Tulsi is always associated with purity and a highly revered and used for all religious purposes among Hindus. In-spite of being so pure and sacred Tulsi is not offered to Lord Ganesha because of a curse. There is an interesting story that describes the reason for not including Tulsi in Ganesha's worshiping. According to the legend Tulsi was the daughter of Dharmaraja (god of righteousness). in her youthful days she was a great devotee of Narayana (lord Vishnu). once she was walking along the banks of ganges. she came across beautiful Ganesha sitting in deep meditation to lord Krishna. being son of ma Parvati, Ganesha is very beautiful. moreover any person in deep meditation state looks more beautiful. so you can visualize the beauty of lord Ganesha in that meditative state.He was wearing yellow clothes, his body was smelling of sandalwood paste, his face was glowing as a sign of his power and intelligence. As soon as she saw the resplendent Ganesha, she fell in love with him and wished to marry him. Ganesha who got irritated as his meditation was disturbed, refused to oblige Tulsi. He told Tulsi that he has decided not to marry anyone as he feels all the problems start after marriage. He wants to meditate and attain more knowledge and thus wants to stay away from marriage. This refusal from Ganesha made Tulsi very angry. She felt insulted and cursed him that one day, he would indeed break his vow of celibacy and will get married.
Exasperated, Ganesha cursed her to turn into a plant. In addition to this, he cursed her that eventually she will marry a demon. Tulsi realizing her mistakes asked for his pardon. Merciful Lord forgave her and gave a boon to her. He stated that Tulsi will be considered the most auspicious of all and will be the most fragrant among all. Tulsi will be dear to Gods and Goddesses. Its leaves will be considered the most vital part of the prayer of Lord Vishnu (one of the three supreme lords of Hindus, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh). However, Lord Ganesha and Tulsi would never be present in the same Pooja.
Why Durva (Bermuda Grass) is dear to Lord Ganesha?
Once there was an Asura (demon) named Anal Asura. He was terribly dangerous and enormous. He used to emit fire from his eyes and had a hellish gruff and raucous voice. Whenever he used to speak, people used to tremble just because of his voice. All the Gods were petrified of him. Everybody went to Lord Ganesha and requested him to slay the demon. Ganesha disguised himself as a child and went to deal with the demon. Ganesha confronted the demon, and a Sarvaksha (a form of war where the opponents fight by using their eyes as weapons) started between them. The demon burnt everything around Lord Ganesha. Anal Asura’s eyes were oozing fireballs, and after many efforts he tried to gulp Lord Ganesha. In the meantime, Ganesha took his ‘Virat Roopam’ (Disguised himself as a giant). Instead of Anal Asura trying to gulp Lord Ganesha, Ganesha gulped Anal Asura. Due to the increased heat in his body he lay on the ground. He tried hard to control and beat the heat, but each passing minute was making him uncomfortable and the heat was becoming unbearable for him. He applied a massive amount of Chandan (sandal paste) on his body, but even that did not help. All Gods put their heads together to find a solution that would make Ganesha better. They finally decided to make a foundation of the Moon, and apply it on Ganesha’s his head. Hence, Ganesha is often known as ‘Bhalchandra’ (the one who has a crescent moon on his head). Lord Vishnu gave him his Lotus, thus lending the name ‘Padmapani’(the one who holds the Lotus flower), Lord Shankara gave him a cobra from his neck and tied it around Ganesha’s hips, Lord Varuna (Rain God) showered plenty of water on him; but all in vain. Everybody present there were trying their level best to calm Ganesha, but everything was proving fruitless. Some sages were present there, and they suggested that some Durva Grass should be given to Lord Ganesha. Everybody agreed, and they gave it a chance. The sages used 21 Durvas wit on Ganesha’s head. Miraculously, Ganesha completely recovered. Ganesha was pleased with the fact that a grass helped him and comforted him while all the Gods were trying their best to do so. With this Ganesha announced whosoever would pray Him with Durvas, would become pious and will get punyas (boon).
There is one more tale attached to the same story. Once there was a Yakshini (semi-goddess) who loved Lord Ganesha and wanted to marry him. Ganesha too was interested in getting married to her. However, Parvati (Ganesha’s mother) did not want the alliance to grow, so she cursed the Yakshini to transform and take the form of Durva Grass. As it is a grass and no one will ever pay attention towards her, Durva asked for apologies and pardon. She asked Goddess Parvati for the Ushaap (reverse the curse). Goddess Parvati exonerated her and let her off. She told her even though she will acquire the form of Grass she will still remain an object of Ganesha’s affection.
Exasperated, Ganesha cursed her to turn into a plant. In addition to this, he cursed her that eventually she will marry a demon. Tulsi realizing her mistakes asked for his pardon. Merciful Lord forgave her and gave a boon to her. He stated that Tulsi will be considered the most auspicious of all and will be the most fragrant among all. Tulsi will be dear to Gods and Goddesses. Its leaves will be considered the most vital part of the prayer of Lord Vishnu (one of the three supreme lords of Hindus, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh). However, Lord Ganesha and Tulsi would never be present in the same Pooja.
Why Durva (Bermuda Grass) is dear to Lord Ganesha?
Once there was an Asura (demon) named Anal Asura. He was terribly dangerous and enormous. He used to emit fire from his eyes and had a hellish gruff and raucous voice. Whenever he used to speak, people used to tremble just because of his voice. All the Gods were petrified of him. Everybody went to Lord Ganesha and requested him to slay the demon. Ganesha disguised himself as a child and went to deal with the demon. Ganesha confronted the demon, and a Sarvaksha (a form of war where the opponents fight by using their eyes as weapons) started between them. The demon burnt everything around Lord Ganesha. Anal Asura’s eyes were oozing fireballs, and after many efforts he tried to gulp Lord Ganesha. In the meantime, Ganesha took his ‘Virat Roopam’ (Disguised himself as a giant). Instead of Anal Asura trying to gulp Lord Ganesha, Ganesha gulped Anal Asura. Due to the increased heat in his body he lay on the ground. He tried hard to control and beat the heat, but each passing minute was making him uncomfortable and the heat was becoming unbearable for him. He applied a massive amount of Chandan (sandal paste) on his body, but even that did not help. All Gods put their heads together to find a solution that would make Ganesha better. They finally decided to make a foundation of the Moon, and apply it on Ganesha’s his head. Hence, Ganesha is often known as ‘Bhalchandra’ (the one who has a crescent moon on his head). Lord Vishnu gave him his Lotus, thus lending the name ‘Padmapani’(the one who holds the Lotus flower), Lord Shankara gave him a cobra from his neck and tied it around Ganesha’s hips, Lord Varuna (Rain God) showered plenty of water on him; but all in vain. Everybody present there were trying their level best to calm Ganesha, but everything was proving fruitless. Some sages were present there, and they suggested that some Durva Grass should be given to Lord Ganesha. Everybody agreed, and they gave it a chance. The sages used 21 Durvas wit on Ganesha’s head. Miraculously, Ganesha completely recovered. Ganesha was pleased with the fact that a grass helped him and comforted him while all the Gods were trying their best to do so. With this Ganesha announced whosoever would pray Him with Durvas, would become pious and will get punyas (boon).
There is one more tale attached to the same story. Once there was a Yakshini (semi-goddess) who loved Lord Ganesha and wanted to marry him. Ganesha too was interested in getting married to her. However, Parvati (Ganesha’s mother) did not want the alliance to grow, so she cursed the Yakshini to transform and take the form of Durva Grass. As it is a grass and no one will ever pay attention towards her, Durva asked for apologies and pardon. She asked Goddess Parvati for the Ushaap (reverse the curse). Goddess Parvati exonerated her and let her off. She told her even though she will acquire the form of Grass she will still remain an object of Ganesha’s affection.
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