Yellow, tulsi and the name
Vishnu is the preserver, who comes down as Ram, Krishna and his other avatars whenever dharma declines. His worship has three constant signs: the colour yellow (he wears pitambara, the yellow silk), tulsi, without which no offering to him is complete, and his name, especially in the mantra Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.
When to do it
- Thursday, his day. See Thursday Vishnu Bhakti.
- Ekadashi, twice a month, the most important fast for Vishnu.
- Purnima (Satyanarayan katha is often read then), and the months of Kartik and Vaishakh.
What you will need
- A picture of Vishnu, Lakshmi-Narayan, or a Shaligram if your family keeps one
- A yellow cloth, sandal, haldi, akshat
- Yellow flowers (marigold) and a garland
- Tulsi leaves
- A ghee lamp, incense, camphor
- Naivedya: chana dal with jaggery, bananas, besan laddoo or kheer, always with a tulsi leaf
Step by step
- Prepare. Bathe, wear clean (preferably yellow) clothes, and sit facing east or north.
- Ganesh first. Offer a flower to Ganesha.
- Sankalpa. With water in your right hand, state your name and prayer; on Ekadashi, resolve to keep the fast. Let the water fall.
- Bath. Sprinkle Gangajal on the image, or bathe the Shaligram with water and panchamrit.
- Adorn. Offer the yellow cloth, sandal and a haldi tilak, then yellow flowers and the garland.
- Tulsi. Offer tulsi leaves at his feet.
- Lamp and incense. Light the lamp and show incense.
- Bhog. Offer chana dal and jaggery, bananas or a sweet, with a tulsi leaf on it.
- Mantra. Chant Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya 108 times, or the Vishnu Gayatri Mantra.
- Path. Recite the Shri Hari Stotram, the Achyutashtakam or the Vishnu Chalisa.
- Aarti. Sing Om Jai Jagdish Hare.
- Close. Ask forgiveness, bow, and share the prasad.
Things to keep in mind
- Tulsi is essential, but tulsi leaves are traditionally not plucked on Sunday, Ekadashi or after sunset; pick them the day before. See Tulsi Jal Arpan.
- On Thursdays many devotees also worship the banana tree with water, haldi and chana dal, and avoid cutting hair or washing clothes with soap, by custom.
- On Ekadashi, rice and grains are avoided; the fast is broken on Dwadashi at the right parana time.
Frequently asked questions
Which day is Vishnu's?
Thursday each week, and Ekadashi twice a month.
Why is tulsi offered to Vishnu?
Tulsi is Vishnupriya, dearest to Vishnu; tradition holds that he does not accept an offering made without it.
Which mantra is best for Vishnu?
The twelve-syllable Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya is his central mantra.