Pt. Shri. Vedavyasacharya
Pooja
While performing worship, we all use Tulasi leaves. But a question arises: Should Tulasi be plucked after taking a bath, or can it be plucked without bathing?
This should be understood in the following way. In Smriti Muktavali, in the Āhnika (daily ritual) section, it is stated:
“Asnātva tulasīm chittvā devārcha pitṛkarmani,
tatsarvam niṣphalam yāti pañcagavyena śuddhyati.”
This means that Tulasi should be plucked only after taking a bath when it is to be used for worship of the Lord or for pitru-karmas (rites for ancestors). If someone plucks Tulasi without bathing and uses those leaves for worship, the act becomes fruitless.
If such a mistake happens, purification must be done by taking Panchagavya.
Therefore, the proper practice is:
First take a bath.
Then pluck the Tulasi leaves.
After that, take the ritual bath again (madi snana).
Then perform the worship.
This is considered the best and proper traditional practice.
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