Exploring the Mystical Glories of Tulasi Devi – Hari-bhakti-vilasa 3

The timeless proclamation resonates – Tulasi is forever cherished by Lord Vishnu, irrespective of time or circumstance. This article from the Hari-bhakti-vilasa paints a vivid picture of the indescribable glory that comes from worshiping the Lord with tulasi leaves. The narrative unfolds with Vrindadevi’s unwavering devotion, a tale of chastity and divine connection. The Puranas give a poetic analogy drawing parallels between the attachments of yogis, the lustful, and Lord Hari’s unique affection for Tulasi, and sheds light on how Tulasi surpasses even Lakshmi in endearment to Lord Vishnu.

7.275
kiñca 
It is also stated

sarvvathā  sarvvakāleṣu
tulasī viṣṇuvallabhā

Always, and in all circumstances, tulasi is very dear to Lord Vishnu.

7.276-277
tatraivottarakhaṇḍe kārttika māhātmye śrī nāradoktau
Narada has stated in the Kārtika-mahātmya section of the Padma Purāṇa, Uttara Khaṇḍa

tulasī dala pūjāyā
mayā vaktuṁ na śakyaye
atyanta vallabhā sā hi
śālagrāmābhidhe harau 

pātivratyena vṛndāsau
harim ārādhya karmmaṇā
pūrvvajanmani asau lebhe
kṛṣṇa saṁyogam uttamam 

I am unable to describe the glories of worshiping the Lord with an offering of tulasi leaves. Tulasi is extremely dear to Lord Hari in his form as shalagrama-shila. Setting an ideal example of chastity, Vrindadevi had worshiped Lord Hari in her previous life and thereby attained this most glorious position.

7.278
tatraiva śrī vṛndopākhyānānte
At the end of the story of Vrinda in the same literature, it is stated

satyaṁ prītikaraṁ vākyaṁ
kopas tasyāstu tāmasaḥ
bhāvadvayaṁ harau jātaṁ
yat tadvarṇa dvayaṁ hibhūt

śyāmā’pi tulasī viṣṇoḥ
priyā gaurī viśeṣataḥ

Pleasing words spoken by Vrinda-devi are certainly in the mode of goodness, and her wrath is in the mode of ignorance. According to these two qualities of Vrinda, Lord Hari displays two different moods. This is the reason that tulasi has two different colors. Although blackish tulasi is certainly dear to Krishna, green tulasi is especially dear to him.

7.279
dvārakāmāhātmye ca śrī mārkaṇḍeyendradyumna saṁvāde 
In a conversation between Mārkaṇḍeya and Indradyumna found in the Dvārakā-mahātmya, it is stated

yathā lakṣmīḥ priyā viṣṇo
tulasī ca tato’dhikā

Lakshmi is certainly dear to Lord Vishnu, but tulasi is more dear to Him.

7.280-281
Skānde 
In the Skanda Purāṇa it is stated

yogināṁ viratau vāñchā
kāmināñca yathā ratau
puṣpeṣvapi ca sarvveṣu
tulasyāñca tathā hareḥ

nirasya mālatī puṣpaṁ
muktāpuṣpaṁ saroruham
gṛhnnāti tulasīṁ śuṣkām
api paryyuṣitāṁ hariḥ

Just as yogis are very attached to renunciation and lusty people are very attached to sex, Lord Hari is more attached to tulasi leaves than all the other plants. Lord Hari renounces malati, mukta, and lotus flowers and longs for tulasi leaves, even if they are wilted and dry.

7.28
etaeva caturthaskandhe śrī dhruvaṁ prati śrī nāradopadeśe
The following verse is spork by Nārada to Dhruva is found in the Fourth Canto of the Śrimand-Bhāgavatam

salilaiḥ śucibhir mālyair
vanyair mūla-phalādibhiḥ
śastāṅkurāṁśukaiś cārcet
tulasyā priyayā prabhum

One should worship the Lord by offering pure water, pure flower garlands, fruits, flowers, and vegetables, which are available in the forest, or by collecting newly grown grasses, small buds of flowers, or even skins of trees, and if possible, by offering tulasi leaves, which are very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

7.283
rāsakridāyāñca daśamaskandhe śrīgopīnām bhagavadanveṣaṇe 
In the rāsa-līlā section of the Tenth Canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the following verse was spoken by the gopīs

kaccit tulasī kalyāṇi
govinda-caraṇa-priye
saha tvāli-kulair bibhrad
dṛṣṭas te ‘ti-priyo ’cyutaḥ

O most kind tulasi, to whom the feet of Govinda are so dear, have you seen that infallible one walk by, wearing you and encircled by swarms of bees?

7.284
etaeva skānde
Therefore, in the Skanda Purāṇa it is stated

yat phalaṁ sarvvapuṣpeṣu
sarvvapatreṣu nārada
tulasī dala mātreṇa
prāpyate keśavārccane

O Narada, the merit one obtains by worshiping Lord Kesava with offerings of all kinds of flowers and leaves can be obtained simply by worshiping Him with an offering of only one tulasi leaf.

7.285
pādme vaisākhātmye tatraiva 
In the Vaiśākha-mahātmya section of the Padma Purāṇa it is stated

tyaktvā tu mālatī puṣpaṁ
muktvā caiva saroruham
gṛhītvā tulasī patraṁ
bhaktyā mādhava arccayet

tasya puṇyaphalaṁ vaktum
alaṁ śeṣo’pi no bhavet

Even Lord Ananta is unable to estimate the merit one achieves by worshiping Lord Madhava with offerings of tulasi leaves, rather than malati or lotus flowers.

7.286
tatraiva śrī māgha māhātmye devadūtavikuṇḍale saṁvāde 
In a conversation between Devadūta and Vikuṇḍala that is found in the Māgha-mahātmya section of the Padma Purāṇa, it is stated

maṇi kāñcana puṣpāṇi
tathā muktāmayāni ca
tulasī patra dānasya
kalāṁ nārhanti ṣoḍaśim

One does not receive even one-sixteenth the merit that one obtains by offering tulasi leaves to Lord Vishnu if he offers Him golden flowers inlaid with precious jewels and pearls.

We welcome you to read our other articles on 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.