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.
सा तु देवगणैः सर्वैर्विष्णुवत्पूज्यते प्रिया
She is worshipped by all the hosts of gods, beloved like Vishnu.
तस्मात्तस्या नमस्कारो मया विप्र कृतस्ततः
Therefore, O Brahmin, I offered my salutations to her.
आराददृश्यत महद्विमानं सूर्यवर्चसम् 2.4.8.
Then a great celestial vehicle, radiant like the sun, appeared.
तथैव तस्माद्वृक्षाच्च पुरुषौ द्वौ विनिर्गतौ
Likewise, from that tree, two men emerged.
प्रणामं चक्रतुस्तौ हि हरिमेधसुमेधयोः
Those two made salutations to Harimedha and Sumedha.
ऊचतुर्विस्मयाविष्टौ तावुभौ देवसन्निभौ
Both, filled with wonder and resembling gods, spoke.
हरिमेधसुमेधसावूचतुः मंदारमालां तरुणां धारयंतौ तथाऽमरौ
Harimedha and Sumedha said: 'Wearing a fresh garland of mandara flowers, thus you are immortal.'
इत्युक्तौ ब्राह्मणाभ्यां तावूचतुर्वृक्षनिर्गतौ
Thus addressed by the two Brahmins, those who had emerged from the tree replied.
बंध्वादयस्तथा चैव युवामेव न संशयः
Likewise, Bandhva and others, surely you two are youthful, without doubt.
अप्सरोगणसंवीतः कदाचिन्नंदन वनम्
Surrounded by groups of apsaras, in the Nandana forest.