Shloka 76
The Glory of Dhātrī (Āmalakī) and Tulasī: Ekādaśī Observance and Protection from Preta States
मृतके सूतके जप्यं न त्यक्तं येन केनचित् । तस्यान्नं च जलं प्रेताः खादंति तु सदैव हि
mṛtake sūtake japyaṃ na tyaktaṃ yena kenacit | tasyānnaṃ ca jalaṃ pretāḥ khādaṃti tu sadaiva hi
Jika semasa tempoh ketidaksuci kematian atau kelahiran seseorang tidak meninggalkan bacaan mantera, maka roh-roh jahat akan memakan makanan dan airnya.
Not specified in the provided excerpt (context needed from Adhyaya 60 narrative frame).
Concept: Ritual discipline includes knowing when to pause; violating impurity-period restraints corrupts the fruit of practice and invites subtle harm.
Application: Observe sutaka/mṛtaka rules per one’s tradition; when in doubt, consult a qualified priest/elder; replace prohibited recitation with permitted remembrance (smaraṇa), charity, or silent prayer as advised.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside a modest home, a mourner sits with a rosary, lips moving in forbidden recitation while the air thickens with unseen presence. Near the threshold, translucent pretas lean toward the household’s food and water vessels, as if siphoning their essence, while a small lamp flickers uncertainly beside a covered mirror and ritual cloths of mourning.","primary_figures":["householder in impurity period","preta-spirits","a silent elder figure (advisor)"],"setting":"interior of a traditional home during mṛtaka/sūtaka—covered altar, simple vessels of anna and jala, subdued household","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["lamp gold","smoky umber","deep maroon","shadow violet","pale ash"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: interior dharma scene—householder with japa-mālā beside food and water pots, faint pretas drawn as translucent forms; gold leaf highlights on the lamp flame and mala beads; rich maroons and greens, ornate border with lotus and conch motifs, South Indian domestic architecture details.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate room with delicate lines—soft lamp glow, cool shadows; pretas rendered as light washes; refined facial expressions showing anxiety and scruple; minimal furnishings, lyrical realism, muted palette with a single warm focal lamp.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines—central seated figure with mala, pretas as pale green/gray silhouettes reaching toward vessels; strong red/yellow/green pigments, temple-wall composition, expressive eyes conveying fear and moral tension.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic composition—central vessels of anna-jala with swirling dark floral motifs around them; a small distant Vishnu shrine motif above, suggesting dharma oversight; intricate borders, deep indigo background, gold accents on lamp and mala."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["faint sobbing hush","lamp crackle","distant conch from temple","silence after each pāda","soft bead clicks"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्य + अन्नम् → तस्यान्नं; खादंति (IAST khādaṃti) = खादन्ति; केन + चित् → केनचित्
FAQs
It states that recitation (japa) that is meant to be suspended during periods of birth-impurity (sūtaka) or death-impurity (mṛtaka) should indeed be stopped; failing to do so is portrayed as spiritually harmful.
The verse uses the image of pretas consuming one’s sustenance to warn that improper observance during impurity periods leads to negative unseen consequences—loss of merit and disturbance in the subtle order associated with rites and purity.
The ethical emphasis is on discipline and respect for dharmic boundaries: spiritual practice is not only about doing more, but also about knowing when to pause in accordance with prescribed observances.