Who is Goddess Tulsi?
Goddess Tulsi (the sacred Holy Basil plant, Ocimum tenuiflorum) is one of the most venerated presences in all of Hinduism. She is considered a direct manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi and is known by many names: Vrindavani (dweller of Vrindavan), Vishwapoojita (worshipped by the universe), Vishwapavani (purifier of the world), Pushpasara (essence of all flowers), and Nandini (giver of joy).
In the Puranas, Tulsi is a devoted maiden (Vrinda) who was the wife of the demon king Jalandhar, and whose unshakeable chastity made him invincible. To restore cosmic balance, Lord Vishnu assumed Jalandhar’s form and broke her chastity. Upon learning this, Vrinda cursed Vishnu to become a black stone (which became the sacred Shaligram). Moved by her devotion, Vishnu granted her the boon of eternal divine status she became the sacred Tulsi plant, always dear to Vishnu.
Daily watering, circumambulation (pradakshina), and worship of Tulsi are central to Hindu household piety. Reciting the Tulsi Chalisa is believed to bring health, remove illness, grant protection, and bring the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi.
॥ Doha — Opening Couplet ॥
Jai Jai Tulsi Maharani, Vishnupriya Sukhday। Harahu Rog Aru Klesh Sab, Sharan Pade Jo Aay॥
Meaning: Glory, glory to Queen Tulsi, beloved of Vishnu and giver of joy. Remove all disease and distress from those who have come to take refuge in you.
॥ Chaupai — 40 Sacred Verses ॥
1. Namo Namo Tulsi Kalyani, Pavan Hari Vallabha Bakhani। Jo Jal Seechai Nitya Sabere, Take Paap Mitain Bahutere॥ Meaning: Salutations to auspicious Tulsi, pure and beloved of Hari. Whoever waters you every morning their many sins are washed away.
2. Hari Ko Tulsi Ati Priya Laage, Sab Devi Deva Tulsi Se Jaage। Tulsi Ke Bin Puja Nahi Poori, Tulsi Bina Bhakti Bhi Adhoori॥ Meaning: Tulsi is especially dear to Lord Hari; all the gods and goddesses delight in Tulsi. Without Tulsi, worship is incomplete; without Tulsi, even devotion is incomplete.
3. Shalagraam Sang Tulsi Chahe, Vishnu Pooja Tulsi Maahe। Tulsi Dal Se Tarpan Karo, Pitra Dosh Ko Door Karo॥ Meaning: The Shaligram stone desires Tulsi beside it; Vishnu’s worship is centred in Tulsi. Offer Tulsi leaves in tarpan (ancestral rite) and remove the fault of the ancestors.
4. Tulsi Lata Vrindavan Maa, Radha Sanga Virajti Maa। Vrindavani Vrindavan Ki, Sab Dev Ki Priya Pavan Ki॥ Meaning: The Tulsi creeper dwells in Vrindavan beside Radha. Vrindavani she of Vrindavan is dear to all deities and the purifier of all.
5. Tulsi Ke Paed Ki Chhaon Mein, Sukh Milta Hai Har Paron Mein। Tulsi Ke Neeche Deepak Do, Pitra Ko Mukti Daan Do॥ Meaning: In the shade of the Tulsi plant peace is found at every step. Light a lamp beneath Tulsi and give the gift of liberation to the ancestors.
6. Tulsi Patte Ke Jal Se Piya, Rog Dosh Sab Dur Kiya। Tulsi Ki Patti Naak Se Rakho, Buri Shakti Sab Door Bhago॥ Meaning: Drinking water in which Tulsi leaves have been soaked removes all diseases and faults. Keeping a Tulsi leaf near the nose drives away all negative energies.
7. Tulsi Ka Paed Ghar Mein Ho, Sukh Shanti Ka Raaj Ho। Ghar Mein Lakshmi Ka Vaas Ho, Kisi Cheez Ka Na Aabhav Ho॥ Meaning: When the Tulsi plant is in the home, peace and happiness reign. Lakshmi dwells there and nothing is ever lacking.
8. Tulsi Ki Pooja Karo Subeh, Man Nirmala Ho Tabeh। Parikrama Karo Tulsi Ki, Punya Milta Mandir Ki॥ Meaning: Worship Tulsi in the morning and the mind becomes pure thereby. Circumambulate the Tulsi plant and earn the merit of visiting a temple.
9. Saptami Ko Tulsi Pooja, Mangal Hota Hai Dooja। Ekadashi Ko Tulsi Vandana, Paap Nashini Karo Archana॥ Meaning: Tulsi worship on Saptami brings additional auspiciousness. On Ekadashi, bow to Tulsi and worship her who destroys all sins.
10. Tulsi Dal Vishnu Ko Arpit, Bhakt Hota Hai Trishna Mukt। Jo Koi Tulsi Dal Chadhave, Hari Ka Priya Bhakt Ban Jaave॥ Meaning: Offering Tulsi leaves to Vishnu, the devotee is freed from thirst and desire. Whoever offers Tulsi leaves becomes a beloved devotee of Hari.
11. Tulsi Maan Hai Vishnupriya, Tulsi Se Sab Mangal Kiya। Jo Koi Tulsi Ko Pooje Nit, Uska Jeevan Nirmala Pavit॥ Meaning: Tulsi is Vishnupriya Vishnu’s dearest. All auspiciousness comes through Tulsi. Whoever worships Tulsi daily their life becomes pure and sacred.
12. Tulsi Ke Paed Ki Mitti Mein, Deva Devi Vaas Hote Hain। Tulsi Sthal Tirtha Saman, Pavita Karta Deh Aur Man॥ Meaning: The very soil around the Tulsi plant is the dwelling of gods and goddesses. The Tulsi spot is equal to a sacred pilgrimage it purifies body and mind.
13. Kartikeya Ko Tulsi Pooja, Aur Vishnu Ko Priya Duja। Sab Devon Ko Tulsi Bhaaye, Tulsi Bina Pooja Na Jaave॥ Meaning: Tulsi is dear in Kartikeya’s worship and specially beloved of Vishnu. All the gods delight in Tulsi without Tulsi no worship is complete.
14. Tulsi Ke Beej Ka Mala, Jap Karo Hari Naam Vala। Tulsi Mala Dharan Se, Paap Mita Hai Pran Se॥ Meaning: Use a rosary made of Tulsi seeds to chant Hari’s name. Wearing a Tulsi mala erases sins from the soul.
15. Tulsi Aarti Gao Prabhu, Man Ka Kasht Mitao Vibhu। Aarti Mein Ghee Ka Deep Jalaao, Tulsi Maa Ko Khush Karao॥ Meaning: Sing Tulsi’s Aarti, O Lord, and remove the mind’s suffering. Light a ghee lamp during Aarti and delight Mother Tulsi.
16. Tulsi Vandana Mein Hai Shakti, Tulsi Mein Hai Sab Ki Bhakti। Tulsi Sevak Sukh Pata Hai, Tulsi Dukh Ko Mita Jaata Hai॥ Meaning: There is power in Tulsi’s prayer; all devotion is contained in Tulsi. Tulsi’s servant finds happiness; Tulsi erases suffering.
17. Tulsi Ka Ghada Jal Chadao, Roj Subeh Dhyan Lagao। Tulsi Priya Hari Ko Laage, Sab Dukh Dar Hote Bhaage॥ Meaning: Pour a pot of water on Tulsi daily and meditate in the morning. Tulsi is dear to Hari; every sorrow and fear then flees.
18. Tulsi Ki Chhaya Mein Baithe, Sab Sankat Door Ho Jaate। Tulsi Ke Paas Jo Rahe, Man Mein Shanti Sada Rahe॥ Meaning: Sitting in Tulsi’s shade, all obstacles go away. Whoever stays near Tulsi always finds peace in the mind.
19. Tulsi Ki Mitti Ko Mathe Pe, Lagao Nit Praat Ke Sathe। Rog Aur Dosh Mita Jaate, Jeevan Mein Sukh Aa Jaate॥ Meaning: Apply the soil from around Tulsi to your forehead every morning. Diseases and faults dissolve; happiness comes to life.
20. Tulsi Vivah Ka Din Khaas, Kartik Mein Hota Prakash। Vishnu Sang Tulsi Ki Shaadi, Bhakton Ko Milti Azaadi॥ Meaning: The Tulsi Vivah day is special a day of light in the month of Kartik. The wedding of Tulsi with Vishnu brings liberation to devotees.
21. Tulsi Vivah Karo Nit Dhaam, Milta Hai Punyamay Kaam। Jo Jan Tulsi Vivah Kare, Uska Sab Paap Door Ho॥ Meaning: Celebrate Tulsi Vivah at the sacred place and receive a merit-filled boon. Whoever performs the Tulsi Vivah all their sins are removed.
22. Tulsi Sevak Nahi Darta, Tulsi Mein Hari Ka Vaas Hai। Jo Koi Tulsi Ko Pyar Kare, Hari Ka Pyar Woh Pave॥ Meaning: Tulsi’s devotee knows no fear; Hari himself dwells in Tulsi. Whoever loves Tulsi they receive Hari’s love in return.
23. Tulsi Ki Sewa Karo Din Raat, Maa Lakshmi Rahe Tere Saat। Dhan Dhanya Ghar Mein Aaye, Tulsi Kripa Se Sukh Paaye॥ Meaning: Serve Tulsi day and night and Mother Lakshmi stays beside you. Wealth and grain enter the home; by Tulsi’s grace, happiness is found.
24. Tulsi Naam Japte Rehna, Har Buri Cheez Se Bachte Rehna। Tulsi Naam Amrit Saman, Jap Lo Sukh Pao Mahan॥ Meaning: Keep chanting Tulsi’s name and remain safe from every ill thing. Tulsi’s name is like nectar chant it and gain great happiness.
25. Vishnu Priya Tulsi Maa Ki, Mahima Hai Anant Yahi Ki। Puraan Mein Inka Varnana, Scriptures Mein Unki Archana॥ Meaning: Mother Tulsi is Vishnu’s beloved her glory is infinite and eternal. The Puranas describe her; the scriptures are filled with her worship.
26. Tulsi Ko Nahi Kaatna Chahiye, Tulsi Se Prem Karna Chahiye। Tulsi Ka Apmaan Nahi Karna, Tulsi Ko Hamesha Pooja Karna॥ Meaning: Tulsi should never be cut without necessity and Tulsi should be loved. Never disrespect Tulsi always worship her with reverence.
27. Ekadashi Ko Tulsi Nahi Todte, Tulsi Ka Niyam Nahi Chorte। Shaastra Ke Niyam Nibhaao, Tulsi Kripa Se Sukh Pao॥ Meaning: On Ekadashi do not pluck Tulsi leaves do not abandon the rule of Tulsi. Follow the scriptural guidelines and by Tulsi’s grace find happiness.
28. Tulsi Ke Paas Kirtan Karo, Maa Ko Priya Mann Mein Dharo। Bhajan Gao Aur Aarti Karo, Tulsi Pooja Se Sukh Pao॥ Meaning: Sing kirtan near Tulsi and hold the Mother as dear in your heart. Sing bhajans and perform aarti through Tulsi’s worship find peace.
29. Tulsi Daan Mahapunya Karta, Tulsi Daan Sab Paap Harta। Jo Koi Tulsi Ka Paudha De, Usko Sab Sukh Shanti Mile॥ Meaning: Gifting a Tulsi plant creates great merit; gifting Tulsi removes all sins. Whoever gives a Tulsi plant to someone all happiness and peace come to them.
30. Tulsi Maa Ki Mahima Badi, Bhakton Par Kripa Ghari Ghari। Jo Jan Tulsi Ko Pooje Nit, Hari Ka Priya Bhakt Ho Pavit॥ Meaning: Great is Mother Tulsi’s glory; her grace rains on devotees every moment. Whoever worships Tulsi daily becomes Hari’s beloved devotee, pure and sacred.
31. Tulsi Ka Paed Laga Ghar Mein, Khush Raho Hamesha Har Dum Mein। Tulsi Se Sab Sukh Milta Hai, Tulsi Se Ghar Chamak Uthta Hai॥ Meaning: Plant a Tulsi in your home and be happy always, every moment. Through Tulsi all happiness is attained; through Tulsi the home glows with light.
32. Tulsi Ki Seva Se Moksha, Tulsi Se Dukh Ka Apoksha। Tulsi Ka Path Karo Nit, Jeevan Ho Mangalmay Pavit॥ Meaning: Service to Tulsi leads to liberation; Tulsi removes suffering from its root. Recite Tulsi’s path daily and life will be auspicious and pure.
33. Kartik Maas Mein Tulsi Pooja, Sabse Badi Aur Sabse Dooja। Is Mah Mein Jo Nit Karo, Tulsi Vandana Sukh Pao॥ Meaning: Tulsi worship in the month of Kartik is the greatest of all chief among all rites. Whoever performs Tulsi Vandana daily in this month attains happiness.
34. Tulsi Puja Se Rog Jata, Dukh Aur Peeda Mita Jaata। Tulsi Maa Ki Kripa Se, Sab Kuch Accha Hota Hai॥ Meaning: Tulsi puja drives away disease; sorrow and pain are erased. By Mother Tulsi’s grace, everything becomes good.
35. Tulsi Ki Chhaya Mein Shaan, Ghar Ki Raksha Hai Nishaan। Buri Nazar Aur Kala Jadu, Tulsi Se Door Bhago।॥ Meaning: The shade of Tulsi is dignity and a symbol of the home’s protection. The evil eye and black magic they flee from Tulsi.
36. Tulsi Ko Nit Jal Do Prem Se, Pao Sukh Tum Aaram Se। Tulsi Sevak Dhan Dhanya Pata, Tulsi Maa Sab Ka Dil Ko Bhata॥ Meaning: Give Tulsi water lovingly every day and attain happiness peacefully. Tulsi’s devotee gains wealth and grain; Mother Tulsi pleases every heart.
37. Tulsi Chalisa Ka Path Karo, Har Bimari Se Mukta Raho। Nit Pratah Dhyan Lagao, Tulsi Maa Ki Kirpa Pao॥ Meaning: Recite the Tulsi Chalisa and remain free from every illness. Meditate each morning and receive Mother Tulsi’s grace.
38. Tulsi Naam Ki Mahima Gaao, Man Ko Shanti Dilao। Har Pal Tulsi Ko Yaad Karo, Jeevan Mein Anand Bhar Lo॥ Meaning: Sing the glory of Tulsi’s name and bring peace to the mind. Remember Tulsi every moment and fill life with divine joy.
39. Tulsi Maa Ki Jai Jai Ho, Bhakton Ka Kasht Mit Ho। Tulsi Kirpa Sab Par Ho, Jeevan Mein Sukh Shanti Ho॥ Meaning: Victory, victory to Mother Tulsi! May all devotees’ troubles dissolve. May Tulsi’s grace be upon all and may peace and happiness fill life.
40. Tulsi Chalisa Sampan Hua, Tulsi Maa Ki Kripa Ka Vardan Hua। Jo Bhav Se Padhe Nit Ye Path, Tulsi Kirpa Rahe Sath॥ Meaning: The Tulsi Chalisa is complete and Mother Tulsi’s blessing has been invoked. Whoever reads this with devotion daily Tulsi’s grace shall always remain with them.
॥ Closing Doha ॥
Tulsi Maa Ki Kirpa Se, Dukh Dard Hove Chheen। Vishnu Priya Ka Dhyan Karo, Jeevan Mangalmay Hove॥
Meaning: By Mother Tulsi’s grace, sorrow and pain are taken away. Contemplate Vishnu’s beloved and let life become wholly auspicious.
Benefits of Reciting Tulsi Chalisa
- Health & healing: Tulsi has powerful medicinal properties; her worship amplifies health benefits
- Home protection: Keeps negative energies, evil eye, and misfortune away from the home
- Lakshmi’s blessing: Tulsi is a form of Lakshmi her worship attracts prosperity and abundance
- Ancestor liberation: Tulsi leaves in tarpan help departed ancestors attain peace
- Spiritual merit: Caring for the Tulsi plant daily earns the merit of visiting sacred pilgrimage sites
Best Time to Chant
- Daily morning after bathing, while watering the Tulsi plant
- Ekadashi especially in the month of Kartik
- Tulsi Vivah (Dev Uthani Ekadashi) the most auspicious Tulsi festival
- Kartik month (October–November) the entire month is dedicated to Tulsi worship