The Glory of the Hymn to Tulasi

Verse 1 (padma.1.61.1)

द्विजाऊचुः- तुलसीपुष्पमाहात्म्यं श्रुतं त्वत्तो हरेः शुभम्। तस्या स्तोत्रं कृतं पुण्यं श्रोतुमिच्छामहे वयम्

dvijāūcuḥ- tulasīpuṣpamāhātmyaṁ śrutaṁ tvatto hareḥ śubham tasyā stotraṁ kṛtaṁ puṇyaṁ śrotumicchāmahe vayam

The brahmins said: We have heard from you the auspicious glory of Hari's Tulasi flower; now we wish to hear the meritorious hymn composed to her.

Verse 2 (padma.1.61.2)

व्यास उवाच- पुरा स्कंदपुराणे च यन्मया कीर्तितं द्विजाः। कथयामि पुराणं च पुरतो मोक्षहेतवे

vyāsa uvāca- purā skaṁdapurāṇe ca yanmayā kīrtitaṁ dvijāḥ kathayāmi purāṇaṁ ca purato mokṣahetave

Vyasa said: O brahmins, that which was formerly declared by me in the Skanda Purana, I shall now relate as before, for the sake of liberation.

Verse 3 (padma.1.61.3)

शतानंद मुनेः शिष्याः सर्वे ते संशितव्रताः। प्रणिपत्य गुरुं विप्राः पप्रच्छुः पुण्यतो हितम्

śatānaṁda muneḥ śiṣyāḥ sarve te saṁśitavratāḥ praṇipatya guruṁ viprāḥ papracchuḥ puṇyato hitam

All the disciples of the sage Shatananda, firm in their vows, those brahmins, bowing before their guru, asked what was beneficial and meritorious.

Verse 4 (padma.1.61.4)

पूर्वं ब्रह्ममुखान्नाथ यच्छ्रुतं तुलसीस्तवम्। तद्वयं श्रोतुमिच्छामस्त्वत्तो ब्रह्मविदांवर

pūrvaṁ brahmamukhānnātha yacchrutaṁ tulasīstavam tadvayaṁ śrotumicchāmastvatto brahmavidāṁvara

'My lord, that hymn to Tulasi which was heard formerly from the mouth of Brahma — that we wish to hear from you, O best among knowers of Brahman.'

Verse 5 (padma.1.61.5)

शतानंद उवाच- नामोच्चारे कृते तस्याः प्रीणात्यसुरदर्पहा। पापानि विलयं यांति पुण्यं भवति चाक्षयम्

śatānaṁda uvāca- nāmoccāre kṛte tasyāḥ prīṇātyasuradarpahā pāpāni vilayaṁ yāṁti puṇyaṁ bhavati cākṣayam

Shatananda said: When her name alone is uttered, he who destroys the pride of demons is pleased; sins are dissolved, and merit becomes imperishable.

Verse 6 (padma.1.61.6)

सा कथं तुलसी लोकैः पूज्यते वंद्यते नहि। दर्शनादेव यस्यास्तु दानं कोटिगवां भवेत्

sā kathaṁ tulasī lokaiḥ pūjyate vaṁdyate nahi darśanādeva yasyāstu dānaṁ koṭigavāṁ bhavet

How is it that this Tulasi is not worshipped and revered by all people? By the mere sight of her, the merit of the gift of ten million cows accrues.

Verse 7 (padma.1.61.7)

धन्यास्ते मानवा लोके यद्गृहे विद्यते कलौ। सालग्रामशिलार्थं तु तुलसी प्रत्यहं क्षितौ

dhanyāste mānavā loke yadgṛhe vidyate kalau sālagrāmaśilārthaṁ tu tulasī pratyahaṁ kṣitau

Blessed indeed are those people in this world in whose house, in the Kali age, Tulasi exists daily upon the earth for the sake of the Shaligrama-stone.

Verse 8 (padma.1.61.8)

तुलसीं ये विचिन्वंति धन्यास्ते करपल्लवाः। केशवार्थं कलौ ये च रोपयंतीह भूतले

tulasīṁ ye vicinvaṁti dhanyāste karapallavāḥ keśavārthaṁ kalau ye ca ropayaṁtīha bhūtale

Blessed are the tender hands of those who gather Tulasi leaves; and blessed too are those who, in the Kali age, plant her upon this earth for Keshava's sake.

Verse 9 (padma.1.61.9)

किं करिष्यति संरुष्टो यमोपि सह किंकरैः। तुलसीदलेन देवेशः पूजितो येन दुःखहा

kiṁ kariṣyati saṁruṣṭo yamopi saha kiṁkaraiḥ tulasīdalena deveśaḥ pūjito yena duḥkhahā

What can even an angry Yama, with all his servants, do to one by whom the Lord of Gods, remover of sorrow, has been worshipped with a Tulasi leaf?

Verse 10 (padma.1.61.10)

तीर्थयात्रादिगमनैः फलैः सिध्यति किन्नरः। स्नाने दाने तथा ध्याने प्राशने केशवार्चने

tīrthayātrādigamanaiḥ phalaiḥ sidhyati kinnaraḥ snāne dāne tathā dhyāne prāśane keśavārcane

By the merits of going on pilgrimages and the like, one attains the state of a Kinnara; in bathing, in giving, in meditation, in partaking as prasada, and in worshipping Keshava—

Verse 11 (padma.1.61.11)

तुलसी दहते पापं कीर्तने रोपणे कलौ। तुलस्यमृतजन्मासि सदा त्वं केशवप्रिये

tulasī dahate pāpaṁ kīrtane ropaṇe kalau tulasyamṛtajanmāsi sadā tvaṁ keśavapriye

—with Tulasi, sin is burned away, whether by praising her or planting her, in this Kali age. O Tulasi, you were born of nectar, ever beloved of Keshava—

Verse 12 (padma.1.61.12)

केशवार्थं चिनोमि त्वां वरदा भव शोभने। त्वदंगसंभवैर्नित्यं पूजयामि यथाहरिम्

keśavārthaṁ cinomi tvāṁ varadā bhava śobhane tvadaṁgasaṁbhavairnityaṁ pūjayāmi yathāharim

'—I gather you for Keshava's sake; be a granter of boons, O lovely one. Daily with leaves born of your own body I worship Hari.'

Verse 13 (padma.1.61.13)

तथा कुरु पवित्रांगि कलौ मलविनाशिनि। मंत्रेणानेन यः कुर्याद्विचित्य तुलसीदलम्

tathā kuru pavitrāṁgi kalau malavināśini maṁtreṇānena yaḥ kuryādvicitya tulasīdalam

'—grant this indeed, O you of pure body, destroyer of the impurity of the Kali age.' Whoever, having gathered a Tulasi leaf, performs worship with this mantra—

Verse 14 (padma.1.61.14)

पूजनं वासुदेवस्य लक्षकोटिगुणं भवेत्। प्रभावं तव देवेशि गायंति सुरसत्तमाः

pūjanaṁ vāsudevasya lakṣakoṭiguṇaṁ bhavet prabhāvaṁ tava deveśi gāyaṁti surasattamāḥ

—his worship of Vasudeva becomes a hundred billion times more fruitful. O queen of gods, the greatest of gods sing of your glory.

Verse 15 (padma.1.61.15)

मुनयः सिद्धगंधर्वाः पाताले नागराट्स्वयम्। न ते प्रभावं जानंति देवताः केशवादृते

munayaḥ siddhagaṁdharvāḥ pātāle nāgarāṭsvayam na te prabhāvaṁ jānaṁti devatāḥ keśavādṛte

The sages, siddhas, gandharvas, and even the king of serpents himself in Patala — the gods do not know your true glory, save Keshava alone.

Verse 16 (padma.1.61.16)

गुणानां परिमाणं तु कल्पकोटिशतैरपि। कृष्णानंदात्समुद्भूता क्षीरोदमथनोद्यमे

guṇānāṁ parimāṇaṁ tu kalpakoṭiśatairapi kṛṣṇānaṁdātsamudbhūtā kṣīrodamathanodyame

The measure of your virtues cannot be told even in hundreds of millions of kalpas. You arose from the very joy of Krishna, in the great churning of the ocean of milk—

Verse 17 (padma.1.61.17)

उत्तमांगे पुरा येन तुलसी विष्णुना धृता। प्राप्यैतानि त्वया देवि विष्णोरंगानि सर्वशः

uttamāṁge purā yena tulasī viṣṇunā dhṛtā prāpyaitāni tvayā devi viṣṇoraṁgāni sarvaśaḥ

—and by that Vishnu you, Tulasi, were formerly borne upon his very head. O goddess, having thus touched all of Vishnu's limbs in every way—

Verse 18 (padma.1.61.18)

पवित्रता त्वया प्राप्ता तुलसीं त्वां नमाम्यहम्। त्वदंगसंभवैः पत्रैः पूजयामि यथा हरिम्

pavitratā tvayā prāptā tulasīṁ tvāṁ namāmyaham tvadaṁgasaṁbhavaiḥ patraiḥ pūjayāmi yathā harim

—you attained purity itself. I bow to you, O Tulasi. With leaves born of your body I worship Hari—

Verse 19 (padma.1.61.19)

तथा कुरुष्व मेऽविघ्नं यतो यामि परां गतिम्। रोपिता गोमतीतीरे स्वयं कृष्णेन पालिता

tathā kuruṣva me'vighnaṁ yato yāmi parāṁ gatim ropitā gomatītīre svayaṁ kṛṣṇena pālitā

'—grant me, in this way, freedom from obstacles, that I may attain the highest state.' You were planted on the bank of the Gomati, and nurtured by Krishna himself—

Verse 20 (padma.1.61.20)

जगद्धिताय तुलसी गोपीनां हितहेतवे। वृंदावने विचरता सेविता विष्णुना स्वयम्

jagaddhitāya tulasī gopīnāṁ hitahetave vṛṁdāvane vicaratā sevitā viṣṇunā svayam

—O Tulasi, for the welfare of the world, for the good of the gopis; and, as he wandered in Vrindavana, you were worshipped by Vishnu himself—

Verse 21 (padma.1.61.21)

गोकुलस्य विवृद्ध्यर्थं कंसस्य निधनाय च। वसिष्ठवचनात्पूर्वं रामेण सरयूतटे

gokulasya vivṛddhyarthaṁ kaṁsasya nidhanāya ca vasiṣṭhavacanātpūrvaṁ rāmeṇa sarayūtaṭe

—for the growth and prosperity of Gokula, and for the destruction of Kamsa. Formerly, on Vasishtha's word, by Rama, on the bank of the Sarayu—

Verse 22 (padma.1.61.22)

राक्षसानां वधार्थाय रोपिता त्वं जगत्प्रिये। रोपिता तपसो वृद्ध्यै तुलसीं त्वां नमाम्यहम्

rākṣasānāṁ vadhārthāya ropitā tvaṁ jagatpriye ropitā tapaso vṛddhyai tulasīṁ tvāṁ namāmyaham

—for the slaying of the rakshasas you were planted, O beloved of the world. Planted for the increase of austerity — to you, Tulasi, I bow.

Verse 23 (padma.1.61.23)

वियोगे वासुदेवस्य ध्यात्वा त्वां जनकात्मजा। अशोकवनमध्ये तु प्रियेण सह संगता

viyoge vāsudevasya dhyātvā tvāṁ janakātmajā aśokavanamadhye tu priyeṇa saha saṁgatā

In her separation from Vasudeva, the daughter of Janaka, meditating upon you, in the midst of the Ashoka grove, was reunited with her beloved—

Verse 24 (padma.1.61.24)

शङ्करार्थं पुरा देवि पार्वत्या त्वं हिमालये। रोपिता तपसो वृद्ध्यै तुलसीं त्वां नमाम्यहम्

śaṅkarārthaṁ purā devi pārvatyā tvaṁ himālaye ropitā tapaso vṛddhyai tulasīṁ tvāṁ namāmyaham

For Shankara's sake, O goddess, you were formerly planted by Parvati on the Himalaya, for the increase of her austerity — to you, Tulasi, I bow.

Verse 25 (padma.1.61.25)

सर्वाभिर्देवपत्नीभिः किन्नरैश्चापि नंदने। दुःस्वप्ननाशनार्थाय सेविता त्वं नमोस्तु ते

sarvābhirdevapatnībhiḥ kinnaraiścāpi naṁdane duḥsvapnanāśanārthāya sevitā tvaṁ namostu te

By all the wives of the gods, and by the kinnaras too, in Nandana, you are worshipped for the destruction of evil dreams. Salutations be to you.

Verse 26 (padma.1.61.26)

धर्मारण्ये गयायां च सेविता पितृभिः स्वयम्। सेविता तुलसी पुण्या आत्मनो हितमिच्छता

dharmāraṇye gayāyāṁ ca sevitā pitṛbhiḥ svayam sevitā tulasī puṇyā ātmano hitamicchatā

In Dharmaranya and in Gaya, you are worshipped by the ancestors themselves; the meritorious Tulasi is worshipped by whoever desires his own welfare.

Verse 27 (padma.1.61.27)

रोपिता रामचंद्रेण सेविता लक्ष्मणेन च। पालिता सीतया भक्त्या तुलसी दंडके वने

ropitā rāmacaṁdreṇa sevitā lakṣmaṇena ca pālitā sītayā bhaktyā tulasī daṁḍake vane

Planted by Ramachandra, worshipped also by Lakshmana, and tended with devotion by Sita — such was Tulasi in the Dandaka forest.

Verse 28 (padma.1.61.28)

त्रैलोक्यव्यापिनी गंगा यथा शास्त्रेषु गीयते। तथैव तुलसी देवी दृश्यते सचराचरे

trailokyavyāpinī gaṁgā yathā śāstreṣu gīyate tathaiva tulasī devī dṛśyate sacarācare

As the Ganga, pervading the three worlds, is sung of in the scriptures, so too the goddess Tulasi is seen throughout all that moves and moves not.

Verse 29 (padma.1.61.29)

ऋश्यमूके च वसता कपिराजेन सेविता। तुलसी वालिनाशाय तारासंगम हेतवे

ṛśyamūke ca vasatā kapirājena sevitā tulasī vālināśāya tārāsaṁgama hetave

Worshipped by the monkey-king dwelling on Rishyamukha, Tulasi was invoked for the destruction of Vali, and for the sake of union with Tara.

Verse 30 (padma.1.61.30)

प्रणम्य तुलसीदेवीं सागरोत्क्रमणं कृतम्। कृतकार्यः प्रहृष्टश्च हनूमान्पुनरागतः

praṇamya tulasīdevīṁ sāgarotkramaṇaṁ kṛtam kṛtakāryaḥ prahṛṣṭaśca hanūmānpunarāgataḥ

Bowing before the goddess Tulasi, Hanuman made his leap across the ocean; and having accomplished his task, Hanuman, greatly rejoicing, returned again.

Verse 31 (padma.1.61.31)

तुलसीग्रहणं कृत्वा विमुक्तो याति पातकैः। अथवा मुनिशार्दूल ब्रह्महत्यां व्यपोहति

tulasīgrahaṇaṁ kṛtvā vimukto yāti pātakaiḥ athavā muniśārdūla brahmahatyāṁ vyapohati

Having taken hold of Tulasi, one goes forth freed from all sins; or, O tiger among sages, one is even released from the sin of slaying a brahmin.

Verse 32 (padma.1.61.32)

तुलसीपत्रगलितं यस्तोयं शिरसा वहेत्। गंगास्नानमवाप्नोति दशधेनुफलप्रदम्

tulasīpatragalitaṁ yastoyaṁ śirasā vahet gaṁgāsnānamavāpnoti daśadhenuphalapradam

Whoever bears upon his head the water that has trickled from a Tulasi leaf attains the merit of bathing in the Ganga, which grants the fruit of the gift of ten cows.

Verse 33 (padma.1.61.33)

प्रसीद देवि देवेशि प्रसीद हरिवल्लभे। क्षीरोदमथनोद्भूते तुलसि त्वां नमाम्यहम्

prasīda devi deveśi prasīda harivallabhe kṣīrodamathanodbhūte tulasi tvāṁ namāmyaham

Be gracious, O goddess, queen of gods; be gracious, beloved of Hari. O Tulasi, born from the churning of the ocean of milk, I bow to you.

Verse 34 (padma.1.61.34)

द्वादश्यां जागरे रात्रौ यः पठेत्तुलसीस्तवम्। द्वात्रिंशदपराधांश्च क्षमते तस्य केशवः

dvādaśyāṁ jāgare rātrau yaḥ paṭhettulasīstavam dvātriṁśadaparādhāṁśca kṣamate tasya keśavaḥ

Whoever recites this hymn to Tulasi during the night-vigil of the Dvadashi, for him Keshava forgives all thirty-two offenses.

Verse 35 (padma.1.61.35)

यत्पापं यौवने बाल्ये कौमारे वार्द्धके कृतम्। तत्सर्वं विलयं याति तुलसीस्तव पाठतः

yatpāpaṁ yauvane bālye kaumāre vārddhake kṛtam tatsarvaṁ vilayaṁ yāti tulasīstava pāṭhataḥ

Whatever sin was committed in youth, in childhood, in adolescence, or in old age — all of it is dissolved by the recitation of this hymn to Tulasi.

Verse 36 (padma.1.61.36)

प्रीतिमायाति देवेशस्तुष्टो लक्ष्मीं प्रयच्छति। कुरुते शत्रुनाशं च सुखं विद्यां प्रयच्छति

prītimāyāti deveśastuṣṭo lakṣmīṁ prayacchati kurute śatrunāśaṁ ca sukhaṁ vidyāṁ prayacchati

The Lord of Gods is moved to love and, well pleased, bestows fortune. He brings about the destruction of enemies, and grants happiness and learning.

Verse 37 (padma.1.61.37)

तुलसीनाममात्रेण देवा यच्छंति वांछितम्। गर्ह्याणमपि देवेशो मुक्तिं यच्छति देहिनाम्

tulasīnāmamātreṇa devā yacchaṁti vāṁchitam garhyāṇamapi deveśo muktiṁ yacchati dehinām

By the mere name of Tulasi, the gods grant one's heart's desire. Even to the most blameworthy, the Lord of Gods grants liberation, to embodied beings.

Verse 38 (padma.1.61.38)

तुलसी स्तवसंतुष्टा सुखं वृद्धिं ददाति च। उद्गतं हेलया विद्धि पापं यमपथे स्थितम्

tulasī stavasaṁtuṣṭā sukhaṁ vṛddhiṁ dadāti ca udgataṁ helayā viddhi pāpaṁ yamapathe sthitam

Tulasi, pleased by this hymn, grants happiness and increase. Know that sin, standing even on Yama's path, is dispelled with ease by her.

Verse 39 (padma.1.61.39)

यस्मिन्गृहे च लिखितो विद्यते तुलसीस्तवः। नाशुभं विद्यते तस्य शुभमाप्नोति निश्चितम्

yasmingṛhe ca likhito vidyate tulasīstavaḥ nāśubhaṁ vidyate tasya śubhamāpnoti niścitam

In whatever house this hymn to Tulasi exists, written down, no misfortune exists there; he certainly attains good fortune.

Verse 40 (padma.1.61.40)

सर्वं च मंगलं तस्य नास्ति किंचिदमंगलम्। सुभिक्षं सर्वदा तस्य धनं धान्यं च पुष्कलम्

sarvaṁ ca maṁgalaṁ tasya nāsti kiṁcidamaṁgalam subhikṣaṁ sarvadā tasya dhanaṁ dhānyaṁ ca puṣkalam

Everything of his is auspicious; nothing inauspicious befalls him. He always has plenty of food, and abundant wealth and grain.

Verse 41 (padma.1.61.41)

निश्चला केशवे भक्तिर्न वियोगश्च वैष्णवैः। जीवति व्याधिनिर्मुक्तो नाधर्मे जायते मतिः

niścalā keśave bhaktirna viyogaśca vaiṣṇavaiḥ jīvati vyādhinirmukto nādharme jāyate matiḥ

His devotion to Keshava remains unwavering, and he is never separated from Vaishnavas. He lives free of disease, and his mind never turns toward unrighteousness.

Verse 42 (padma.1.61.42)

द्वादश्यां जागरे रात्रौ यः पठेत्तुलसीस्तवम्। तीर्थकोटिसहस्रैस्तु यत्फलं लक्षकोटिभिः

dvādaśyāṁ jāgare rātrau yaḥ paṭhettulasīstavam tīrthakoṭisahasraistu yatphalaṁ lakṣakoṭibhiḥ

Whoever recites this hymn to Tulasi during the night-vigil of the Dvadashi — the merit that comes from ten billion thousand sacred fords—

Verse 43 (padma.1.61.43)

तत्फलं समवाप्नोति पठित्वा तुलसीस्तवम्

tatphalaṁ samavāpnoti paṭhitvā tulasīstavam

—that very merit he obtains fully by reciting this hymn to Tulasi.