Scriptures

Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam

BOOK 9 • CHAPTER 25
Ch 25 Verse 1-2 Verse
Sanskrit Text
९.२५ पञ्चविंशोऽध्यायः । तुलसीपूजाविधिवर्णनम् । नारद उवाच । तुलसी च यदा पूज्या कृता नारायणप्रिया । अस्याः पूजाविधानं च स्तोत्रं च वद साम्प्रतम् ॥ १ ॥ केन पूजा कृता केन स्तुता प्रथमतो मुने । तत्र पूज्या सा बभूव केन वा वद मामहो ॥ २ ॥
English Translation
Nārada said :-- When the Devī Tulasī has been made so dear to Nārāyaṇa and thus an object for worship, then describe Her worship and Stotra (the hymn of Tulasī) now. O Muni! By whom was She first worshipped? By whom were Her glories first sung? And how did She become therefore an object of worship? Speak out all these to me.
Ch 25 Verse 3 Verse
Sanskrit Text
सूत उवाच । नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा प्रहस्य मुनिपुङ्गवः । कथां कथितुमारेभे पुण्यां पापहरां पराम् ॥ ३ ॥
English Translation
Sūta said :-- Hearing these words of Nārada, Nārāyaṇa, laughing, began to describe this very holy and sin-destroying account of Tulasī.
Ch 25 Verse 4-5 Verse
Sanskrit Text
श्रीनारायण उवाच । हरिः सम्पूज्य तुलसीं रेमे च रमया सह । रमासमानसौभाग्यां चकार गौरवेण च ॥ ४ ॥ सेहे च लक्ष्मीर्गङ्गा च तस्याश्च नवसङ्गमम् । सौभाग्यगौरवं कोपात्ते न सेहे सरस्वती ॥ ५ ॥
English Translation
Nārāyaṇa said :-- Bhagavān Hari duly worshipped Tulasī, and began to enjoy her with Lakṣmī; He raised Tulasī to the rank of Lakṣmī and thus made her fortunate and glorious Lakṣmī and Gaṅgā allowed and bore this new union of Nārāyaṇa and Tulasī. But Sarasvatī could not endure this high position of Tulasī owing to Her anger.
Ch 25 Verse 6-7 Verse
Sanskrit Text
सा तां जघान कलहे मानिनी हरिसन्निधौ । व्रीडया चापमानेन सान्तर्धानं चकार ह ॥ ६ ॥ सर्वसिद्धेश्वरी देवी ज्ञानिनां सिद्धियोगिनी । जगामादर्शनं कोपात्सर्वत्र च हरेरहो ॥ ७ ॥
English Translation
She became self-conceited and beat Tulasī on some quarrel before Hari. Tulasī became abashed and insulted and vanished off. Being the Īśvarī of all the Siddhis, the Devī, the Self-manifest and the Giver of the Siddhiyoga to the Jñānins, Tulasī, Oh! what a wonder, became angry and turned out as invisible to Śrī Hari even.
Ch 25 Verse 8-9 Verse
Sanskrit Text
हरिर्न दृष्ट्वा तुलसीं बोधयित्वा सरस्वतीम् । तदनुज्ञां गहीत्वा च जगाम तुलसीवनम् ॥ ८ ॥ तत्र गत्वा च सुस्नातो हरिः स तुलसीं सतीम् । पूजयामास तां ध्यात्वा स्तोत्रं भक्त्या चकार ह ॥ ९ ॥
English Translation
Not seeing Tulasī, Hari appeased Sarasvatī and getting Her permission went to the Tulasī forest. Going there and taking a bath in due accord, and with due rites, worshipped with His whole heart the chaste Tulasī and then began to meditate on Her with devotion.
Ch 25 Verse 10-11 Verse
Sanskrit Text
लक्ष्मीमायाकामवाणीबीजपूर्वं दशाक्षरम् । वृन्दावनीति ङेऽन्तं च वह्निजायान्तमेव च ॥ १० ॥ अनेन कल्पतरुणा मन्त्रराजेन नारद । पूजयेद्यो विधानेन सर्वसिद्धिं लभेद् ध्रुवम् ॥ ११ ॥
English Translation
O Nārada! He gets certainly all siddhis who worships Tulasī duly with the ten lettered mantra :-- “Śrīm Hrīm Klīm Aim Vrindāvanyai Svāhā,” the King of mantras, yielding fruits and all gratifications like the Kalpa Tree.
Ch 25 Verse 12-13 Verse
Sanskrit Text
घृतदीपेन धूपेन सिन्दूरचन्दनेन च । नैवेद्येन च पुष्पेण चोपचारेण नारद ॥ १२ ॥ हरिस्तोत्रेण तुष्टा सा चाविर्भूता महीरुहात् । प्रसन्ना चरणाम्भोजे जगाम शरणं शुभा ॥ १३ ॥
English Translation
O Nārada! At the time of worship, the lamp of ghee, was lighted and dhūp, sindūra, sandal, offerings of food, flowers, etc., were offered to Her. Thus hymned by Hari, Tulasī came out of the tree, pleased. And She gladly took refuge at His lotus feet.
Ch 25 Verse 14-15 Verse
Sanskrit Text
वरं तस्यै ददौ विष्णुः सर्वपूज्या भवेरिति । अहं त्वां धारयिष्यामि सुरूपां मूर्ध्नि वक्षसि ॥ १४ ॥ सर्वे त्वां धारयिष्यन्ति स्वमूर्ध्नि च सुरादयः । इत्युक्त्वा तां गृहीत्वा च प्रययौ स्वालयं विभुः ॥ १५ ॥
English Translation
Viṣṇu, then, granted her boon that, “You will be worshipped by all; I will keep you in My breast and in My head and the Devas also will hold you on their heads.” And He then took her to His own abode.
Ch 25 Verse 16 Verse
Sanskrit Text
नारद उवाच । किं ध्यानं स्तवनं किं वा किं वा पूजाविधानकम् । तुलस्याश्च महाभाग तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि ॥ १६ ॥
English Translation
Nārada said :-- “O Highly Fortunate One! What is Tulasī’s dhyān, stotra and method of worship? Kindly describe all these.”
Ch 25 Verse 17 Verse
Sanskrit Text
श्रीनारायण उवाच । अन्तर्हितायां तस्यां च हरिर्वृन्दावने तदा । तस्याश्चक्रे स्तुतिं गत्वा तुलसीं विरहातुरः ॥ १७ ॥
English Translation
Nārāyaṇa said :-- When Tulasī vanished, Hari became very much agitated at her bereavement and went to Vrindāvana and began to praise her.
Ch 25 Verse 18-19 Verse
Sanskrit Text
श्रीभगवानुवाच । वृन्दरूपाश्च वृक्षाश्च यदैकत्र भवन्ति च । विदुर्बुधास्तेन वृन्दां मत्प्रियां तां भजाम्यहम् ॥ १८ ॥ पुरा बभूव या देवी त्वादौ वृन्दावने वने । तेन वृन्दावनी ख्याता सौभाग्या तां भजाम्यहम् ॥ १९ ॥
English Translation
The Bhagavān said :-- The Tulasī trees collect in multitudinous groups; hence the Pundits call it Vrindā. I praise that dear Tulasī. Of old, She appeared in the Vrindāvana forest and therefore known as Vrindāvanī. I worship that fortunate and glorious One.
Ch 25 Verse 20-21 Verse
Sanskrit Text
असङ्ख्येषु च विश्वेषु पूजिता या निरन्तरम् । तेन विश्वपूजिताऽऽख्यां पूजितां च भजाम्यहम् ॥ २० ॥ असङ्ख्यानि च विश्वानि पवित्राणि त्वया सदा । तां विश्वपावनीं देवीं विरहेण स्मराम्यहम् ॥ २१ ॥
English Translation
She is worshipped always in innumerable universes and is, therefore, known as Viśvapūjitā (worshipped by all). I worship that Viśvapūjitā. By whose contact, those countless universes are always rendered pure and holy; and therefore She is called Viśvapāvani (purifying the whole universe). I am suffering from her bereavement, I remember the Devī. Without Tulasī, the Devas do not get pleased, though other flowers be heaped on them; therefore She is considered as the essence of all the flowers.
Ch 25 Verse 22-23 Verse
Sanskrit Text
देवा न तुष्टाः पुष्पाणां समूहेन यया विना । तां पुष्पसारां शुद्धां च द्रष्टुमिच्छामि शोकतः ॥ २२ ॥ विश्वे यत्प्राप्तिमात्रेण भक्तानन्दो भवेद् ध्रुवम् । नन्दिनी तेन विख्याता सा प्रीता भवतादिह ॥ २३ ॥
English Translation
Now I am in sorrow and trouble and I am very eager to see her, who is of the nature of purity incarnate. The whole universe gets delighted when the Bhaktas receive her; hence She is called Nandinī; so may She be pleased with me.
Ch 25 Verse 24-25 Verse
Sanskrit Text
यस्या देव्यास्तुला नास्ति विश्वेषु निखिलेषु च । तुलसी तेन विख्याता तां यामि शरणं प्रियाम् ॥ २४ ॥ कृष्णजीवनरूपा सा शश्वत्प्रियतमा सती । तेन कृष्णजीवनी सा सा मे रक्षतु जीवनम् ॥ २५ ॥
English Translation
There is nothing in the universe that can be compared to Her; hence She is called Tulasī; I take refuge of that clear Tulasī. That chaste dear one is the life of Kṛṣṇa, hence She is known as Kṛṣṇajīvanī. Now may She save my life.
Ch 25 Verse 26-27 Verse
Sanskrit Text
इत्येवं स्तवनं कृत्वा तस्थौ तत्र रमापतिः । ददर्श तुलसीं साक्षात्पादपद्मनतां सतीम् ॥ २६ ॥ रुदतीमवमानेन मानिनीं मानपूजिताम् । प्रियां दृष्ट्वा प्रियः शीघ्रं वासयामास वक्षसि ॥ २७ ॥
English Translation
O Nārada! Thus praising, Ramāpatī remained there. The chaste Tulasī then came to His sight and bowed down to His lotus feet; when She becoming sensitive out of the insult, began to weep. Bhagavān Viṣṇu, seeing that sensitive dear one, immediately took her to His breast.
Ch 25 Verse 28-29 Verse
Sanskrit Text
भारत्याज्ञां गहीत्वा च स्वालयं च ययौ हरिः । भारत्या सह तत्प्रीतिं कारयामास सत्वरम् ॥ २८ ॥ वरं विष्णुर्ददौ तस्यै सर्वपूज्या भवेरिति । शिरोधार्या च सर्वेषां वन्द्या मान्या ममेति च ॥ २९ ॥
English Translation
Taking, then, Sarasvatī’s permission, He took her to His own home and brought about, first of all, the agreement between her and Sarasvatī. Then He granted her the boon, “You will be worshipped by all, respected by all, and honoured by all; and all will carry you on their heads.”
Ch 25 Verse 30-31 Verse
Sanskrit Text
विष्णोर्वरेण सा देवी परितुष्टा बभूव च । सरस्वती तामाकृष्य वासयामास सन्निधौ ॥ ३० ॥ लक्ष्मीर्गङ्गा सस्मिता च तां समाकृष्य नारद । गृहं प्रवेशयामास विनयेन सतीं तदा ॥ ३१ ॥
English Translation
I will also worship, respect and honour you and keep you on My head. Receiving this boon from Viṣṇu, the Devī Tulasī became very glad. Sarasvatī then attracted her to her side, made her sit close to her. Lakṣmī and Gaṅgā both with smiling faces attracted her and made her enter into the house.
Ch 25 Verse 32-33 Verse
Sanskrit Text
वृन्दा वृन्दावनी विश्वपूजिता विश्वपावनी । पुष्पसारा नन्दनी च तुलसी कृष्णजीवनी ॥ ३२ ॥ एतन्नामाष्टकञ्चैव स्तोत्रं नामार्थसंयुतम् । यः पठेत्तां च सम्पूज्य सोऽश्वमेधफलं लभेत् ॥ ३३ ॥
English Translation
O Nārada! Whosoever worships her with her eight names Vrindā, Vrindāvanī, Viśvapūjitā, Viśvapāvanī, Tulasī, Puṣpasārā, Nandanī and Kṛṣṇa Jīvanī and their meanings and sings this hymn of eight verses duly, acquires the merit of performing Aśvamedha Yajña (horse sacrifice).
Ch 25 Verse 34-35 Verse
Sanskrit Text
कार्तिक्यां पूर्णिमायां च तुलस्या जन्म मङ्गलम् । तत्र तस्याश्च पूजा च विहिता हरिणा पुरा ॥ ३४ ॥ तस्यां यः पूजयेत्तां च भक्त्या वै विश्वपावनीम् । सर्वपापाद्विनिर्मुक्तो विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति ॥ ३५ ॥
English Translation
Specially, on the Full Moon night of the month of Kārtik, the auspicious birth ceremony of Tulasī is performed. Of old Viṣṇu worshipped her at that time. Whoever worships with devotion on that Full Moon combination, the universe purifying Tulasī, becomes freed of all sins and goes up to the Viṣṇu Loka.
Ch 25 Verse 36-37 Verse
Sanskrit Text
कार्तिके तुलसीपत्रं यो ददाति च विष्णुवे । गवामयुतदानस्य फलं प्राप्नोति निश्चितम् ॥ ३६ ॥ अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रं प्रियाहीनो लभेत्प्रियाम् । बन्धुहीनो लभेद् बन्धून् स्तोत्रश्रवणमात्रतः ॥ ३७ ॥
English Translation
Offerings of Tulasī leaves to Viṣṇu in the month of Kārtik bring merits equal to those in giving away Ayuta Cows. Hearing this stotra at that period gives sons to the sonless persons, wives to the wifeless persons and friends to friendless persons.
Ch 25 Verse 38 Verse
Sanskrit Text
रोगी प्रमुच्यते रोगाद् बद्धो मुच्येत बन्धनात् । भयान्मुच्येत भीतस्तु पापान्मुच्येत पातकी ॥ ३८ ॥
English Translation
On hearing this stotra, the diseased become free of their diseases, the persons in bondage become free, the terrified become fearless, and the sinners are freed of their sins. O Nārada! Thus it has been mentioned how to chant stotra to her. Now hear her dhyān and method of worship.
Ch 25 Verse 39-40 Verse
Sanskrit Text
इत्येवं कथितं स्तोत्रं ध्यानं पूजाविधिं शृणु । त्वमेव वेदे जानासि कण्वशाखोक्तमेव च ॥ ३९ ॥ तद्वृक्षे पूजयेत्तां च भक्त्या चावाहनं विना । तां ध्यात्वा चोपचारेण ध्यानं पातकनाशनम् ॥ ४० ॥
English Translation
In the Vedas, in the Kāṇva Śākhā branch, the method of worship is given. You know that one is to meditate on the Tulasī plant, without any invocation (āvāhana) and then worship her with devotion, presenting all sorts of offerings as required to her. Now hear Her Dhyānam.
Ch 25 Verse 41-43 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तुलसीं पुष्पसारां च सतीं पूतां मनोहराम् । कृतपापेध्मदाहाय ज्वलदग्निशिखोपमाम् ॥ ४१ ॥ पुष्पेषु तुलना यस्या नास्ति वेदेषु भाषितम् । पवित्ररूपा सर्वासु तुलसी सा च कीर्तिता ॥ ४२ ॥ शिरोधार्या च सर्वेषामीप्सिता विश्वपावनी । जीवन्मुक्तां मुक्तिदां च भजे तां हरिभक्तिदाम् ॥ ४३ ॥
English Translation
Of all the flowers, Tulasī (the holy basil) is the best, very holy, and captivating the mind. It is a flame burning away all the fuel of sins committed by man. In the Vedas it is stated that this plant is called Tulasī, because there can be made no comparison with Her amongst all the flowers. She is the holiest of them all. She is placed on the heads of all and desired by all and gives holiness to the universe. She gives Jīvanmukti, mukti and devotion to Śrī Hari. I worship Her.
Ch 25 Verse 44 Verse
Sanskrit Text
इति ध्यात्वा च सम्पूज्य स्तुत्वा च प्रणमेत्सुधीः । उक्तं तुलस्युपाख्यानं किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि ॥ ४४ ॥
Sanskrit Colophon
इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां नवमस्कन्धे तुलसीपूजाविधिवर्णनं नाम पञ्चविशोऽध्यायः ॥ ९.२५॥
English Translation
Thus meditating on Her and worshipping Her according to due rites, one is to bow down to Her. O Nārada! I have described to you the full history of Śrī Tulasī Devī. What more do yo want to hear now, say. Here ends the Twenty-fifth Chapter of the Ninth Book on the method of worship of Tulasī Devī in the Mahāpurāṇam Śrī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa.