haraye nArpayed yas tu tulasI-kASTha-sambhavAm |
mAlAM dhatte svayaM mUDhaH sa yAti narakaM dhruvam || hbv 4.310

“That fool, who accepts the mala made of tulasi-wood without offering it to Hari, will attain a permanent hell.”


In my opinion dhruva should not be translated here as permanent but as certainly or surely.
No place in the material world is permanent.

Jainarayan
02 October 2011, 07:39 AM
Namaste, and thanks.


Wearing a Tulsi maalaa is seen a very sacred and strict vow to be a true Vaishnava. Are you ready to strictly follow the Vaishnava path ? You have to decide. :)

OM

I see.

Well, for me Lord Krishna is Superme Lord, and my devotion, worship and thoughts are always on Him. I haven't become fully vegetarian yet (I don't eat anything with fur anymore) but I'm working towards it the best I can. I don't drink, smoke, gamble (heck, I don't even play the lottery) or have illicit, casual sex. My goal is to please Him and reach Him. But given my non-veg status I am second-thinking wearing the neck beads.


In my opinion dhruva should not be translated here as permanent but as certainly or surely.
No place in the material world is permanent.

Hmm... translations are always a problem. Saying that Lord Hari would condemn someone to hell for eternity sounds too much like... well, you know... And I don't think any of us accept that.

I'm glad I asked because that article jolted me. How many people use tulsi japa malas without an offering? Lots, I suppose. And nothing came with the beads saying they were already offerd or blessed. When I ordered my puja set from Rudra Center, I spent enought to get a free rudraksha mala. Rudra Center sends a note saying everything is blessed properly before being shipped.

OM GUY
02 October 2011, 08:22 PM
It may very well be that your japa mala beads are indeed, blessed. However, if it were me, I'd have them blessed by a priest to be 100% certain.

Since I buy plenty of malas as gifts, I have them all blessed by a priest and he does put them on an altar when doing so. I'd be very interested to hear from other people about the various methods that they encounter for the blessings.:)

shian
02 October 2011, 08:34 PM
For me the term offer the mala to Hari is not only the ritual,
the meaning is , when you wear it but not offer yor action of wearing it to Hari , that is not respect God.
How to offer it ? offer it by action life like "TouchedbytheLord (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/member.php?u=2902)" said, we must life in Vaishnavas way.

devotee
02 October 2011, 09:47 PM
N My goal is to please Him and reach Him. But given my non-veg status I am second-thinking wearing the neck beads.


In my humble opinion that would be highly appropriate as seeing a person wearing a kanthi mala and eating meat is unthinkable. :)

OM

Jainarayan
03 October 2011, 07:56 AM
Namaste all, and thanks. You learn something new every day. ;)

Quark23
07 October 2011, 01:14 AM
In my humble opinion that would be highly appropriate as seeing a person wearing a kanthi mala and eating meat is unthinkable. :)

OM

In my humble (and probably heretical) opinion - you will not got to hell, or be damned for wearing Tulasi Kanthi Mala.

I wore them for a year whilst consuming meat - in fact, the constant reminder of them around my neck helped me go to a full vegetarian diet. When my mind digresses they tighten in my mind. Her tears burn my heart and lighten up my conciousness. Will I go to hell for that? Was that the price for the help? - that's not the way I frame it.

I was given mine by a devotee - before becoming interested in the tradition. - did she condemn me to hell? She was a very sincere devotee, one of the most spiritual people I have met.

Many people I know feel that it is of great benefit to gift Tulasi Mala to non devotee's as it is a blessing to them on their spiritual path.

I've heard one who is not initiated should not wear it in a three round manner - I don't follow this, I am not initiated and I prefer the three round. Do what you feel to be right inside - and watch your mind for any taint of superstition or unintelligent fundamentalism.

I met a very senior Guru once, who felt anyone could wear Tulasi Mala. It seems to be a personal opinion. I have also been gifted them many times by Sadhu's whilst travelling.

I wouldn't worry about people saying you are going to go to hell for wearing Tulasi and eating meat - you are not doing it to offend. You are working towards a vegetarian life style and with Mother Tulasi's blessing - you will get there. Stay respectful, stay concious and avoid associating with hell condemning fundamentalist types - because if you do go to hell, you are sure to meet them there.

The FEAR of hell is no reason to take up vegetarianism and it is no reason to not wear Tulasi Mala.

Hare Krishna.

devotee
07 October 2011, 02:32 AM
In my humble (and probably heretical) opinion - you will not got to hell, or be damned for wearing Tulasi Kanthi Mala.

I wore them for a year whilst consuming meat - in fact, the constant reminder of them around my neck helped me go to a full vegetarian diet. When my mind digresses they tighten in my mind. Her tears burn my heart and lighten up my conciousness. Will I go to hell for that? Was that the price for the help? - that's not the way I frame it.

I was given mine by a devotee - before becoming interested in the tradition. - did she condemn me to hell? She was a very sincere devotee, one of the most spiritual people I have met.

Many people I know feel that it is of great benefit to gift Tulasi Mala to non devotee's as it is a blessing to them on their spiritual path.

I've heard one who is not initiated should not wear it in a three round manner - I don't follow this, I am not initiated and I prefer the three round. Do what you feel to be right inside - and watch your mind for any taint of superstition or unintelligent fundamentalism.

I met a very senior Guru once, who felt anyone could wear Tulasi Mala. It seems to be a personal opinion. I have also been gifted them many times by Sadhu's whilst travelling.

I wouldn't worry about people saying you are going to go to hell for wearing Tulasi and eating meat - you are not doing it to offend. You are working towards a vegetarian life style and with Mother Tulasi's blessing - you will get there. Stay respectful, stay concious and avoid associating with hell condemning fundamentalist types - because if you do go to hell, you are sure to meet them there.

The FEAR of hell is no reason to take up vegetarianism and it is no reason to not wear Tulasi Mala.

Hare Krishna.

Oh, my God ! So much obsessed with Hell !! I think you must have come to SD from some Abrahimic religion.

My dear friend, did I mention anywhere in my post that one would go to hell for such & such act ? I didn't. I simply mentioned that wearing a Tulsi Mala is considered very sacred ... it comes with a vow to lead a Vaishnava life-style & that includes avoiding meat-eating. This is a tradition. If you are waering a Tulsi mala and eating meat, you are violating the accepted Vaishnava custom, that is all. In fact, you would be creating a wrong impression in someone's mind by doing this.

Now, whether it would lead you to hell or not ... I don't think it should. Personally, I don't believe in any hell or heaven ... except one's own creation by one's own thoughts ... being a Non-dualist. However, this is a purely Vaishnava thing and a Vaishnava alone can tell us what is right.

Where are Smaranam, Grames and others ? Please throw some light. I am unable to see clearly here ! :)

OM

Jainarayan
07 October 2011, 08:54 AM
My decision to eventually give up eating meat of any kind: four-legged, poultry, seafood, was long in coming. I stopped this week, having taken what was in the refrigerator and put it in the freezer. Others can eat it if they wish. Smoking, alcohol, gambling ,etc. are not things I do anyway.

I think the only difficulty in going veg. is in stopping to think of what can and cannot be eaten, a learning process. It's not unlike today being Ekadasi. No grains, but potatoes are OK. But I won't get homefries from the cafeteria at work because they are fried in vegetable oil, which is soybean oil. You just have to stop and think. You may be hungry while you're learning what to eat and what not to eat, but isn't that part of the sacrifice?

I offered the kanthi mala to Lord Krishna, put it on and made my vow. I intend to uphold it. I feel Tulsidevi is watching over me, guiding me and reminding me of the vow I've taken: to dedicate myself to Lord Krishna in all possible ways.

jaswant
07 October 2011, 09:16 AM
My decision to eventually give up eating meat of any kind: four-legged, poultry, seafood, was long in coming. I stopped this week, having taken what was in the refrigerator and put it in the freezer. Others can eat it if they wish. Smoking, alcohol, gambling ,etc. are not things I do anyway.

I think the only difficulty in going veg. is in stopping to think of what can and cannot be eaten, a learning process. It's not unlike today being Ekadasi. No grains, but potatoes are OK. But I won't get homefries from the cafeteria at work because they are fried in vegetable oil, which is soybean oil. You just have to stop and think. You may be hungry while you're learning what to eat and what not to eat, but isn't that part of the sacrifice?

I offered the kanthi mala to Lord Krishna, put it on and made my vow. I intend to uphold it. I feel Tulsidevi is watching over me, guiding me and reminding me of the vow I've taken: to dedicate myself to Lord Krishna in all possible ways.


JUST WONDERFUL!!
MAY YOU GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH !
WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST !
J

Jainarayan
07 October 2011, 10:04 AM
Namaste jaswant, and thank you. :)

uttam
08 October 2011, 03:25 AM
my dear friends before doing this you should understand vaishnab dharma properly. you people go to gurus and different gurus advise differently. you need not be member of iskon or gaudiya for practising vaishnabism. these iskon and gaodiyas misguide people .listen, chaitanya mahapravu taught the proper vaishnab dharma. mahapravu says there are two types of bhakta. one bidhi bhakta and other raganuga bhakta. you should realise what bidhi and raganuga bhakti are. what bidhi bhakta does to please sri krishna is out of fear of hell and as per shasra and what raganuga bhakta does is out of prem or bhakti and not according to sahsra. raganuga bhakta can offer bhakti without taking bath also . actually raganuga bhakta does not offer puja to bhagaban but go on thinking bhagaban in mind .mahapravu says in kalijug there is no mantra no yagya no sanyas no japa no tapa. this jap tap were practised during treta jug. mahapravu says you can not have bhagabat prem by practising any kind of jap tap etc that is bidhi marg which is nothing but total outward and no relation with mind . these gurus say by practising this outward bidhi dharma you will attain bhagabat prem either ihajanam or parajanam which misguide only. you know in gita also sri krishna never advocates this mantra yagya puja jap tap.i advise you when you will visit your gurudev next time you just ask him about bidhi dharma and rag dharma and if possible read sri chaitanya charitamrita. finally tulsi mala ok but nothing for its sancity or offering etc just srikrishna nam smaran karo and bind it and remember practice of religeon has nothing to do with food habit , in gita srikrishna says what is energetic and source of strength could be your food regardless of veg or nonveg . in true sense of the term there is no difference between veg or nonveg, food habit depends on climate and availability of products. north indian eat roti bengali eat rice fish due to regional prospective. if you eat veg and do harm to people by doing some kind of misdeed you will not be spared . so you can practise vaishnab dharma by eating nonveg also and help people by eating meat fish.

uttam
11 October 2011, 01:43 AM
what i actually mean is that by having tilak in forehead and tulsi rounding neck and taking veg one does not become vaishnab. these outward symbols are all part of bidhi vakti by which you can not attain krishna prem. mahapravu says that gopi vaba is required for attaining krishna prem and you know gopi never offer puja , does not have tilak, not perform yajya not do jap with japamala nothing of the kind. what presentday vaishnab may be iskon or gaudiya does is not proper vaishnab tradition. you know what their istadev is ? it is gaur radha vinod jiu means mahapravu radha and srikrishna but they are same . mahapravu himself incarnation of radha and krishna. what is the need of separating one into three ?what iskon (gaudiya) does is a mixture of vedanta based bramyanya dharma that is offering puja,japa,tapa, yagya etc part of bidhi. if you want to understand vaishnab dharma properly you have to go through what mahapravu had discussion with ramananda rai in the chapter eight of madhya lila of sri chaitanya charitamrita. i am not afraid of hell . i do not try to lessen my sin ( pap) by going round tulsi. mere vaishnab impression like tilak, tulsimala and non veg are not sufficient to become vaishnab.to become true vaishnab one should follow what swarup damodar, ramananda rai, sarbavom pandit ,srirup used ti do. you know nityananda pravu used to wear diamond mani mukta as ornaments. but he was loved by mahapravu.