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 ||
Sebanyak mana daun Tulasi yang gugur dari pangkalnya, sebanyak itulah dosa—bermula dengan brahmahatyā, dosa besar membunuh seorang brāhmaṇa—turut dimusnahkan.
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.