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Ashtami Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month has a very special and spiritual significance in Indian Sanatan tradition and religious festivals. Just as the birth anniversary of Lord Shri Krishna is celebrated with great pomp and joy in the form of Janmashtami throughout the country, in the same way the birth day of the mother of the world Shri Radha Rani is celebrated with utmost sanctity as ‘Radha Ashtami’. According to religious beliefs, this date falling exactly fifteen days after Shri Krishna Janmashtami is the day of divine incarnation of Radharani. For the devotees, this holy festival is not just an ordinary festival, but it is a golden opportunity to dedicate everything to their love for the deity. Shri Radha Rani is worshiped as the eternal power of Lord Shri Krishna and his most devoted devotee. On this special occasion, along with worshiping Shri Ji as per rituals, if special worship of the Tulsi plant is done, then one gets relief from all the troubles of life and happiness and prosperity resides in the family. Let us know in detail what is the religious significance of Tulsi Puja on the holy festival of Radha Ashtami and what is the correct method to perform it.
From the study of Vaishnav tradition and Sanatan texts, it becomes clear that Tulsi plant is not just an ordinary plant, but it is considered to be the beloved power of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu. According to mythological beliefs and stories, Tulsi ji, whose name is also ‘Vrinda’, is considered to be one of the most beloved friends of Shri Radha Rani. Since Tulsi is very dear to Lord Vishnu i.e. Shri Krishna, any offering made to the Lord is considered incomplete without its presence. A very beautiful story regarding Tulsi worship and its importance is described in detail in Garga Samhita. According to that legend, once Radha Rani herself had asked a question to Chandrananna, who was considered to be the best among all the friends of Shri Radha Rani, that which was the best and best fast and worship to attain Lord Shri Krishna. Then Chandrananna replied and told him that serving Tulsi is the easiest and best way to please Shri Krishna.
According to the story of Garga Samhita, inspired by the words of Chandranna, Shri Radha Rani performed the extremely strict ritual of ‘Tulsi Seven Fast’ from Ashwin Shukla Purnima to Chaitra Purnima for the attainment of Shri Krishna and his happiness. During this fast, he watered the Tulsi plant with different types of juices every month and served it duly. Since ancient times, it has been believed that any devotee who, along with worshiping Shri Ji, also offers special worship to Tulsi Mata on the holy festival of Radha Ashtami, all the sins of his life are destroyed and he receives the incomparable blessings of Lord Shri Krishna. It is believed that the person who plants a Tulsi plant in his house and takes proper care of it, along with the expansion of that plant, his entire family and descendants are also blessed with happiness, prosperity and progress.
If you also want to get the blessings of Mata Tulsi and Shri Radha Rani on this holy occasion of Radha Ashtami, then it is very important to know the correct method of worship. Let us know the simple and effective method of Tulsi worship step by step:
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On the day of Radha Ashtami, the seeker should wake up in the morning at Brahma Muhurta, take bath and wear clean clothes. After this, you should install the idol or picture of Shri Radha Krishna at the place of worship in your home and start worshiping him properly.
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Decorate the basil pot kept in the courtyard or balcony of the house in a neat and clean manner. Cover the Tulsi plant with a new red colored cloth or chunri, which is considered a symbol of marriage and purity.
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Offer pure water to the root of the Tulsi plant and with folded hands remember and chant the divine mantras of Tulsi Mata in your mind.
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On this day, offering sixteen makeup items to Shri Radha Rani and also offering wedding items like kumkum, vermillion, bangles and turmeric to Tulsi Mata is considered very auspicious.
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Whatever naivedya or satvik bhog you offer to Shri Radha Rani and Kanha on the auspicious occasion of Radha Ashtami, definitely include basil leaves in every bhog. God does not accept offerings without Tulsi.
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At night, light a lamp of pure desi ghee in front of the Tulsi plant and sing the aarti of Tulsi ji as per the rituals.
In Sanatan culture, Tulsi plant is considered to be the form of Goddess Lakshmi. Having green Tulsi in the house transmits positive energy and keeps away negative forces. On this holy day of Radha Ashtami, when the devotees rejoice in the joy of the birth anniversary of Shri Radha Rani and serve Tulsi Mata, then all the sorrows and pains of their life automatically start ending. This is considered to be the surest way to get the blessings of Lord Krishna and Radha Rani. Therefore, on this Radha Ashtami, observe fast as per the rituals, worship Shri Ji and make your life blessed by worshiping Tulsi.