हे हरि! कवन जतन सुख मानहु। ज्यों गज-दसन तथा मम करनी, सब प्रकार तुम जानहु॥ १॥ जो कछु कहिय करिय भवसागर तरिय बच्छपद जैसे। रहनि आन बिधि, कहिय आन, हरिपद-सुख पाइय कैसे॥ २॥ देखत चारु मयूर बयन सुभ बोलि सुधा इव सानी। सबिष उरग-आहार, निठुर अस, यह करनी वह बानी॥ ३॥ अखिल-जीव-वत्सल, निरमत्सर, चरन-कमल-अनुरागी। ते तव प्रिय रघुबीर धीरमति, अतिसय निज-पर-त्यागी॥ ४॥ जद्यपि मम औगुन अपार संसार-जोग्य रघुराया। तुलसिदास निज गुन बिचारि करुनानिधान करु दाया॥ ५॥
Hari, by what effort could you be pleased? My conduct is like an elephant’s two kinds of tusks—one displayed, another used for eating—and you know it in every way. (1) By what I say and do, I should cross the ocean of becoming as though it were a calf’s hoofprint; but my conduct is one thing and my words another—how can I attain joy in Hari’s feet? (2) The peacock looks beautiful and speaks auspiciously, its call steeped as if in nectar, yet it cruelly eats venomous snakes. Such is my conduct, though such are my words. (3) Those who cherish every living being, are free from envy, love your lotus feet, and have utterly abandoned the distinction of self and other—steadfast Raghubira, they are dear to you. (4) Though my boundless faults make me fit for worldly existence, Lord of Raghu, Tulsidas prays: consider your own virtues, Treasury of Compassion, and show mercy. (5)