Shloka 114
The Glory of Dhātrī (Āmalakī) and Tulasī: Ekādaśī Observance and Protection from Preta States
यथा गंगा पवित्रांगी सुरलोके विमोक्षदा । यथा भागीरथी पुण्या तथैवं तुलसी शिवा
yathā gaṃgā pavitrāṃgī suraloke vimokṣadā | yathā bhāgīrathī puṇyā tathaivaṃ tulasī śivā
புனித அங்கங்களையுடைய கங்கை தேவருலகில் மோட்சம் அளிப்பதுபோல, பாகீரதி புண்ணியமயமானதுபோல, துளசியும் ‘சிவா’—மங்களகரமும் புனிதமும்—ஆகும்.
Unspecified (narratorial voice within Adhyaya 60 context)
Concept: Tulasi is a living tirtha: as Gaṅgā grants liberation through contact, Tulasi grants auspiciousness and sanctification through worship and association.
Application: Treat Tulasi with the same reverence as a sacred river—cleanliness, daily watering, circumambulation, and mindful speech/actions near her; cultivate purity as a daily habit.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Gaṅgā flows in luminous silver-blue, descending from Himalayan heights, while in the foreground a thriving Tulasi plant stands on a raised vṛndāvana, encircled by lamps. A visual bridge of light connects river and plant, declaring them equal in sanctity—one a vast tirtha, the other a household tirtha.","primary_figures":["Ganga-devi (personified river goddess)","Tulasi-devi (as sacred plant/personified presence)","Vaishnava devotee"],"setting":"Riverbank with distant snow peaks and a nearby temple courtyard holding a Tulasi-vṛndāvana; conch and lamps suggest Vaishnava worship.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["silver blue","himalayan white","tulasi green","soft gold","slate gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Ganga-devi seated on a makara above flowing waters with gold leaf highlights; Tulasi-vṛndāvana in the foreground with lamps; a devotee performing pradakshina; ornate gold halos, rich reds and greens, embossed river waves and jeweled ornaments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical Himalayan landscape with Bhagirathi river winding through valleys; delicate Tulasi platform near a small shrine; cool blues and grays with gentle moonlight; refined figures of Ganga-devi and a devotee, subtle spiritual glow linking river and plant.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized Ganga-devi with bold outlines and large eyes, river rendered as patterned bands; Tulasi platform with lamp motifs; strong red/yellow/green palette; temple-wall framing with lotus borders and wave patterns.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Tulasi-vṛndāvana surrounded by concentric floral borders; Ganga depicted as a flowing ribbon motif with lotus clusters; peacocks and cows at margins; deep blue ground with gold and white detailing, intricate border ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["flowing water","distant temple bells","soft conch shell","night insects","silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पवित्रांगी → पवित्र-अङ्गी; सुरलोके → सुर-लोके; तथैवं → तथा एवम्.
FAQs
It equates Tulasī’s auspicious sanctity with Gaṅgā/Bhāgīrathī’s renowned purity and liberating power, placing Tulasī among the highest sacred supports of dharma and devotion.
Gaṅgā represents a famed pilgrimage tīrtha, while Tulasī is accessible in household worship; the verse bridges pilgrimage merit and daily devotional practice by affirming comparable sacredness.
Reverence for purity and auspiciousness is not limited to distant holy places; cultivating sanctity through simple, consistent devotion (such as honoring Tulasī) is also upheld as spiritually elevating.