Shloka 31
Means of Liberation in Kali-yuga: Satsanga, Hearing Kṛṣṇa-kathā, and the Marks of a Vaiṣṇava
वेदशास्त्रानुरक्ता ये तुलसीवनपालकाः । राधाष्टमीव्रतरता विज्ञेयास्ते च वैष्णवाः
vedaśāstrānuraktā ye tulasīvanapālakāḥ | rādhāṣṭamīvrataratā vijñeyāste ca vaiṣṇavāḥ
ये वेदशास्त्रानुरक्ता, ये तुलसीवनपालकाः, ये च राधाष्टमीव्रतरताः—ते वैष्णवा इति विज्ञेयाः।
Unspecified narrator (contextual speaker not provided in the input excerpt)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: forest
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विज्ञेयास्ते = विज्ञेयाः + ते (विसर्ग-सन्धि: ḥ + त → स्त); अन्यत्र स्पष्टपदविभागः।
FAQs
One devoted to Vedic–śāstric learning, who safeguards Tulasī groves, and who faithfully observes the Rādhāṣṭamī vow is identified here as a Vaiṣṇava.
Tulasī is treated as especially sacred in Vaiṣṇava practice; protecting her groves symbolizes active care for devotional sacred space, not merely private belief.
True religious identity is shown through disciplined study, devotional observances, and tangible stewardship (protecting what is sacred), rather than by label alone.