Listen now to this sacred narrative, as revealed in the Padma Purana. Lord Vishnu, speaking to a devoted Brahmin, describes the qualities that bring him joy and those that invoke his displeasure. He says, “I am always pleased with one who is free from harming others, who carefully considers again and again before acting, and who seeks the welfare of cows and Brahmins. I am pleased with those who uphold their own word, who earnestly approach those seeking refuge, and who give gifts to those who cannot repay. My favor rests on those whose minds are always fixed upon me. In brief, these are the actions that delight me.” Then, Lord Vishnu warns of actions that anger him: “Hear from me, O Brahmin, the deeds that provoke my wrath. I am angered by one who delights in harming others, who is merciless toward all creatures, who speaks falsely, is cruel, and slanders others. I treat as an enemy the one who destroys the works of poets, who abandons parents, wife, brother, or sister without cause, or who rebukes his parents. Disrespect toward the teacher also earns my enmity. Those who cut down groves or destroy reservoirs, those who destroy villages, those who despair upon seeing another’s wife, and those who listen to sinful discussions—all these anger me. Fools who hate their protector, who seize the property of the helpless, or betray trust, I am always angry with them. Those who kill cows for their strength, who are husbands of outcast women, or who cut down sacred fig trees, or who create division among Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, or who are excessively attached to another’s wife—all provoke my wrath. Sinful men who, out of greed, eat on Ekadashi, those who revile the Vedas, who are devoted to wicked thoughts, or inclined to betray friends, those who cut down the dhatri tree, or who, overcome by desire, engage in intercourse during the day, those who approach a menstruating woman, or who, out of delusion, go to a woman whose period has not been seen, those who disturb someone engaged in a vow, or who eat at night on the new moon or guest days, those who eat two meals on a Sunday, and those who do not abstain from meat, intercourse, or oil on the new moon day—all these anger me. I am always angry with those who do not give up these things. I am always angry with those who revile Vaishnavas. Having spoken thus, Lord Vishnu suddenly became invisible. The Brahmin, awakened by Keshava’s words, rose from his bed, abandoning sleep, and became devoted to Hari. He forsook all other duties and engaged in ritual practice, even partaking of Narayana’s offering. Such is the fruit of devotion to Hari. I do not know the full result that comes to one who worships Hari, but I will tell you briefly—listen, O noble Jaimini. By worshipping Hari even once, one attains the supreme state. Human birth is rare in this world, and worship of the wielder of the discus is rarer still. Even among those born as humans, devotion is exceedingly rare. For the one who desires to cross the ocean of worldly existence, filled with sorrows, the noble should always worship Vasudeva with devotion, for he is the doer of all actions. Later, Suta tells us, Jaimini, hearing the fruit of Ekadashi, was greatly pleased. With joined palms, he spoke to Krishna Dvaipayana (Vyasa): “By your grace I have heard of Vishnu’s greatness. Tell me now the greatness of Tulasi, which destroys sin for those who listen.” Vyasa replied: “O Brahmin, Tulasi, the blessed one, is always served by all the gods, including Indra and the others. She grants the fruits of the four aims of life. In heaven, on earth, and in the underworld, Tulasi is rare among the virtuous; devotion to her indeed brings attainment of the four aims of life. Where even a single Tulasi tree stands, O noble one, there all the gods, including Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and others, reside. Keśava dwells in the center of the leaf, Prajāpati at its tip, and Śiva always resides at the base of the tulasī leaf. Lakṣmī, Sarasvatī, Gāyatrī, Caṇḍikā, and all other wives of the gods also reside upon those leaves. Indra, Agni, Yama, Nairṛta, Varuṇa, Vāyu, and Kubera dwell upon the branches of the tulasī. All the planets beginning with the sun, the Viśvedevas, the Vasus, sages, and all divine rishis always reside there. All the sacred places that exist within countless universes on earth take refuge in the tulasī leaf and dwell there. Whoever serves tulasī with devotion is served by the sacred places and the gods, beginning with Brahmā. Those who cut the grass at the root of tulasī, Hari instantly destroys the brahma-hatya (sin of killing a brāhmaṇa) residing in their body. O best of twice-born, whoever waters tulasī in summer with fragrant and cool water attains liberation.” Thus, the greatness of devotion to Hari and to Tulasi is revealed, showing the path to supreme attainment and liberation for all who listen and follow with reverence.