Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 28
Dharmānukathana
Narration of Dharma
पत्राणि तुलसीमूलाद्यावन्ति पतितानि वै । तावन्ति ब्रह्महत्यादिपातकानि हतानि च ॥ २८ ॥
patrāṇi tulasīmūlādyāvanti patitāni vai | tāvanti brahmahatyādipātakāni hatāni ca || 28 ||
Autant de feuilles que sont tombées de la racine du Tulasi, autant de péchés—à commencer par la brahmahatyā, le crime terrible de tuer un brāhmaṇa—sont pareillement anéantis.
Sanatkumāra (teaching Nārada in dialogue form)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It declares the extraordinary purifying power (pāpa-kṣaya) associated with Tulasī: even contact with her fallen leaves is presented as spiritually potent enough to destroy grave sins, emphasizing devotion-centered purification rather than mere fear of transgression.
By glorifying Tulasī—an emblem of Vaiṣṇava bhakti—the verse teaches that sincere association with sacred devotion-objects (Tulasī-sevā) supports inner cleansing and draws one toward a life aligned with Viṣṇu-bhakti.
It primarily reflects ritual practice (kalpa/ācāra in the broader Vedāṅga sense): honoring Tulasī in daily worship as a practical discipline for purification (prāyaścitta) and dharmic living.