Shloka 123
The Glory of Dhātrī (Āmalakī) and Tulasī: Ekādaśī Observance and Protection from Preta States
भूतले वापि तं येन हर्यर्थं तुलसीवनम् । कृतं क्रतुशतं तेन विधिवत्प्रियदक्षिणम्
bhūtale vāpi taṃ yena haryarthaṃ tulasīvanam | kṛtaṃ kratuśataṃ tena vidhivatpriyadakṣiṇam
ഈ ഭൂമിയിൽ ഹരിക്കായി തുളസിവനം സ്ഥാപിക്കുന്നവൻ—വിധിപൂർവ്വം പ്രിയ ദക്ഷിണയോടുകൂടി നൂറ് യജ്ഞങ്ങൾ ചെയ്തവനായി കണക്കാക്കപ്പെടുന്നു.
Not specified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses).
Concept: Creating a Tulasī grove for Hari yields the merit of a hundred properly performed sacrifices with due dakṣiṇā.
Application: Plant and care for Tulasī (or support community gardens/temple groves); dedicate the act explicitly to Hari; pair devotion with generosity (dakṣiṇā spirit) through charity and gratitude.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On fertile earth, devotees plant rows of Tulasī saplings, each tied with sacred thread and watered from brass pots. Above the grove, a translucent vision of a hundred fire-altars appears in the sky, suggesting that this living forest itself has become a grand yajña offered to Hari.","primary_figures":["devotees (men/women/children)","Tulasī plants (many)","Hari/Viṣṇu (subtle blessing form in the clouds)","priests (optional, symbolic)"],"setting":"Temple garden or riverside plot transformed into a Tulasī-vana with stone pathways, small lamps, and a central Viṣṇu shrine.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["leaf green","sunlit gold","terracotta brown","lotus pink","sky blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a lush Tulasī grove with a central Viṣṇu shrine under a gold-leaf arch; devotees planting and offering water; in the upper register, stylized yajña-kuṇḍas shimmering with gold leaf; rich reds/greens, ornate borders, gem-like highlights.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: pastoral devotional scene with delicate brushwork; terraced garden, small figures planting Tulasī; distant hills and a soft sunrise; a faint celestial overlay of fire-altars; cool greens and warm gold washes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: narrative panel of Tulasī planting; bold outlines, rhythmic repetition of plants; Viṣṇu blessing in a cloud medallion; strong red-yellow-green palette, temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Tulasī grove arranged like a floral mandala; central Kṛṣṇa/Viṣṇu symbol (conch-disc) with lotus borders; cows and peacocks at the edges; intricate vines and gold detailing, deep blues framing the green abundance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["hand bells","community chanting","rustling leaves","water pouring","conch shell (auspicious)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वापि = वा + अपि; हर्यर्थं = हरि + अर्थम् (यण्-सन्धि); क्रतुशतं = क्रतु + शतम्; विधिवत्प्रियदक्षिणम् = विधिवत् + प्रियदक्षिणम् (त् + प्).
FAQs
It elevates tulasī-devotion as a powerful bhakti act: creating a tulasī grove for Hari is declared equivalent in merit to performing one hundred Vedic sacrifices, including proper dakṣiṇā.
By equating a simple, accessible devotional act (establishing tulasī for Hari) with elaborate sacrificial rites, it highlights that heartfelt service to Vishnu can match the fruits of complex rituals.
It encourages sustainable, public-spirited devotion—supporting sacred plants and spaces dedicated to Vishnu—presenting it as a dharmic act with immense spiritual reward.