The Importance of Worshiping Tulasi-devi

All the famous acaryas in our disciplic succession emphasize the importance of worshiping Tulasi. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, the spiritual master of our Srila Prabhupada, commented that "Srimati Tulasi Maharani is our spiritual master. She is the queen of Sri Vrindavana Dhama. It is only by Her mercy that one can be qualified to enter in Sri Vrindavana Dhama. We wear Tulasi Maharani around our neck, knowing that She is very dear to Lord Krishna. By our allegiance to Her, we chant the name of Lord Hari."

In his poem titled Sri Sankalpa-kalpadruma,
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has prayed:

vrindavana-sthira-caran paripalayitri
vande tayo rasikayor ati-saubhagena
adhyasi tat kuru krpam ganana yathaiva
sri-radhika-parijanesu mamapi siddhet

O Vrinda-devi, O protectress of the moving and non-moving living entities in Vrindavana, you are wealthy in the mercy of the Divine Couple who enjoy pastimes in Vraja. Please be merciful to me. Please place me among Sri Radha’s associates.

he sri-tulasy uru-krpa-dyu-tarangini tvam
yan murdhni me carana-pankajam adadhasvam
yac caham apy apibam ambu manak tadiyam
tan me manasy udayam eti manoratho’yam

O Srimati Tulasi-devi, O celestial Ganges river of mercy, it is because I once placed my head at your lotus feet and drank some drops of water that washed your lotus feet, that these desires have risen in my heart.

kvaham parah sata-nikaty-anuviddha-cetah
sankalpa esa sahasa kva su-durlabhe’rthe
eka kalpaiva tava mam ajahaty upadhi-
sunyeva mantum adadhaty agater gatir me

O Srimati Tulasi-devi, how low I am, my heart pierced by hundreds of offenses! How exalted and difficult to attain is my aspiration! Your causeless mercy is my only hope. It is by Your mercy that I, who am so fallen, can have these desires in my thoughts.

The Caitanya Bhagavata states that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's disciples would keep a Tulasi tree beside Him. The Lord would sit, taking darshan of Srimati Tulasi Maharani and chant His prescribed number of rounds. "Just as a fish cannot live when taken out of water, so I cannot remain alive in separation of Tulasi Maharani," Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to say.