Tulasi Gayatri Mantra
Vishnupriyayei Dhimahi
Tanno Vrinda Prachodayat
ॐ तुलस्यै विद्महे
विश्णुप्रियायै धीमहि
तन्नो वृन्द प्रचोदयात
Tulsi (also known as Vrinda, the sacred basil plant that is associated with Lord Vishnu) is revered as a goddess in Hinduism, and her devotion to Lord Vishnu is legendary. This mantra invokes her blessings for spiritual enlightenment, health, and prosperity.
Om (ॐ):
- The primordial sound, represents the divine essence of the universe. It signifies the beginning of creation, the Supreme, and is used to invoke auspiciousness.
Tulasyai Vidmahe (तुलस्यै विद्महे):
- "We meditate upon Tulsi (Vrinda)."
- Tulsi (or Vrinda) is considered the sacred plant, and she is often personified as the goddess of devotion and purity. The term Vidmahe means "we meditate upon," indicating the seeker is focusing their attention on Tulsi, who is believed to purify the soul and mind.
Vishnupriyayei Dhimahi (विश्णुप्रियायै धीमहि):
- "We contemplate upon the one who is beloved to Vishnu."
- Vishnupriya refers to the one who is beloved to Lord Vishnu, i.e., Tulsi. In many legends, it is said that Lord Vishnu is extremely fond of Tulsi, which is why she is considered his divine consort in plant form. Dhimahi means "we contemplate" or "we focus our minds," indicating deep meditation and devotion.
Tanno Vrinda Prachodayat (तन्नो वृन्द प्रचोदयात):
- "May Vrinda inspire and guide us."
- Vrinda is another name for Tulsi, and Prachodayat means "may inspire or guide." This part of the mantra asks for Tulsi's guidance, inspiration, and blessings to move on the right spiritual path and to experience growth in wisdom and devotion.
Meaning of the Mantra:
"Om, we meditate upon Tulsi, the beloved of Lord Vishnu. May Vrinda inspire and guide us."
This mantra is a prayer to Tulsi (Vrinda), asking for her divine blessings. It acknowledges her deep connection with Lord Vishnu and requests her to guide and inspire the devotee on their spiritual journey, helping them cultivate devotion, wisdom, and purity.
Benefits of Chanting the Tulsi Gayatri Mantra:
- Purification: Tulsi is believed to purify the atmosphere and remove negative energies. Chanting her mantra can help cleanse the mind and soul.
- Divine Blessings: As Tulsi is dear to Lord Vishnu, chanting her mantra brings the blessings of both Tulsi and Vishnu, leading to prosperity, health, and spiritual growth.
- Spiritual Progress: The mantra aids in progressing on the spiritual path, enhancing devotion and deepening the connection with the divine.
- Health and Well-being: Tulsi is also known for her medicinal properties, and chanting her mantra is said to promote physical health and longevity.
- Protection: Tulsi is considered a protector from evil influences. Regular chanting of this mantra is said to protect the devotee from negative energies and obstacles.
By meditating upon Tulsi and invoking her divine guidance, this mantra brings peace, purity, and prosperity into the life of the devotee.
Vrindadevy-ashtaka
Eight Prayers Glorifying Vrinda Devi (Tulasi)
(1) gangeya-campeya-tadid-vinindi-rocih-pravaha-snapitatma-vrinde bandhuka-randhu-dyuti-divya-vasovrinde namas te caranaravindam
O Vrinda Devi, I offer my respectful obeisances to your feet. You are bathed in your own splendor, which defeats the effulgence of lightning and the golden campaka flower. The luster of your transcendental garments defeats the beauty of the blue bandhuka flower.
(2) bimbadharoditvara-manda-hasya-nasagra-mukta-dyuti-dipitasye vicitra-ratnabharana-shriyadhyevrinde namas te caranaravindam
O Vrinda Devi, I offer my respectful obeisances to your lotus feet.
Your face is illuminated by the splendor of the pearl decorating the tip of your nose, and by the extraordinary gentle smile on the two bimba fruits which are your lips. You are enriched by the beauty of the amazing and colorful jewels and ornaments you wear.
(3) samasta-vaikuntha-shiromanau shri-krishnasya vrindavana-dhanya-dhamni dattadhikare vrishabhanu-putryavrinde namas te caranaravindam
O Vrinda Devi, I offer my respectful obeisances to your lotus feet.
Shrimati Radharani, the daughter of King Vrishabhanu, has made you the ruling monarch of Lord Krishna’s opulent and auspicious abode of Vrindavana, which is the crest jewel of all the Vaikuntha planets.
(4) tvad-ajnaya pallava-pushpa-bhringa-mrigadibhir madhava-keli-kunjah madhv-adibhir bhanti vibhushyamanavrinde namas te caranaravindam
O Vrinda Devi, I offer my respectful obeisances to your lotus feet.
Because of your order, the groves where Lord Madhava performs His pastimes appear very splendid, decorated with blossoming flowers, bumblebees, deer, and other auspicious animals, flowers, and birds.
(5) tvadiya-dutyena nikunja-yunoratyutkayoh keli-vilasa-siddhih tvat-saubhagam kena nirucyatam tadvrinde namas te caranaravindam
O Vrinda Devi, I offer my respectful obeisances to your lotus feet.
Who can describe your good fortune? You were the messenger who brought about the perfection of the amorous pastimes of Radha and Krishna, the youthful couple who enthusiastically sport in the groves of Vrindavana.
(6) rasabhilaso vasatis ca vrinda-vane tvad-isanghri-saroja-seva labhya ca pumsam kripaya tavaivavrinde namas te caranaravindam
O Vrinda Devi, I offer my respectful obeisances to your lotus feet.
The living entities who attain the service of the lotus feet of your
Lord reside in Vrindavana. And the desire to understand the Lord’s amazing pastimes of the rasa dance is only by your mercy.
(7) tvam kirtyase satvata-tantra-vidbhirlilabhidhana kila krishna-saktih tavaiva murtis tulasi nri-lokevrinde namas te caranaravindam
O Vrinda Devi, I offer my respectful obeisances to your lotus feet.
Those who have studied the Satvata-tantra glorify you. You are Lord Krishna’s potency for performing pastimes, and you are known as Tulasi Devi in the human society.
(8) bhaktya vihina aparadha-lakshaihkshiptas ca kamadi-taranga-madhye kripamayi tvam sharanam prapannavrinde namas te caranaravindam
O Vrinda Devi, I offer my respectful obeisances to your lotus feet.
Those who are devoid of devotion to Lord Hari, and are thrown by
their offenses into the waves of lust and other inauspicious
qualities, may take shelter of you.
(9) vrindashtakam yah shrinuyat pathed vavrindavanadhisha-padabja-bhringah sa prapya vrindavana-nitya-vashamtat-prema-sevam labhate kritarthah
O Vrinda Devi, I offer my respectful obeisances to your lotus feet.
Let a person who becomes like a bumblebee at the lotus feet of Radha-Krishna, and who reads or hears these eight verses describing the glories of Vrinda Devi, eternally reside at Goloka Vrindavana. He attains devotional service in pure love of Godhead, and all his spiritual aspirations become fulfilled.
Plucking Tulasi
One who picks Tulasi without having bathed and then performs worship is an offender, and all his activities become useless. (Vayu Purana)
One should pluck the leaves with the right hand, holding the branch in the left hand, being careful not to break the branches.
patranam cayane vipra bhagna sakha yada bhavet
tada hridi vyatha vishnor diyate tulasi pateh
karatala trayam dattva cinuyat tulasi dalam
yatha na kampate sakha tulasya divyasattama
If when picking Tulasi leaves one breaks the branches, Vishnu feels pain in His heart. One should clap the hands three times before picking Tulasi and pick in such a way that the branches do not shake.
One should say:
tulasy amrita janmasi sada tva keshava priya
keshavarthe vicinvami barada bhava shobhane
tvad anga sambhavaih patraih pujayami yatha harim
tatha kuru pavitrangi kalau mala vinasini
Oh Tulasi, born from the ocean of nectar, you are eternally the
dearmost of Keshava. For His worship I now pluck you. Please bestow blessings on me.
Oh Tulasi, being pure in body and the destroyer of the sins of Kali-yuga, I will worship the Lord using leaves coming from your body. You should make that worship successful.
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