The Gods were now ready to take Krishna with them back to heaven. The citizens of Dwarka then fell at Rukmini's feet, pleading that she do something to save their Lord. Rukmini first ordered the gold and the ornaments to be removed from the pan. While this was being done she went out and plucked a tulsi leaf. Tulsi or basil is a herbal remedy for a lot of common ailments and perhaps for that reason it is considered a sacred plant as well. On the small leaf she wrote the words "With all my love, I weigh this leaf against you" and dropped it on the empty pan. The light leaf floated on to the pan and no sooner it touched the pan, the pan went down with a thud and Krishna's side was swinging in the air. The Gods returned empty-handed, the people of Dwarka were relieved and Satyabhama failed one more time to get the better of Rukmini.
This incident has given birth to a ritual that is religiously followed every year. On the day on which the weighing took place, the tulsi plant is married to Krishna with pomp and pageantry in homes and temples. The plant is decorated in bridal finery and Krishna in bridegroom’s attire. The wedding is conducted with complete rites and sweets are distributed to all present. There is another ritual related to this incident. Pilgrims to Dwarka have an opportunity to re-enact the weighing. The donor is weighed against grains and other commodities purchased by him and these commodities equal to his weight are then given in charity. This is known as tuladaan - tula means scale and daan means charity.
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