Tulsi Chalisa – Sacred Hymn to Goddess Tulsi with Lyrics, Meaning & Benefits

Tulsi Mata: the sacred plant as living deity

The Tulsi Chalisa offers devotional praise to Vrinda Devi, the goddess who dwells in and as the Tulsi plant (Ocimum tenuiflorum), one of the most revered presences in any Vaishnava home. The hymn honours Tulsi not merely as a medicinal herb but as a goddess inseparable from the worship of Lord Vishnu: she is offered to him in every puja, and no Vaishnava ritual is considered complete without her leaves. The Chalisa meditates on her divine form - the sacred dark complexion, the beautiful garland, the glowing aura of a devotee beloved by Hari - and draws the worshipper into relationship with her as a personal deity who bestows purity, devotion, and protection on the household that tends her with love.

The most auspicious context for this Chalisa is the festival of Tulsi Vivah, typically falling on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi or Dwadashi, when Tulsi is ceremonially wedded to Shaligram (a form of Vishnu). Reciting the Chalisa at this time is considered deeply meritorious. But across the year, many devotees recite it daily at the time of watering the Tulsi plant at sunrise or dusk - a practice that transforms an ordinary domestic routine into a conscious act of bhakti. The forty verses in the Chalisa also address Tulsi's power as a purifier of home and mind, reminding the devotee that the sacred lives not in distant temples alone but at the very threshold of the household.

Tulsi Chalisa Lyrics (हिंदी में)

दोहा

जय जय तुलसी भगवती सत्यवती सुखदानी।
नमो नमो हरी प्रेयसी श्री वृंदा गुन खानी।

श्री हरी शीश बिरजिनी, देहु अमर वर अम्ब।
जनहित हे वृन्दावनी अब न करहु विलम्ब।

चौपाई

धन्य धन्य श्री तलसी माता।
महिमा अगम सदा श्रुति गाता।

हरी के प्राणहु से तुम प्यारी।
हरीहीं हेतु कीन्हो ताप भारी।

जब प्रसन्न है दर्शन दीन्ह्यो।
तब कर जोरी विनय उस कीन्ह्यो।

हे भगवंत कंत मम होहू।
दीन जानी जनि छाडाहू छोहु।

सुनी लख्मी तुलसी की बानी।
दीन्हो श्राप कध पर आनी।

उस अयोग्य वर मांगन हारी।
होहू विटप तुम जड़ तनु धारी।

सुनी तुलसी हीं श्रप्यो तेहिं ठामा।
करहु वास तुहू नीचन धामा।

दियो वचन हरी तब तत्काला।
सुनहु सुमुखी जनि होहू बिहाला।

समय पाई व्हौ रौ पाती तोरा।
पुजिहौ आस वचन सत मोरा।

तब गोकुल मह गोप सुदामा।
तासु भई तुलसी तू बामा।

कृष्ण रास लीला के माही।
राधे शक्यो प्रेम लखी नाही।

दियो श्राप तुलसिह तत्काला।
नर लोकही तुम जन्महु बाला।

यो गोप वह दानव राजा।
शंख चुड नामक शिर ताजा।

तुलसी भई तासु की नारी।
परम सती गुण रूप अगारी।

अस द्वै कल्प बीत जब गयऊ।
कल्प तृतीय जन्म तब भयऊ।

वृंदा नाम भयो तुलसी को।
असुर जलंधर नाम पति को।

करि अति द्वन्द अतुल बलधामा।
लीन्हा शंकर से संग्राम।

जब निज सैन्य सहित शिव हारे।
मरही न तब हर हरिही पुकारे।

पतिव्रता वृंदा थी नारी।
कोऊ न सके पतिहि संहारी।

तब जलंधर ही भेष बनाई।
वृंदा ढिग हरी पहुच्यो जाई।

शिव हित लही करि कपट प्रसंगा।
कियो सतीत्व धर्म तोही भंगा।

भयो जलंधर कर संहारा।
सुनी उर शोक उपारा।

तिही क्षण दियो कपट हरी टारी।
लखी वृंदा दुःख गिरा उचारी।

जलंधर जस हत्यो अभीता।
सोई रावन तस हरिही सीता।

अस प्रस्तर सम ह्रदय तुम्हारा।
धर्म खंडी मम पतिहि संहारा।

यही कारण लही श्राप हमारा।
होवे तनु पाषाण तुम्हारा।

सुनी हरी तुरतहि वचन उचारे।
दियो श्राप बिना विचारे।

लख्यो न निज करतूती पति को।
छलन चह्यो जब पारवती को।

जड़मति तुहु अस हो जड़रूपा।
जग मह तुलसी विटप अनूपा।

धग्व रूप हम शालिगरामा।
नदी गण्डकी बीच ललामा।

जो तुलसी दल हमही चढ़ इहैं।
सब सुख भोगी परम पद पईहै।

बिनु तुलसी हरी जलत शरीरा।
अतिशय उठत शीश उर पीरा।

जो तुलसी दल हरी शिर धारत।
सो सहस्त्र घट अमृत डारत।

तुलसी हरी मन रंजनी हारी।
रोग दोष दुःख भंजनी हारी।

प्रेम सहित हरी भजन निरंतर।
तुलसी राधा में नाही अंतर।

व्यंजन हो छप्पनहु प्रकारा।
बिनु तुलसी दल न हरीहि प्यारा।

सकल तीर्थ तुलसी तरु छाही।
लहत मुक्ति जन संशय नाही।

कवि सुन्दर इक हरी गुण गावत।
तुलसिहि निकट सहसगुण पावत।

बसत निकट दुर्बासा धामा।
जो प्रयास ते पूर्व ललामा।

पाठ करहि जो नित नर नारी।
होही सुख भाषहि त्रिपुरारी।

दोहा

तुलसी चालीसा पढ़ही तुलसी तरु ग्रह धारी।
दीपदान करि पुत्र फल पावही बंध्यहु नारी।

सकल दुःख दरिद्र हरी हार ह्वै परम प्रसन्न।
आशिय धन जन लड़हि ग्रह बसही पूर्णा अत्र।

लाही अभिमत फल जगत मह लाही पूर्ण सब काम।
जेई दल अर्पही तुलसी तंह सहस बसही हरीराम।

तुलसी महिमा नाम लख तुलसी सूत सुखराम।
मानस चालीस रच्यो जग महं तुलसीदास।

Tulsi Chalisa – Transliteration (English)

Doha

Jay Jay Tulasi Bhagavati Satyavati Sukhadani.
Namo Namo Hari Preyasi Shri Vrinda Gun Khani.

Shri Hari Shish Birajini, Dehu Amar Bar Amb.
Janhit He Vrindavani Ab Na Karahu Vilamb.

Chaupai

Dhanya Dhanya Shri Tulasi Mata.
Mahima Agam Sada Shruti Gata.

Hari Ke Pranahu Se Tum Pyari.
Harihin Hetu Kinhu Tap Bhari.

Jab Prasanna Hai Darshan Dinhyo.
Tab Kar Jori Vinay Us Kinhyo.

He Bhagvant Kant Mam Hohu.
Din Jani Jani Chadahu Chohu.

Suni Lakhmi Tulsi Ki Bani.
Dinhu Shrap Kadh Par Ani.

Us Ayogya Var Mangan Hari.
Hohu Vitap Tum Jad Tanu Dhari.

Suni Tulsi Hin Shrapyo Tehin Thama.
Karahu Was Tuhu Nichan Dhama.

Diyo Vachan Hari Tab Tatkala.
Sunahu Sumukhi Jani Hohu Bihala.

Samay Pai Vhau Rau Pati Tora.
Pujihaun As Vachan Sat Mora.

Tab Gokul Mah Gop Sudama.
Tasu Bhai Tulsi Tu Bama.

Krishna Ras Lila Ke Mahi.
Radhe Shakyo Prem Lakhi Nahi.

Diyo Shrap Tulsihi Tatkala.
Nar Lokahi Tum Janmahu Bala.

Yo Gop Vah Danav Raja.
Shankh Chud Namak Shir Taja.

Tulsi Bhai Tasu Ki Nari.
Param Sati Gun Roop Agari.

As Dvai Kalp Bit Jab Gayau.
Kalp Tritiy Janm Tab Bhayau.

Vrinda Nam Bhayo Tulsi Ko.
Asur Jalandhar Nam Pati Ko.

Kari Ati Dvanda Atul Baldhama.
Linha Shankar Se Sangram.

Jab Nij Sainya Sahit Shiv Hare.
Marahi Na Tab Har Harihi Pukare.

Pativrata Vrinda Thi Nari.
Kou Na Sake Patihi Sanhari.

Tab Jalandhar Hi Bhesh Banai.
Vrinda Dhig Hari Pahuchyo Jai.

Shiv Hit Lahi Kari Kapat Prasanga.
Kiyo Satitva Dharm Tohi Bhanga.

Bhayo Jalandhar Kar Sanhara.
Suni Ur Shok Upara.

Tihi Kshan Diyo Kapat Hari Tari.
Lakhi Vrinda Dukh Gira Uchari.

Jalandhar Jas Hatyo Abhita.
Soi Ravan Tas Harihi Sita.

As Prastar Sam Hriday Tumhara.
Dharm Khandi Mam Patihi Sanhara.

Yahi Karan Lahi Shrap Hamara.
Hove Tanu Pashan Tumhara.

Suni Hari Turatahi Vachan Ucare.
Diyo Shrap Bina Vicare.

Lakhyo Na Nij Kartuti Pati Ko.
Chalan Chahyo Jab Parvati Ko.

Jadmati Tuhu As Ho Jadrupa.
Jag Mah Tulsi Vitap Anupa.

Dhagav Roop Ham Shaligrama.
Nadi Gandaki Bich Lalama.

Jo Tulsi Dal Hamahi Chadh Ihahin.
Sab Sukh Bhogi Param Pad Paihai.

Binu Tulsi Hari Jalat Sharira.
Atishay Uthat Shish Ur Pira.

Jo Tulsi Dal Hari Shir Dharat.
So Sahastr Ghat Amrit Darat.

Tulsi Hari Man Ranjani Hari.
Rog Dosh Dukh Bhanjani Hari.

Prem Sahit Hari Bhajan Nirantar.
Tulsi Radha Mein Nahi Antar.

Vyanjan Ho Chhappanahu Prakara.
Binu Tulsi Dal Na Harihi Pyara.

Sakal Tirth Tulsi Taru Chhai.
Lahat Mukti Jan Sanshay Nahi.

Kavi Sundar Ik Hari Gun Gavat.
Tulsihi Nikat Sahasgun Pavat.

Basat Nikat Durvasa Dhama.
Jo Prayas Te Purva Lalama.

Path Karahi Jo Nit Nar Nari.
Hohi Sukh Bhashahi Tripurari.

Doha

Tulsi Chalisa Padhihi Tulsi Taru Grah Dhari.
Deepdan Kari Putr Phal Pavahi Bandhyahu Nari.

Sakal Dukh Daridra Hari Har Hvai Param Prasann.
Ashiy Dhan Jan Ladhi Grah Basahi Purna Atra.

Lahi Abhimat Phal Jagat Mah Lahi Purna Sab Kam.
Jei Dal Arpihi Tulsi Tanh Sahas Basahi Hariram.

Tulsi Mahima Nam Lakh Tulsi Sut Sukharam.
Manas Chalis Rachyo Jag Mahan Tulsidas.

Meaning & Significance

The Tulsi Chalisa weaves together myth, theology, and devotional poetry to honour the sacred basil plant revered as Goddess Vrinda. The opening dohas salute her as Hari's beloved, Satyavati (the truthful), and Vrindavani (dweller of Vrindavan). The chaupais unfold the poignant story of Vrinda - originally a gopi named Sudama's consort, then reborn as the chaste queen of the demon Jalandhara. Through a narrative of curses and counter-curses involving Lakshmi, Radha, and Vishnu himself, the text explains why Vishnu transformed into the Shaligrama stone and promised that every leaf of the Tulsi plant offered to him would equal the merit of pouring a thousand vessels of amrit. The closing dohas promise that women who light lamps before the Tulsi plant and read this Chalisa will be blessed with progeny, while all devotees gain relief from sorrow and poverty. The colophon verse attributes the composition to Tulsidas, situating this work within the broad bhakti tradition of medieval India.

About Tulsi Mata

Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), known botanically as holy basil, is considered the physical embodiment of Goddess Vrinda, an ardent devotee and beloved of Lord Vishnu. Hindu scripture - particularly the Devi Bhagavata Purana, the Padma Purana, and the Skanda Purana - narrates that Vrinda performed intense austerities to win Vishnu as her husband. After the tragic episode of her husband Jalandhara's death through divine deception, Vrinda cursed Vishnu to become stone (the Shaligrama) and was herself transformed into the Tulsi plant. Vishnu, moved by her devotion, declared that worship without Tulsi is incomplete and that wherever Tulsi grows, he himself resides. For this reason, the Tulsi plant occupies a central place in every traditional Hindu household; it is watered daily, circumambulated, and worshipped, especially on Tuesdays and Fridays. The annual Tulsi Vivah ceremony, held on the Ekadashi of the bright lunar fortnight in Kartik month, ritually weds Tulsi to Shaligrama (symbol of Vishnu), marking the end of the monsoon and the beginning of the Hindu wedding season.

Benefits of Reciting the Tulsi Chalisa

• Regular recitation is traditionally associated with blessings for childless couples seeking progeny.
• Lighting a lamp near the Tulsi plant while reading the Chalisa is said to bring peace and prosperity to the household.
• The hymn is believed to drive away illness, grief, poverty, and negative planetary influences.
• Devotees of Lord Vishnu find it a meaningful daily prayer that deepens connection with Hari's most beloved consort-plant.
• The story embedded in the Chalisa teaches the transformative power of pativrata (devoted partnership) and the cosmic justice of divine law.
• Offering Tulsi leaves to the Shaligrama while reciting verses from this Chalisa is held to purify past karmas.

How to Recite (Vidhi)

1. Rise early, bathe, and wear clean clothes - white or yellow are preferred for Tulsi worship.
2. Water the Tulsi plant first, then light a small lamp (ghee or sesame oil) in front of it.
3. Offer flowers, a small garland, or fresh fruits; red sindoor and turmeric are traditionally favoured offerings.
4. Sit facing north or east and recite the Tulsi Chalisa with steady focus, beginning with the dohas.
5. Complete the Chalisa and conclude with a short prayer (prarthana) expressing personal wishes.
6. Circumambulate the Tulsi plant an odd number of times (3, 7, or 11) after recitation as a mark of reverence.

Best Day & Time to Recite

Ekadashi (the eleventh lunar day) of each fortnight, and especially Kartik Ekadashi during Tulsi Vivah, is the most auspicious time for reciting the Tulsi Chalisa. Tuesdays and Fridays are also considered particularly favourable. The pre-dawn hours (brahma muhurta) or sunrise, before the household day begins, are ideal for this practice. In the month of Kartik (October–November), daily recitation is especially meritorious, as this entire month is sacred to both Tulsi and Lord Vishnu.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the story behind Tulsi Mata and why is she so revered?

Tulsi Mata is identified with Goddess Vrinda, whose story of devotion, sacrifice, and divine transformation is narrated in several Puranas. She was originally a devoted wife whose purity was the source of her demon-husband Jalandhara's invincibility. After the tragedy of his death - orchestrated by Lord Vishnu to restore cosmic balance - her grief-stricken curses led to Vishnu assuming the Shaligrama form and herself becoming the Tulsi plant. Vishnu honoured her by declaring that his worship is incomplete without Tulsi leaves, making her presence indispensable in Hindu puja.

Can women recite Tulsi Chalisa during their menstrual cycle?

This depends on personal and family tradition. Some households observe a customary pause from touching the Tulsi plant during those days, in line with older purity norms. Others see sincere devotion as paramount and recite the Chalisa without physical proximity to the plant. Consulting one's own family tradition or a trusted spiritual guide is the most respectful approach, as practices vary widely across regions and lineages.

What is Tulsi Vivah and how does it relate to the Tulsi Chalisa?

Tulsi Vivah is the ceremonial wedding of the Tulsi plant to the Shaligrama stone (a form of Lord Vishnu), observed on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi or Dwadashi. It celebrates the eternal bond between Tulsi (Vrinda) and Vishnu that the Chalisa itself describes in its narrative verses. On this day, reciting the Tulsi Chalisa while performing the wedding ritual is considered especially meritorious and is said to bestow the blessings of a happy marriage, healthy children, and household prosperity.