OF SUNDRY HERBS 39 



nations it is supposed to be endowed with both beneficent 

 and sinister qualities, whilst in the East there is no herb with 

 more sacred associations. Tulasi (basil) is a holy herb to 

 the Hindoos, and is grown near every temple and dwelling 

 that it may protect those who cultivate it from misfortune, 

 and guide them to Heaven. It is sacred to Vishnu, and 

 " propitious," " perfumed," " devil-destroying," are only a 

 few of the epithets applied to it. De Gubernatis says of 

 it : " Under the mystery of this herb is shrouded without 

 doubt the god-creator himself. The herb tulasi is con- 

 secrated to Vishnu ; but it is no less adored by the votaries 

 of Siva. Krishna, the popular incarnation of the god 

 Vishnu, has also adopted this herb for his worship. When 

 an Indian dies they place on his breast a leaf of tulasi ; when 

 he is dead they wash the head of the corpse with water in 

 which flax-seeds and tulasi leaves have been dropped." 

 Good fortune awaits those who build their house on a spot 

 where tulasi has grown freely, and there is no forgiveness 

 in this world or the next for any one who wilfully uproots 

 it. It must never be picked at all except for some worthy 

 purpose, and this prayer is said : " Mother Tulasi, be thou 

 propitious if I gather you with care, be merciful unto me, 

 O Tulasi, Mother of the world." In Malabar sweet basil 

 is very largely cultivated, and tulasi plays an important 

 part when the Maharajah of Travancore performs the 

 Sacred Ceremony of tulabharam. In the Deccan basil is 

 regarded with equal veneration, and is planted on the altar 

 before each Brahmin house. 



It is curious that among Western nations one of the oldest 

 associations with basil is hatred and abuse. The ancient 

 Greeks believed basil must be sown with words of abuse or 

 else it would not flourish, and to this day the French have 

 the proverb, " semer le basilic " slandering. Both amongst 

 Western and Eastern nations basil is associated with death, 

 and in Crete the plant is associated with the Evil One. Yet 

 in Western Europe it is regarded as of sovereign power 

 against witches ! The Italians say basil engenders sympathy 

 between those who wear it; and to Moldavians it is an 



