Shloka 23
The Glory of Tulasī and Dhātrī (Āmalakī): Protection from Yama and Attainment of Vaikuṇṭha
धात्रीपत्रं कार्तिके च द्वादश्यां तुलसीदलम् । चिनोति यो नरो गच्छेन्निरयं यातनामयम्
dhātrīpatraṃ kārtike ca dvādaśyāṃ tulasīdalam | cinoti yo naro gacchennirayaṃ yātanāmayam
కార్తిక మాస ద్వాదశీనాడు ధాత్రీ ఆకులు, తులసి దళాలు కోసే మనిషి యాతనలతో నిండిన నరకానికి పోతాడు.
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within the Brahma-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Sacred beings (Tulasi, Dhātrī) must be approached with reverence; transgressing ritual restraints in holy time yields severe karmic consequence.
Application: In Kārtika, avoid harming or plucking Tulasi/āmalakī without scriptural allowance; substitute with offering fallen leaves, mental worship, or circumambulation and watering.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Kārtika Dvādaśī dawn: a Tulasi plant and a flourishing Dhātrī tree stand as living sanctuaries, their leaves glowing with sanctity. A hesitant man reaches to pluck, while an unseen karmic shadow—like a dark vortex—warns of naraka, contrasted by the serene radiance around the plants.","primary_figures":["Tulasi-devī (as a sanctified plant with subtle goddess aura)","Dhātrī (āmalakī tree personified)","A human devotee/violator figure","Subtle Vishnu presence as protective radiance"],"setting":"Village temple courtyard with a Tulasi-vṛndāvana and a nearby Dhātrī tree; Kārtika month markers: oil lamps, rangoli, and a small Vishnu shrine.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit with ominous shadow at the edge","color_palette":["lamp-gold","deep indigo","leaf-emerald","ash-grey","lotus-pink"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Tulasi-vṛndāvana and Dhātrī tree beside a Vishnu shrine on Kārtika Dvādaśī, gold leaf halos around the sacred plants, rich crimson and emerald textiles on the devotee, gem-studded ornaments on the shrine, a subtle dark naraka-cloud at the border to signify prohibition, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate Kārtika dawn in a courtyard, cool blue shadows, Tulasi and Dhātrī rendered with lyrical naturalism, a small Vishnu temple in the background, the man’s hand paused mid-reach, a faint swirling dark motif near the frame edge suggesting karmic peril, refined faces and soft gradients.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, Tulasi-vṛndāvana and Dhātrī tree with stylized leaves, warm red-yellow-green palette, lamp flames as rhythmic motifs, a protective Vishnu aura behind the plants, and a darkened corner panel symbolizing naraka, temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Tulasi-vṛndāvana with lotus motifs and ornate floral borders, deep blue ground with gold highlights, small Krishna/Vishnu shrine at center, peacocks perched on Dhātrī branches, narrative vignette of a hand reaching to pluck with a warning dark swirl at the margin, intricate patterns throughout."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","low conch shell","night insects fading into dawn","brief silence after 'nirayam'"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गच्छेन्निरयम् = गच्छेत् + निरयम्.
FAQs
It warns against plucking (gathering) tulasī leaves and dhātrī/āmalakī leaves specifically on Kārtika Dvādaśī, treating it as a serious transgression.
Tulasī is regarded as especially dear to Viṣṇu, and āmalakī is widely associated with sacred observances and purity; the verse reinforces ritual restraint and reverence during Kārtika vows.
It emphasizes disciplined religious conduct—honoring sacred plants and sacred times—by restraining casual or improper actions during important vow-days like Dvādaśī in Kārtika.