Harinama-cintamani repeatedly stresses the need to associate with pure Vaisnavas in order to overcome nama-aparadhas. Unfortunately, however, one rarely gets the opportunity to chant japa in direct association with one’s guru or other elevated Vaisnavas. To provide good association for all devotees–be they big or small–Srimati Radhika has compassionately sent Vrnda-devi, Her most confidential maidservant, to reside in every country of the world. Vrnda-devi appears as the tulasi plant to grow amidst the devotees and nourish the growth of their bhakti.
tulasī-parikramā kara, tulasī-sevana
nirantara kṛṣṇa-nāma kariha kīrtana
Narada Muni said to Mrgari, the hunter, ‘You should daily circumambulate the Tulasī plant, serve her by giving her water and other things, and continuously chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.’
“In any condition, any man can live in a small cottage, plant a Tulasī tree, water it in the morning, offer it prayers, and continuously chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. Thus one can make vigorous spiritual advancement.” (Cc. Madhya 24.261 v/p)
Although Tulasi-devi originally appeared in Vrndavana, wherever she grows in the world, that place transforms into Vrndavana. Therefore, chanting before a tulasi plant gives the combined
benefits of residing in a holy dhama (Vrndavana) and associating with a pure devotee.
“Sri Kṛṣṇa happily resides in a house where Tulasi-devi is present.” (Padma P. Patala khanda)
Throughout the centuries, Vaisnavas have sat before Tulasi-devi and chanted the holy names. By the causeless mercy of this pure devotee, steeped in vraja-prema, yet appearing as a humble plant, countless numbers of sadhakas have become siddhas. Chanting the maha-mantra in the association of Tulasi-devi quickly purifies the heart and intensifies one’s devotion to Radha-Govinda.
“The process of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra with a vow before the Tulasī plant has such great spiritual potency that simply by doing this one can become spiritually strong.” (Cc. Antya 3.100)
“One who sits near Tulasi-devi and chants mantras or recites prayers will attain the results much faster.” (Padma P. Srsti khanda)
The effect of all this good association, however, is diminished by keeping bad association. Often the most dangerous association is closest at hand. The “old friend” sitting between our ears can create havoc in a moment. One must give up bad association in order to receive the full benefit of chanting in association of Sri Guru or Tulasi-devi.
The most essential point of avoiding bad association is to give up the bad association of one’s materialistic mentality. In Bhagavad-gita, Sri Kṛṣṇa says a mind thinking of God is the best of friends, and a mind forgetting Him is the worst of enemies. While chanting japa the mind often falls into a river of thoughts, which flows rapidly into the sea of distraction. Past pleasures, faces, friends and family, material hankerings, unfulfilled dreams, and lusty desires form the waves and currents of that river.
Stop the mind! Turn it toward Kṛṣṇa–chant louder and focus all attention on the sweet syllable form of Syama: Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare! Channel the current of thoughts, meditate on Radha-Syama’s beautiful transcendental forms, and remember Their divine qualities. Search your memory files, and absorb your thoughts in a pastime of the Divine Couple…
Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare…It is midday at Radha-kunda. The summer sun shines above as Radhika splashes Kṛṣṇa with fragrant water and prema-laden glances. What sweetness, what bliss–one’s friend the mind remembering Radha-Syama…Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare!
(An excerpt from the book Art of Chanting by Mahanidhi Swami)
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