Shloka 115
The Glory of Dhātrī (Āmalakī) and Tulasī: Ekādaśī Observance and Protection from Preta States
किं च गंगाजले नैव किंच पुष्करसेवया । तुलसीदलमिश्रेण जलेनैव प्रमोद्यते
kiṃ ca gaṃgājale naiva kiṃca puṣkarasevayā | tulasīdalamiśreṇa jalenaiva pramodyate
Weder erfreut ihn bloß das Wasser der Gaṅgā, noch der Dienst in Puṣkara; wahrhaft erfreut ihn allein Wasser, dem Tulasī-Blätter beigemischt sind.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed for exact dialogue attribution).
Concept: Bhagavān is especially pleased by offerings sanctified through Tulasi, beyond even famed tīrtha-merit.
Application: Offer drinking water or arghya to Viṣṇu/Śālagrāma with a Tulasi leaf; prioritize sincerity and purity of offering over external prestige of place.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene riverside altar shows a simple copper lota of water with fresh Tulasi leaves floating on the surface, while the distant Gaṅgā ghāṭa and the Pushkar lake steps appear as faint, secondary horizons. Viṣṇu’s presence is suggested by a soft aura above the offering, indicating that the Lord’s delight is drawn to Tulasi-mixed water more than to famed pilgrimage waters alone.","primary_figures":["Viṣṇu (Keśava/Mādhava)","Tulasi-devī (as sacred plant/personified presence)","a humble devotee"],"setting":"A small home-shrine or riverside platform with a Tulasi plant in a clay pot; distant silhouettes of Gaṅgā ghāṭas and Puṣkara steps as symbolic backdrops.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sapphire blue","lotus pink","gold leaf","copper bronze","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Viṣṇu’s subtle divine aura hovering above a copper vessel of water filled with Tulasi leaves, a devotee offering arghya beside a thriving Tulasi in a decorated pot; distant Gaṅgā ghāṭa and Puṣkara lake suggested in miniature panels; heavy gold leaf halos, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, traditional South Indian iconography, ornate arch frame.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet courtyard shrine with a Tulasi plant, a devotee holding a small lota of water with floating Tulasi leaves; far background shows a ribbon of the Gaṅgā and a small lake evoking Puṣkara; delicate brushwork, cool morning air, lyrical naturalism, refined faces, soft greens and blues, thin white highlights.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined devotee at a lamp-lit shrine offering Tulasi-mixed water; stylized Tulasi plant prominent; Viṣṇu’s presence indicated by a radiant mandala; natural pigments with dominant reds, yellows, greens; temple-wall aesthetic and large expressive eyes.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Tulasi plant and offering vessel with floating leaves before a symbolic Viṣṇu aura; ornate floral borders of Tulasi and lotus motifs; deep indigo background with gold detailing; peacocks near the shrine, intricate patterns, Nathdwara-inspired devotional composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","flowing water","morning birds","brief silence between pādas"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गंगाजले → गङ्गा-जले; नैव → न एव; किंच → किम् च; जलेनैव → जलेन न एव (पाठानुसार नैव/एव; अर्थतः 'only/indeed'—यहाँ 'न एव' रूपेण विग्रहः); तुलसीदलमिश्रेण → तुलसी-दल-मिश्रेण.
FAQs
It references two famed tīrthas—Gaṅgā and Puṣkara—yet frames them as secondary to devotion expressed through tulasī, showing how pilgrimage geography is integrated into a bhakti-centered hierarchy of value.
By stating that even renowned sacred waters and pilgrimages do not please as much as water sanctified with tulasī, it elevates a simple devotional offering (tulasī, beloved in Vaiṣṇava practice) over external merit.
Sincerity and devotional intent outweigh prestige and display: the verse teaches that humble, loving offerings can be spiritually superior to celebrated acts performed without the same inner bhakti.