Tulasi redeems us from all sins. Tulasi provides us with all the wealth. Tulasi and Indian families have symbiotic relationship. A house without Tulasi plant is like a temple without deity.
Since ancient times in every Indian household, Tulasi occupies a prominent place. Every backyard of the Indian house is adorned with Tulasi Fort. (Structure that is built around tulasi). Indians believe Tulasi as an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. Indians worship the holy Basil (Tulasi) every day at a prescribed time.
There are many varieties of Tulasi. The popularly adopted Tulasi plants are 1. Krishna Tulasi. 2. Rama Tulasi. 3. Lakshmi Tulasi.
• Krishna Tulasi is widely used in preparing medicines. Tulasi and pepper powder are used to cure malarial fever. Tulasi and Ginger are made into juice and are used to alleviate the knee joint pains.
• Vomiting can be avoided by consuming curd or honey mixed with Tulasi seeds.
• For curing Asthmatic problems, the essence of Krishna tulasi leaf and black pepper combination works wonders.
• For skin disorders, paste made of Tulasi and Lemon can be applied externally.
• For soar throat, water is boiled along with Tulasi leaves and is consumed. Tulasi rasa reduces Kapha dosha and re-energizes the body.
Modern research:
1. It reduces glucose levels and is being used to cure Diabetics
2. It reduces cholestral levels
3. As a Cox-2 Inhibitor, it is being used as a pain reliever in cancer treatment
4. To store food grains
Certain Vishnu devotees do not use Tulasi as a medicinal herb and consider it as a sacred plant. They consume Tulasi water (Tirtha) for purification of sins.
Tulasi needs are used in Japa and Meditation. Garlands of fresh Tulasi leaves are offered to deities in temples every day. In Hindu temples, holy Tulasi water is given to devotees as Tirtha.
Tulasi is worshipped as the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi.
During the month of Kartika, Tulasi Vivaha (Wedding of Tulasi) is grandly celebrated. Hindus consider that day as a very auspicious day.
In Agastya Samhita it is said that, by planting Tulasi, watering Tulasi, worshipping Tulasi, rather touching Tulasi, one obtain moksha, the enlightenment.
Hindus believe that Tulasi plant contain all the holy rivers, all the Vedas and all the deities. Persons on the deathbed are watered with "Tulasi Tirtha" by pouring a few drops into the mouth. It is believed that, Tulasi purifies them from sins and gives them better positions (circumstances) in the next life.
Tulasi, the holy plant, the wonder herb, the sin redeemer is always with us from our birth to death, as an eternal companion.
On June 2003, American patent office had given patent to "Go - Muthram" (cow-urine) as an antibiotic in curing diseases like tuberculosis and cancer. This product had been patented by Nagpur NGO "Go-vignana Ansundhana kendram".
This news had created sensation among medical community worldwide and debate, discussion and research got initiated in many medical universities throughout the world. Today a new science called "Cowpathy" is evolving.
Ancient Indians had indepth knowledge of "Panchagavya chikitsa" including cow urine therapy. But, for centuries modern medicine had considered the cow urine therapy as a primitive practice of blind beliefs. Medical fraternity had woken up recently to the reality and started recognizing the potential therapeutic value of Cow products.
Indians worship cow as holy mother. Indian Cow is respected as the embodiment of all divine forces. Gifting a cow is considered to be the greatest of all charities. During the performance of yagnas and yagas, Cow & Cow products are very essential. Indian culture has placed cow in the sacred position of "Kamadhenu" (the wish fulfilling holy Diety). Vedas, Puranas and Itihasas, all adore the sanctity and utility of cow in many ways. Holy cow and Indian life have a sacred bondage. Rigveda says that killing a cow is the greatest of all sins.
In the Mahabharata, Anushasanaparva, Bhishma reveals about the greatness of Gowmati yaga and holy cow's importance. He further says, if anyone studies (any kind of subject) by staying near a cow, one grasps the essence of that study in no time, as cow always emits positive vibrations which keep the mind in a composed state.
In modern times, the first Indian war of Independence (Sepoy mutiny) in the year 1857 had it's roots in the sacrilege made to Cow.
In India, Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras all worship and benefit from the cow in many ways. From giving milk, ploughing fields, performing yagnas and up to curing many diseases, Cow helps Indians; Cow protects them and nourishes them in every way. Lord Krishna being a cowherd is dear to millions and millions of devoted hearts.
Panchagavya Chikitsa:
In preparation of Ayurvedic medicines, the Pancha Gavyas (Five cow products) are used very extensively. The Panchagavyas are 1. Cow Milk 2. Curd. 3. Ghee. 4. Urine. 5. Cow Dung.
In the famous Ayurvedic texts like Charaka, Sushruta and Vagbatta Samhitas, Pancha Gavyas are used to cure skin diseases, urinary problems, kneejoint pains and ulcers.
In Indian agriculture, Cow's role can never be de-linked or belittled. Cow dung is natural manure, being used by Indians since ancient times. Cow urine and neem leaves are mixed together and used as a pesticide. Many NGOs are working in furtherance of research in this regard.
Treatment with Pancha Gavyas had obtained prominence and importance after WHO started recognizing the traditional health remedies worldwide. In America and Africa, Pancha gavya is being used and tested for curing AIDS and clinical results seem to be encouraging.
Modern medicine is accepting these cow products as anti-biotics and bio-enhancers.
Normally environmentalists raise their voice about adverse green effects and pollution of burning firewood. Interestingly, the fire obtained by burning cow-dung cakes had cleaned the atmosphere instead of polluting it. The holy process of Agnihotra is becoming popular throughout the world for it's miraculous cleaning effects.
When Bhopal gas tragedy struck, a household, where there was regular practice of the ritual of Agnihotra, was not affected, where as the neighboring households had to run amuck in fear of poisonous hazards that the gas leak had created. The research findings point to the Agnihotra Fire, which was created by burning cow-dung cakes. That fire had protected that small family by cleaning the atmosphere that night.
It is our duty to protect Cow. Today, many Go-rakshana samitis had been formed at many places to protect cows. In these cow - protection movements Gujaratis, Marwaris and some voluntary & spiritual organizations had taken a lead role and are doing their best to spread the awareness.
Indian agriculture and Indian lifestyle are intimately linked to the cow. As we protect the cow, so does the cow protect us.
