Shloka 25
श्रोत्रयोर्मस्तके येषां तुलस्याः पर्णमुत्तमम् । कर्हिचिद्दृश्यते विप्र विज्ञेयास्ते च वैष्णवाः
śrotrayormastake yeṣāṃ tulasyāḥ parṇamuttamam | karhiciddṛśyate vipra vijñeyāste ca vaiṣṇavāḥ
ഹേ വിപ്രാ! ആരുടെ ചെവികളിലോ ശിരസ്സിലോ ഏതെങ്കിലും സമയത്ത് തുളസിയുടെ ഉത്തമ ഇല ദൃശ്യമാകുന്നുവോ—അവരെ വൈഷ്ണവർ എന്നു അറിയണം।
Unspecified (narrative voice addressing a brāhmaṇa: “vipra”)
Concept: Even a simple tulasī leaf worn on head/ears signifies Vaiṣṇava affiliation and reverence for Viṣṇu.
Application: Keep tulasī with respect—wear a leaf during pūjā/kīrtana, or place it on the head after offering; let the symbol remind one to speak truthfully and act non-harmfully.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A brāhmaṇa-devotee stands near a tulasī-vṛndāvana, gently placing a fresh tulasī leaf upon his head and tucking another near the ear. The scene is intimate and quiet, emphasizing the sanctity of small gestures that declare belonging to Hari.","primary_figures":["Vaiṣṇava brāhmaṇa devotee","Tulasī plant (vṛndāvana)"],"setting":"Home shrine corner with a small Viṣṇu image, copper water pot, and a raised tulasī planter decorated with rangoli.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm saffron","leaf green","copper brown","pearl white","midnight blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: close-up devotional portrait of a brāhmaṇa placing tulasī leaf on the head and near the ear, tulasī-vṛndāvana beside him, small Viṣṇu shrine behind; gold leaf highlights on jewelry, lamps, and shrine arch, rich reds/greens, embossed halo-like aura around the act.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate domestic shrine scene, soft facial features, tulasī leaves rendered with fine brushwork, cool greens and gentle blues, patterned floor, subtle incense smoke curling upward.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized devotee with bold outlines and expressive eyes, tulasī-vṛndāvana with rhythmic leaf patterns, lamp flames in yellow-red, flat yet majestic composition with temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: tulasī-vṛndāvana central with ornate floral border, devotee placing tulasī leaf on head, small shrine framed by lotus motifs; deep indigo background, gold detailing, peacock-feather accents in the border."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft bell chime","incense crackle","quiet breathing","distant conch","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्रोत्रयोः मस्तके (no sandhi in Devanagari writing); पर्णम् उत्तमम् → पर्णमुत्तमम्; कर्हिचित् दृश्यते → कर्हिचिद्दृश्यते (त् + द् → द्द्); विज्ञेयाः ते → विज्ञेयास्ते.
FAQs
Tulasī is treated as especially sacred to Viṣṇu; wearing or bearing her leaves is presented as an outward sign of Viṣṇu-bhakti and devotional identity.
It highlights a recognizable devotional marker (Tulasī), but within Purāṇic teaching such symbols typically point to an inner orientation of reverence and bhakti toward Viṣṇu.
The verse encourages honoring and recognizing those devoted to Viṣṇu, and it underscores the value of devotional practices and sacred symbols that cultivate remembrance of the divine.