Shloka 105
The Glory of Dhātrī (Āmalakī) and Tulasī: Ekādaśī Observance and Protection from Preta States
ईश्वर उवाच । सर्वेभ्यः पत्रपुष्पेभ्यः सत्तमा तुलसी शिवा । सर्वकामप्रदा शुद्धा वैष्णवी विष्णुसुप्रिया
īśvara uvāca | sarvebhyaḥ patrapuṣpebhyaḥ sattamā tulasī śivā | sarvakāmapradā śuddhā vaiṣṇavī viṣṇusupriyā
قال إيشڤارا: «من بين جميع الأوراق والزهور، أسمى ما يكون هي التولسي المباركة. تمنح كلّ المرادات، وهي طاهرة، فايشنفية، ومحبوبة جدًّا لدى فيشنو».
Īśvara (Mahādeva/Śiva)
Concept: Among all offerings, Tulasi is the supreme, pure, and most Viṣṇu-beloved medium of devotion that fulfills aims.
Application: Offer Tulasi leaves/flowers with clean intention in daily pūjā; cultivate purity (śauca) and single-pointed devotion rather than merely expensive materials.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Śiva, serene and ash-smeared, speaks as a luminous Tulasi plant rises like a green goddess beside a small Viṣṇu shrine. The air is perfumed; Tulasi leaves glow with subtle divine script-like veins, suggesting her ‘Vaiṣṇavī’ nature and intimate dear-ness to Viṣṇu.","primary_figures":["Śiva (Īśvara/Mahādeva)","Tulasi-devī (personified)","Viṣṇu (as a small shrine icon or subtle presence)"],"setting":"Forest-hermitage courtyard with a simple altar; a Tulasi-vṛndāvana (raised platform) near a Viṣṇu śālagrāma pedestal.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["emerald green","ash white","sapphire blue","lamp-flame gold","lotus pink"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Śiva seated in calm discourse posture, right hand in vyākhyāna-mudrā, beside a richly decorated Tulasi-vṛndāvana; a small Viṣṇu icon with śaṅkha-cakra in the background; heavy gold leaf halos, gem-studded ornaments, deep maroon backdrop, ornate floral borders with Tulasi motifs, traditional South Indian iconography.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet āśrama courtyard with delicate Tulasi plant rendered in fine brushwork; Śiva speaking gently, a small Viṣṇu shrine under a flowering tree; cool greens and blues, lyrical naturalism, refined faces, distant Himalayan foothills and a thin stream glinting.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, Śiva with characteristic large eyes and calm smile, Tulasi-devī emerging from the plant as a green-gold goddess; warm red and yellow background, temple-wall aesthetic, stylized lotus and vine patterns framing the scene.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Tulasi-vṛndāvana surrounded by lotus motifs and intricate floral borders; Viṣṇu presence suggested through śaṅkha-cakra emblems; peacocks perched on vines, deep indigo field with gold highlights, devotional symmetry and ornate detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","gentle silence","faint rustle of leaves"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पत्रपुष्पेभ्यः इति द्वन्द्वसमासः; विष्णुसुप्रिया = विष्णोः + सुप्रिया (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)
FAQs
The verse elevates Tulasi as uniquely auspicious and spiritually potent for worship, portraying her as pure and especially pleasing to Viṣṇu, hence superior among offerings.
By highlighting what is “dear to Viṣṇu,” the verse frames devotion as relational: offering Tulasi becomes an act of loving service that aligns the devotee with Viṣṇu’s preference.
It suggests cultivating purity and devotion through simple, consistent acts—using Tulasi in worship and remembering that sincere offerings, not extravagance, are central to devotional life.