Tulsi Chalisa — Word-by-Word Meaning
तुलसी चालीसा
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
जय जय तुलसी भगवती
Jaya Jaya Tulsi Bhagavati
Victory, victory to Goddess Tulsi
सत्यवती
Satyavati
The one who embodies truth / is ever-truthful
सुखदानी
Sukhadani
Giver of happiness and well-being
हरि प्रेयसी
Hari Preyasi
The beloved of Lord Hari (Vishnu)
श्री वृन्दा
Shri Vrinda
Vrinda, the divine name of Tulsi
गुन खानी
Guna Khani
A mine (treasure-store) of virtues
श्री हरि शीश बिरजिनी
Shri Hari Shisha Birajini
One who adorns / rests upon the head of Lord Hari
देहु अमर वर अम्ब
Dehu Amara Vara Amba
O Mother, grant the boon of immortality
वृन्दावनी
Vrindavani
She who presides over Vrindavan / the Tulsi grove
धन्य धन्य
Dhanya Dhanya
Blessed, blessed (most worthy of praise)
महिमा अगम
Mahima Agama
Glory that is unfathomable
श्रुति गाता
Shruti Gata
Sung by the Vedas (scriptures)
हरि के प्राणहु से प्यारी
Hari Ke Pranahu Se Pyari
Dearer to Hari than his own life-breath
तप भारी
Tapa Bhari
Performed intense austerity
शालिग्रामा
Shaligrama
The sacred Shaligram stone (form of Vishnu) from river Gandaki
तुलसी दल
Tulsi Dala
A leaf of the Tulsi plant, offered to Vishnu
मुक्ति
Mukti
Liberation, final emancipation
त्रिपुरारी
Tripurari
Lord Shiva, slayer of the demon of three cities (here, the divine that grants happiness)
Complete Translation
Victory, victory to Goddess Tulsi, ever-truthful bestower of joy; salutations again and again to the beloved of Hari, the radiant Vrinda, a treasure-store of virtues. O Mother who rests on Hari's head, grant the boon of immortality; O presiding deity of Vrindavan, do not delay in blessing your devotees.
The chalisa praises Tulsi as dearer than life to Lord Vishnu, recounting how, through three births as Tulsi/Vrinda, she became eternally united with the Lord. It tells the legend of Vrinda and the demon Jalandhar, her great chastity, and how she became both the sacred Tulsi plant and the Shaligram stone worshipped together. It declares that worship of Vishnu is incomplete without a Tulsi leaf, that Tulsi removes disease, sin and sorrow, that she equals Radha in Hari's heart, and that under her shade all pilgrimage-merit and liberation are attained. Whoever recites this chalisa daily, keeping a Tulsi plant at home, gains children, health, wealth, the dispelling of poverty and the fullness of joy.
Origin & History
Source: Traditional Hindi devotional literature (Tulsi worship tradition)
Author: Traditional (attributed in the closing verse to Tulsidas / 'Sundar' kavi)
Period: Medieval to early-modern Bhakti era
The Tulsi Chalisa belongs to the popular tradition of forty-verse Hindi praise-hymns. It weaves together the Puranic legends of Tulsi found in the Padma Purana and Devi Bhagavata: the curse of Lakshmi, Tulsi's birth as a Gopi, and the well-known account of Vrinda, the chaste wife of the demon Jalandhar, whose devotion made her husband invincible until Vishnu intervened. As a consequence of the events, Vrinda became the eternally sacred Tulsi plant, ever united with the Lord as Shaligram, and worshipped in every Vaishnava home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tulsi Mata?▼
Tulsi (Holy Basil) is revered in Hinduism as a goddess and the earthly form of Vrinda, the most beloved devotee and consort-aspect of Lord Vishnu. The Tulsi plant is worshipped daily in countless Hindu homes and is considered essential to the worship of Vishnu and Krishna.
Why is a Tulsi leaf important in Vishnu worship?▼
The chalisa states that worship of Hari is incomplete and that 'even fifty-six varieties of food are not dear to Hari without a Tulsi leaf.' Offering Tulsi (Tulsi dala) is therefore regarded as the most pleasing offering to Vishnu and Krishna.
When should the Tulsi Chalisa be recited?▼
It is best recited in the early morning after bathing or at dusk while lighting a lamp before the Tulsi plant. The month of Kartik and the festival of Tulsi Vivah are considered especially auspicious times.
What is the connection between Tulsi and the Shaligram?▼
According to the legend in the chalisa, Vrinda became both the sacred Tulsi plant and was eternally united with Vishnu in the form of the Shaligram stone from the river Gandaki. This is why Tulsi and Shaligram are traditionally worshipped together.
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