Pt Sri Pranesh Achar (Ananda Rangan)
Pooja
Shatanandaru answers this by quoting:
“Dvādaśyām atha saṅkrāntau naṣṭendu-grahaṇe tathā
acintyaṁ tulasī-patraṁ chedayan narakaṁ vrajet.”
This means that Tulasi should not be plucked on Dwadashi, Sankranti, or during an eclipse.
Another text further explains:
“Saṅkrāntau pakṣayor ante dvādaśyāṁ niśi sandhyayoḥ
tulasīṁ ye vicinvanti vicinvanti hareḥ śiraḥ.”
Sankranti occurs once every month when the Sun enters a new zodiac sign, such as Mesha Sankranti or Vrishabha Sankranti. Tulasi should not be plucked on these days.
The term “pakṣayor ante” refers to the end of the two lunar fortnights — Purnima (full moon) at the end of the bright fortnight and Amavasya (new moon) at the end of the dark fortnight. Tulasi should not be plucked on these days.
Tulasi should also not be plucked on Dwadashi, and during “niśi sandhyayoḥ”, which means at night and during twilight, especially the evening time around sunset.
It is stated that those who pluck Tulasi during these times incur a sin equivalent to cutting off the head of Lord Hari (Vishnu).
So, when should Tulasi be plucked?
The scripture says:
“Prabhāte tulasī-patraṁ vicinvanti narottamāḥ
yamalokaṁ na gacchanti gacchanti paramaṁ padam.”
This means that those who pluck Tulasi leaves in the early morning (prabhāta) do not go to Yamaloka, but attain the supreme abode.
Therefore, one should pluck Tulasi during Arunodaya (pre-dawn), after bathing and fasting, and first offer a prayer:
“O Mother Tulasi, I am plucking you for the worship of the Lord. Please forgive this offense.”
Those who pluck Tulasi in this manner will not see Yamaloka but will attain the supreme abode, as stated in the Smriti scriptures.
