Hare Krishna Dear devotees
i would very much appreciate if anyone has any knowledge or reference with regards to if Tulasi japa and kanti mala should be treated with oil before use? I know there are many different oils and methods that devotees use and I even heard of recipes that involve honey and ghee in the treating of japa mala for preservation... so that's all okay but recently a senior devotee told me that actually Tulasi wood should not be treated at all, even the kanti mala, apparently according to some reference by the Gosvamis, but I could not find any info on that...
this is now important to me because I am carving my own japa mala for diksa and wish to find out the right methods
thank you kindly
Hare Krishna!
Replies
Hare Krishna,
I agree with the senior devotee. Tulasi mala requires no previous treating with some oils. If you feel it is dirty, greesy because of close contact with skin. You can wash them with soap and water. Tulasi have natural smell to it. And above all keeping tulasi mala near the feet of Lord make it clean and super energized. There is no need of more treatments at all. Tulasi beads have a natural fragrance of its own. There is not any need for any other fragrnat substance use.
Hare Krishna.