The Greatness of Tulasi

Verse 1 (skanda.2.105.1)

नारद उवाच । भूयः कथय तृप्तिर्हि नास्ति मे कमलासन । त्वद्वागमृतपानेन तृषा भूयः प्रवर्धते

nārada uvāca bhūyaḥ kathaya tṛptirhi nāsti me kamalāsana tvadvāgamṛtapānena tṛṣā bhūyaḥ pravardhate

Narada said: Tell me more, for I am not satisfied, O lotus-seated one; by drinking the nectar of your words, my thirst only grows further.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.105.2)

ब्रह्मोवाच । प्रातः स्नात्वा शुचिर्भूत्वा कार्तिके विष्णुतत्परः । देवं दामोदरं पूज्य कोमलैस्तुलसीदलैः । स तु मोक्षमवाप्नोति नाऽत्र कार्या विचारणा

brahmovāca prātaḥ snātvā śucirbhūtvā kārtike viṣṇutatparaḥ devaṁ dāmodaraṁ pūjya komalaistulasīdalaiḥ sa tu mokṣamavāpnoti nā'tra kāryā vicāraṇā

Brahma said: Having bathed at dawn and become pure, devoted to Vishnu in Kartika, whoever worships the god Damodara with tender tulasi leaves attains liberation — there is no need to deliberate on this.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.105.3)

भक्त्या विरहितो यस्तु सुवर्णादिभिरर्चयेत् । तस्य पूजां न गृह्णाति नाऽत्र कार्या विचारणा

bhaktyā virahito yastu suvarṇādibhirarcayet tasya pūjāṁ na gṛhṇāti nā'tra kāryā vicāraṇā

But whoever, devoid of devotion, worships with gold and the like — his worship is not accepted; there is no need to deliberate on this.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.105.4)

सर्वेषामपि वर्णानां भक्तिरेषा परा स्मृता । भक्त्या विरहितं कर्म न विष्णोः प्रियकारणम्

sarveṣāmapi varṇānāṁ bhaktireṣā parā smṛtā bhaktyā virahitaṁ karma na viṣṇoḥ priyakāraṇam

For all castes alike, this devotion is remembered as supreme; an act devoid of devotion is never the cause of Vishnu's pleasure.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.105.5)

भक्त्या संपूजितो नित्यं तुलस्यास्तु दलार्धतः । स्वयं प्रत्यक्षमायाति भगवान्हरिरीश्वरः

bhaktyā saṁpūjito nityaṁ tulasyāstu dalārdhataḥ svayaṁ pratyakṣamāyāti bhagavānharirīśvaraḥ

Worshipped daily with devotion, even with half a tulasi leaf, the Lord Hari himself comes visibly to the devotee.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.105.6)

विष्णुदासः पुरा भक्त्या तुलसीपूजनेन च । विष्णुलोकं गतः शीघ्रं चोलो गौणत्वमागतः

viṣṇudāsaḥ purā bhaktyā tulasīpūjanena ca viṣṇulokaṁ gataḥ śīghraṁ colo gauṇatvamāgataḥ

Long ago, Vishnudasa, through devotion and the worship of tulasi, quickly went to the world of Vishnu, while a Chola king attained a lesser state.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.105.7)

तुलस्याः शृणु माहात्म्यं पापघ्नं पुण्यवर्द्धनम् । यत्पुरा विष्णुना प्रोक्तं रमायै तद्वदाम्यहम्

tulasyāḥ śṛṇu māhātmyaṁ pāpaghnaṁ puṇyavarddhanam yatpurā viṣṇunā proktaṁ ramāyai tadvadāmyaham

Hear the greatness of tulasi, destroyer of sin and increaser of merit, which was once declared by Vishnu to Rama — that I shall tell you.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.105.8)

संप्राप्ते कार्तिके मासि तुलस्याः पूजनं हरेः । ये कुर्वंति नरा भक्त्या ते यांति परमं पदम्

saṁprāpte kārtike māsi tulasyāḥ pūjanaṁ hareḥ ye kurvaṁti narā bhaktyā te yāṁti paramaṁ padam

When the month of Kartika arrives, those men who, with devotion, perform the worship of tulasi and of Hari attain the supreme abode.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.105.9)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन तुलस्याः कोमलैर्दलैः । पूजनीयो महाभक्त्या सर्वक्लेशविनाशनः

tasmātsarvaprayatnena tulasyāḥ komalairdalaiḥ pūjanīyo mahābhaktyā sarvakleśavināśanaḥ

Therefore, with every effort, he who destroys every affliction should be worshipped with tender tulasi leaves, with great devotion.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.105.10)

रोपिता तुलसी यावत्कुरुते मूलविस्तरम् । तावद्युगसहस्राणि ब्रह्मलोके महीयते

ropitā tulasī yāvatkurute mūlavistaram tāvadyugasahasrāṇi brahmaloke mahīyate

For as long as a planted tulasi extends its roots, for that many thousand ages the planter is honored in the world of Brahma.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.105.11)

तुलसीपत्रसंयुक्तजले स्नानं चरेद्यदि । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो मोदते विष्णुमंदिरे

tulasīpatrasaṁyuktajale snānaṁ caredyadi sarvapāpavinirmukto modate viṣṇumaṁdire

If one bathes in water mixed with tulasi leaves, freed from all sin, one rejoices in Vishnu's temple.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.105.12)

वृन्दावनं च कुरुते रोपणार्थं महामुने । तावतैव विमुक्ताऽघो ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते

vṛndāvanaṁ ca kurute ropaṇārthaṁ mahāmune tāvataiva vimuktā'gho brahmabhūyāya kalpate

O great sage, whoever makes a Vrindavana for the purpose of planting tulasi, by that very act, freed from sin, becomes fit for union with Brahma.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.105.13)

तुलसीकाननं ब्रह्मन्गृहे यस्याऽवतिष्ठते । तद्गृहं तीर्थभूतं तु न यांति यमकिंकराः

tulasīkānanaṁ brahmangṛhe yasyā'vatiṣṭhate tadgṛhaṁ tīrthabhūtaṁ tu na yāṁti yamakiṁkarāḥ

O Brahman, in whose house a grove of tulasi stands, that house becomes a very tirtha; Yama's servants do not go there.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.105.14)

सर्वपापहरं पुण्यं कामदं तुलसीवनम् । रोपयंति नराः श्रेष्ठास्ते न पश्यंति भास्करिम्

sarvapāpaharaṁ puṇyaṁ kāmadaṁ tulasīvanam ropayaṁti narāḥ śreṣṭhāste na paśyaṁti bhāskarim

A tulasi grove removes all sin, is meritorious, and grants desires; the excellent men who plant it never behold Yama.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.105.15)

तुलसीकाष्ठसंयुक्तं गन्धं यो धारयेन्नरः । तद्देहं न स्पृशेत्पापं क्रियमाणं तथैव च

tulasīkāṣṭhasaṁyuktaṁ gandhaṁ yo dhārayennaraḥ taddehaṁ na spṛśetpāpaṁ kriyamāṇaṁ tathaiva ca

Whatever man wears a fragrant ornament made of tulasi wood, sin does not touch that body, even sin being committed.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.105.16)

तुलसीविपिनच्छाया यत्र चैव भवेद्द्विज । तत्र श्राद्धं प्रकर्तव्यं पितॄणां तृप्तिहेतवे

tulasīvipinacchāyā yatra caiva bhaveddvija tatra śrāddhaṁ prakartavyaṁ pitṝṇāṁ tṛptihetave

O brahmin, wherever there is the shade of a tulasi grove, there the shraddha rite should be performed for the satisfaction of the ancestors.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.105.17)

यत्कृते तुलसीपत्रं कर्णे शिरसि दृश्यते । यमस्तं नेक्षितुं शक्तः किमु दूता भयंकराः

yatkṛte tulasīpatraṁ karṇe śirasi dṛśyate yamastaṁ nekṣituṁ śaktaḥ kimu dūtā bhayaṁkarāḥ

He on whose ear or head a tulasi leaf is seen — even Yama is unable to look upon him; what then of his fearsome messengers?

Verse 18 (skanda.2.105.18)

तुलस्या महिमां यस्तु शृणुयान्नित्यमादृतः । सर्व पापविमुक्तात्मा ब्रह्मलोकं स गच्छति

tulasyā mahimāṁ yastu śṛṇuyānnityamādṛtaḥ sarva pāpavimuktātmā brahmalokaṁ sa gacchati

Whoever daily and reverently hears the glory of tulasi, his soul freed from all sin, goes to the world of Brahma.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.105.19)

अत्रैवोदाहरंतीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । तुलस्या विषये ब्रह्मञ्च्छ्रवणात्पापनाशनम्

atraivodāharaṁtīmamitihāsaṁ purātanam tulasyā viṣaye brahmañcchravaṇātpāpanāśanam

Here, on this very subject, they cite this ancient story concerning tulasi, O Brahman, which by mere hearing destroys sin.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.105.20)

पुरा काश्मीरदेशे तु ब्राह्मणौ संबभूवतुः । हरिमेधःसुमेधाख्यौ विष्णुभक्तिपरायणौ

purā kāśmīradeśe tu brāhmaṇau saṁbabhūvatuḥ harimedhaḥsumedhākhyau viṣṇubhaktiparāyaṇau

Long ago, in the land of Kashmir, there lived two brahmins named Harimedhas and Sumedhas, devoted to the worship of Vishnu,

Verse 21 (skanda.2.105.21)

सर्वभूतदयायुक्तौ सर्वतत्त्वार्थवेदिनौ । कदाचित्तौ द्विजवरौ तीर्थयात्रापरायणौ

sarvabhūtadayāyuktau sarvatattvārthavedinau kadācittau dvijavarau tīrthayātrāparāyaṇau

full of compassion for all beings, knowers of the truth of all principles. Once those two excellent brahmins, devoted to pilgrimage,

Verse 22 (skanda.2.105.22)

गच्छतावेकतो विप्रौ कांतारे श्रमविह्वलौ । तुलसीकाननं तत्र ददर्शतुररिंदमौ

gacchatāvekato viprau kāṁtāre śramavihvalau tulasīkānanaṁ tatra dadarśaturariṁdamau

traveling together, weary with fatigue in a wilderness, those two subduers of foes there beheld a grove of tulasi.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.105.23)

तयोः सुमेधास्तद्दृष्ट्वा तुलसीकाननं महत् । प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य तदा ववंदे भक्तिसंयुतः

tayoḥ sumedhāstaddṛṣṭvā tulasīkānanaṁ mahat pradakṣiṇīkṛtya tadā vavaṁde bhaktisaṁyutaḥ

Of the two, Sumedhas, seeing that great tulasi grove, then circumambulated it and, filled with devotion, made obeisance.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.105.24)

दृष्ट्वैतद्धरिमेधास्तु उवाच परया मुदा । ज्ञातुं तुलस्या माहात्म्यं तत्फलं च पुनःपुनः

dṛṣṭvaitaddharimedhāstu uvāca parayā mudā jñātuṁ tulasyā māhātmyaṁ tatphalaṁ ca punaḥpunaḥ

Seeing this, Harimedhas, with great joy, asked again and again, in order to know the greatness of tulasi and its fruit:

Verse 25 (skanda.2.105.25)

हरिमेधा उवाच । किमर्थं विप्र देवेषु तीर्थेषु च व्रतेषु च । स्थितेषु विप्रमुख्येषु प्रणामं कृतवानसि

harimedhā uvāca kimarthaṁ vipra deveṣu tīrtheṣu ca vrateṣu ca sthiteṣu vipramukhyeṣu praṇāmaṁ kṛtavānasi

Harimedhas said: Why, O brahmin, though there are gods, tirthas, vows, and eminent brahmins present, have you made obeisance to this instead?

Verse 26 (skanda.2.105.26)

सुमेधा उवाच । शृणु विप्र महाभाग साधु वाक्यमुदीरितम् । आतपो बाधते ह्यावां गत्वैतद्वटसन्निधौ

sumedhā uvāca śṛṇu vipra mahābhāga sādhu vākyamudīritam ātapo bādhate hyāvāṁ gatvaitadvaṭasannidhau

Sumedhas said: Hear, O fortunate brahmin, the good reason for what I said; the heat troubles us both — let us go to the vicinity of this banyan tree,

Verse 27 (skanda.2.105.27)

तस्यच्छायां समाश्रित्य वक्ष्यामि ते यथार्थतः । एवमुक्तः सुमेधास्तु हरिमेधेन संयुतः

tasyacchāyāṁ samāśritya vakṣyāmi te yathārthataḥ evamuktaḥ sumedhāstu harimedhena saṁyutaḥ

and, taking refuge in its shade, I shall tell you truly. Having spoken thus, Sumedhas, together with Harimedhas,

Verse 28 (skanda.2.105.28)

वटं जगाम धर्मज्ञो महत्कोटरसंयुतम् । तत्र विश्राम्य विप्रोसौ हरिमेधमुवाच ह

vaṭaṁ jagāma dharmajño mahatkoṭarasaṁyutam tatra viśrāmya viprosau harimedhamuvāca ha

the knower of dharma, went to the banyan tree with a great hollow; having rested there, that brahmin then spoke to Harimedhas:

Verse 29 (skanda.2.105.29)

श्रूयतां विप्रशार्दूल तुलस्यास्तूत्तमां कथाम् । परमेशप्रसादेन संजाता या पयोनिधौ

śrūyatāṁ vipraśārdūla tulasyāstūttamāṁ kathām parameśaprasādena saṁjātā yā payonidhau

'Hear, O tiger among brahmins, the excellent story of tulasi, who came into being in the ocean of milk by the grace of the Supreme Lord.'

Verse 30 (skanda.2.105.30)

पुरा दुर्वाससः शापाद्गतैश्वर्ये पुरंदरे । ममंथुः क्षीरजलधिं ब्रह्माद्याः ससुराऽसुराः

purā durvāsasaḥ śāpādgataiśvarye puraṁdare mamaṁthuḥ kṣīrajaladhiṁ brahmādyāḥ sasurā'surāḥ

'Long ago, when Indra's sovereignty had departed owing to Durvasa's curse, Brahma and the other gods, together with the gods and demons, churned the ocean of milk.'

Verse 31 (skanda.2.105.31)

ऐरावतः कल्पतरुश्चन्द्रमाः कमला तथा । उच्चैःश्रवा कौस्तुभश्च तथा धन्वन्तरिर्हरिः

airāvataḥ kalpataruścandramāḥ kamalā tathā uccaiḥśravā kaustubhaśca tathā dhanvantarirhariḥ

'Airavata, the wish-fulfilling tree, the moon, and Kamala; Uchchaihshravas, the Kaustubha jewel, and likewise Dhanvantari — Hari himself,'

Verse 32 (skanda.2.105.32)

हरीतक्यादयश्चाऽपि दिव्या ओषधयस्तथा । अजायन्त द्विजश्रेष्ठ लोकश्रेयोविधायकाः

harītakyādayaścā'pi divyā oṣadhayastathā ajāyanta dvijaśreṣṭha lokaśreyovidhāyakāḥ

'and likewise the myrobalan and other divine herbs, bestowers of the world's welfare, were born, O best of brahmins.'

Verse 33 (skanda.2.105.33)

ततः पीयूषकलशमजरामरदायकम् । कराभ्यां कलशं विष्णुर्धारयन्सुतलं परम् । अवेक्ष्य मनसा सद्यः परां निर्वृतिमाप ह

tataḥ pīyūṣakalaśamajarāmaradāyakam karābhyāṁ kalaśaṁ viṣṇurdhārayansutalaṁ param avekṣya manasā sadyaḥ parāṁ nirvṛtimāpa ha

'Then Vishnu, holding in his two hands the pot of nectar that bestows undecaying immortality, gazing upon the pot, at once attained supreme bliss.'

Verse 34 (skanda.2.105.34)

तस्मिन्पीयूषकलश आनन्दास्रोदबिन्दवः । व्यपतंस्तुलसी सद्यः समजायत मण्डला

tasminpīyūṣakalaśa ānandāsrodabindavaḥ vyapataṁstulasī sadyaḥ samajāyata maṇḍalā

'Into that pot of nectar fell drops of tears of joy; and at once tulasi, whole and complete, came into being.'

Verse 35 (skanda.2.105.35)

सर्व लक्षणसंपन्ना सर्वाभरणभूषिता । तत्रोत्पन्नां तथा लक्ष्मीं तुलसीं च ददुर्हरेः । देवा ब्रह्मादयस्ते हि जगृहे भगवान्हरिः

sarva lakṣaṇasaṁpannā sarvābharaṇabhūṣitā tatrotpannāṁ tathā lakṣmīṁ tulasīṁ ca dadurhareḥ devā brahmādayaste hi jagṛhe bhagavānhariḥ

'Endowed with every auspicious mark, adorned with every ornament — the gods, Brahma and the rest, gave both Lakshmi and tulasi, who had likewise arisen there, to Hari; and the Lord Hari accepted them.'

Verse 36 (skanda.2.105.36)

ततोऽतीव प्रियकरा तुलसी जगतां पतेः । सा तु देवगणैः सर्वैर्विष्णुवत्पूज्यते प्रिया । नारायणो जगत्त्राता तुलसी तस्य वल्लभा

tato'tīva priyakarā tulasī jagatāṁ pateḥ sā tu devagaṇaiḥ sarvairviṣṇuvatpūjyate priyā nārāyaṇo jagattrātā tulasī tasya vallabhā

'Thenceforth tulasi became exceedingly dear to the Lord of the worlds; she, his beloved, is worshipped by all the hosts of gods just as Vishnu himself is; Narayana is the savior of the world, and tulasi is his beloved.'

Verse 37 (skanda.2.105.37)

तस्मात्तस्या नमस्कारो मया विप्र कृतस्ततः । इत्येवं वदतस्तस्य सुमेधस्य महात्मनः

tasmāttasyā namaskāro mayā vipra kṛtastataḥ ityevaṁ vadatastasya sumedhasya mahātmanaḥ

'Therefore, O brahmin, I made obeisance to her.' While the great-souled Sumedhas was speaking thus,

Verse 38 (skanda.2.105.38)

आराददृश्यत महद्विमानं सूर्यवर्चसम् । तदानीं वटवृक्षस्तु पपात पुरतो मुने

ārādadṛśyata mahadvimānaṁ sūryavarcasam tadānīṁ vaṭavṛkṣastu papāta purato mune

nearby a great celestial chariot, radiant as the sun, was seen; and then, O sage, the banyan tree itself fell down before them.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.105.39)

तथैव तस्माद्वृक्षाच्च पुरुषौ द्वौ विनिर्गतौ । द्योतयंतौ दिशः सर्वास्तेजसा सूर्यसन्निभौ

tathaiva tasmādvṛkṣācca puruṣau dvau vinirgatau dyotayaṁtau diśaḥ sarvāstejasā sūryasannibhau

And from that very tree emerged two men, illumining all the directions with a radiance like the sun,

Verse 40 (skanda.2.105.40)

प्रणामं चक्रतुस्तौ हि हरिमेधसुमेधयोः । हरिमेधसुमेधौ तौ तौ दृष्ट्वा भयविह्वलौ

praṇāmaṁ cakratustau hi harimedhasumedhayoḥ harimedhasumedhau tau tau dṛṣṭvā bhayavihvalau

and they bowed to Harimedhas and Sumedhas. Harimedhas and Sumedhas, seeing those two, were overcome with fear,

Verse 41 (skanda.2.105.41)

ऊचतुर्विस्मयाविष्टौ तावुभौ देवसन्निभौ । हरिमेधसुमेधसावूचतुः । युवां कौ देवसंकाशौ भवंतौ सर्वमंगलौ । मंदारमालां तरुणां धारयंतौ तथाऽमरौ । नमस्कार्यौ तथाऽऽवाभ्यां पूज्यौ च सुररूपिणौ

ūcaturvismayāviṣṭau tāvubhau devasannibhau harimedhasumedhasāvūcatuḥ yuvāṁ kau devasaṁkāśau bhavaṁtau sarvamaṁgalau maṁdāramālāṁ taruṇāṁ dhārayaṁtau tathā'marau namaskāryau tathā''vābhyāṁ pūjyau ca surarūpiṇau

and, filled with astonishment, both of them, who resembled gods, spoke. Harimedhas and Sumedhas said: 'Who are you two, resembling gods, all-auspicious, wearing garlands of fresh mandara flowers, like immortals? You are to be saluted and worshipped by us, having the form of gods.'

Verse 42 (skanda.2.105.42)

इत्युक्तौ ब्राह्मणाभ्यां तावूचतुर्वृक्षनिर्गतौ । युवामेव पिता माता आवयोश्च तथा गुरुः

ityuktau brāhmaṇābhyāṁ tāvūcaturvṛkṣanirgatau yuvāmeva pitā mātā āvayośca tathā guruḥ

Thus addressed by the two brahmins, those two who had emerged from the tree said: 'You two alone are our father, our mother, and likewise our guru,'

Verse 43 (skanda.2.105.43)

बंध्वादयस्तथा चैव युवामेव न संशयः । ज्येष्ठ उवाच । अहं तु देवलोकस्य आस्तीकोनाम नामतः

baṁdhvādayastathā caiva yuvāmeva na saṁśayaḥ jyeṣṭha uvāca ahaṁ tu devalokasya āstīkonāma nāmataḥ

'and likewise our kinsman and all — you two alone, without doubt.' The elder said: 'I am of the world of the gods, named Astika,'

Verse 44 (skanda.2.105.44)

अप्सरोगणसंवीतः कदाचिन्नंदन वनम् । क्रीडार्थमगमं चाद्रौ विषयासक्त चेतनः

apsarogaṇasaṁvītaḥ kadācinnaṁdana vanam krīḍārthamagamaṁ cādrau viṣayāsakta cetanaḥ

'surrounded by a host of Apsarases; once, my mind attached to sensual pleasures, I went for sport to Nandana grove on the mountain,'

Verse 45 (skanda.2.105.45)

रेमिरे देववनिता यथाकामं मया सह । मुक्तामल्लिकमाल्यानि निपेतुस्तानि योषिताम्

remire devavanitā yathākāmaṁ mayā saha muktāmallikamālyāni nipetustāni yoṣitām

'and celestial women sported with me as they pleased; garlands of pearls and jasmine fell from those women,'

Verse 46 (skanda.2.105.46)

तपतो रोमशस्यैव तद्दृष्ट्वा कुपितो मुनिः । योषितां नाऽपराधोयं यासां वै परतंत्रता

tapato romaśasyaiva taddṛṣṭvā kupito muniḥ yoṣitāṁ nā'parādhoyaṁ yāsāṁ vai parataṁtratā

'falling upon Romasha, who was practicing austerities; seeing this, that sage became angry. He thought: This is not the fault of the women, who are indeed under another's control;'

Verse 47 (skanda.2.105.47)

अयमेव दुराचारः शापार्ह इति चाऽब्रवीत् । त्वं ब्रह्मराक्षसो भूत्वा वटवृक्षे चरेति माम्

ayameva durācāraḥ śāpārha iti cā'bravīt tvaṁ brahmarākṣaso bhūtvā vaṭavṛkṣe careti mām

'this one alone is the wrongdoer, deserving of a curse' — so he said, and cursed me: 'Become a brahma-rakshasa and dwell in a banyan tree.'

Verse 48 (skanda.2.105.48)

प्रसादितो मया सोऽथ विशापमपि दत्तवान् । तुलसीपत्रमाहात्म्यं विष्णोर्नाम तथा द्विजात्

prasādito mayā so'tha viśāpamapi dattavān tulasīpatramāhātmyaṁ viṣṇornāma tathā dvijāt

'When propitiated by me, he then also granted release from the curse, saying: When you hear, from a brahmin, of the greatness of the tulasi leaf and the name of Vishnu,'

Verse 49 (skanda.2.105.49)

यदा शृणोषि सद्यस्त्वं विमुक्तिं यास्यसे पराम् । इति शप्तस्तु मुनिना चिरकालं सुदुःखितः

yadā śṛṇoṣi sadyastvaṁ vimuktiṁ yāsyase parām iti śaptastu muninā cirakālaṁ suduḥkhitaḥ

'you shall at once attain supreme liberation. Thus cursed by the sage, greatly suffering for a long time,'

Verse 50 (skanda.2.105.50)

वसाम्यत्र वटे दैवाद्भवद्दर्शनतो ध्रुवम् । मुक्तिर्जाता विप्रशापाद्द्वितीयस्य कथां शृणु

vasāmyatra vaṭe daivādbhavaddarśanato dhruvam muktirjātā vipraśāpāddvitīyasya kathāṁ śṛṇu

'I dwelt here in this banyan tree; and now, by fate, through the sight of you, my liberation has certainly come about. Now hear the story of the second one.'

Verse 51 (skanda.2.105.51)

अयं मुनिवरः पूर्वं गुरुशुश्रूषणे रतः । गुरोराज्ञामनादृत्य ब्रह्मराक्षसतां गतः

ayaṁ munivaraḥ pūrvaṁ guruśuśrūṣaṇe rataḥ gurorājñāmanādṛtya brahmarākṣasatāṁ gataḥ

'This excellent sage was formerly devoted to the service of his guru; but once, disregarding his guru's command, he became a brahma-rakshasa.'

Verse 52 (skanda.2.105.52)

युष्मत्प्रसादादधुना ब्रह्मशापाद्विमोचितः । तीर्थयात्राफलं चैव युवाभ्यामिह साधितम्

yuṣmatprasādādadhunā brahmaśāpādvimocitaḥ tīrthayātrāphalaṁ caiva yuvābhyāmiha sādhitam

'By your grace, he is now freed from the brahmin's curse; and the fruit of pilgrimage has been accomplished by you two here.'

Verse 53 (skanda.2.105.53)

उत्तरोत्तरपुण्यानि वर्धंते च दिनेदिने । इत्युक्त्वा तौ मुनिवरौ प्रणम्य च पुनःपुनः

uttarottarapuṇyāni vardhaṁte ca dinedine ityuktvā tau munivarau praṇamya ca punaḥpunaḥ

'Merits multiply, each greater than the last, day by day.' Having said this, and having bowed again and again to those two excellent sages,

Verse 54 (skanda.2.105.54)

तावनुज्ञाप्य तौ धाम जग्मतुः परया मुदा । ततस्तौ तीर्थयात्रार्थं परमौ मुनिपुंगवौ

tāvanujñāpya tau dhāma jagmatuḥ parayā mudā tatastau tīrthayātrārthaṁ paramau munipuṁgavau

having taken leave of them, those two went to their heavenly abode with great joy. Then those two supreme, foremost of sages,

Verse 55 (skanda.2.105.55)

शंसंतौ तुलसीं पुण्यां जग्मतुर्मुनिपुंगव । एवं नारद माहात्म्यं तुलस्याः को नु वर्णयेत्

śaṁsaṁtau tulasīṁ puṇyāṁ jagmaturmunipuṁgava evaṁ nārada māhātmyaṁ tulasyāḥ ko nu varṇayet

praising the sacred tulasi, went on their way, O best of sages. Thus, O Narada, who indeed could fully describe the greatness of tulasi?

Verse 56 (skanda.2.105.56)

तस्मान्नारद मासेऽस्मिन्कार्तिके हरितुष्टिदे । कर्तव्या तुलसीपूजा नाऽत्र कार्या विचारणा

tasmānnārada māse'sminkārtike harituṣṭide kartavyā tulasīpūjā nā'tra kāryā vicāraṇā

Therefore, O Narada, in this month of Kartika, which gladdens Hari, the worship of tulasi should be performed; there is no need to deliberate on this.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.105.57)

एवमंग व्रतान्येव प्रोक्तानि मुनिसत्तम । उपांगानि प्रवक्ष्यामि वालखिल्योदितानि च

evamaṁga vratānyeva proktāni munisattama upāṁgāni pravakṣyāmi vālakhilyoditāni ca

Thus, O best of sages, the main observances have been declared; now I shall tell the subsidiary observances, as spoken by the Valakhilyas.