Shloka 13
The Glory of Tulasī and Dhātrī (Āmalakī): Protection from Yama and Attainment of Vaikuṇṭha
यः पुनस्तुलसीमालां कण्ठे कृत्वा जनार्दनम् । पूजयेत्पुण्यमाप्नोति प्रतिपुष्पं गवायुतम्
yaḥ punastulasīmālāṃ kaṇṭhe kṛtvā janārdanam | pūjayetpuṇyamāpnoti pratipuṣpaṃ gavāyutam
யார் துளசிமாலையை கழுத்தில் அணிந்து ஜனார்தனனை வழிபடுகிறாரோ, அவர் ஒவ்வொரு மலருக்கும் ‘கவாயுத’—அளவிலா கோதானத்திற்கு ஒப்பான—புண்ணியத்தை அடைகிறார்.
Unspecified (Purāṇic narrator within Brahma-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Even a simple act of bhakti—worshiping Janardana while wearing Tulasi—multiplies punya beyond ordinary charity.
Application: Wear a Tulasi garland (or mala) during daily puja/japa; consciously dedicate each leaf/flower to Vishnu and treat it as a vow of identity and restraint.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Vaishnava devotee stands before a small sanctum where Janardana is worshiped, a fresh Tulasi garland resting on the devotee’s neck and another offered at the deity’s feet. Each Tulasi blossom glows like a tiny lamp, and behind them a symbolic river of golden light suggests immeasurable merit flowing outward like countless cow-gifts.","primary_figures":["Janardana (Vishnu)","Vaishnava devotee","Tulasi-devi (subtle presence as a sanctifying aura)"],"setting":"Temple inner courtyard with a Tulasi-vrindavana (raised basil altar), conch and bell near the lamp, flower baskets and a copper water pot for abhisheka.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["sapphire blue","lotus pink","gold leaf","emerald green","sandalwood beige"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Janardana in a frontal iconic stance on a jeweled pedestal, devotee offering a Tulasi garland while wearing one; heavy gold leaf halos, rich crimson and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, ornate arch (prabhavali), tiny Tulasi leaves rendered as green enamel-like motifs, deep lamp-lit ambience.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate temple veranda scene with delicate brushwork; Janardana’s serene face, soft shading, refined jewelry; devotee in simple white cloth with green Tulasi mala; lyrical naturalism with a small Tulasi-vrindavana, pale stone floor, cool greens and blues, gentle incense haze.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments; Janardana with large expressive eyes, elaborate crown, yellow-red-green palette; devotee offering Tulasi garland; stylized lotus and creeper borders, temple wall aesthetic, rhythmic symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Vishnu as Janardana centered within a floral mandala of Tulasi and lotuses; intricate borders with peacocks and cow motifs symbolizing go-dana merit; deep indigo background, gold highlights, hanging garlands, Nathdwara-like ornamentation adapted to Vishnu iconography."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","lamp crackle","murmured japa","incense-breath silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुनस्तुलसीमालां = पुनः + तुलसीमालाम्; पूजयेत्पुण्यमाप्नोति = पूजयेत् + पुण्यम् + आप्नोति.
FAQs
It praises wearing a tulasī garland (tulasī-mālā) and worshiping Janārdana (Viṣṇu) as a highly meritorious act.
It states that the merit gained is extraordinarily large—likened to the merit of donating an immense number/measure of cows—for each individual flower offered or counted in the devotional act.
It emphasizes that sincere, simple devotion expressed through sacred symbols (tulasī) and worship of Viṣṇu yields great spiritual merit, encouraging consistent bhakti practice.