Kartik Mahatmya Adhyay 23: The Glory of Tulsi and Amla

This page retells chapter 23 of the Kartik Mahatmya from the Padma Purana. It has no new events. Instead Narada describes the glory of tulsi and amla, the two plants that arose on Vrinda's pyre ground, and gives a rule for bathing with amla.

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संक्षेप में: कार्तिक उद्यापन में तुलसी की जड़ में पूजा क्यों होती है, तुलसी-दल और आँवले की छाया की महिमा, और आँवला-स्नान का नियम। पूरा लेख हिंदी में पढ़ें →

The story

Narada tells King Prithu that this is the reason the udyapan of the Kartik vrat includes the worship of Vishnu at the root of tulsi. Tulsi is extremely dear to the Lord.

A home with a tulsi grove, Narada says, is equal to a tirtha, and the messengers of Yama do not come there. Those who plant tulsi do not see Yama. Seeing the Narmada, bathing in the Ganga and being close to a tulsi grove are all described as equal. The chapter adds that touching tulsi removes the sins of mind, speech and action.

According to the text, one who worships the Lord with tulsi leaves does not return to the cycle of birth and death. Pushkar and all the other tirthas, the Ganga and all the other rivers, and all the devas are said to live in a tulsi leaf. Shraddha for the ancestors should be done in the shade of tulsi. And on one who has a tulsi leaf in the mouth, on the ear and on the head, even Yama cannot cast his eye.

Narada then turns to the amla tree. It destroys all sins, he says, and is dear to Vishnu. Merely remembering it brings the fruit of giving a cow in charity. Whatever good deed is done in its shade becomes a crore times greater.

The chapter says that one who in Kartik feeds a brahmin couple in the shade of amla, even once, and then eats there is freed from faults connected with food. Pind daan offered in the shade of amla, it says, brings moksha to the ancestors.

Next comes a rule for bathing with amla, set out in full below. Narada then says that in Kartik, while the Sun is in Libra, all tirthas, all rishis and munis, the devas and all yajnas live in the amla tree.

He ends by saying that even Brahma cannot fully describe the glory of amla and tulsi. That is why, in his words, one who hears the birth story of dhatri and tulsi gains devotion along with the whole family line.

The teaching of this chapter

The chapter places great value on small, close things. A single tulsi plant in a home, it says, makes the entire home pure. There is no large ceremony in that picture, only a plant that someone tends.

Caring for trees and plants is also treated as service to the Lord. And a small good deed done with faith is described as bearing fruit many times over.

The rule for bathing with amla

The chapter gives these instructions. Those who seek Lakshmi are told to bathe with amla, but not on the following occasions:

• Navami
• Amavasya
• Saptami
• Sankranti
• Sunday
• The day of an eclipse

The chapter adds that bathing with water mixed with amla and tulsi leaves brings the fruit of a bath in the Ganga.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Vishnu worshipped at the root of tulsi in the Kartik udyapan?
Narada gives the reason plainly: tulsi is extremely dear to the Lord.

What does this chapter say about a home with tulsi?
According to Narada, a home with a tulsi grove is equal to a tirtha, and Yama's messengers do not come there.

What is said to live in a tulsi leaf?
The chapter says Pushkar and all other tirthas, the Ganga and all other rivers, and all the devas live in a tulsi leaf.

What does the chapter say about good deeds in the shade of amla?
It says whatever good deed is done in the shade of amla becomes a crore times greater, and that pind daan done there brings moksha to the ancestors.

When should one not bathe with amla?
The chapter names Navami, Amavasya, Saptami, Sankranti, Sunday and the day of an eclipse.

Who lives in the amla tree while the Sun is in Libra?
According to the chapter, in Kartik all tirthas, all rishis and munis, the devas and all yajnas live in the amla tree during that time.

Previous chapter: Adhyay 22: How Tulsi Arose from Vrinda's Ashes