Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 66
Mārkaṇḍeya-varṇanam
The Description of Mārkaṇḍeya
तुलसीगन्धमाघ्राय सन्तोषं कुर्वते तु ये । तन्मूलमृतिकां ये च ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ६६ ॥
tulasīgandhamāghrāya santoṣaṃ kurvate tu ye | tanmūlamṛtikāṃ ye ca te vai bhāgavatottamāḥ || 66 ||
Those who feel contentment merely by inhaling the fragrance of Tulasī—and those who also revere the sacred soil from her roots—are indeed the foremost Bhāgavatas, the Lord’s exalted devotees.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It presents Tulasi as a direct marker of Vaishnava devotion: even simple reverence—like taking joy in her fragrance and honoring the soil at her roots—indicates a devotee whose heart is naturally inclined to Bhagavān.
Bhakti is shown as heartfelt and accessible: not only elaborate rites, but sincere delight in Bhagavān’s sacred associates (like Tulasi) and respect for their sanctity is praised as the sign of an “uttama-bhāgavata.”
No specific Vedanga (Śikṣā, Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, etc.) is taught here; the practical takeaway is ritual conduct (ācāra) in Vaishnava pūjā—honoring Tulasi and her mūla-mṛttikā as devotional sanctity.