संप्राप्ते कार्तिके मासि तुलस्याः पूजनं हरेः
When the month of Kārtika arrives, one should worship Hari with tulasī.
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन तुलस्याः कोमलैर्दलैः
Therefore, with all effort, one should worship with tender leaves of tulasī.
रोपिता तुलसी यावत्कुरुते मूलविस्तरम् 2.4.8.
As long as the planted tulasī spreads its roots—
तुलसीपत्रसंयुक्तजले स्नानं चरेद्यदि
If one bathes with water mixed with tulasī leaves—
वृन्दावनं च कुरुते रोपणार्थं महामुने
And he establishes a grove of tulasī for the purpose of planting, O great sage—
तुलसीकाननं ब्रह्मन्गृहे यस्याऽवतिष्ठते
O Brāhmaṇa, in whose house a grove of tulasī stands—
सर्वपापहरं पुण्यं कामदं तुलसीवनम्
The grove of tulasi removes all sin, brings merit, and fulfills desires.
तुलसीकाष्ठसंयुक्तं गन्धं यो धारयेन्नरः
Whoever wears fragrance mixed with tulasi wood, O man,
तुलसीविपिनच्छाया यत्र चैव भवेद्द्विज
Wherever there is the shade of a tulasi thicket, O twice-born,
यत्कृते तुलसीपत्रं कर्णे शिरसि दृश्यते
For whose sake a tulasi leaf is seen on the ear or head,
तुलस्या महिमां यस्तु शृणुयान्नित्यमादृतः
Whoever listens with reverence daily to the glory of tulasi,
अत्रैवोदाहरंतीममितिहासं पुरातनम्
Here I shall recount an ancient legend as an example.
पुरा काश्मीरदेशे तु ब्राह्मणौ संबभूवतुः 2.4.8.
Long ago, in the land of Kashmir, two brahmins were born.
सर्वभूतदयायुक्तौ सर्वतत्त्वार्थवेदिनौ
They were endowed with compassion for all beings and knew the meaning of all truths.
गच्छतावेकतो विप्रौ कांतारे श्रमविह्वलौ
As the two brahmins traveled together, exhausted in the wilderness,
तयोः सुमेधास्तद्दृष्ट्वा तुलसीकाननं महत्
Sumedhas, seeing that great tulasi forest,
दृष्ट्वैतद्धरिमेधास्तु उवाच परया मुदा
Having seen it, Harimedhas spoke with supreme joy.
हरिमेधा उवाच किमर्थं विप्र देवेषु तीर्थेषु च व्रतेषु च
Harimedhas said: For what reason, O brahmin, among gods, sacred places, and vows,
आतपो बाधते ह्यावां गत्वैतद्वटसन्निधौ
The heat afflicts us; let us go to the shade of that banyan tree.
तस्यच्छायां समाश्रित्य वक्ष्यामि ते यथार्थतः
Taking shelter in its shade, I will tell you the truth as it is.
वटं जगाम धर्मज्ञो महत्कोटरसंयुतम्
The righteous one went to the banyan, which had a great hollow.
श्रूयतां विप्रशार्दूल तुलस्यास्तूत्तमां कथाम्
Listen, O best of brahmins, to the supreme story of tulasi.
पुरा दुर्वाससः शापाद्गतैश्वर्ये पुरंदरे 2.4.8.
Long ago, due to the curse of Durvasa, Purandara lost his sovereignty.
ऐरावतः कल्पतरुश्चन्द्रमाः कमला तथा
Airavata, the wish-fulfilling tree, the moon, and Kamala likewise.
हरीतक्यादयश्चाऽपि दिव्या ओषधयस्तथा
And likewise, haritaki and other divine herbs.
ततः पीयूषकलशमजरामरदायकम् अवेक्ष्य मनसा सद्यः परां निर्वृतिमाप ह
Then, seeing the vessel of nectar, which grants freedom from old age and death, he immediately attained supreme contentment in his mind.
तस्मिन्पीयूषकलश आनन्दास्रोदबिन्दवः
Within that vessel of nectar were drops of the stream of bliss.
सर्व लक्षणसंपन्ना सर्वाभरणभूषिता
She was endowed with all auspicious marks and adorned with every ornament.
तत्रोत्पन्नां तथा लक्ष्मीं तुलसीं च ददुर्हरेः
There, they gave to Hari the Lakshmi and Tulasi who had arisen.
ततोऽतीव प्रियकरा तुलसी जगतां पतेः
Then Tulasi became exceedingly dear to the Lord of the worlds.