Text 55] Dhruva Maharaja Leaves Home for the Forest 333

and is the authorized Vedic guide for Vaisnavas in their daily behavior.
Sanatana Gosvami says that as bell metal can turn to gold when mixed
with mercury in a chemical process, so, by the bona fide diksd or initiation
method, anyone can become a Vaisnava. One should take initiation from a
bona fide spiritual master coming in the disciplic succession who is
authorized by his predecessor spiritual master. This is called diksa-vidhana.
Lord Krsna states in Bhagavad-gita, vyapasritya: one should accept a
spiritual master. By this process the entire world can be converted to
Krsna consciousness.

TEXT 55

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THEI HTT ATT 14

salilaih gucibhir malyair
vanyair mila-phaladibhih

Sastankuramsukais carcet
tulasya priyaya prabhum

salilaih—by use of water; Sucibhih—being purified; malyaih—by garlands;
vanyaih—of forest flowers; mila—roots; phala-adibhih—by different kinds
of vegetables and fruits; sasta—the newly grown grass; aitkura—buds;
amsukaih—by the skin of trees, such as the bharja; ca—and;arcet—should
worship; tulasya—by the tulasi leaves; priyaya—which are very dear to the
Lord; prabhum—the Lord.

TRANSLATION

One should worship the Lord by offering pure water, pure flower
garlands, fruits, flowers and vegetables, which are available in the forest,
or by collecting newly grown grasses, small buds of flowers or even the
skins of trees, and if possible, by offering tulasi leaves, which are very
dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

PURPORT

It is specifically mentioned herein that tulasi leaves are very dear to the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, and devotees should take particular
care to have tulasi leaves in every temple and center of worship. In the
Western countries, while engaged in propagating the Krsna consciousness
movement, we were brought great unhappiness because we could not
find tulasi leaves. We are very much obliged, therefore, to our disciple
