Author name: HKC

 
 
 
I had wanted a Tulasi for a long time because she is so auspicious. I received my first one from a devotee from India. I gave a donation for the temple and took her home. She left two days later. I was shocked and disappointed. A couple of weeks later I obtained two more, and in a few days they left. I was devastated. About a month later I heard they had only one baby Tulasi left so I went to get her. I thought this would be my last chance. I would never get another one again. I had no idea what to do. I did what they had said. Put her near a window and water her a little everyday. I got down in front of this Tulasi and prayed to her. I told her that I wanted her very much. I did not know what I should do. I asked her to please not leave me and please guide me in the correct way of taking care of her. I remember the next day, without thinking, I moved her to another window (in Michigan we cannot keep her outside all year). I watered her differently. She started growing. She had definitely guided me. And she had responded to my prayer. She grew to be very beautiful and I grew many, many more. 
 
The very best time I had at the Temple in Detroit is when Giri Govardhana dasa, who takes care of the Tulasis there, let me help him. He showed me how to mix and change the soil, fertilize, bathe them and pick the manjaris. I also transplanted most of them, along with about 200 babies.

 
 
 
Dhritarashtra appointed Vidura, Sanjaya and Dhaumya to make all arrangements for the cremation of the great heroes who were lying on the battlefield. It was all over soon, Yudhishthira, accompanied by Dhritarashtra and all the others, turned towards the banks of the river Ganga to offer the funeral oblations to the dead. They were all there, Gandhari, Kunti and Draupadi. Now the men laid aside all their jewels and silks, they were wearing the simplest of clothes, their immense chests were covered by thin upper cloths. The dismal procession wended its way slowly towards the banks of the river Ganga.
 
Kunti’s condition was pitiable, three days back Radheya was killed by her Arjuna. There was great celebration in the Pandava camp, she had heard about it from Sanjaya. When Sanjaya was telling Dhritarashtra about the war, about the death of Radheya, she heard it. Her heart was burning with grief, she could not tell anyone about it, she could not talk about the wound in her heart, she had to be silent. Today, on the battlefield, she saw the dead form of her first-born. She would not allow herself to faint, Krishna was watching all the while. She looked at Radheya and she saw his wife weeping over her lord, she saw that too, and still she did not speak. Now, at the end of all this, she was walking with all of them to see the funeral oblations paid on the banks of the sacred river Ganga. It was the same Ganga who took her son away from her years back. Still Ganga flowed as placidly as she did on that memorable day when she set the wooden box afloat on the bosom of the river. It looked like yesterday.

 
Born Of The Sun
 

 
King Soora was one of the Vrishnis. He had a son called Vasudeva and a daughter called Pritha. This king had a cousin called Kuntibhoja who had no children. Soora was very fond of his cousin, he was sorry for him because he was childless. He gave his dear daughter Pritha to Kuntibhoja to be brought up as his own. Pritha was a very beautiful child, her manners were excellent, she was the most cherished possession of her foster-father, she was given the name Kunti.
 
Once, the sage Durvasa came to the capital of Kuntibhoja. He was famed throughout the world for his penance and for his temper. He wanted to spend a few days with the king Kuntibhoja, Kunti had been appointed by her father to attend to the wants of the sage. Entrusted with such a difficult task, Kunti conducted herself admirably, indeed the sage was so pleased with her that he wanted to grant her a boon. He summoned her to his presence and told her that he would teach her a certain incantation. If she recited it any deva whom she thought of would come to her. She received the gift with the humility becoming the daughter of a king and Durvasa went away.