Exploring the Mystical Glories of Tulasi Devi – Hari-bhakti-vilasa 2

In the heart of ancient scripture, a divine narrative unfolds—the tales of a celestial plant, Tulasi Devi, intricately woven into the fabric of devotion. As we dive into the Hari-bhakti-vilas, we embark on a journey resonating with the glories of tulasi leaves, “tulasī dala saṁmiśraṁ harer yacchecca tat sadā,” it says, urging the faithful to offer food adorned with tulasi leaves to the Lord. This article endeavors to unravel the mystical allure of Tulasi Devi, exploring her origin during the churning of the ocean of milk and the profound reverence she holds in the eyes of Krishna. Join us as we traverse through scripture unraveling the profound significance of tulasi in the spiritual tapestry of devotion.

ataivoktaṁ gāruḍe naivedya-prasaṅge
Regarding the food that is to be offered to the Lord from the Garuda Purana

7.265
tulasī dala saṁmiśraṁ
harer yacchecca tat sadā

One should always offer food to the Lord with tulasi leaves

7.266
bhagavad durlabha āyāstu
tulasyā mahimādbhutaḥ
sarvvaśāstreṣu vikhyātaḥ
saṅkṣepeṇeha likhyate

The indescribable glories of tulasi, which is very dear to the Supreme Lord, is declared in all scriptures. In this book, we will briefly describe them.

aha tulasī-māhātmyam
The glories of tulasi

tatra svataḥ paramottamatā skānde
Her natural greatness is described in the Skanda Purana as follows

7.267
sarvvoṣadhi rasanaiva
purā hi amṛtamanthane
sarvvasattvopa kārāya
viṣṇunā tulasī kṛtā

Long ago, at the time of the churning of the ocean of milk, for the benefit of all living entities, Lord Visnu created tulasi, which contains the essence of all medicinal herbs.

Note by Nandini Tulasi das:

Statements like these about Tulasi Devi are very common and can be confusing without context. There is a section from the Padma Purana that explains Tulasi Devi’s appearance in the material world though the churning of the milk ocean:

mathanād deva-daityānāṁ
kanyā-ratna-catuṣṭayam
varuṇena darśitaṁ pūrvaṁ
somenaiva tathā punaḥ

Due to the churning done by the demigods and demons four precious maidens came out whom Lord Varuna first pointed out and again Lord Soma also. (Padma Purana 2.119.6)

sulakṣmīr nāma sā caikā
dvitīyā vāruṇī tathā
jyeṣṭhā nāma tathākhyātā
kāmodānyā pracakṣate

The first one was Goddess Sulakṣmī by name. The second was Goddess Varuṇi. The third was known as Goddess Jyestha. The other one was called Goddess Kamoda. (Padma Purana 2.119.8)

amṛtasya taraṅgāc ca
kāmodākhyā babhūva ha

The one called Goddess Kamoda, has come up from the ripple of the nectar. (Padma Purāṇa 2.119.10)

amṛtād utthitā devī
kāmodā nāma puṇyadā
viṣṇoḥ prītyai bhaviṣye tu
vṛkṣa-rūpaṁ prayāsyati

The Goddess Kamoda, giver of merit, sprang from the nectar. In the future She will have the form of a tree for the pleasure of Lord Vishnu. (Padma Purāṇa 2.119.13)

viṣṇu-prīti-karī sā tu
bhaviṣyati sadaiva hi
tulasī-nāma sā puṇyā
bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

She will always delight Lord Vishnu. She, the auspicious one, will certainly be known by the name Tulasi. (Padma Purāṇa 2.119.14)

— End note —

7.268
etaeva
It has therefore been said

na viprasadyśaṁ pātraṁ
na dānaṁ surabhīsamam
na ca gaṅgasamaṁ tīrthaṁ
na patraṁ tulasīsamam

There is no better recipient of charity then a brahmana. There is no better charity than the gift of a cow. There is no water more sanctified than the water of the Ganges, and there is no better leaf than a tulasi leaf.

7.269
ataeva ca viṣṇurahasye
Therefore, in the Viṣṇu-rahasya it is stated

abhinnapatrāṁ haritāṁ hi
adyamañjari saṁyutāṁ
ksīrodārṇava sambhūtāṁ
tulasīṁ dāpayed hareḥ

One should offer leaves that are not torn and beautiful manjaris of tulasi, who appeared from the ocean of milk and presented herself before Hari.

7.270
śrī bhagavad durllabhatā
tulasi is very dear to the Lord

nāradīye
In the Narada Purana it is stated

tāvad garjanti puṣpāṇi
mālatyādīni bhūsura
yāvanna prāpyate puṇyā
tulasī kṛṣṇavallabhā 

O brahmana, until the arrival of tulasi, who is very dear to Kṛṣṇa, flowers such as malati can display their pride.

7.271-272
viṣṇurahasye
In the Vishnu-rahasya it is stated

kṛṣṇā vāpyatha vāha kṛṣṇā
tulasī kṛṣṇa vallabhā
sitā vāpyathavā kṛṣṇā
dvādaśī vallabhā hareḥ

tāvad garjjanti ratnāni
kaustubhā dīni harniśam
yāvanna prāpyate kṛṣṇā
tulasī patra mañjarī

All kinds of tulasi, whether red or green, are dear to Sri Krishna, just as the Dwadashi of the waxing and waning moon are dear to him. Jewels, such as the Kaustubha, can exhibit their pride only as long as tulasi leaves or manjaris are not available. In other words, such jewels have little value in front of tulasi.

7.273
agastya saṁhitāyām
In the Agastya-samhita it is stated

pūrvvam ugra tapaḥ kṛtvā
varaṁ vare manasvinī
tulasī sarvvapuṣpebhyaḥ
patrebhyo ballabhā tataḥ

The wise Tulasi-devi had previously performed severe austerities and then had asked for a benediction. Because of this, she has become the most dear to Lord Krishna among all kinds of flowers and leaves.

7.274
pādme vaiśākha māhātmye śrī yamabrāhmaṇa saṁvāde
In a conversation between Yama and a Brahmana found in the Vaisakha-mahatmya section of the Padma Purana, it is stated…
sarvvāsāṁ patrajātīnāṁ
tulasī keśavapriyā

Among all kinds of leaves, tulasi leaves are most dear to Lord Keśava.

We welcome you to read our other articles on the glories of Tulasi Devi as found in sastra, including more from the hari-bhakti-vilasa.

Bibliography

• Gosvami, Sanatana. Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa Volume Two, Vilasas 6-10 (Bhumipati Dasa trans.) Vrindavan: Rasbihari Lal & Sons, 2005. Print.
• Swami, Bhakti Visrambha Madhava. Tulasyamrta, The Nectar of Srimati Tulasi Devi. Vrindavan: Author, 2012. Print.