Why We Worship Tulasi Plant

Tulasi Plant
In Sanskrit, tulanaa naasti athaiva tulasi - that which is incomparable (in its qualities) is the tulasi
For Indians it is one of the most sacred plants. In fact it is known to be the only thing used in worship, which, once used, can be washed and reused in pooja - as it is regarded so self-purifying.
As one story goes, Tulasi was the devoted wife of Shankhachuda, a celestial being. She believed that Lord Krishna tricked her into sinning. So she cursed Him to become a stone (shaaligraama). Seeing her devotion and adhered to righteousness, the Lord blessed her saying that she would become the worshipped plant, tulasi that would adorn His head.
Also that all offerings would be incomplete without the tulasi leaf - hence the worship of tulasi.
She also symbolises Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. Those who wish to be righteous and have a happy family life worship the tulasi.
Tulasi is married to the Lord with all pomp and show as in any wedding.
This is because according to another legend, the Lord blessed her to be His consort. Satyabhama once weighed Lord Krishna against all her legendary wealth. The scales did not balance till a single tulasi leaf was placed along with the wealth on the scale by Rukmini with devotion.
Thus the tulasi played the vital role of demonstrating to the world that even a small object offered with devotion means more to the Lord than all the wealth in the world.
The tulasi leaf has great medicinal value and is used to cure various ailments, including the common cold.
Yanmule sarvatirhaani Yannagre sarvadevataa Yanmadhye sarvavedaascha Tulasi taam namaamyaham
I bow down to the tulasi, At whose base are all the holy places, At whose top reside all the deities and In whose middle are all the Vedas.
More About Tulasi As Devi
“Tulasi is auspicious in all respects. Simply by seeing, simply by touching, simply by remembering, simply by praying to, simply by bowing before, simply by hearing about, or simply by sowing the tree, there is always auspiciousness. Anyone who comes in touch with the Tulasi tree in the above mentioned ways lives eternally in the Vaikuntha [spiritual] world." (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu / Skanda Purana - 3000BC)
Tulasi Devi
In India, one plant is universally appreciated by yogis, mystics and saints of the many and varied spiritual traditions. The botanical name, Ocimum sanctum, (sanctum meaning holy), is used out of respect for an ancient tradition that has a written history of over 5000 years. There are numerous references to this sacred plant throughout the Vedas, verified as the oldest texts in existence.
The flowers, leaves and wood are an integral part of Indian life and worship. No temple offering is considered complete without Tulasi leaves or flowers, and the wood is carefully carved for wearing and as neck beads and japa mala, meditation beads used for counting mantras and prayers.
Tulasi is understood to be the plant incarnation of Vrindadevi, the archetypal "forest goddess". She beautifies the flora and fauna of the ultimate spiritual forest, Vrindavana. She appears in this world so that her leaves may be used in the worship of Krishna, the God of love. "The Supreme Lord, the embodiment of truth, consciousness and joy is known as Krishna or Govinda. He has no beginning, is the origin of everything, and the cause of all causes." Brahma-samhita 5.1
Purifying to the mind, emotions and body, Tulasi beads can always be seen around the necks of serious yogis and mystics in India. Dispelling the unwanted influences of others, gross and subtle, is one of the many benefits bestowed by this most powerful of plants.
Tulasi plants are prized in Ayurveda, where they are an integral part of that sophisticated healing system. Western chemists also recognize the considerable healing potential of Tulasi, which belongs to the same family as basil, and have isolated eugenol, carvacrol, methyl eugenol and caryophyllene from the leaves alone.
8 names of Tulasidevi
Vrindavani: One who first manifested in Vraja. Vrinda: The goddess of all plants and trees. Visvapujita: Worshiped by the whole universe. Puspasara: The topmost of all flowers.Nandini: Seeing whom gives bliss to the saints. Krishna-jivani: The life of Sri Krishna. Visva-pavani: One who purifies the three worlds. Tulasi: One who has no comparison.
In practically every temple in India, there is a special place reserved for this sacred plant. Mystics, yogis and pilgrims consider it a great privilege even to water her. Her qualities and amazing powers are found throughout the oldest writings on earth, the Sanskrit Vedas of ancient India, where it states that simply touching the wood is purifying at many levels.
Anything which has stood the test of time for over 5000 years, should not be easily dismissed.
"Oh Tulasi, just by touching you, one's body becomes pure. Any person who makes beautiful japamala [meditation beads] or neck beads out of Tulasi wood, and uses them, even if they do not perform any worship of Sri Vishnu, all of their activities become unlimitedly fruitful." Skanda Purana (3000BC)
Latin -- Ocimum sanctum
Sanskrit -- Tulasi
Hindi -- Kala Tulasi
English -- Holy Basil