I hope that you like this special issue on the importance of Tulasi Devi. Outwardly, Tulasi Devi appears as a plant, but she is an eternal associate of Lord Krsna . Her appearance in this material world is to show that the only way of progressing in spiritual life is to concentrate on the lotus feet of Lord Krsna.
In fact, she never leaves that position at all. In the Bhagavad gita much emphasis is put on krsna karma or work done in relationship with the Lord. One may be engaged in various activities, but one should not be attached to the result of his work; the result should be done only for the Lord. For example, one may be engaged in business, but to transform that activity into Krsna consciousness, one has to do business for Krsna . If Krsna is the proprietor of the business, then Krsna should enjoy the profit of the business. If a businessman is in possess ion of thousands and thousands of rupees, and if he has to offer all this to Krsna , he can do it. This is work for Krsna. Instead of constructing a big building for his sense gratification, he can construct a nice temple for Krsna, and he can install the Deity of Krsna and arrange for the Deity's service, as is outlined in the authorized books of devotional service. This is all krsna-karma. One should not be attached to the result of his work, but the result should be offered to Krsna and one should accept as prasada the remnants of offerings to Krsna . If one constructs a very big building for Krsna and installs the Deity of Krsna , one is not prohibited from living there, but it is understood that the proprietor of the building is Krsna. That is called Krsna consciousness. Bhagavad gita 11.55, purport
This may give rise to the belief that one has to be very rich in order to serve Lord Krsna . On the contrary, Tulasi Devi comes to the rescue of those who are not resourceful. If, however, one is not able to construct a temple for Krsna, one can engage himself in cleansing the temple of Krsna ; that is also Krsna karma. Anyone who has land can cultivate a garden and can utilize that for Krsna by growing flowers to offer Him. One can sow Tulasi plants, because Tulasi leaves are very important and loved by Krsna.
Vedic history provides evidence as to how kings and emperors, who were rajarsis (kings as well as saints), took the shelter of Srimati Tulasi Devi in worshiping Lord Krsna. The prime example is that of King Ambarisa .
"King Ambarisa first of all engaged his mind on the lotus feet of Lord Krsna; then, one after another, he engaged his words in describing the transcendental qualities of the Lord, his hands in mopping the temple of the Lord, his ears in hearing of the activities of the Lord, his eyes in seeing the transcendental forms of the Lord, his body in touching the bodies of the devotees, his sense of smell in smelling the scents of the lotus flowers offered to the Lord, his tongue in tasting the Tulasi leaf offered at the lotus feet of the Lord, his legs in going to places of pilgrimage and the temple of the Lord, his head in offering obeisances unto the Lord , and his desires in executing the mission of the Lord. All these transcendental activities are quite be fitting a pure devotee." -Srimad Bhagavatam (9.4.18-20)
In every state devotional service is joyful. One can execute devotional service even in the most povertystricken condition . The Lord says in Bhagavad gita (9.26) patram puspam phalarn toyam. He is ready to accept from the devotee any kind of offering, never mind what. Even a leaf, a flower, a bit of fruit, or a little water, which are all available in every part of the world, can be offered by any person, regardless of social position, and will be accepted if offered with love … This leafes pecially refers to the Tulasi. So one can sow Tulasi and pour water on the plant. Thus, even the poorest man can engage in the service of Krsna. There are many instances in history. Simply by tasting the Tulasi leaves offered to the lotus feet of the Lord, great sages like Sanat kumara became great devotees. Therefore the devotional process is very nice, and it can be executed in a happy mood. God accepts only the love with which things are offered to Him.
And Srimati Tulasi Devi is epitome of that pure love.
(Syamananda Dasa)