Thulasi Ashtotharam

Thulasi  Ashtotharam

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

(Story of Thulasi:-Thulasi (ocimum sanctum) is possibly the holiest plant for the Hindus. There is a story in Devi Bhagavatam about her. Long long ago Lord Vishnu had three wives viz Lakshmi, Saraswathi and Ganga.(I have verified this in several sources) One day Ganga looked at Lord Vishnu with lot of passion, when the other two were present. A big quarrel erupted between them. When Saraswathi attacked Ganga, Lakshmi tried to separate them. Saraswathi got infuriated and cursed Lakshmi that she should be born as a plant in earth. Ganga cursed Saraswathi, that she should become a river and Saraswathi in turn cursed Ganga that she should become an ever flowing river. Lakshmi, who was loved a lot by Lord Vishnu, told her, “Please do not worry. You would be first born as a daughter of a very pious soul called Dharma Dwaja and later marry an Asura called Shanka Chooda, who would be one of my incarnations. Later you would come and join me in Vaikunta, after becoming the holy plant Thulasi.” There was a great king called Rudra Savarni, in his clan was born a great king called Vrusha dwaja. Vrusha Dwaja was a very great devotee of Lord Shiva. Because of this he banned worship of all other Gods except Lord Shiva in his kingdom. Due to non worship of Goddess Lakshmi during the Kanya (October-November) month, there was a great famine in his country. Apart from that Lord Surya, who was also not worshipped, cursed the king that he would become a wretch. This infuriated Lord Shiva. He sent his Trident against Lord Surya. Lord Surya, afraid of Shiva’s trident ran to his father Kashyapa Prajapathi for help. Since he was not in a position to help, both of them approached Lord Brahma. He also expressed his helplessness to protect Lord Surya and all of them together went to meet Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva also came there. Then Lord Vishnu pointed out that since the time of Deva’s was very much different, thousands of years have passed in the earth and Vrusha Dwaja was no more. He requested Lord Shiva to take back his trident. Then Lord Vishnu told them that in the clan of Vrusha Dwaja, two kings viz Dharma Dwaja and, Kusa Dwaja were remaining and both of them were doing extreme penance to Goddess Lakshmi, so that she would bless their kingdom .Goddess Lakshmi appeared before them and blessed them saying that she would be born as daughter to them and with this their country would become fertile and rich. Kusa dwaja married a lady called Malawathi and a daughter Veda Vathi was born to them. When Veda Vathi was doing Thapas (penance), Ravana tried to rape her. She cursed Ravana that, if he touches any lady without their consent his head will beak in to thousand pieces. She then jumped in to the sacrificial fire and died. Ravana took the ashes of the fire, put them in a box and threw it in the sea. This box was swept ashore in the kingdom of Mithila and was fond by Janaka. Vedavathi was in side the box in the form of a girl child .She was called Sita, who later became the wife of Lord Rama. Dharma dwaja married a lady called Madhawi and Goddess Lakshmi was born to them as a girl child. Since she was an incomparable beauty, they called her Thula Si (Incomparable one). Thulasi grew up in to lass as soon as she was born and left her kingdom and started doing Thapas in Bhadrinath with a wish to marry Lord Vishnu .She did Thapas in the middle of fire all round her in summer and under water in winter. She did Thapas for twenty four thousand years eating only fruits. Another thirty six thousand years eating only leaves, another forty four thousand years eating only air and the last ten thousand years without eating any thing. Lord Brahma, appeared before her and asked her what she wanted. She told him that she wanted to become the wife of Lord Vishnu. Lord Brahma told her, “Hey Thulasi, Lord Sudhama who was a part of Lord Krishna is now born as an Asura called Shanka Chooda.He is a part incarnation of Lord Vishnu. You would first become his wife. Later you would become the wife of Lord Narayana. While going back , a part of you would remain in this world as a holy plant called Thulasi. Any worship which does not include worship with the leaves of Thulasi, would be incomplete and would not be accepted by Gods.” Shanka Chooda at that time had pleased Lord Brahma by his Thapas and was given a Vishnu kavacha(armour) and a boon that unless the armour is removed from his body and till his wife looses her virtue(Pathivruthya) , no body can kill him, Shanka Chooda requested Thulasi to marry him and both were married. They lead an extremely happy life. This time Shanka Chooda started giving trouble to the Devas. Devas accompanied by Lord Shiva approached Lord Vishnu for a solution. Lord Vishnu gave his spear to Lord Shiva so that he can break the Vishnu Kavacha , which Shanka Chooda was wearing, When Lord Shiva and Shanka Chooda were engaged in a fierce battle, and Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Shanka Chooda and went to Shanka Chooda’s palace. When they entered the bed room Thulasi started suspecting Lord Vishnu. Then Lord Vishnu took his real form and told her, “Lakshmi, you have been doing great penance to marry me. By Now Shanka Chooda would have been killed by Lord Shiva and it is time for you to leave this body and come as Lakshmi to Vaikunta and be with me. Your body which you leave here will become a great river called Gandaki and your hair would transform itself in to a holy plant Thulasi. This plant would become the holiest among plants.” Lord Vishnu and goddess Lakshmi returned to Vaikunta.)

1.Om Sri Tulasyai Namah –Salutations to her who is holy
2.Om Nandinyai Namah –Salutations to her who adds  jot
3.Om Devyai Namah –Salutations to her who is the Goddess
4.Om Shikhinyai Namah –Salutations to her whohas reached the summit of knowledge
5.Om Dharinyai Namah –Salutations to her who lifts us all
6.Om Dhatryai Namah–Salutations to her who is our mother
7.Om Savitryai Namah –Salutations to her who shines like sun
8.Om Satyasandhayai Namah –Salutations to her who is truthful
9.Om Kalaharinyai Namah –Salutations to her who  makes time profitable
10.Om Gauryai Namah–Salutations to her who is Goddess Parvathi
11.Om Devagiitayai Namah–Salutations to her who is the song of the celestials
12.Om Dravyasyai Namah –Salutations to her whogrants wealth
13.Om Padminyai Namah –Salutations to her who is sacred
14.Om Siitayai Namah –Salutations to her who is Sita
15.Om Rukminyai Namah –Salutations to her who is Rukmini
16.Om Priyabhuushanayai Namah–Salutations to her who wears ornaments she likes
17.Om Shreyasyai Namah–Salutations to her who has fame
18.Om Shriimatyai Namah–Salutations to her who is one blessed with auspeciousness
19.Om Manyayai Namah–Salutations to her who is respectable
20.Om Gauryai Namah–Salutations to her who is Gauri
21.Om Gautamarchitayai Namah –Salutations to her who is worshipped by Gauthama
22.Om Tretayai Namah –Salutations to her who saves
23.Om Tripathagayai Namah –Salutations to her who has three flags
24.Om Tripadayai Namah –Salutations to her who has three legs
25.Om Trimuurtyai Namah–Salutations to her who is trinity of  Gods
26.Om Jagatrayayai Namah–Salutations to her who is the three  worlds
27.Om Trasinyai Namah –Salutations to her who is anxious
28.Om Gaatrayai Namah –Salutations to her who is the body
29.Om Gatriyayai Namah –Salutations to her who wears the girdle
30.Om Garbha varinyai Namah–Salutations to her who gives boon of pregnancy
31.Om Shobhanayai Namah–Salutations to her who is smart
32.Om Samayai Namah–Salutations to her who is equal
33.Om Dviradayai Namah –Salutations to her who is an elephant
34.Om Aradyai Namah–Salutations to her who is half
35.Om Yogyavidyayai Namah–Salutations to her who is knowledge  of  Yoga
36.Om Mahavidyayai Namah–Salutations to her who is the great knowledge
37.Om Guhyavidyayai Namah –Salutations to her who is the secret  knowledge
38.Om Kamaksyai Namah –Salutations to her who is Goddess  Kamakshi
39.Om Kulayai Namah –Salutations to her whois the resating place
40.Om Shriiyai Namah –Salutations to her who is wealth
41.Om Bhuumyai Namah –Salutations to her who is earth
42.Om Bhavitryai Namah –Salutations to her who makes it happen in future
43.Om Savitryai Namah –Salutations to her who is Savithri
44.Om Sara vedavidamvarayai Namah –Salutations to her who knows about essence of Vedas
45.Om Shankhinyai Namah –Salutations to her who holds the conch
46.Om Chakrinyai Namah –Salutations to her who jolds the divine wheel
47.Om Charinyai Namah –Salutations to her who keeps on moving
48.Om Chapalekshanayai Namah –Salutations to her whohas ever moving eyes
49.Om Piitambarayai Namah –Salutations to her who wears the yellow silk
50.Om ProtaSomayai Namah –Salutations to her who pervades  the moon
51.Om Saurasayai Namah –Salutations to her who belongs to the Sun
52.Om Aksinyai Namah –Salutations to her who never perishes
53.Om Ambayai Namah –Salutations to her who is the mother
54.Om Saraswatyai Namah –Salutations to her who is  SAraswathi
55.Om Samshrayayai Namah –Salutations to her who is the shelter
56.Om Sarva Devatyai Namah –Salutations to her who is all gods
57.Om Vishveshrayayai Namah –Salutations to her who is goddess  of universe
58.Om Sugandhinyai Namah–Salutations to her who has sweet scent
59.Om Suvasanayai Namah –Salutations to her who has a pleasant smell
60.Om Varadayai Namah –Salutations to her who grats a boon
61.Om Sushronyai Namah –Salutations to her who collects good things 
62.Om Chandrabhagayai Namah –Salutations to her whois the holy river Chandrabhaga
63.Om Yamunaapriyayai Namah –Salutations to her who likes river Yamuna
64.Om Kaveryai Namah –Salutations to her who is river Cauvery
65.Om Manikarnikayai Namah–Salutations to her who is river Manikarnika
66.Om Archinyai Namah –Salutations to her who shines
67.Om Sthayinyai Namah –Salutations to her whois stable
68.Om Danapradayai Namah –Salutations to her whogives wealth
69.Om Dhanavatyai Namah –Salutations to her who is rich
70.Om Sochyamanasayai Namah –Salutations to her who has thoughtful mind
71.Om Shuchinyai Namah –Salutations to her who is gleaming
72.Om Shreyasyai Namah –Salutations to her who is famous
73.Om Priiti chinteksanyai Namah–Salutations to her who thinks about  dear aspects
74.Om Vibhuutyai Namah –Salutations to her who has innate power
75.Om Aakrityai Namah –Salutations to her who has a form
76.Om Aavirbhuutyai Namah–Salutations to her who manifested herself
77.Om Prabhavinyai Namah–Salutations to her who has power
78.Om Gandhinyai Namah–Salutations to her who has sweet scent
79.Om Svarginyai Namah –Salutations to her who belongs to heaven
80.Om Gathyai Namah –Salutations to her who is the path
81.Om Vedyayai Namah –Salutations to her who is the Vedas
82.Om Prabhayai Namah–Salutations to her who is luster
83.Om Sarasyai Namah –Salutations to her who is gracious
84.Om Sarasivasayai Namah –Salutations to her wholives near a pool
85.Om Saraswatyai Namah –Salutations to her who is goddess  Saraswathi
86.Om Sharavatyai Namah –Salutations to her who hears us
87.Om Rasinyai Namah –Salutations to her who has a good taste
88.Om Kalinyai Namah –Salutations to her who has fragrance
89.Om Shreyovatyai Namah –Salutations to her who has got fame
90.Om Yamayai Namah –Salutations to her whohas self control
91.Om Brahmapriyayai Namah –Salutations to her who is dear to Brahma
92.Om Shyamasundarayai Namah –Salutations to her who is black and pretty
93.Om Ratnaruupinyai Namah –Salutations to her who has the form of a gem
94.Om Shamanidhinyai Namah –Salutations to her who his a curative treasure
95.Om Sathanandayai Namah –Salutations to her who is always happy
96.Om Satadyutaye Namah –Salutations to her who always shines
97.Om Shitikanthayai Namah –Salutations to her who has dark blue luster
98.Om Prayayai Namah –Salutations to her who is prominent
99.Om Dhatryai Namah –Salutations to her who is the mother
100.Om Sri Vrindavanyai Namah –Salutations to her who is the  Vrindavana
101.Om Krishnayai Namah –Salutations to her who is Krishna
102.Om Bhaktavatsalayai Namah –Salutations to her who loves  her devotees
103.Om Gopikakriidayai Namah–Salutations to her who is played by the Gopa ladies
104.Om Harayai Namah –Salutations to her who is green
105.Om Amritaruupinyai Namah –Salutations to her who is the form of nectar
106.Om Bhuumyai Namah –Salutations to her who is the earth
107.Om Sri Krishnakantayai Namah –Salutations to her who is the wife of Krishna
108.Om Sri Tulasyai Namah–Salutations to her who is thulasi