Shloka 120
The Glory of Dhātrī (Āmalakī) and Tulasī: Ekādaśī Observance and Protection from Preta States
ये च प्रेताश्च कूश्मांडाः पिशाचा ब्रह्मराक्षसाः । भूतदैत्यादयस्तत्र पलायंते सदैव हि
ye ca pretāśca kūśmāṃḍāḥ piśācā brahmarākṣasāḥ | bhūtadaityādayastatra palāyaṃte sadaiva hi
அங்கே பிரேதங்கள், கூஷ்மாண்டங்கள், பிசாசுகள், பிரஹ்மராக்ஷஸர்கள், பூத-தைத்யாதிகள் அனைவரும் எப்போதும் ஓடிப்போகின்றனர்।
Unspecified in provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses to confirm dialogue pair).
Concept: Contact with Viṣṇu’s sacred sphere repels lower, harmful forces; devotion functions as spiritual protection (rakṣā).
Application: Keep a clean worship space; cultivate sattva through daily Hari-smaraṇa and Tulasī presence; avoid fear by anchoring the mind in dhārmic practice.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sanctified courtyard with a small Tulasī shrine at its center radiates a subtle blue-gold aura. Shadowy pretas, piśācas, and brahma-rākṣasas recoil at the boundary of light, their forms dissolving like smoke as they flee into the night beyond the threshold.","primary_figures":["Tulasī-devī (as sacred plant/shrine)","invisible presence of Viṣṇu (aura)","preta","kūṣmāṇḍa","piśāca","brahma-rākṣasa","bhūta","daitya"],"setting":"Village temple courtyard or household āṅgana with Tulasī-vṛndāvana, protective rangoli, and a small lamp (dīpa).","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["deep indigo","smoky charcoal","lamp-flame amber","sacred vermilion","leafy emerald"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a central Tulasī-vṛndāvana on a pedestal with gold-leaf halo-like radiance, ornate lamp stands and conch motifs; fleeing preta-piśāca silhouettes at the edges; rich reds and greens, gem-studded borders, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet courtyard at dusk with delicate brushwork; Tulasi plant glowing softly; ghostly beings rendered as translucent ink-wash forms retreating into a cool blue night; refined faces of a devotee couple watching from a doorway; lyrical naturalism and gentle hills in the distance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments; Tulasī shrine centered with stylized flame and lotus motifs; demonic beings with exaggerated eyes and dynamic fleeing poses; red-yellow-green palette with deep blue aura indicating Viṣṇu’s protection.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Tulasī shrine framed by intricate floral borders and lotus motifs; peacocks and cows calm within the sanctified circle while dark spirits flee outside; deep blues and gold accents, Nathdwara-inspired ornamentation suggesting Kṛṣṇa’s unseen presence."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","conch shell","night wind","distant jackal cry","sudden silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रेताश्च = प्रेताः + च; भूतदैत्यादयस्तत्र = भूत-दैत्य-आदयः + तत्र; पलायंते = पलायन्ते (अनुस्वार-लेखनभेद)
FAQs
It describes a place or condition so spiritually potent or protected that hostile beings—pretas, piśācas, brahma-rākṣasas, bhūtas, daityas, and the like—cannot remain there and therefore flee.
In Purāṇic usage, brahma-rākṣasas are a feared class of rākṣasas associated with the fall of a brahmin (or one who misused sacred knowledge), often portrayed as especially obstructive to rites and purity.
The verse reinforces the Purāṇic theme that purity, dharma, and sanctified space (often linked to devotion, mantra, or tīrtha) function as protection: harmful tendencies and forces are repelled rather than invited.