How to wear tulasi (Kanti) mala

Copied from: https://www.facebook.com/krishnaandbhagavadgita/posts/1255269821170758:0

How to wear tulasi (Kanti) mala and the manthras and rules associated with that?

COUNSELLING:

Dear Prabhuji, Please explain to us how to wear tulsi mala , what are the process and mantra to be chanted while wearing tulsi mala first time. thank you hare krishna”

REPLY:

Tulasi mala (Kanti mala) is usually worn by initiated devotees. However, those un-initiated devotees who are chanting Maha Manthra and are following four regulative principles for a certain period, say about 6 months atleast, may also wear tulasi mala around neck. Since tulasi is absolutely pure, our physical and mental purity is must while wearing tulasi mala.

Wearing Tulasi mala indicates our surrender level to Lord Krishna and our following the devotional rules.

Remember:

After wearing tulasi mala one should

1. Follow four regulative principles such as No meat, No gambling, No intoxications, and no illicit sex.

2. not drink tea, coffee.

3. not use onion and garlic.

4. not remove tulasi mala for any reason. Tulasi mala should be worn even during using toilets, bath, legal permitted sex with spouse, and in a house where death happened.

5. When you follow all these rules and die wearing tulasi mala, Yama dhoothas will not come near you and you will be taken by Vishnu dhoothas to vaikunta lokas.

6. If a person wears tulasi neck beads simply to imitate a Vaisnava but is not seriously trying to surrender to the lord and is not following regulative principles, he is an offender and he will not improve in spiritual service. So, it is advisable not to wear beads if one is not following four regulative principles.

ref: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MkgipVrEUEk/maxresdefault.jpg

How many strands?

Tulasi mala is worn in one, two or three strands. If you are comfortable, you may wear three strands that shows your full surrender level. Even un-initiated devotees can wear three strands, no issues. (Some have doubt whether un-initiated devotees can wear three strands. But, anyone can wear three strands if he is following all disciplinary rules and chanting. Krishna sees surrender level only.)

How to wear?

First offer that mala in front of Lord Krishna keeping it in front of Lord’s picture and chant hare Krishna Maha Manthra atleast a few rounds in front of it. Then, wear it.

While wearing tulasi mala, though chanting hare Krishna and / or Guru Pranama Manthra is enough, you may chant the following manthra also:

1. First, if possible, the mala may be purified with panca-gavya and after that hare Krishna maha manthra should be recited . If you do not get pancha gavya, just reciting Hare Krishna Maha Manthra is enough.

2. After that, the gayatri mantra eight times.

3. Skanta Purana states the following:

Touching the mala with incense, worship with this “Sadyojata-mantra” with utmost devotion:

“Om sadyojatah prapadyami sadyojataya vai namo namah Bhave tave nadi bhave bhajeswamam bhavod-bhavaya namah”

4. After that, this prayer should be made, "Oh! Mala ! You are made of Tulsi and are dear to Vaisnavas . I wear you around my neck; you make me dear to Sri Krishna.”

'Ma' means 'me', 'La' means 'to give'. Oh Hari-Vallabhe ! You have given me to the Vaisnava devotees, hence you are known as mala .

Those Vaisnavas who pray in this manner and first offer the mala to Sri Krishna should then put them around ones neck and will attain the Lotus feet of Sri Vishnu."

5. Even wearing tulasi mala with just chanting of Hare Krishna Maha Manthra itself is enough because Hare Krishna maha Manthra is the Kaliyuga manthra that can uplift one to Krishna;s abode.

Padma Purana states: Either during morning ablutions, bathing, eating or at any state which is clean or unclean, Tulsi must be worn; this means mala should not be removed under any circumstance.

Shastras say: Tulsi mala should always be worn as yajna-sutra or like the sacred thread. Those who remove Tulsi mala even for a moment are considered to be Vishnu-drohi.

So, think and evaluate your standimg before starting to wear tulasi mala. If you are satisfied that you will follow all rules consistently for ever, wear mala and get the absolute mercy of Lord Krishna.

Hare Krishna.