O noble sage, hear now of the supreme greatness of Tulasi, the sacred plant revered throughout the three worlds. In heaven, on earth, and in the realms below, Tulasi is exceedingly rare among the virtuous, and devotion to her alone brings attainment of all four aims of life—dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa. Wherever even a single Tulasi plant stands, all the gods, including Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Śiva, and others, are present. Within the Tulasi leaf itself, Keśava dwells at the center, Prajāpati at the tip, and Śiva at the base. The divine goddesses—Lakṣmī, Sarasvatī, Gāyatrī, Caṇḍikā, and the wives of all the gods—abide upon her leaves. On her branches reside Indra, Agni, Yama, Nairṛta, Varuṇa, Vāyu, and Kubera. All the planets beginning with the sun, the Viśvedevas, the Vasus, the sages, and all the divine ṛṣis are always present there. Indeed, all the holy places that exist across countless universes on earth take refuge in the Tulasi leaf and dwell there. Whoever serves Tulasi with devotion is, in turn, served by the holy places and the gods, beginning with Brahmā himself. If one cuts the grass at the root of Tulasi, Hari at once destroys the sin of brahma-hatyā that dwells in that person’s body. In the heat of summer, anyone who waters Tulasi with fragrant, cool water attains liberation. One who offers moonlight or shade to Tulasi in the hot season is freed from all sins. To water Tulasi in the month of Vaiśākha with a continuous stream of water yields the perpetual merit of the Aśvamedha sacrifice. Even watering her with a small amount of water grants heaven, free from all sin. Whenever a noble person waters Tulasi with milk, Lakṣmī herself becomes steadfast in that home. If one smears the root of Tulasi with cow dung and sweeps it clean, for every dust particle removed, that person enjoys with Viṣṇu for thousands of aeons. Placing a lamp at the base of Tulasi during twilight brings one, along with countless generations, to Viṣṇu’s abode. Whoever protects Tulasi from cows, dogs, donkeys, humans, and children is always protected by Keśava. Whoever plants Tulasi with devotion, at the time of death, surely attains the highest liberation. There is no doubt. One who, filled with devotion, beholds Tulasi in the morning gains the inexhaustible fruit of seeing Viṣṇu himself. With devotion, those who bow to Tulasi find their lifespan, strength, fame, wealth, and progeny all increase. By merely remembering Tulasi, all sins are destroyed; by touching her, all diseases are dispelled. Whoever eats the auspicious leaf of Tulasi, which removes all sin, is freed from sin at that very moment. If a person wears a garland made from Tulasi wood, there remains no sin in his body—this is indeed true. Carrying on the head water in which Tulasi leaves have been dipped bestows the merit of bathing in the Gaṅgā, without doubt. One who worships the auspicious Tulasi with dūrvā grass, unbroken flowers, and offerings, with devotion, attains the fruit of worshiping Viṣṇu himself. O Brāhmaṇas, if one has worshiped the divine Tulasi with offerings, flowers, incense, and ghee lamps—gaining the highest rewards of dharma, wealth, desire, and immortality—what need is there for other acts of worship at Viṣṇu’s feet? Wherever Tulasi, dear to Hari, is planted in a pure place and served by hosts of gods, Hari, Lord of the three worlds and slayer of Mura, is pleased and quickly grants his supreme abode. Whatever sacrifice, vow, ancestor worship, worship of Acyuta, charity, or other auspicious act is performed on the pure ground of Tulasi, all such merit becomes inexhaustible. But, O best of twice-born, whatever righteous act is performed on earth without the dearest Tulasi of Nārāyaṇa, all of it is fruitless—even the lotus-eyed Lord is not pleased. During pilgrimages, if one sees the auspicious and pure Tulasi with devotion, by Hari’s grace, all the fruits of pilgrimage are quickly attained—this is my firm word. The Lord of the worlds, forsaking even the most fragrant flowers—mandāra, kunda, lotus, and others—delights in the virtuous Tulasi, even if she is dry, for she is endowed with good qualities and destroys abundant sin. Yet, those who, out of sinful intent, uproot Tulasi and cast her on the ground—she who is like the nectar-creeper and source of immortality—Narahari, fond of Tulasi, takes away their prosperity forever; this is the truth. Even those who defile the ground of Tulasi with filth, Hari quickly removes their accumulated wealth. Therefore, when gathering Tulasi leaves for the worship of Nārāyaṇa, one should offer obeisance, for even with pārijāta flowers and fragrances, Keśava is worshiped. Without you, O auspicious one, satisfaction is not attained, so I gather you; without you, all action is fruitless. O goddess Tulasi, as I gather you, be gracious! Whatever pain arises in your heart from being plucked, O goddess, forgive that, O Tulasi, O Lord of the universe; I bow to you. When, with joined palms and devotion, a Vaiṣṇava gathers a Tulasi leaf, the branch does not tremble. But if, in gathering a leaf, the branch of the goddess Tulasi is broken, pain arises in the heart of Viṣṇu, the Lord of Tulasi. Thus, O sage, know the sacred greatness of Tulasi, whose presence and service bring countless blessings, and whose neglect or harm brings sorrow even to the gods.