Shloka 25
The Glory of Tulasī and Dhātrī (Āmalakī): Protection from Yama and Attainment of Vaikuṇṭha
तुलसीवनमध्ये च धात्रीमूले च कार्तिके । कुर्याद्धर्यर्चनं विप्र वैकुण्ठं याति स ध्रुवम्
tulasīvanamadhye ca dhātrīmūle ca kārtike | kuryāddharyarcanaṃ vipra vaikuṇṭhaṃ yāti sa dhruvam
O Brahmane, wer im Monat Kārtika Hari verehrt—sei es mitten in einem Tulasī-Hain oder an der Wurzel eines Āmalakī-(Dhātrī-)Baumes—gelangt gewiss nach Vaikuṇṭha.
Unspecified (narrative voice addressing a brāhmaṇa as 'vipra')
Concept: Hari-arcana performed in Kārtika at Tulasi/Dhātrī sanctuaries leads surely to Vaikuṇṭha; devotion anchored in sacred association is salvific.
Application: Create a home Tulasi space; in Kārtika, offer lamp, water, and simple naivedya to Vishnu near Tulasi; if possible, worship near an āmalakī tree/temple courtyard.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a fragrant Tulasi grove during Kārtika, a devotee performs Hari-arcana with a small lamp, flowers, and a conch-filled water pot; nearby, the massive Dhātrī tree’s roots are adorned with garlands. Above, a translucent vision of Vaikuṇṭha opens—Vishnu on a jeweled throne—signaling the certainty of attainment.","primary_figures":["Hari (Vishnu) as the worshipped deity (icon or vision)","Devotee (vipra)","Tulasi plants","Dhātrī tree","Optional: Lakshmi as Vaikuṇṭha presence"],"setting":"Temple-garden courtyard blending Tulasi-vana and Dhātrī-mūla; ritual items: dīpa, incense, bell, flowers, śālagrāma or Vishnu murti.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","gold leaf","tulasi green","vermillion red","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vishnu murti receiving arcana in a Tulasi grove with Dhātrī roots garlanded, heavy gold leaf for halos and Vaikuṇṭha arch, rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments, ornate temple pillars, devotee in traditional attire offering dīpa and flowers.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate garden worship scene, delicate Tulasi leaves, Dhātrī trunk textured with fine brushwork, a soft celestial opening in the sky revealing Vaikuṇṭha, cool greens and blues with gentle gold accents, refined facial features and lyrical composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of Vishnu icon and devotee, stylized Tulasi grove patterns, Dhātrī roots emphasized with garlands, warm pigment palette with strong reds/yellows/greens, Vaikuṇṭha suggested as a decorative aureole behind Vishnu.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Krishna/Vishnu shrine framed by lotus borders, dense Tulasi motifs like a patterned garden, Dhātrī tree as a decorative pillar, peacocks and cows at the margins, deep blues and gold, lamp-offering as the focal gesture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","conch shell","lamp crackle","soft mridangam pulse"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्याद्धर्यर्चनम् = कुर्यात् + हर्यर्चनम् (त् + ह → द्ध; हरि + अर्चनम् → हर्यर्चनम्).
FAQs
The verse treats both as especially sacred supports for Vaiṣṇava devotion, presenting worship of Hari near tulasī or at the base of the dhātrī tree as highly meritorious, particularly in Kārtika.
It centers liberation-oriented attainment (Vaikuṇṭha) on a simple devotional act—hari-arcana (worship of Viṣṇu)—performed with reverence in auspicious time (Kārtika) and sacred space (tulasī grove or dhātrī root).
The verse encourages regular, accessible devotion: honoring sacred nature (trees associated with Vaiṣṇava practice) and dedicating one’s worship during holy times, with the assurance that sincere practice leads toward the highest spiritual goal.