The Story of Tulasi, Dharmadhvaja's Daughter

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.9.17.1)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । धर्मध्वजस्य पत्नी माधवीति च विश्रुता । नृपेण सार्धं सारामे रेमे च गन्धमादने

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca | dharmadhvajasya patnī mādhavīti ca viśrutā | nṛpeṇa sārdhaṁ sārāme reme ca gandhamādane

Sri Narayana said: Dharmadhvaja's wife, renowned as Madhavi, sported joyfully with the king on Mount Gandhamadana.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.9.17.2)

शय्यां रतिकरीं कृत्वा पुष्पचन्दनचर्चिताम् । चन्दनालिप्तसर्वाङ्गीं पुष्पचन्दनवायुना

śayyāṁ ratikarīṁ kṛtvā puṣpacandanacarcitām | candanāliptasarvāṅgīṁ puṣpacandanavāyunā

Having made a bed conducive to love, anointed with flowers and sandal-paste, her whole body smeared with sandal, in a breeze scented with flowers and sandal —

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.9.17.3)

स्त्रीरत्नमतिचार्वङ्गी रत्नभूषणभूषिता । कामुकी रसिका सृष्टा रसिकेन च संयुता

strīratnamaticārvaṅgī ratnabhūṣaṇabhūṣitā | kāmukī rasikā sṛṣṭā rasikena ca saṁyutā

— the jewel among women, most lovely of limb, adorned with jeweled ornaments, passionate and full of delight, she was united with her equally delighted lord.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.9.17.4)

सुरते विरतिर्नास्ति तयोः सुरतिविज्ञयोः । गतं देववर्षशतं न ज्ञातं च दिवानिशम्

surate viratirnāsti tayoḥ surativijñayoḥ | gataṁ devavarṣaśataṁ na jñātaṁ ca divāniśam

There was no cessation of their lovemaking, those two skilled in the art of love; a hundred years of the gods passed, and they knew not day from night.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.9.17.5)

ततो राजा मतिं प्राप्य सुरताद्विरराम च । कामुकी सुन्दरी किञ्चिन्न च तृप्तिं जगाम सा

tato rājā matiṁ prāpya suratādvirarāma ca | kāmukī sundarī kiñcinna ca tṛptiṁ jagāma sā

Then the king, coming to his senses, ceased from lovemaking; but that passionate, beautiful woman found no satisfaction at all.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.9.17.6)

दधार गर्भं सा सद्यो दैवादब्दशतं सती । श्रीगर्भा श्रीयुता सा च सम्बभूव दिने दिने

dadhāra garbhaṁ sā sadyo daivādabdaśataṁ satī | śrīgarbhā śrīyutā sā ca sambabhūva dine dine

That virtuous woman conceived at once by fate, and carried the child for a hundred years; bearing that fortunate womb, she grew more radiant with each passing day.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.9.17.7)

शुभे क्षणे शुभदिने शुभयोगे च संयुते । शुभलग्ने शुभांशे च शुभस्वामिग्रहान्विते

śubhe kṣaṇe śubhadine śubhayoge ca saṁyute | śubhalagne śubhāṁśe ca śubhasvāmigrahānvite

In an auspicious moment, on an auspicious day, joined with an auspicious yoga, in an auspicious ascendant and portion, attended by an auspicious ruling planet —

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.9.17.8)

कार्तिकीपूर्णिमायां तु सितवारे च पाद्मज । सुषाव सा च पद्मांशां पद्मिनीं तां मनोहराम्

kārtikīpūrṇimāyāṁ tu sitavāre ca pādmaja | suṣāva sā ca padmāṁśāṁ padminīṁ tāṁ manoharām

— on the full moon of Kartika, on a Friday, O son of the Lotus, she gave birth to that enchanting Padmini, a portion of Padma.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.9.17.9)

शरत्पार्वणचन्द्रास्यां शरत्पङ्कजलोचनाम् । पक्वबिम्बाधरोष्ठीं च पश्यन्तीं सस्मितां गृहम्

śaratpārvaṇacandrāsyāṁ śaratpaṅkajalocanām | pakvabimbādharoṣṭhīṁ ca paśyantīṁ sasmitāṁ gṛham

Her face like the autumn full moon, her eyes like autumn lotuses, her lower lip red as the ripe bimba fruit, she gazed smiling about the house —

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.9.17.10)

हस्तपादतलारक्तां निम्ननाभिं मनोरमाम् । तदधस्त्रिवलीयुक्तां नितम्बयुगवर्तुलाम्

hastapādatalāraktāṁ nimnanābhiṁ manoramām | tadadhastrivalīyuktāṁ nitambayugavartulām

— her palms and soles red, her navel deep and charming, marked below with three folds, her hips rounded and full —

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.9.17.11)

शीते सुखोष्णसर्वाङ्गीं ग्रीष्मे च सुखशीतलाम् । श्यामां सुकेशीं रुचिरां न्यग्रोधपरिमण्डलाम्

śīte sukhoṣṇasarvāṅgīṁ grīṣme ca sukhaśītalām | śyāmāṁ sukeśīṁ rucirāṁ nyagrodhaparimaṇḍalām

— her whole body pleasantly warm in the cold and pleasantly cool in the heat, dark-hued, beautiful-haired, lovely, as well-proportioned as a banyan tree —

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.9.17.12)

पीतचम्पकवर्णाभां सुन्दरीष्वेव सुन्दरीम् । नरा नार्यश्च तां दृष्ट्वा तुलनां दातुमक्षमाः

pītacampakavarṇābhāṁ sundarīṣveva sundarīm | narā nāryaśca tāṁ dṛṣṭvā tulanāṁ dātumakṣamāḥ

— of the golden hue of the champaka flower, most beautiful even among the beautiful; seeing her, men and women alike found nothing to which she could be compared.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.9.17.13)

तेन नाम्ना च तुलसीं तां वदन्ति मनीषिणः । सा च भूयिष्ठमानेन योग्या स्त्री प्रकृतिर्यथा

tena nāmnā ca tulasīṁ tāṁ vadanti manīṣiṇaḥ | sā ca bhūyiṣṭhamānena yogyā strī prakṛtiryathā

For this reason the wise call her by the name Tulasi, 'beyond compare'; and by her surpassing worth she was as fit a woman as Prakriti herself.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.9.17.14)

सर्वैर्निषिद्धा तपसे जगाम बदरीवनम् । तत्र देवाब्दलक्षं च चकार परमं तपः

sarvairniṣiddhā tapase jagāma badarīvanam | tatra devābdalakṣaṁ ca cakāra paramaṁ tapaḥ

Forbidden by everyone, she went to Badarivana for austerity; there she performed the highest austerity for a hundred thousand years of the gods.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.9.17.15)

मनसा नारायणः स्वामी भवितेति च निश्चिता । ग्रीष्मे पञ्चतपाः शीते तोयवस्त्रा च प्रावृषि

manasā nārāyaṇaḥ svāmī bhaviteti ca niścitā | grīṣme pañcatapāḥ śīte toyavastrā ca prāvṛṣi

Resolved in her mind that Narayana alone would be her lord, in summer she practiced the five fires, in winter she wore wet garments, and in the rains —

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.9.17.16)

आसनस्था वृष्टिधाराः सहन्तीति दिवानिशम् । विंशत्सहस्रवर्षं च फलतोयाशना च सा

āsanasthā vṛṣṭidhārāḥ sahantīti divāniśam | viṁśatsahasravarṣaṁ ca phalatoyāśanā ca sā

— seated in the open, she endured the streams of rain day and night; for twenty thousand years she subsisted on fruit and water alone.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.9.17.17)

त्रिंशत्सहस्रवर्षं च पत्राहारा तपस्विनी । चत्वारिंशत्सहस्राब्दं वाय्वाहारा कृशोदरी

triṁśatsahasravarṣaṁ ca patrāhārā tapasvinī | catvāriṁśatsahasrābdaṁ vāyvāhārā kṛśodarī

For thirty thousand years that ascetic subsisted on leaves alone; for forty thousand years, her waist grown thin, she subsisted on air alone.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.9.17.18)

ततो दशसहस्राब्दं निराहारा बभूव सा । निर्लक्ष्यां चैकपादस्थां दृष्ट्वा तां कमलोद्भवः

tato daśasahasrābdaṁ nirāhārā babhūva sā | nirlakṣyāṁ caikapādasthāṁ dṛṣṭvā tāṁ kamalodbhavaḥ

Then for ten thousand years she remained without any food at all; and seeing her thus, almost imperceptible, standing on one foot, the Lotus-born Brahma —

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.9.17.19)

समाययौ वरं दातुं परं बदरिकाश्रमम् । चतुर्मुखं च सा दृष्ट्वा ननाम हंसवाहनम्

samāyayau varaṁ dātuṁ paraṁ badarikāśramam | caturmukhaṁ ca sā dṛṣṭvā nanāma haṁsavāhanam

— came to that great hermitage of Badarika to grant her a boon; and she, seeing the four-faced Brahma on his swan, bowed to him.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.9.17.20)

तामुवाच जगत्कर्ता विधाता जगतामपि । ब्रह्मोवाच । वरं वृणीष्व तुलसि यत्ते मनसि वाच्छितम्

tāmuvāca jagatkartā vidhātā jagatāmapi | brahmovāca | varaṁ vṛṇīṣva tulasi yatte manasi vācchitam

The maker and ordainer of the worlds said to her — Brahma said: "Choose a boon, O Tulasi, whatever is desired in your mind —

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.9.17.21)

हरिभक्तिं हरेर्दास्यमजरामरतामपि । तुलस्युवाच । शृणु तात प्रवक्ष्यामि यन्मे मनसि वाञ्छितम्

haribhaktiṁ harerdāsyamajarāmaratāmapi | tulasyuvāca | śṛṇu tāta pravakṣyāmi yanme manasi vāñchitam

— devotion to Hari, service to Hari, even freedom from old age and death." Tulasi said: "Listen, father — I shall tell you what is desired in my mind.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.9.17.22)

सर्वज्ञस्यापि पुरतः का लज्जा मम साम्प्रतम् । अहं तु तुलसी गोपी गोलोकेऽहं स्थिता पुरा

sarvajñasyāpi purataḥ kā lajjā mama sāmpratam | ahaṁ tu tulasī gopī goloke'haṁ sthitā purā

Before one who is all-knowing, what shame can I now have? I who am Tulasi was formerly a gopi, dwelling in Goloka.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.9.17.23)

कृष्णप्रिया किङ्करी च तदंशा तत्सखी प्रिया । गोविन्दरतिसम्भुक्तामतृप्तां मां च मूर्च्छिताम्

kṛṣṇapriyā kiṅkarī ca tadaṁśā tatsakhī priyā | govindaratisambhuktāmatṛptāṁ māṁ ca mūrcchitām

Krishna's beloved, his servant, a portion of him, his dear companion; and, having enjoyed union with Govinda yet left unsatisfied and half-fainting —

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.9.17.24)

रासेश्वरी समागत्य ददर्श रासमण्डले । गोविन्दं भर्त्सयामास मां शशाप रुषान्विता

rāseśvarī samāgatya dadarśa rāsamaṇḍale | govindaṁ bhartsayāmāsa māṁ śaśāpa ruṣānvitā

— the mistress of the Rasa dance came there and saw us within the circle of the Rasa; she rebuked Govinda, and, filled with fury, cursed me.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.9.17.25)

याहि त्वं मानवीं योनिमित्येवं च शशाप ह । मामुवाच स गोविन्दो मदंशं च चतुर्भुजम्

yāhi tvaṁ mānavīṁ yonimityevaṁ ca śaśāpa ha | māmuvāca sa govindo madaṁśaṁ ca caturbhujam

"Go, take birth in a human womb" — thus she cursed me; and Govinda said to me: "You shall obtain my own portion, the four-armed form —

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.9.17.26)

लभिष्यसि तपस्तप्त्वा भारते ब्रह्मणो वरात् । इत्येवमुक्त्वा देवेशोऽप्यन्तर्धानं चकार सः

labhiṣyasi tapastaptvā bhārate brahmaṇo varāt | ityevamuktvā deveśo'pyantardhānaṁ cakāra saḥ

— by performing austerity in Bharata, through Brahma's boon." Having said this, the Lord of gods vanished from sight.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.9.17.27)

देव्या भिया तनुं त्यक्त्वा प्राप्तं जन्म गुरो भुवि । अहं नारायणं कान्तं शान्तं सुन्दरविग्रहम्

devyā bhiyā tanuṁ tyaktvā prāptaṁ janma guro bhuvi | ahaṁ nārāyaṇaṁ kāntaṁ śāntaṁ sundaravigraham

Out of fear of the goddess I gave up that body and, O revered one, took birth on this earth; and now I wish to choose as husband Narayana — tranquil, beloved, of beautiful form —

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.9.17.28)

साम्प्रतं तं पतिं लब्धुं वरये त्वं च देहि मे । ब्रह्मदेव उवाच । सुदामा नाम गोपश्च श्रीकृष्णाङ्गसमुद्भवः

sāmprataṁ taṁ patiṁ labdhuṁ varaye tvaṁ ca dehi me | brahmadeva uvāca | sudāmā nāma gopaśca śrīkṛṣṇāṅgasamudbhavaḥ

— grant me this boon." Brahmadeva said: "There was a cowherd named Sudama, born of Sri Krishna's own body —

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.9.17.29)

तदंशश्चातितेजस्वी लेभे जन्म च भारते । साम्प्रतं राधिकाशापाद्दनुवंशसमुद्भवः

tadaṁśaścātitejasvī lebhe janma ca bhārate | sāmprataṁ rādhikāśāpāddanuvaṁśasamudbhavaḥ

— his exceedingly radiant portion has now taken birth in Bharata; by Radhika's own curse he has been born in the line of the Danavas —

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.9.17.30)

शङ्खचूडेति विख्यातस्त्रैलोक्ये न च तत्समः । गोलोके त्वां पुरा दृष्ट्वा कामोन्मथितमानसः

śaṅkhacūḍeti vikhyātastrailokye na ca tatsamaḥ | goloke tvāṁ purā dṛṣṭvā kāmonmathitamānasaḥ

— known as Shankhachuda, and there is none his equal in the three worlds; having seen you long ago in Goloka, his mind was stirred with desire —

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.9.17.31)

विलम्भितुं न शशाक राधिकायाः प्रभावतः । स च जातिस्मरस्तस्मात्सदामाभूच्च सागरे

vilambhituṁ na śaśāka rādhikāyāḥ prabhāvataḥ | sa ca jātismarastasmātsadāmābhūcca sāgare

— but by Radhika's power he was unable to act on it; and remembering his former birth, that same Sudama came to be born, connected with the ocean.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.9.17.32)

जातिस्मरा त्वमपि सा सर्वं जानासि सुन्दरि । अधुना तस्य पत्नी त्वं सम्भविष्यसि शोभने

jātismarā tvamapi sā sarvaṁ jānāsi sundari | adhunā tasya patnī tvaṁ sambhaviṣyasi śobhane

"You too, remembering your past births, know all this, O beauty; now, O gracious one, you shall first become his wife —

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.9.17.33)

पश्चान्नारायणं शान्तं कान्तमेव वरिष्यसि । शापान्नारायणस्यैव कलया दैवयोगतः

paścānnārāyaṇaṁ śāntaṁ kāntameva variṣyasi | śāpānnārāyaṇasyaiva kalayā daivayogataḥ

— and afterward you shall indeed choose the tranquil, beloved Narayana; by Narayana's own curse, as a portion of him, through the working of fate —

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.9.17.34)

भविष्यसि वृक्षरूपा त्वं पूता विश्वपावनी । प्रधाना सर्वपुष्पेषु विष्णुप्राणाधिका भवेः

bhaviṣyasi vṛkṣarūpā tvaṁ pūtā viśvapāvanī | pradhānā sarvapuṣpeṣu viṣṇuprāṇādhikā bhaveḥ

— you shall become a plant, pure, the purifier of the universe; foremost among all flowers, dearer to Vishnu than his own life —

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.9.17.35)

त्वया विना च सर्वेषां पूजा च विफला भवेत् । वृन्दावने वृक्षरूपा नाम्ना वृन्दावनीति च

tvayā vinā ca sarveṣāṁ pūjā ca viphalā bhavet | vṛndāvane vṛkṣarūpā nāmnā vṛndāvanīti ca

— without you, the worship offered by all shall be fruitless; in Vrindavana, in your plant-form, you shall be known by the name Vrindavani —

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.9.17.36)

त्वत्पत्रैर्गोपिगोपाश्च पूजयिष्यन्ति माधवम् । वृक्षाधिदेवीरूपेण सार्धं कृष्णेन सन्ततम्

tvatpatrairgopigopāśca pūjayiṣyanti mādhavam | vṛkṣādhidevīrūpeṇa sārdhaṁ kṛṣṇena santatam

— with your leaves the gopas and gopis shall worship Madhava; and as the presiding goddess of that plant, you shall remain ever with Krishna —

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.9.17.37)

विहरिष्यसि गोपेन स्वच्छन्दं मद्वरेण च । इत्येवं वचनं श्रुत्वा सस्मिता हृष्टमानसा

vihariṣyasi gopena svacchandaṁ madvareṇa ca | ityevaṁ vacanaṁ śrutvā sasmitā hṛṣṭamānasā

— and by my boon you shall sport freely with the cowherd." Hearing these words, smiling, her heart delighted —

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.9.17.38)

प्रणनाम च ब्रह्माणं तं च किञ्चिदुवाच सा । तुलस्युवाच । यथा मे द्विभुजे कृष्णे वाञ्छा च श्यामसुन्दरे

praṇanāma ca brahmāṇaṁ taṁ ca kiñciduvāca sā | tulasyuvāca | yathā me dvibhuje kṛṣṇe vāñchā ca śyāmasundare

— she bowed to Brahma and said something to him. Tulasi said: "As is my longing for the two-armed, dark and beautiful Krishna —

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.9.17.39)

सत्यं ब्रवीमि हे तात न तथा च चतुर्भुजे । अतृप्ताहं च गोविन्दे दैवाच्छृङ्गारभङ्गतः

satyaṁ bravīmi he tāta na tathā ca caturbhuje | atṛptāhaṁ ca govinde daivācchṛṅgārabhaṅgataḥ

— I tell you truly, O father, such is not my longing for the four-armed one; for our love-play was broken off by fate, and I remain unsatisfied in Govinda —

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.9.17.40)

गोविन्दस्यैव वचनात्प्रार्थयामि चतुर्भुजम् । त्वत्प्रसादेन गोविन्दं पुनरेव सुदुर्लभम्

govindasyaiva vacanātprārthayāmi caturbhujam | tvatprasādena govindaṁ punareva sudurlabham

— it is only at Govinda's own word that I now pray for the four-armed one; by your grace, may I obtain again that most rare Govinda —

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.9.17.41)

ध्रुवमेव लभिष्यामि राधाभीतिं प्रमोचय । ब्रह्यदेव उवाच । गृहाण राधिकामन्त्रं ददामि षोडशाक्षरम्

dhruvameva labhiṣyāmi rādhābhītiṁ pramocaya | brahyadeva uvāca | gṛhāṇa rādhikāmantraṁ dadāmi ṣoḍaśākṣaram

— may I obtain this surely, and free me from fear of Radha." Brahmadeva said: "Take the mantra of Radhika; I give you the sixteen-syllabled one —

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.9.17.42)

तस्याश्च प्राणतुल्या त्वं मद्वरेण भविष्यसि । शृङ्गारं युवयोर्गोप्यं न ज्ञास्यति च राधिका

tasyāśca prāṇatulyā tvaṁ madvareṇa bhaviṣyasi | śṛṅgāraṁ yuvayorgopyaṁ na jñāsyati ca rādhikā

— by my boon you shall become as dear to him as her own life; your love-play with him shall remain secret, and Radhika shall never learn of it —

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.9.17.43)

राधासमा त्वं सुभगे गोविन्दस्य भविष्यसि । इत्येवमुक्त्वा दत्त्वा च देव्या वै षोडशाक्षरम्

rādhāsamā tvaṁ subhage govindasya bhaviṣyasi | ityevamuktvā dattvā ca devyā vai ṣoḍaśākṣaram

— O fortunate one, you shall become equal to Radha in Govinda's eyes." Having said this, and having given the goddess the sixteen-syllable mantra —

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.9.17.44)

मन्त्रं चैव जगद्धाता स्तोत्रं च कवचं परम् । सर्वं पूजाविधानं च पुरश्चर्याविधिक्रमम्

mantraṁ caiva jagaddhātā stotraṁ ca kavacaṁ param | sarvaṁ pūjāvidhānaṁ ca puraścaryāvidhikramam

— the sustainer of the world gave her the mantra, its hymn of praise, its supreme protective armor, the entire method of worship, and the sequence of the preliminary rite —

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.9.17.45)

परां शुभाशिषं चैव पूजां चैव चकार सा । बभूव सिद्धा सा देवी तत्प्रसादाद्रमा यथा

parāṁ śubhāśiṣaṁ caiva pūjāṁ caiva cakāra sā | babhūva siddhā sā devī tatprasādādramā yathā

— and a supreme blessing besides; she then performed the worship, and by his grace that goddess became accomplished, like Rama herself.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.9.17.46)

सिद्धं मन्त्रेण तुलसी वरं प्राप यथोदितम् । बुभुजे च महाभोगं यद्विश्वेषु च दुर्लभम्

siddhaṁ mantreṇa tulasī varaṁ prāpa yathoditam | bubhuje ca mahābhogaṁ yadviśveṣu ca durlabham

Through the accomplished mantra, Tulasi obtained the boon exactly as declared; and she came to enjoy a great delight, one rare indeed anywhere in the universe.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.9.17.47)

प्रसन्नमनसा देवी तत्याज तपसः क्लमम् । सिद्धे फले नराणां च दुःखं च सुखमुत्तमम्

prasannamanasā devī tatyāja tapasaḥ klamam | siddhe phale narāṇāṁ ca duḥkhaṁ ca sukhamuttamam

With a joyful mind that goddess cast off the fatigue of her austerity; for once the fruit is attained, even a person's suffering becomes the highest joy.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.9.17.48)

भुक्त्या पीत्वा च सन्तुष्टा शयनं च चकार सा । तल्पे मनोरमे तत्र पुष्पचन्दनचर्चिते

bhuktyā pītvā ca santuṣṭā śayanaṁ ca cakāra sā | talpe manorame tatra puṣpacandanacarcite

Having eaten and drunk, well satisfied, she then went to rest, upon a delightful couch there, anointed with flowers and sandal-paste.