देव— नौमि नारायणं नरं करुणायनं, ध्यान-पारायणं, ज्ञान-मूलं। अखिल संसार-उपकार-कारण, सदयहदय, तपनिरत, प्रणतानुकूलं॥ १॥ श्याम नव तामरस-दामद्युति वपुष, छवि कोटि मदनार्क अगणित प्रकाशं। तरुण रमणीय राजीव-लोचन ललित, वदन राकेश, कर-निकर-हासं॥ २॥ सकल सौंदर्य-निधि, विपुल गुणधाम, विधि-वेद-बुध-शंभु-सेवित, अमानं। अरुण पदकंज-मकरंद मंदाकिनी मधुप-मुनिवृंद कुर्वन्ति पानं॥ ३॥ शक्र-प्रेरित घोर मदन मद-भंगकृत, क्रोधगत, बोधरत, ब्रह्मचारी। मार्कण्डेय मुनिवर्यहित कौतुकी बिनहि कल्पांत प्रभु प्रलयकारी॥ ४॥ पुण्य बन शैलसरि बद्रिकाश्रम सदासीन पद्मासनं, एक रूपं। सिद्ध-योगींद्र-वृंदारकानंदप्रद, भद्रदायक दरस अति अनूपं॥ ५॥ मान मनभंग, चितभंग मद, क्रोध लोभादि पर्वतदुर्ग, भुवन-भर्त्ता। द्वेष-मत्सर-राग प्रबल प्रत्यूह प्रति, भूरि निर्दय, क्रूर कर्म कर्त्ता॥ ६॥ विकटतर वक्र क्षुरधार प्रमदा, तीव्र दर्प कंदर्प खर खड्गधारा। धीर-गंभीर-मन-पीर-कारक, तत्र के वराका वयं विगतसारा॥ ७॥ परम दुर्घट पथं खल-असंगत साथ, नाथ! नहिं हाथ वर विरति-यष्टी। दर्शनारत दास, त्रसित माया-पाश, त्राहि हरि, त्राहि हरि, दास कष्टी॥ ८॥ दासतुलसी दीन धर्म-संबलहीन, श्रमित अति, खेद, मति मोह नाशी। देहि अवलंब न विलंब अंभोज-कर, चक्रधर-तेजबल शर्मराशी॥ ९॥
Lord—I bow to Narayana and Nara, abode of compassion, wholly devoted to meditation and root of knowledge; cause of benefit to the entire world, tender-hearted, intent on austerity and favorable to those who bow. (1) Their bodies are dark with the luster of garlands of fresh blue lotuses; their beauty outshines countless millions of suns of love. Youthful and charming, lovely lotus-eyed, their faces are full moons and the host of their rays is laughter. (2) Treasuries of every beauty and vast abodes of virtues, served by Brahma, the Veda, the wise and Shiva, free from pride; companies of sages, like bees, drink the Mandakini nectar from their ruddy lotus feet. (3) When fierce Kama was sent by Indra, they shattered his pride, let anger pass, remained absorbed in awakening and kept their celibacy. For the good of the eminent sage Markandeya, the Lord playfully brought dissolution even without the end of a kalpa. (4) In holy Badrikashram, amid forest, mountain and river, they ever sit in lotus posture, of one form. Their utterly incomparable sight gives delight to Siddhas and lordly yogis and bestows blessedness. (5) Sustainer of worlds, you break prestige and pride, disturb the deluded mind, and demolish the mountain-forts of anger, greed and the rest; against each powerful obstacle—hatred, envy and attachment—you are utterly merciless, a doer of fierce deeds. (6) Woman is an exceedingly perilous, crooked razor-edge; desire’s fierce arrogance is the sharp stream of a harsh sword. It inflicts pain even on resolute and profound minds—then what are we wretched, strengthless ones there? (7) The road is supremely impassable, with wicked, ill-matched companions. Lord, my hand holds no excellent staff of dispassion. Your servant longs for your sight and trembles in Maya’s noose. Save me, Hari, save your suffering servant! (8) Servant Tulsi is lowly, without the provisions of dharma, utterly exhausted and distressed, his understanding ruined by delusion. Lotus-handed discus-bearer, mass of refuge, splendor and strength, give me support without delay. (9)