Shloka 54
The Glory of Dhātrī (Āmalakī) and Tulasī: Ekādaśī Observance and Protection from Preta States
दीयमाने द्विजाग्र्ये तु दातारं प्रतिविध्यति । चिरं प्रेतत्वमाश्रित्य नरकान्न निवर्तते
dīyamāne dvijāgrye tu dātāraṃ pratividhyati | ciraṃ pretatvamāśritya narakānna nivartate
Wenn aber, während einem erhabenen Brahmanen eine Gabe dargebracht wird, jemand den Spender verletzt, nimmt er lange den Zustand eines Preta an und kehrt nicht aus der Hölle zurück.
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within the chapter context)
Concept: Harming a donor during the act of giving to a worthy brāhmaṇa is a severe sacrilege leading to prolonged pretatva and non-return from hell.
Application: Protect and honor charitable acts; do not exploit donors or sabotage religious giving; cultivate gratitude and non-violence around sacred transactions.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A solemn dāna ceremony unfolds: a donor extends a gift toward an honored brāhmaṇa, while a violent interrupter strikes at the donor’s arm. The moment freezes as cosmic justice manifests—Yamadūtas emerge from shadow, and the aggressor’s form begins to thin into a hungry preta, with a distant vision of naraka gates awaiting.","primary_figures":["donor (dātā)","excellent brāhmaṇa recipient (dvijāgrya)","aggressor","Yamadūtas","preta-form (emerging)"],"setting":"Temple courtyard or āśrama veranda with offering tray, water pot, and sacred thread rituals","lighting_mood":"dramatic","color_palette":["burnished gold","deep maroon","obsidian black","ash gray","saffron orange"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central dāna scene with donor and dvijāgrya under an ornate arch, aggressor caught mid-strike; gold leaf halos and borders, embossed offering vessels, rich reds/greens, Yamadūtas in darker tones at the edges, gem-like ornamentation and high-contrast moral symbolism.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate courtyard scene with delicate gestures—gift exchange interrupted; subtle supernatural presence in misty corners, naraka gate faint in background; cool shadows with warm saffron highlights, refined expressions of shock and sternness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized figures, strong narrative clarity—donor, brāhmaṇa, aggressor, Yamadūtas; red/yellow/green palette with black accents, temple-wall symmetry and ornamental borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional moral pichwai—central dāna vignette framed by lotus and tulasi garlands, side panels showing merit of charity; deep blue background with gold floral borders, peacocks and cows as auspicious witnesses contrasted with dark Yamadūta silhouettes."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["sharp bell clang","conch blast (brief)","crow caw (ominous)","wind gust","sudden silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रेतत्वमाश्रित्य = प्रेतत्वम् आश्रित्य; नरकान्न = नरकात् न
FAQs
It condemns harming or obstructing a donor at the moment of charity—especially when giving to a worthy recipient—stating that such an act brings severe karmic consequences.
A “preta” is described as a restless, unsettled post-death condition; the verse says the offender remains in that state for a long time due to the gravity of the wrongdoing.
“Dvijāgrya” indicates a highly qualified Brahmin recipient; the verse highlights that violating the sanctity of such a charitable act is considered especially harmful and thus karmically weighty.