Shloka 54
The Glory of Dhātrī (Āmalakī) and Tulasī: Ekādaśī Observance and Protection from Preta States
दीयमाने द्विजाग्र्ये तु दातारं प्रतिविध्यति । चिरं प्रेतत्वमाश्रित्य नरकान्न निवर्तते
dīyamāne dvijāgrye tu dātāraṃ pratividhyati | ciraṃ pretatvamāśritya narakānna nivartate
ശ്രേഷ്ഠ ദ്വിജനു ദാനം നൽകുന്ന സമയത്ത് ദാതാവിനെ മുറിപ്പെടുത്തുന്നവൻ—ദീർഘകാലം പ്രേതത്വം ആശ്രയിച്ച് നരകത്തിൽ നിന്ന് മടങ്ങിവരുകയില്ല.
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within the chapter context)
Concept: Harming a donor during the act of giving to a worthy brāhmaṇa is a severe sacrilege leading to prolonged pretatva and non-return from hell.
Application: Protect and honor charitable acts; do not exploit donors or sabotage religious giving; cultivate gratitude and non-violence around sacred transactions.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A solemn dāna ceremony unfolds: a donor extends a gift toward an honored brāhmaṇa, while a violent interrupter strikes at the donor’s arm. The moment freezes as cosmic justice manifests—Yamadūtas emerge from shadow, and the aggressor’s form begins to thin into a hungry preta, with a distant vision of naraka gates awaiting.","primary_figures":["donor (dātā)","excellent brāhmaṇa recipient (dvijāgrya)","aggressor","Yamadūtas","preta-form (emerging)"],"setting":"Temple courtyard or āśrama veranda with offering tray, water pot, and sacred thread rituals","lighting_mood":"dramatic","color_palette":["burnished gold","deep maroon","obsidian black","ash gray","saffron orange"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central dāna scene with donor and dvijāgrya under an ornate arch, aggressor caught mid-strike; gold leaf halos and borders, embossed offering vessels, rich reds/greens, Yamadūtas in darker tones at the edges, gem-like ornamentation and high-contrast moral symbolism.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate courtyard scene with delicate gestures—gift exchange interrupted; subtle supernatural presence in misty corners, naraka gate faint in background; cool shadows with warm saffron highlights, refined expressions of shock and sternness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized figures, strong narrative clarity—donor, brāhmaṇa, aggressor, Yamadūtas; red/yellow/green palette with black accents, temple-wall symmetry and ornamental borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional moral pichwai—central dāna vignette framed by lotus and tulasi garlands, side panels showing merit of charity; deep blue background with gold floral borders, peacocks and cows as auspicious witnesses contrasted with dark Yamadūta silhouettes."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["sharp bell clang","conch blast (brief)","crow caw (ominous)","wind gust","sudden silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रेतत्वमाश्रित्य = प्रेतत्वम् आश्रित्य; नरकान्न = नरकात् न
FAQs
It condemns harming or obstructing a donor at the moment of charity—especially when giving to a worthy recipient—stating that such an act brings severe karmic consequences.
A “preta” is described as a restless, unsettled post-death condition; the verse says the offender remains in that state for a long time due to the gravity of the wrongdoing.
“Dvijāgrya” indicates a highly qualified Brahmin recipient; the verse highlights that violating the sanctity of such a charitable act is considered especially harmful and thus karmically weighty.