Tulsi Vivah Mangalashtak: Eight Auspicious Wedding Verses & Their Meaning

Tulsi Vivah Mangalashtak — Sanskrit Text

॥ अथ मङ्गलाष्टकम् ॥

श्रीमत्पङ्कजविष्टरो हरिहरौ वायुर्महेन्द्रोऽनलः
चन्द्रो भास्कर वित्तपाल वरुणाः प्रद्योतपादिग्रहाः ।
प्रद्युम्नो नलकूबरौ सुरगजश्चिन्तामणिः कौस्तुभः
स्वामी शक्तिधरश्च लाङ्गलधरः कुर्वन्तु वो मङ्गलम् ॥ १ ॥

गङ्गा गोमतिगोपतिर्गणपतिर्गोविन्दगोवर्धनौ
गीता गोमयगोरजौ गिरिसुता गङ्गाधरो गौतमः ।
गायत्री गरुडो गदाधरगया गम्भीरगोदावरी
गन्धर्वग्रहगोपगोकुलधराः कुर्वन्तु वो मङ्गलम् ॥ २ ॥

नेत्राणां त्रितयं महत्पशुपतेरग्नेस्तु पादत्रयं
तत्तद्विष्णुपदत्रयं त्रिभुवने ख्यातं च रामत्रयम् ।
गङ्गावाहपथत्रयं सुविमलं वेदत्रयं ब्राह्मणं
सन्ध्यानां त्रितयं द्विजैरभिमतं कुर्वन्तु वो मङ्गलम् ॥ ३ ॥

वाल्मीकिः सनकः सनन्दनमुनिर्व्यासो वसिष्ठो भृगुः
जाबालिर्जमदग्निरत्रिजनकौ गर्गोऽङ्गिरा गौतमः ।
मान्धाता भरतो नृपश्च सगरो धन्यो दिलीपो नलः
पुण्यो धर्मसुतो ययातिनहुषौ कुर्वन्तु वो मङ्गलम् ॥ ४ ॥

गौरी श्रीः कुलदेवता च सुभगा कद्रूः सुपर्णाः शिवाः
सावित्री च सरस्वती च सुरभिः सत्यव्रतारुन्धती ।
स्वाहा जाम्बवती च रुक्मभगिनी दुःस्वप्नविध्वंसिनी
वेला चाम्बुनिधेः समीनमकरा कुर्वन्तु वो मङ्गलम् ॥ ५ ॥

गङ्गा सिन्धु सरस्वती च यमुना गोदावरी नर्मदा
कावेरी सरयू महेन्द्रतनया चर्मण्वती वेदिका ।
क्षिप्रा वेत्रवती महासुरनदी ख्याता च या गण्डकी
पूर्णाः पुण्यजलैः समुद्रसहिताः कुर्वन्तु वो मङ्गलम् ॥ ६ ॥

लक्ष्मीः कौस्तुभपारिजातकसुरा धन्वन्तरिश्चन्द्रमा
गावः कामदुघाः सुरेश्वरगजो रम्भादिदेवाङ्गनाः ।
अश्वः सप्तमुखः सुधा हरिधनुः शङ्खो विषं चाम्बुधे
रत्नानीति चतुर्दश प्रतिदिनं कुर्वन्तु वो मङ्गलम् ॥ ७ ॥

ब्रह्मा वेदपतिः शिवः पशुपतिः सूर्यो ग्रहाणां पतिः
शुक्रो देवपतिर्नलो नरपतिः स्कन्दश्च सेनापतिः ।
विष्णुर्यज्ञपतिर्यमः पितृपतिस्तारापतिश्चन्द्रमा
इत्येते पतयस्सुपर्णसहिताः कुर्वन्तु वो मङ्गलम् ॥ ८ ॥

॥ इति मङ्गलाष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ॥

Transliteration (Roman/IAST)

Verse 1: Śrīmat-paṅkaja-viṣṭaro Hari-Harau Vāyur-Mahendro’nalaḥ, Candro Bhāskara Vittapāla Varuṇāḥ… kurvantu vo maṅgalam.

Refrain (every verse): … kurvantu vo maṅgalam — “may they bestow auspiciousness upon you.”

Each verse names a set of deities, sages, sacred rivers, the fourteen jewels of the churning of the ocean, and the lords of the cosmos, ending with the same blessing-refrain.

Meaning

The Mangalashtak is a benediction in eight verses, each ending with the refrain “kurvantu vo maṅgalam” — “may these bestow auspiciousness upon you.” Verse by verse it invokes the great gods (Brahma seated on the lotus, Vishnu and Shiva, Vayu, Indra, Agni, the Moon, Sun, Kubera and Varuna); sacred triads (the three eyes of Shiva, the three Ramas, the three sacred rivers); the great sages (Valmiki, Vyasa, Vasishtha and others); the divine goddesses and consorts; the holy rivers of Bharat (Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, Kaveri); the fourteen jewels churned from the ocean; and the presiding lords of every realm. All are called upon together to shower blessings on the bride, groom and assembly.

About this Stotra

The Mangalashtak is the traditional set of eight auspicious verses chanted at the moment of a Hindu marriage, as the priest ties the union and showers the couple with sacred rice (akshata). In the context of Tulsi Vivah — the ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi plant (the goddess Vrinda) to Lord Vishnu in the form of the Shaligrama, performed in the month of Kartik — the same Mangalashtak is recited to solemnise the divine wedding. It marks the start of the Hindu wedding season and is one of the most familiar nuptial chants in households across India.

Significance & Spiritual Benefits

By calling upon the entire pantheon — gods, sages, rivers, and the auspicious treasures of creation — the Mangalashtak surrounds the marriage with universal blessing and protection. Reciting it is believed to remove obstacles to the union, ensure marital harmony and prosperity, and invoke the grace of every divine power at once. In Tulsi Vivah it sanctifies the symbolic marriage that is thought to please Vishnu and bring blessings, especially to families praying for the well-being and timely marriage of their daughters.

Astrological Relevance

Marriage is governed in astrology by Venus (Shukra), the karaka of spouse and union, and by the 7th house. The Tulsi Vivah and its Mangalashtak are classic remedies for those facing delays or obstacles in marriage (manglik dosha, an afflicted 7th house, or a weak Venus or Jupiter). Performing or sponsoring a Tulsi Vivah, and chanting the Mangalashtak, is widely recommended to strengthen Venus and Jupiter (karaka of marriage for women) and to invite domestic harmony. The hymn’s invocation of the Moon and the auspicious jewels also supports emotional well-being in married life.

How to Chant (Vidhi)

For Tulsi Vivah, the Tulsi plant is decorated as a bride and married to a Shaligrama or an image of Vishnu/Krishna in the evening of Kartik Shukla Ekadashi or Dwadashi. The Mangalashtak is chanted at the moment of the symbolic wedding, with the assembly showering akshata at each refrain “kurvantu vo maṅgalam.” It may also be recited devotionally before any auspicious undertaking. Maintain purity, a lit lamp, and a clear, rhythmic recitation.

Best Day & Time

Tulsi Vivah is performed in Kartik month, on Prabodhini (Dev Uthani) Ekadashi through Kartik Purnima, in the evening. For general weddings, the Mangalashtak is chanted at the muhurta fixed by the astrologer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “kurvantu vo mangalam” mean?

It means “may they bestow auspiciousness upon you.” This refrain closes every one of the eight verses, turning each list of deities, sages and sacred things into a collective blessing on the couple and the gathering.

What is Tulsi Vivah?

Tulsi Vivah is the ceremonial marriage of the sacred Tulsi plant (the goddess Vrinda) to Lord Vishnu, performed in Kartik month. It marks the beginning of the Hindu wedding season and is believed to bring great merit, especially for the marriage prospects of daughters.

Can the Mangalashtak be recited outside a wedding?

Yes. Because it invokes universal auspiciousness, many devotees recite it before any important or auspicious beginning, not only at weddings.