Shloka 117
The Glory of Dhātrī (Āmalakī) and Tulasī: Ekādaśī Observance and Protection from Preta States
यो मंजरीदलैरेव तुलस्या विष्णुमर्चयेत् । तस्य पुण्यफलं स्कन्द कथितुं नैव शक्यते
yo maṃjarīdalaireva tulasyā viṣṇumarcayet | tasya puṇyaphalaṃ skanda kathituṃ naiva śakyate
হে স্কন্দ! যে কেবল তুলসীর মঞ্জরী ও পাতা দিয়েই বিষ্ণুর অর্চনা করে, তার পুণ্যফল বর্ণনা করা সত্যিই সম্ভব নয়।
Unspecified narrator addressing Skanda (Kārttikeya)
Concept: Even minimal Tulasi (buds/leaves) offered to Viṣṇu yields indescribable puṇya—bhakti magnifies small acts.
Application: Do not postpone worship for lack of elaborate materials; offer a single Tulasi leaf with attention and purity to Viṣṇu daily.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a celestial hall, Skanda listens as a sage proclaims the boundless merit of Tulasi-offerings; in the foreground, a devotee places tiny Tulasi buds and leaves at Viṣṇu’s feet, and the offering erupts into a subtle shower of light, suggesting merit beyond measure. The composition balances martial Skanda’s presence with the gentle sanctity of Tulasi.","primary_figures":["Skanda (Kārttikeya)","Viṣṇu","a Purāṇic sage/narrator","a devotee offering Tulasi"],"setting":"A luminous divine sabhā with lotus pillars; a small altar with Viṣṇu’s feet (pāda-pīṭha) and a Tulasi garland nearby.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["celestial white","emerald green","royal blue","sunlit gold","vermillion"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Viṣṇu seated with gold-leaf halo, a devotee offering Tulasi buds and leaves at His feet; Skanda stands respectfully to one side with spear (vel) subdued in posture; ornate sabhā with lotus motifs, rich reds/greens, embossed gold borders, gem-studded jewelry, high devotional iconography.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a refined courtly divine assembly; Skanda attentive, sage speaking, and a small intimate act of offering Tulasi at Viṣṇu’s feet; delicate brushwork, cool blues and greens, lyrical clouds, subtle glow around the Tulasi offering.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: symmetrical composition with Viṣṇu central, Skanda to the side, Tulasi offering emphasized with stylized leaves; bold black outlines, warm yellow-red ground, green accents, temple-wall aesthetic and large expressive eyes.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Viṣṇu aura with Tulasi vines forming an ornate border; small devotee offering Tulasi buds; peacocks and lotus patterns around; deep indigo background with gold detailing, intricate floral filigree, devotional textile richness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","soft mridangam pulse","choral ‘Hari’ refrain","resonant hall ambience"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मंजरीदलैरेव → मञ्जरी-दलैः एव; विष्णुमर्चयेत् → विष्णुम् अर्चयेत्; पुण्यफलं → पुण्य-फलम्; नैव → न एव.
FAQs
It recommends worshipping Viṣṇu with Tulasī—specifically even with its buds and leaves—emphasizing the sanctity of this simple offering.
It teaches that sincere devotional worship (arcana) with a humble offering like Tulasī yields immeasurable spiritual merit, highlighting devotion over material grandeur.
The verse underscores reverence, simplicity, and sincerity in worship: small, pure acts done with devotion can bear results beyond ordinary calculation or description.