Padma Purana — Srishti Khanda, Shloka 65
The Glory of Dhātrī (Āmalakī) and Tulasī: Ekādaśī Observance and Protection from Preta States
तेन विष्णुं सुसंपूज्य न गछंति पिशाचताम् । प्रेता ऊचुः । सतां संदर्शनात्पुण्यमिति पौराणिका विदुः
tena viṣṇuṃ susaṃpūjya na gachaṃti piśācatām | pretā ūcuḥ | satāṃ saṃdarśanātpuṇyamiti paurāṇikā viduḥ
इस प्रकार विष्णु का सम्यक् पूजन करके वे पिशाचत्व को नहीं जाते। प्रेत बोले—‘सज्जनों के दर्शन से पुण्य होता है’—ऐसा पौराणिक आचार्य जानते हैं।
Pretas (departed spirits)
Concept: Viṣṇu-worship and the darśana of the virtuous generate puṇya that shields beings from degraded post-mortem states.
Application: Seek regular sat-saṅga, visit temples/saints, and keep a simple daily Viṣṇu-upāsanā (nāma-japa, lamp, offering) as a moral and psychological safeguard against harmful habits and despair.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A liminal cremation-ground edge dissolves into a luminous Viṣṇu shrine: pale, translucent pretas fold their hands as a radiant image of Viṣṇu is worshipped with lamps and flowers. As they behold a serene assembly of sādhus, their shadowy forms soften, suggesting release from piśāca-fear into calm merit.","primary_figures":["Viṣṇu (four-armed)","departed spirits (pretas)","virtuous sages (sat-puruṣas)"],"setting":"Threshold between a śmaśāna-like grove and a small temple pavilion with tulasī planter and oil lamps","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","lamp-flame gold","ash grey","lotus pink","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Viṣṇu seated on a jeweled throne with conch and discus, gold leaf halo blazing; in the foreground, translucent pretas with folded hands approach a row of serene sages; ornate temple arch, rich crimson and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, thick gold outlines, sacred lamp flames rendered in bright gold.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet riverside-temple pavilion at dusk, delicate linework; pale pretas at the edge of the scene gaze toward calm sādhus and a small Viṣṇu icon; cool blues and soft greens, lyrical trees, refined faces, gentle atmospheric perspective.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and flat natural pigments; Viṣṇu with large expressive eyes and radiant aura; pretas shown as subdued grey-green figures transformed by proximity to the saintly assembly; temple-lamp motifs, red-yellow-green palette with rhythmic decorative borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Viṣṇu/Nārāyaṇa icon framed by lotus and tulasī motifs; border of flowering vines; below, a procession of repentant pretas receiving darśana of saintly devotees; deep indigo background with gold highlights, intricate floral filigree."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","oil-lamp crackle","night breeze","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: संदर्शनात्पुण्यमिति = संदर्शनात् + पुण्यम् + इति; गछंति (पाठभेद) = गच्छन्ति
FAQs
It teaches that sincere and proper worship of Viṣṇu prevents a fall into degraded post-mortem conditions symbolized by “piśāca-hood,” implying protection and upliftment of the soul.
The verse presents a Purāṇic doctrine that contact with holiness begins with “darśana” (sacred seeing), which purifies the mind and generates puṇya by inspiring right conduct and devotion.
Even those in a troubled post-death state acknowledge the value of devotion and saintly association, underscoring the ethical priority of worship, reverence, and seeking the company (or sight) of the virtuous.