Do You Know Why Tulsi Leaves Are Not Offered On Shivling?

Indian culture comprises of fascinating stories and beliefs related to Gods and Goddesses. According to ancient Puranas, there are a total of thirty-three crore Devi-Devta in Hindu tradition. Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahadev are considered to be at supreme authorities among the Gods.

The fascinating stories under Hindu mythology are not only interesting but they always have a hidden message to share. Even when we are offering puja or worshipping our Gods and Goddesses, there is some scientific reason or mythological belief behind it.

When the devotees pray to their Gods and Goddesses they usually offer a lot of offerings to them during prayers. This is done with a hope and desire to impress the deities so that they bless and enlighten us with a positive guiding light in our life.

Holi Basil or Tulsi has its own sacred place among all pious and pure things used to offer to the Gods and Goddesses. The leaves of Tulsi - a sacred plant is offered to all Gods and Goddess except Lord Ganesh, Shivling and Goddess Durga. According to ShivaPurana, Lord Shiva dislikes offerings of Tulsi leaves on Shivling.

The Story of Vrinda/Tulsi

According to Puranas, there was a demon named Jalandhar and his wife Vrinda who was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. She wholeheartedly loved her demon husband Jalandhar and was a very virtuous wife. Jalandhar was very brutal and made life hell for the Devis and Devtas. But the prayers of Vrinda were very powerful which kept her husband protected and so the Devi-Devtas were not able to do anything to Jalandhar.

All Devi-Devta couldn’t find any solution to kill the demon so they went to Lord Shiva to find a way out. Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu smartly made a plan against the Demon Jalandhar and his wife Vrinda. Lord Vishnu cheated his faithful devotee Vrinda by taking the form of her husband Jalandhar. Vrinda touched the feet of Lord Vishnu believing him as her husband. The moment she touches the feet of Lord Vishnu her virtuousness was broken. Lord Shiva battled with Jalandhar and the power saving him was destroyed as the virtuousness of Vrinda was broken. Hence, Lord Shiva easily killed the demon Jalandhar.

Vrinda understood that she hasn’t touched the feet of her husband and asked Lord Vishnu to come in his original form. Vrinda on losing virtuousness broke down completely and cursed Lord Vishnu to turn in to stone which is known as Saligram in Puranas. The problem of all Devi-Devtas was resolved by the death of the demon Jalandhar. Vrinda got a boon to be reborn as Holy Basil. Vrinda knew that her husband was killed by Lord Shiva and so she refused Shiva to be worshipped with any part that belongs to her. This is why Holy Basil or Tulsi leaves are not offered to Lord Shiva whereas the puja offered to Lord Vishnu is said to be complete only if there is an offering of the leaves during Puja.

Lord Shiva likes and dislikes

- Bhasm, Tripund, and Rudraaksh are the favorite things of Lord Shiva which are very necessary while performing a puja for him.

- Tulsi leaves, Kumkum, Turmeric Powder, Coconut water, Ketaki flower, and Champa flower should not be offered to Shivling.