Shloka 55
Dhruva’s Humiliation, Sunīti’s Counsel, and Nārada’s Bhakti-Yoga Instruction
सलिलै: शुचिभिर्माल्यैर्वन्यैर्मूलफलादिभि: । शस्ताङ्कुरांशुकैश्चार्चेत्तुलस्या प्रियया प्रभुम् ॥ ५५ ॥
salilaiḥ śucibhir mālyair vanyair mūla-phalādibhiḥ śastāṅkurāṁśukaiś cārcet tulasyā priyayā prabhum
शुचिभिः सलिलैः शुचिमाल्यैः वन्यैर्मूलफलादिभिः। शस्ताङ्कुरैः कुसुमकलीत्वगादिभिश्च प्रभुं समर्चेत्; तुलस्या प्रियया पत्रैश्च विशेषतः॥
It is specifically mentioned herein that tulasī leaves are very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and devotees should take particular care to have tulasī leaves in every temple and center of worship. In the Western countries, while engaged in propagating the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, we were brought great unhappiness because we could not find tulasī leaves. Therefore we are very much obliged to our disciple Śrīmatī Govinda dāsī because she has taken much care to grow tulasī plants from seeds, and she has been successful by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. Now tulasī plants are growing in almost every center of our movement.
FAQs
This verse teaches that tulasī is especially dear to the Supreme Lord and should be offered in worship along with pure, simple items like water, flowers, fruits, and sprouts.
Dhruva was practicing devotion in the forest; Nārada emphasizes that sincere bhakti does not depend on luxury—pure, readily available offerings are sufficient when offered with devotion.
Worship with cleanliness and sincerity—offer clean water, simple flowers or fruits, and tulasī (if available), focusing on heartfelt devotion rather than external opulence.