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Friday, May 11, 2018

Tulasi Devi's Presence

Excerpt from an old story book with a story titled: The Old Brown House about a widow who was befriended by a little girl who one day announced she was moving away (I wouldn't be surprised if this was the fodder that inspired "Rotten Island" by William Steig):

"'Well, I will tell you; we are going to move away. I declare, I think it's too bad to leave all the girls just as I began to like them, and you, too, Aunt Ruth. I don't want to go one bit;" tears rolling down her face.

"'Going away, my little girl going off?' said Aunt Ruth seriously.

"'Yes; and mamma said we couldn't move Chip, it would be such a bother, so I have given poor birdie away to Allie Smith;' tears flowing afresh. 'I let Amy Wells have my kitten, but I haven't found a place for my poor little rose. See,' said Bessie, going to the table and removing the wrapper from her parcel, 'isn't it a beauty? You will keep it to remember me by, and take care of it always, won't you, Aunt Ruth?'

"The little blossoms were out in full, and seemed to smile a benediction upon the old woman."

This story is similar to what it is like to suddenly have a tulasi plant in your home when the neighbors must travel for some time. Her presence touches every aspect of the life for those who are so fortunate to be chosen for her care. And not only by discovering her needs and how to keep her happy for Krishna's service, it's simply a joy just to see her every day!  Tulasi devi transforms one's consciousness and has a good effect on the life and surroundings of everyone she is near, as well as providing her leaves and flowers to offer Lord Krishna. Tulasi is so very dear to Him. Her holy association is such that we soon realize that Tulasi only wants to serve, and we pray that her service mood rub off on us.. Tulasi Maharani ki jaya!
 
It is similar to how the above story continued:

"Then the shadows seemed to come back to the inmate of the old house; but as her glance fell upon the little flower, she began clearing a place for it to stand in the warmest corner...

"Bringing a little pine stand, she carefully placed the plant upon it. In doing so, she chanced to glance at the window. 'Bless me! it never looked quite so dirty before;' and Aunt Ruth moved with new life, as she cleansed, rinsed, and polished the glass.

"But this being done, the old muslin curtain seemed dingier than common, shading the clear glass; so it was taken down, and another finer one unpacked from a drawer and put in its place.

"The next morning, as she ate her lonely breakfast, she placed her chair to face the window and the rose. The sun was shining, and as the rays streamed across the room to the opposite wall, she marked the cobwebs. That day the cobwebs were swept down, the other window washed, and the floor cleaned. The old house had not been so neat and cheery for many years.

"And did Bessie Lane ever come again? Yes, when June smiled upon the earth, the childish figure once more paused at the gate, but the blue eyes gazed bewildered around. 'This isn't the place. Aunt Ruth must have moved away.' Well might she think so; the house was neatly painted, the yard fence repaired, and up and down the path all sorts of flowers were blooming.

"Just then Bessie descried a neatly dressed old lady tying up some vines. 'Can you tell me where Aunt Ruth Jones has gone that used to'—Bessie stopped, and with one bound sprang into the woman's arms, for it was Aunt Ruth herself.

"'It is so beautiful here! how did it all happen?' cried the delighted child. Aunt Ruth smiled brightly, and, taking Bessie by the hand, passed into the neat, cheerful room, and up to the south window, where the carefully tended rose was putting forth beauty and fragrance."



LATER NOTE: What I also like about this story is a reminder of the nature of devotional service as ever increasing. One can start very simply, for example, by offering food to a picture of the Lord and associates. Gradually, over time while doing the offering steadily, a taste awakens to do this service nicely and various details on how to do it come up such as setting up an altar and learning mantras and how to offer the food nicely and keeping everything very clean and punctual, etc.