Hare Krsna,
To hear about the abode of the Lord gives me immense pleasure. Just to know that there is another world, away from this material world, that is completely pure, transcendental, 100% Krsna consciousness, full of eternity, knowledge and bliss, where is there full of love and devotion for the sweet Lord uplifts my mood and consciousness. In Vaukuntha, the Lord is situated in His suddha-sattva position; the residents have the same form as the Supreme Lord. The forests are full of desire trees that give fruits and flowers of all seasons. The inhabitants fly in airplanes while always singing the glories of the Lord. Even the birds and animals are Krsna consciousness. The birds are eager to hear Krsna katha and rejoice the sweet humming sound of the king of bees.
What really attracted my attention about the description of Vaikuntha is the exalted position the Tulasi plant holds. The best of flowers are full of transcendental fragrance but still they worship the Tulasi plant because they respect her austerities that made her attain a special position at the lotus feet of the Lord. The Lord also garlands Himself with Tulasi leaves.
Srila Prabhupada reveals his heart in the purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 4.8.55, expressing the disappointment he felt upon arriving in the West where Tulasi Devi was nowhere to be found. Thereafter, in the same purport His Divine Grace expresses consequent delight in the service of Srimati Govinda Dasi for successfully cultivating Tulasi in Hawaii. There are various components to this achievement. Everyone knows that an offering to Lord Krsna requires a Tulasi leaf to be complete. Truly, Tulasi leaves and flowers, amongst the emblems of bhakti, are highly significant.
Tulasī leaves are very important in the method of worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Srila Prabhupada says in SB 4.8.55 that Tulasī leaves are very important for satisfying the Lord, so as far as possible an arrangement should be made for growing tulasī leaves.
The additional feature to consider is how Srila Prabhupada, in preparing his disciples and followers (as his offering through Guru Parampara and ultimately to Krsna), made the offering intimately appealing to Lord Krsna by placing Tulasi mala in our hands, Tulasi kantimala around our necks, and the emblem of Tulasi as the tilak mark adorning our foreheads.
It was Sri Advaita Archarya’s pure-hearted worship of Saligrama with Tulasi leaves, combined with His chanting of the Holy Name, that inspired the appearance of Sri Gauranga in the holy land of Navadipa Dham.
It is Tulasi devi’s immense mercy on fallen conditioned souls like us that she has appeared in this material world to facilitate our worship of Lord Krsna. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu sets the example by His personal behavior, the importance of serving those who are near and dear to Krsna, such as the Vaishnavas, Ganga Devi and Tulasi Maharani. When Lord Chaitanya chanted japa while walking, His Vaishnava servant would carry Tulasi Devi before Him. When He sat down, His servant would place Tulasi beside Him and He would gaze upon Her with tender affection. Lord Gauranga personally, with His own lotus hands, filled a clay pot with the most rich and fertile soil from in which He planted Tulasi seeds and cultivated them to Her flowering stage. His words, recorded in Chaitanya Bhagavat, reveals His heart in this service; “bereft of the sight of Tulasi Devi, I feel uninspired like a fish deprived of water.”
It is Srila Prabhupada’s causeless mercy that he introduced the worship of Tulasi devi at our temples and home. He has so mercifully paved our way to go back to Vaikuntha by having us take shelter of Tulasi maharani – the same personality who holds a very special place in Vaikuntha and in the intimate pastimes of the Divine Couple. I take shelter of Tulasi Maharani!
All glories to Tulasi maharani! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 