Shloka 114
The Glory of Dhātrī (Āmalakī) and Tulasī: Ekādaśī Observance and Protection from Preta States
यथा गंगा पवित्रांगी सुरलोके विमोक्षदा । यथा भागीरथी पुण्या तथैवं तुलसी शिवा
yathā gaṃgā pavitrāṃgī suraloke vimokṣadā | yathā bhāgīrathī puṇyā tathaivaṃ tulasī śivā
De même que la Gaṅgā, aux membres purs, accorde la délivrance dans le monde des dieux, et de même que la Bhāgīrathī est sainte, ainsi la Tulasī est-elle aussi propice et sacrée.
Unspecified (narratorial voice within Adhyaya 60 context)
Concept: Tulasi is a living tirtha: as Gaṅgā grants liberation through contact, Tulasi grants auspiciousness and sanctification through worship and association.
Application: Treat Tulasi with the same reverence as a sacred river—cleanliness, daily watering, circumambulation, and mindful speech/actions near her; cultivate purity as a daily habit.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Gaṅgā flows in luminous silver-blue, descending from Himalayan heights, while in the foreground a thriving Tulasi plant stands on a raised vṛndāvana, encircled by lamps. A visual bridge of light connects river and plant, declaring them equal in sanctity—one a vast tirtha, the other a household tirtha.","primary_figures":["Ganga-devi (personified river goddess)","Tulasi-devi (as sacred plant/personified presence)","Vaishnava devotee"],"setting":"Riverbank with distant snow peaks and a nearby temple courtyard holding a Tulasi-vṛndāvana; conch and lamps suggest Vaishnava worship.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["silver blue","himalayan white","tulasi green","soft gold","slate gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Ganga-devi seated on a makara above flowing waters with gold leaf highlights; Tulasi-vṛndāvana in the foreground with lamps; a devotee performing pradakshina; ornate gold halos, rich reds and greens, embossed river waves and jeweled ornaments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical Himalayan landscape with Bhagirathi river winding through valleys; delicate Tulasi platform near a small shrine; cool blues and grays with gentle moonlight; refined figures of Ganga-devi and a devotee, subtle spiritual glow linking river and plant.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized Ganga-devi with bold outlines and large eyes, river rendered as patterned bands; Tulasi platform with lamp motifs; strong red/yellow/green palette; temple-wall framing with lotus borders and wave patterns.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Tulasi-vṛndāvana surrounded by concentric floral borders; Ganga depicted as a flowing ribbon motif with lotus clusters; peacocks and cows at margins; deep blue ground with gold and white detailing, intricate border ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["flowing water","distant temple bells","soft conch shell","night insects","silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पवित्रांगी → पवित्र-अङ्गी; सुरलोके → सुर-लोके; तथैवं → तथा एवम्.
FAQs
It equates Tulasī’s auspicious sanctity with Gaṅgā/Bhāgīrathī’s renowned purity and liberating power, placing Tulasī among the highest sacred supports of dharma and devotion.
Gaṅgā represents a famed pilgrimage tīrtha, while Tulasī is accessible in household worship; the verse bridges pilgrimage merit and daily devotional practice by affirming comparable sacredness.
Reverence for purity and auspiciousness is not limited to distant holy places; cultivating sanctity through simple, consistent devotion (such as honoring Tulasī) is also upheld as spiritually elevating.