Shloka 26
The Greatness of the Hymn to Tulasī
धर्मारण्ये गयायां च सेविता पितृभिः स्वयम् । सेविता तुलसी पुण्या आत्मनो हितमिच्छता
dharmāraṇye gayāyāṃ ca sevitā pitṛbhiḥ svayam | sevitā tulasī puṇyā ātmano hitamicchatā
ໃນທັມມາຣັນຍະ ແລະທີ່ຄະຍາ ພວກປິຕຣະໄດ້ບູຊາເຈົ້າດ້ວຍຕົນເອງ. ຜູ້ໃດປາຖະໜາປະໂຫຍດແກ່ຕົນ ຄວນບູຊາທຸລະສີຜູ້ບໍລິສຸດ.
Not specified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses).
Concept: Worship of Tulasi is beneficial for one’s own welfare; even the Pitṛs honor her—linking ancestral peace with devotional purity.
Application: When performing śrāddha or remembering ancestors, include sattvic devotion—offer Tulasi leaves in Viṣṇu worship, keep intentions pure, and do charity in their name.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At Gayā’s sacred precinct, near the sandy banks of the Phalgu, ancestral spirits (pitṛs) appear in subtle, luminous forms, offering reverence to a tulasī plant placed beside a Viṣṇu shrine. A pilgrim performs śrāddha with calm focus—piṇḍas on darbha, water offerings, and Tulasi leaves sanctifying the rite—suggesting both compassion for ancestors and self-welfare.","primary_figures":["Tulasi (sacred plant)","Pitṛs (subtle ancestral forms)","Pilgrim/householder performing śrāddha","Viṣṇu (as shrine presence)"],"setting":"Gayā-kṣetra riverbank/ghāṭa with śrāddha platforms, darbha grass, earthen lamps, and a small shrine.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["sandstone beige","river-silver","leaf green","lamp-flame amber","smoke grey"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Gayā ghāṭa with a central Viṣṇu shrine and tulasī in a decorated pot; householder offering piṇḍa and water; pitṛs as faint golden silhouettes; gold leaf on lamps, shrine arch, and tulasī halo; rich ornamental borders and traditional iconography.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: quiet riverbank scene with delicate figures; pitṛs rendered as translucent pale forms; tulasī vivid green beside a small shrine; refined brushwork, gentle earth tones, and contemplative atmosphere.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized ghāṭa and shrine; bold outlines; pitṛs in simplified luminous forms; tulasī emphasized with bright green; strong reds/yellows/greens and symmetrical composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central tulasī and Viṣṇu shrine framed by lotus borders; rows of small lamps and floral motifs; river rendered as patterned bands; gold highlights on ritual items, deep blue accents for sacredness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["flowing river water","low priestly chanting","soft bell","conch in distance","crackling lamp wicks"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हितमिच्छता = हितम् + इच्छता (m + i → mi).
FAQs
It highlights Dharmāraṇya and Gayā as notable sacred locations, with Gayā especially associated with ancestral rites (Pitṛ-related sanctity).
By recommending devotion to Tulasi—widely revered in Vaiṣṇava practice—as a direct, meritorious act for one’s spiritual welfare.
Seek lasting self-benefit through sacred service: honoring revered symbols of dharma (like Tulasi) and respecting ancestral traditions linked to holy places.