Shloka 29

Devotpatti-nirūpaṇa — Hari’s Pūrṇatva

Completeness) and the Ritual Doctrine of Sāra (Essence

Devanagari script

तुलसी सर्वदा सारा एकादश्यामपि द्विज / आर्द्रा वाप्यथवा शुष्का सार्द्रा सारवती स्मृता

Transliteration

tulasī sarvadā sārā ekādaśyāmapi dvija / ārdrā vāpyathavā śuṣkā sārdrā sāravatī smṛtā

Translation

О дваждырождённый (двиджа), Туласи всегда благодатна и действенна — особенно в день Экадаши. Будь она влажной или сухой, Туласи, употребляемая вместе с водой, помнится как поистине плодотворная и исполненная силы.

Word by Word

• तुलसी: Tulasi (holy basil)
• तुलसी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तुलसी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• सर्वदा: always
• सर्वदा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• सारा: excellent; full of essence
• सारा: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying ‘तुलसी’)

• एकादश्याम्: on Ekadashi
• एकादश्याम्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एकादशी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• अपि: also; even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), समुच्चय/अपि = ‘also/even’

• द्विज: O twice-born (brahmin)
• द्विज: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

• आर्द्रा: moist; fresh
• आर्द्रा: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आर्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (tulasī understood)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• अपि: also; even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), ‘also/even’

• अथवा: or else
• अथवा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथवा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (alternative/disjunction)

• शुष्का: dry
• शुष्का: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुष्क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (tulasī understood)

• स: with
• स: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Prefix)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स (अव्यय/उपसर्गसदृश)
• Form: उपसर्गसदृश-पूर्वपद (prefix-like), ‘with’ (सम्/सह अर्थे)

• आर्द्रा: moist
• आर्द्रा: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आर्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (tulasī understood)

• सारवती: possessing essence; excellent
• सारवती: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सारवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (tulasī)

• स्मृता: is regarded (as)
• स्मृता: Kriyā (क्रिया/Predicative)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु) + त (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृदन्त-भूतकर्मणि/भूतकालिक-कर्तरि प्रयोगः; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘(सा) स्मृता’ = ‘is considered/remembered’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Tulasī is perpetually potent and auspicious; devotionally offered (even dried, with water) it remains fruitful—especially on Ekādaśī.

Vedantic Theme: Bhakti as purifier; sacred association (saṅga) and intention (bhāva) elevate simple substances into enduring spiritual efficacy.

Application: Offer tulasī to Viṣṇu regularly; observe Ekādaśī with tulasī-sevā; if fresh leaves are unavailable, dried tulasī with water is still acceptable in devotion (within tradition).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.14.25–28 (contrast: many foods lose sāra by time; tulasī remains sāra).

Characters & Entities

• Tulasi
• Ekadashi
• Dvija

FAQs

What is the importance of Tulasi on Ekadashi in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that Tulasi is always spiritually efficacious, and its merit is emphasized on Ekadashi, making it a highly recommended offering in Vishnu-centered observances.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on death rituals?

In the Preta Kanda’s ritual context, Tulasi is treated as a powerful sacred aid; the verse underscores that even dried Tulasi remains meritorious when used properly (notably with water), aligning with the text’s focus on effective devotional supports.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Keep Tulasi for daily worship—especially on Ekadashi—and know that even dried leaves can be used reverently (commonly with water) to maintain continuity of practice when fresh leaves are unavailable.