Born from Brahma's Blissful Tears: Tulsi's Sacred Hymns
- Dr.Madhavi Srivastava
- Oct 26
- 6 min read
The Tulsi Upanishad is one of the later Upanishads. It is a concise text consisting of only 16 verses. Tulsi, a plant known since ancient times, holds dual significance: first, as a sacred entity, and second, as a highly regarded medicinal herb. Many people view Tulsi with a divine perspective, offering it daily worship in the morning with water, incense, flowers, and lamps to seek its blessings. Others may not worship Tulsi but consume it regularly due to its medicinal properties.
This Upanishad highlights the spiritual qualities of Tulsi. It begins by describing the sage, deity, meter, and other aspects associated with it, followed by elaborating on the greatness of Tulsi. It explains that the roots, stem, leaves, flowers, and seeds of Tulsi are highly effective in curing diseases and nurturing spiritual qualities.
The text also advises against plucking Tulsi leaves at night. Tulsi is described as akin to nectar and a destroyer of sins. It is considered extremely dear to Lord Vishnu. The Upanishad concludes by stating the benefits of reciting it, thereby bringing the text to a close.
Born from Brahma's Blissful Tears: Tulsi's Sacred Hymns
Born from Brahma's Blissful Tears: Tulsi's Sacred Hymns. Discover Tulsi's divine origin in Brahma's blissful tears and its sacred hymns that inspire devotion and spiritual wisdom.
Translation of Tulasyopanishad into English:
Now begins the description of the Tulsi Upanishad. Its sage (Rishi) is Narada. Its meter (Chhanda) is Atharv-Angiras. Its deity (Devata) is Tulsi, regarded as nectar-like (Amrita). Its seed (Bija) is nectar (Sudha). Its power (Shakti) is Earth (Vasudha). Narayana is the foundation (Keelak) of this Upanishad.
Tulsi is of a dark hue and embodies the form of Krishna. This sacred Tulsi embodies the essence of the Rigveda, reflects the mind of the Yajurveda, and holds the life force (prana) of the Atharvaveda, whose greatness is revealed through texts like Kalpa and other Vedangas and Puranas. Tulsi is born of nectar, akin to a sprig laden with nectar. It is eternal, offering a variety of essences and enjoyments.
Tulsi destroys sins merely by being seen, embodies the supreme Vaishnava form, is beloved of Lord Vishnu, and ends the cycle of birth and death. It sanctifies those who touch it, cures diseases when bowed to, and conquers death when consumed. Offering Tulsi during the worship of Lord Vishnu is believed to ward off calamities, and consuming it is said to bestow life force. Circumambulating Tulsi eradicates poverty, and applying soil from its roots destroys great sins.
The fragrance of Tulsi helps eliminate inner body impurities. One who understands its significance in this way is a true Vaishnava. Tulsi should not be plucked unnecessarily. Wherever it is seen, it should be circumambulated immediately. Tulsi should not be touched at night, nor should it be plucked on festive days. If someone plucks it on a festival day, they become a betrayer of Lord Vishnu.
श्रीतुलस्यै स्वाहा। विष्णुप्रियायै स्वाहा। अमृतायै स्वाहा। श्रीतुलस्यै विद्महे विष्णुप्रियायै धीमहि। तन्नो अमृता प्रचोदयात्॥
Mantra:Shri Tulasyai Swaha. Vishnu Priyaye Swaha. Amritayai Swaha. Shri Tulasyai Vidmahe Vishnupriyaye Dhimahi. Tanno Amrita Prachodayat.
Mantra Meaning:
Shri Tulasyai Swaha.Salutations to Shri Tulsi.
Vishnupriyayai Swaha.Salutations to the one beloved of Lord Vishnu.
Amritayai Swaha.Salutations to the one who is nectar-like and grants immortality.
Shri Tulasyai Vidmahe Vishnupriyayai Dhimahi.We meditate upon Shri Tulsi, who is beloved of Lord Vishnu.
Tanno Amrita Prachodayat.May that nectar-like essence inspire and guide us.
(This mantra expresses surrender to Tulsi, highlights its beloved nature to Lord Vishnu, and acknowledges its nectar-like qualities.)
O daughter of the Ocean of Milk! You are nectar, and in your nectar-like form, you bestow immortality. Therefore, uplift me from the ocean of worldly existence.
O, companion of Goddess Lakshmi! You are filled with bliss and are ever dear to Lord Vishnu. O rare and divine one, holding the gestures of boon-giving and fearlessness in your hands, kindly cast your merciful glance upon me.
O Tulsi, though you are not merely a tree but the embodiment of consciousness, you appear in the form of a tree. Therefore, destroy my inertia or the tree-like qualities within me. O nectar-like one, you are beyond comparison. You do not age, and among millions of comparisons, none can equate to you.
O incomparable one, only Lord Vishnu is equal to you; there is no other. You are beloved of Lord Vishnu and the sustainer of the world.
The deities serve you, and you are the giver of liberation. Lord Vishnu resides in your roots, and Goddess Lakshmi dwells in your shade.
In whose roots reside all the deities, accomplished sages, serpents, and sacred pilgrimage sites, surrounding it on all sides; and in whose centre resides Lord Brahma—
To that Tulsi, in whose upper parts the Vedas and scriptures dwell, I offer my salutations. O Tulsi, you are the companion of Goddess Lakshmi, the bestower of welfare, the remover of sins, and the giver of merit.
O Tulsi, born from the blissful tears of Brahma, you dwell in Vrindavan.
Salutations to you, who are praised by Narada and beloved to the heart of Lord Narayana.
O all-perfect one! You are the nectar-like essence of the Upanishads. Therefore, O beneficent one, uplift us from the immense and impassable ocean of great sins.
O Tulsi! You are the atonement for all sins and are always dear to the gods, sages, and ancestors. If a Brahmin does not use Tulsi in offerings made during the Shraddha ceremony, that offering does not reach the ancestors and becomes futile.
If someone worships the Lord without using Tulsi leaves, such worship is considered demonic and does not please Lord Vishnu. One should not perform sacrifices, charity, chanting, pilgrimages, Shraddha rites, oblations, purification, or the worship of deities without Tulsi.
The beads made of Tulsi fulfil all desires. A Brahmin who does not understand this is considered lower than even a Chandala (outcast).
In this way, Lord Narayana revealed this truth to Brahma. Brahma then told it to Narada and the Sanaka sages. The Sanaka sages conveyed it to Vedavyasa. Vedavyasa shared it with Shukadeva, who passed it on to Vamadeva. Vamadeva told the sages, and the sages revealed it to humankind.
One who understands this becomes free from the sin of killing a woman, the sin of fratricide (killing one’s brother), and the sin of killing a Brahmin. Such a person is liberated from great fears and immense sorrow. Upon leaving the body, they attain Vaikuntha Loka—the divine abode of Lord Vishnu, certainly and undoubtedly.
This is the essence of this Upanishad.
तुलस्युपनिषत्
अथ तुलस्युपनिषदं व्याख्यास्यामः । नारद ऋषिः । अथर्वाङ्गिराश्छन्दः । अमृता तुलसी देवता । सुधाबीजम् । वसुधा शक्तिः । नारायणः कीलकम् । श्यामां श्यामवपुर्धरां ऋक्स्वरूपां यजुर्मनसं ब्रह्माथर्वप्राणां कल्पहस्तां पुराणपठितां अमृतोद्भवां अमृतरसमञ्जरीं अनन्तां अनन्तरसभोगदां वैष्णवीं विष्णुवल्लभां मृत्युजन्मनिबर्हिणीं दर्शनात्पापनाशिनीं स्पर्शनात्पावनीं अभिवन्दनाद् रोगनाशिनीं सेवनात् मृत्युनाशिनीं वैकुण्ठार्चनात् विपद्धन्त्रीं, भक्षणात् वयुनप्रदां , प्रादक्षिण्यात् दारिद्र्यनाशिनीं, मूलमृल्लेपनात् महापापभञ्जिनीं घ्राणतर्पणात् अन्तर्मलनाशिनीं य एवं वेद स वैष्णवो भवति । वृथा न छिन्द्यात् । दृष्ट्वा प्रदक्षिणं कुर्यात् । द्वादश्यां न स्पृशेत् । पर्वणि न विचिन्वेत् । यदि विचन्वति स विष्णुहा भवति । श्री तुलस्यै स्वाहा । विष्णुप्रियायै स्वाहा । अमृतायै स्वाहा । श्री तुलस्यै विद्महे विष्णुप्रियायै धीमहि । तन्नो अमृता प्रचोदयात् अमृतेऽमृतरूपाऽसि अमृतत्वप्रदायिनि । त्वं मामुद्धर संसारात् क्षीरसागर कन्यके ॥ १
श्रीसखि त्वं सदानन्दे मुकुन्दस्य सदा प्रिये । वरदाभयहस्ताभ्यां मां विलोकय दुर्लभे ॥ २
अवृक्षवृक्षरूपाऽसि वृक्षत्चं मे विनाशय । तुलस्यतुलरूपाऽसि तुलाकोटिनिभेऽजरे ॥ ३
अतुले त्वत्तुलायां हि हरिरेकोऽस्ति नान्यथा । त्वमेव जगतां धात्री त्वमेव विष्णुवल्लभा ॥ ४
त्वमेव सुरसंसेव्या त्वमेव मोक्षदायिनी । त्वच्छायायां वसेल्लक्ष्मीः त्चन्मूले विष्णुरव्ययः । समन्ताद् देवताः सर्वाः सिद्धचारणपन्नगाः ॥ ५
यन्मूले सर्वतीर्थानि यन्मध्ये ब्रह्म देवताः । यदय्रे वेदशास्राणि तुलसीं तां नमाम्यहम् ॥ ६
तुलसि श्रीसखि शुभे पापहारिणि पुण्यदे । नमस्ते नारदनुते नारायणमनः प्रिये ॥ ७
ब्रह्मानन्दाश्रुसञ्जाते वृन्दावननिवासिनि । सर्वावयसम्पूर्णे अमृतोपनिषद्रसे ॥ ८
त्वं मामुद्धर कल्याणि महापापाब्धिदुस्तरात् । सर्वेषामपि पापानां प्रायश्चित्तं त्वमेव हि ॥ देवानां च ऋषीणां च पितॄणां त्वं सदा प्रिया ॥ ९
विना श्रीतुलसीं विप्रा येऽपि श्राद्धं प्रकुर्वते । वृथा भवति तच्छ्राद्धं पितॄणां नोपगच्छति ॥ १०
तुलसीपत्रमुत्सृज्य यदि पूजां करोति वै । आसुरी सा भवेत्पूजा विष्णुप्रीतिकरी न च ॥ ११
यज्ञं दानं जपं तीर्थं श्राद्धं वै देवतार्चनम् । तर्पणं मार्जनं चान्यन्न कुर्यात् तुलसीं विना ॥ १२
तुलसीदारुमणिभिर्जपः सर्वार्थसाधकः । एवं न वेद यः कश्चित् स विप्रः श्वपचाधमः ॥ १३
इत्याह भगवान् ब्रह्माणं नारायणः ,ब्रह्मा नारदसनकादिभ्यः, सनकादयो वेदव्यासाय, वेदव्यासः शुकाय, शुको वामदेवाय, वामदेवो मुनिभ्यः , मुनयो मनुभ्यः प्रोचुः । य एवं वेद, स स्रीहत्यायाः प्रमुच्यते, स वीरहत्यायाः प्रमुच्यते, स ब्रह्महत्यायाः प्रमुच्यते, स महाभयात् प्रमुच्यते, स महादुःखात्प्रमुच्यते, देहान्ते वैकुण्ठमवाप्नोति वैकुण्ठमवाप्नोति । इत्युपनिषत् । (वैष्णव-उपनिषदः) इति तुलस्युपनिषत् समाप्ता ।
As we have explored the profound wisdom of the Tulsi Upanishad, it is clear that Tulsi is much more than a sacred plant. It embodies divine energy, grants liberation, and purifies the body, mind, and soul. By understanding its spiritual significance and incorporating its principles into our lives, we align ourselves with the blessings of Lord Vishnu and the eternal nectar of the universe.
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