Question: Can you please explain the significance of Tulasi neck beads of 1,2,3,4 and 5 rounds. Is it ok to wear 3 rounds of Tulasi neck beads before initiation? Can we wash our initiated chanting beads in the Ganges? I saw some devotees washing, so I had a doubt.

Jayapataka Swami: 2-5 Tulasi beads are worn around the neck. Some people wear one if they are bhaktas. I don’t think there is any evidence of such a thing. As far as washing the Tulasi in the Ganges, I haven’t heard of that specifically. You could ask such devotees if...