Thread by @Indic_Vibhu

⚜️Tulsi, also commonly referred to as Holy Basil, is one of the most sacred plants in Hindu belief.⚜️

🌺Here is the scientific snd religious significance of the Holy Basil and the little insight into the History of Tulsi.🌺

Scientifically called Ocimum Tenuiflorum, it is regarded by Hindus as the actual earthly manifestation of Goddess Tulsi, who was a great devotee of Sri Maha Vishnu. Hence, the use of Tulsi leaves is mandatory in the worship of Vishnu and all his forms.

Hindus believe that the presence of a Tulsi plant in the house is capable of warding off negativity and evil spirits. Hence, most Hindus grow this plant in front of, inside or near their home.

Those who have enough space in front of their house often construct special cuboid structures known as the Tulsi Vrindavan, in order to let their Tulsi grow densely. This structure is usually placed right in the center of the courtyard of their house.

Incidentally, this plant is cultivated for both religious and medicinal purposes. Regular consumption of the Tulsi leaf is considered to be very good for the throat and it is also known for its essential oil. It is believed to have many other health benefits as well.

Each and every part of the Tulsi plant is considered to be sacred.Even the soil around it is revered as being holy.The Padma Purana states that a person who is cremated with Tulsi twigs in his funeral pyre immediately gains moksha(liberation)& finds a place in Vishnu's Vaikuntha.

That is why people often offer a little water mixed with Tulsi leaves to the dying; to help their souls ascend more easily and reach the Lotus Feet of the Supreme.

The person who cares for the Tulsi and waters it daily is believed to gain moksha (liberation) effortlessly.

He or she also begets the grace of Vishnu, even if they did not otherwise worship Vishnu. Traditionally,the responsibility of taking care of the plant is given entirely to the woman of the household, as Tulsi is regarded as a"women's deity" & a"symbol of motherhood and wifehood".

The Tulsi is usually planted in a separate platform called the Tulsi Manch, which is usually made of clay.

The Padma Purana details the relationship between Tulsi and Vishnu, culminating in holy matrimony.

When Vrinda realized that she had lost her chastity to Vishnu, she cursed him that he would turn black in color and would be separated from his wife, Lakshmi. This curse was later fulfilled, when Vishnu transformed into the black Shaligrama stone (which is actually a fossil).

In his Rama avatara, he got separated from his beloved wife, Sita, who was kidnapped by Sri Lanka's demon king, Ravana. Vrinda then drowned in the ocean and Vishnu himself transferred her soul into a plant, which was, from then on, called Tulsi.

As per Vishnu's promise to marry Vrinda in her next birth, he married her in his form of the Shaligrama stone, on the Prabodhini Ekadashi day.

A Vaishnava legend connects Tulsi with the Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean) incident.

The cosmic ocean was once churned by the Devas and Asura. Towards the end of the churning process, several entities came out of the ocean.

Dhanwantari, the Divine Doctor, was one of them. He held the Amrita (the Nectar of Immortality) in his hands.

When the Asuras tried to steal it, Vishnu took the form of Mohini and got it back for the Gods to consume. After that, Vishnu shed tears of happiness, which fell into the Amrita and formed the Tulsi.

However there is another plant which is perhaps not that widely mentioned, but is equally significant to the above mentioned ones. It is the commonly found mango tree; more specifically its leaves.

🌺Significance Of Mango Leaves 🌺-

Mango leaves are placed on the kalash or water pot before ceremonies, along with a single coconut. The leaves signify the limbs of the Gods while the coconut represents the head.

Alternatively, the mango leaves are also believed to be a symbol of Goddess Lakshmi.

Mangoes are also associated the Gods Murugan and Ganesh, the sons of Bhagwan Shiva and Maa Parvati.

Both of them are especially fond of mangoes and one legend states that Lord Murugan had once advised his devotees t tie mango leaves as a sign of prosperity and fertility.

Mango leaves are hung from the doors and windows of Hindu buildings.

This is because they keep out negative spiritual energy and have the effect of inspiring good karma.

Several Hindu scriptures like the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas mentions mango as a symbol of fertility.

Incidentally Kamadeva or the God of love is also associated with mango leaves.

Mango leaves are also used at large religious gatherings where there are large crowds of people.

The reason for this scientific besides being spiritual. This is because they have to ability to encourage the free-flow of Oxygen, and also the ability to absorb excess carbon dioxide.

🙏🌺