Radhe Shyam, PAMHO
I have been so confused recently.
Some people are saying you can wear Tulsi Kanthi Mala while eating onion and garlic, while others are saying you can't. I want to wear tulsi kanthi mala but my parents are saying that you have to eat onion and garlic. I follow all regulative principles, no coffee or tea, no gambling, no illicit sex, no meat eating, and I also partake in ekadashi as well. But the problem is my parents force me to eat onion and garlic.
For example, some people say you can't wear it because you have to follow 4 regulative rules including not eating onion and garlic.
However, some people quote shastra, such as Vishnu Dharma Purana. For example.
In Vishnu Dharma Purana, the Lord makes the following statement
tulasī-kāṣṭha-mālāṁ ca kaṇṭha-sthāṁ vahate tu yaḥ |
apy aśauco’py anācāro mām evaiti na saṁśayaḥ ||
One who wears a Tulasi Mala around his neck, whether he is unclean or of bad character, attains Me. Of this, there should be no doubt.
-Quoted in Hari Bhakti Vilasa 4.322
Some people mention these as well
The following quote from a book titled, Associates of Sri Chaitanya, says that Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura gave tulasi neckbeads to a Calcutta industrialist who had neither diksha nor the most exemplary behavior: “Mr. S.K. Ghosh who often visited Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura at his residence called “Bhakti Bhavana.” Under the direction of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Mr. Ghosh started wearing a tulasi mala around his neck, although he was not able to accept the principles of Vaishnava behavior in their entirety.
”In addition, an Iskcon publication titled “Vaisnava Etiquette”, quoting Hari-bhakti Vilasa states: “The Padma Purana states regardless of whether one is an impure or pure state, ONE SHOULD ALWAYS WEAR TULASI MALA. And one should never take it off even when bathing, eating or passing stool and urine.” In other words, tulasi beads are always pure and purify anyone who contacts them.
I dont know if I should wear tulsi kanthi mala or not. I really want to but I am forced to eat onion and garlic.
Please enlighten me, I am very confused as to if I should be wearing kanthi mala while being forced to eat onion and garic.
I just want krishna prema.
Thank you for your time.
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