तुलसी चालीसा — Word-by-Word Meaning

तुलसी चालीसा

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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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

गोस्वामी परम्परा का यह तुलसी चालीसा माता तुलसी (वृन्दा) की महिमा का गान करता है। आरम्भिक दोहा में सत्यस्वरूपा, सुखदायिनी, हरिप्रिया वृन्दा को नमन कर अमरता का वर माँगा गया है। चौपाइयों में तुलसी को भगवान विष्णु के प्राणों से प्यारी बताकर उनके तीन जन्मों की कथा—लक्ष्मी का शाप, गोप-कन्या रूप, तथा वृन्दा एवं जलन्धर का प्रसंग—वर्णित है। यह बताता है कि वृन्दा के पातिव्रत्य, उनके शाप से शालिग्राम-तुलसी का नित्य संग, तथा तुलसीदल बिना विष्णु-पूजा अधूरी रहने का रहस्य। तुलसी रोग-दोष-दुख का नाश करती हैं, हरि-हृदय में राधा के समान हैं, और उनकी छाया में समस्त तीर्थ एवं मुक्ति प्राप्त होती है। जो नर-नारी घर में तुलसी रखकर नित्य इस चालीसा का पाठ करते हैं, उन्हें पुत्र, आयु, धन, दरिद्रता-नाश और पूर्ण सुख की प्राप्ति होती है।

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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