O Nārada, among the divine goddesses—Lakṣmī, Sarasvatī, Gaṅgā, and Tulasī—a wondrous event took place. From the body of Tulasī herself, the sacred river Gaṇḍakī arose, flowing forth with sanctity. Within its waters, insects fashioned many kinds of stones, and those found on land were known as piṅgalā, touched by the grace of Hari. Curious and eager, Nārada asked, “I have not heard the method of her worship or her hymn. By whom was she first worshipped and praised, O sage?” Sūta then began to narrate the ancient, meritorious story. Nārāyaṇa explained that Hari made Tulasī equal to Ramā (Lakṣmī) in fortune and honor. Lakṣmī and Gaṅgā endured this new union, but it stirred pride in Tulasī, who struck Lakṣmī in a quarrel before Hari. Tulasī, sovereign of all accomplishments, wise, and a perfected yoginī, was not seen by Hari, so he instructed Sarasvatī. Sarasvatī went to the place, bathed, and Hari worshipped the faithful Tulasī with her own leaves. He invoked the ten-syllable mantra, beginning with the seeds of Lakṣmī, Māyā, Kāma, and Vāṇī: “Śrīṃ hrīṃ klīṃ aiṃ vṛndāvanyai svāhā.” Whoever worships with the proper method attains all accomplishments. With a lamp of ghee, incense, vermilion, and sandalwood, Hari offered his devotion. Pleased by the hymn to Hari, Tulasī emerged from the tree. Viṣṇu granted her a boon: “Be worshipped throughout the world. All the gods and others will themselves bear you upon their heads.” Nārada, ever inquisitive, asked again, “O most fortunate one, please explain to me also about Tulasī.” Nārāyaṇa replied that Hari, tormented by separation, worshipped and praised Tulasī. The Blessed Lord declared, “The wise know Vṛndā as dear to me, and I worship her. She was the goddess in ancient times, first in the forest of Vṛndāvana. She has been constantly worshipped in countless universes, by whom countless worlds are always made pure. Without her, even heaps of flowers cannot satisfy the gods. By her mere attainment with devotion, there is joy in all the worlds. There is no equal to that goddess in all the worlds. She is the very form of Kṛṣṇa’s life, eternally the most beloved and chaste.” Having offered this praise, the Lord of Lakṣmī stood there and saw Tulasī, proud and honored, yet weeping with self-respect. After receiving Bhāratī’s command, Hari returned to his own abode. Viṣṇu then granted Tulasī another boon: “You shall be worshipped by the whole universe.” By Viṣṇu’s grace, the goddess was completely satisfied. Lakṣmī and Gaṅgā, smiling, embraced her warmly. Thus, Vṛndā, the goddess of Vṛndāvana, purifier of the worlds, and worshipped by the universe, was honored. The eightfold name and hymn associated with her are endowed with deep meaning. On the auspicious full moon of Kārtika, Tulasī’s birth is celebrated. Whoever worships her on that day with devotion, the purifier of the world, and whoever offers Tulasī leaves to Viṣṇu in the month of Kārtika, attains great merit and blessings.