तौ हौं बार बार प्रभुहि पुकारिकै खिझावतो न, जो पै मोको होतो कहूँ ठाकुर-ठहरू। आलसी-अभागे मोसे तैं कृपालु पाले-पोसे, राजा मेरे राजाराम, अवध सहरू॥ १॥ सेये न दिगीस, न दिनेस, न गनेस, गौरी, हित कै न माने बिधि हरिउ न हरु। रामनाम ही सों जोग-छेम, नेम, प्रेम-पन, सुधा सों भरोसो एहु, दूसरो जहरु॥ २॥ समाचार साथके अनाथ-नाथ! कासों कहौं, नाथ ही के हाथ सब चोरऊ पहरु। निज काज, सुरकाज, आरतके काज, राज! बूझिये बिलंब कहा कहूँ न गहरु॥ ३॥ रीति सुनि रावरी प्रतीति-प्रीति रावरे सों, डरत हौं देखि कलिकालको कहरु। कहेही बनैगी कै कहाये, बलि जाउँ, राम, ‘तुलसी! तू मेरो, हारि हिये न हहरु’॥ ४॥
Otherwise I would not anger the Lord by calling upon him again and again, if I had any other master or refuge anywhere. Compassionate One, you have nourished and sustained the lazy and unfortunate like me; Rājarāma is my king, and Ayodhyā my city. (1) I have served neither the guardians of the directions, the sun, Gaṇeśa, nor Gaurī; for my good I have acknowledged neither Brahmā, Viṣṇu, nor Hara. My acquisition and preservation, discipline, love, and vow rest upon Rāma’s Name alone. This trust is nectar; every other is poison. (2) Lord of the orphaned, to whom shall I report the condition of my companions? All the thieves and guards are in the Lord’s own hands. Consider, King: in your own affairs, the gods’ affairs, or the afflicted one’s affairs, where has there ever been delay or hindrance? (3) Hearing of your way, I came to trust and love you, yet I am afraid when I behold the havoc of the Kali age. Whether you say it yourself or have it said, that alone will set me right—blessed Rāma, say: “Tulsi, you are mine; do not lose heart and tremble within.” (4)