Shloka 109
The Glory of Dhātrī (Āmalakī) and Tulasī: Ekādaśī Observance and Protection from Preta States
तुलसीपत्रमेकं तु शतहेमफलप्रदम् । नान्यैः पुष्पैस्तथापत्रैर्नान्यैर्गंधानुलेपनैः
tulasīpatramekaṃ tu śatahemaphalapradam | nānyaiḥ puṣpaistathāpatrairnānyairgaṃdhānulepanaiḥ
ស្លឹកទុលសីតែមួយសន្លឹក ប្រោសផ្លែផលដូចការបូជាមាសមួយរយដង; ផលបែបនេះមិនទទួលបានដោយផ្កាផ្សេង ស្លឹកផ្សេង ឬគ្រឿងក្រអូបលាបផ្សេងទៀតឡើយ។
Unspecified (narrative voice not provided in the single-verse input; commonly framed within Purāṇic dialogue contexts)
Concept: A single Tulasi leaf yields merit surpassing lavish material offerings; devotion’s ‘dear offering’ outweighs expensive substitutes.
Application: Do not equate spirituality with expense: offer Tulasi with sincerity; simplify worship while deepening intention; practice non-ostentation and consistent daily devotion.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee’s hand offers a single fresh Tulasi leaf at the feet of a Viṣṇu śālagrāma, while behind it heaps of gold, perfumes, and exotic flowers fade into soft shadow—visually declaring the leaf’s superior spiritual radiance. The Tulasi leaf emits a subtle golden aura that forms the number ‘100’ as a halo-like motif, symbolizing ‘śata-hemā’ fruit.","primary_figures":["Viṣṇu (as śālagrāma or temple icon)","Devotee (hands in offering)","Tulasi leaf (central focus)"],"setting":"Intimate home shrine or temple sanctum with a small lamp, conch, and offering plate; background includes gold coins and perfumes rendered as secondary, subdued elements.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["deep indigo","lamp gold","leaf green","bronze","ivory"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: close-up devotional offering—single Tulasi leaf at Viṣṇu’s feet with intense gold leaf glow; background shows gold offerings and perfumes subdued; embossed gold borders, rich maroon and green accents, jewel-like ornamentation on the deity icon, traditional South Indian altar details.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate hands offering a Tulasi leaf to a small Viṣṇu icon; soft lamp light, minimalistic elegance; cool indigo shadows, fine brushwork on the leaf veins, refined domestic shrine setting with subtle textiles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized shrine with bold outlines; Tulasi leaf enlarged and radiant; warm red/yellow background, green leaf highlighted with natural pigments; lamp and conch as iconic shapes, devotional simplicity emphasized.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central oversized Tulasi leaf as a sacred emblem before Viṣṇu symbols; ornate floral borders with Tulasi sprigs and lotuses; deep blue ground with gold highlights, symmetrical offering trays, peacocks at corners, intricate Nathdwara-style detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","conch shell","soft cymbals (tāla)","lamp crackle","brief silence after the merit claim"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tulasīpatram = tulasī-patram; nānyaiḥ = na + anyaiḥ; puṣpaistathāpatraiḥ = puṣpaiḥ + tathā + patraiḥ; nānyairgaṃdhānulepanaiḥ = na + anyaiḥ + gandha-anulepanaiḥ.
FAQs
It teaches the exceptional spiritual efficacy of offering a tulasī leaf—portrayed as surpassing the merit of many conventional offerings like flowers, leaves, and perfumes.
By valuing a simple, heartfelt devotional offering (tulasī) over costly or elaborate ritual items, it highlights devotion and sacred intent rather than material expense.
It uses comparison to stress tulasī’s special status; it does not necessarily forbid other offerings, but elevates tulasī as uniquely potent in devotional worship.