नाहिंन चरन-रति ताहि तें सहौं बिपति, कहत श्रुति सकल मुनि मतिधीर। बसै जो ससि-उछंग सुधा-स्वादित कुरंग, ताहि क्यों भ्रम निरखि रबिकर-नीर॥ १॥ सुनिय नाना पुरान, मिटत नाहिं अग्यान, पढ़िय न समुझिय जिमि खग कीर। बँधत बिनहिं पास सेमर-सुमन-आस, करत चरत तेइ फल बिनु हीर॥ २॥ कछु न साधन-सिधि, जानौं न निगम-बिधि, नहिं जप-तप, बस मन, न समीर। तुलसिदास भरोस परम करुना-कोस, प्रभु हरिहें बिषम भवभीर॥ ३॥
Because there is no love for his feet, I endure calamity—so says the Veda, and all steadfast sages. Why would a deer dwelling in the moon’s lap and tasting nectar be deluded on seeing the sun’s mirage-water? (1) Hearing many Puranas does not erase ignorance when one reads but does not understand, like the parrot. Without any snare it binds itself in hope of the silk-cotton blossom, pecking and grazing upon that fruit without a core. (2) I possess neither spiritual means nor attainment; I know no Vedic procedure. I have neither recitation nor austerity, neither mastery of mind nor breath. Tulsidas relies on the supreme Treasury of Compassion; the Lord will remove his terrible fear of becoming. (3)