Shloka 29
The Glory of Tulasī and Dhātrī (Āmalakī): Protection from Yama and Attainment of Vaikuṇṭha
आदित्यो वर्चसा नाम्ना मार्त्तंड इव पुण्यतः । तृषार्तो भक्षकः कश्चिदागतो बहुकल्मषः
ādityo varcasā nāmnā mārttaṃḍa iva puṇyataḥ | tṛṣārto bhakṣakaḥ kaścidāgato bahukalmaṣaḥ
మార్తండుని (సూర్యుని) వలె పుణ్యవంతుడూ తేజస్వియూ అయిన ఆదిత్య-వర్చస అనే ఒకడు ఉండెను. దాహంతో బాధపడుతూ, అనేక పాపాలతో నిండిన ఒక భక్షకుడు (హింసకుడు) అక్కడికి వచ్చెను.
Narrator (context not provided in the excerpt)
Concept: Outer virtue (sun-like radiance) is tested when confronted by the desperate and sinful; compassion and sacred resources become instruments of purification.
Application: Maintain steadiness and ethical clarity when approached by troubled people; offer help through dharmic means (water, shelter, guidance) without enabling harm.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A radiant, composed man named Āditya Varcas stands near a tulasī grove, his aura warm like the midday sun. From the dusty path emerges a parched, wild-eyed devourer—skin taut with hunger, shadowed by the weight of sins—reaching toward water with trembling urgency.","primary_figures":["Āditya Varcas","sin-laden devourer (bhakṣaka)"],"setting":"A grove boundary with tulasī plants, a small water pot or leaf-cup nearby, and a dry path suggesting thirst; distant huts or a simple hermitage implied.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sun-gold","burnt umber","tulasī green","ash gray","copper"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Āditya Varcas depicted with a sun-like halo and ornate gold-leaf aura, standing beside stylized tulasī plants; the devourer rendered in darker tones with dramatic posture, hands outstretched; rich red backdrop, gold borders with solar motifs, gem-like highlights on ornaments and vessels.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined figure of Āditya Varcas in pale saffron garments, gentle expression; the devourer thin and dust-covered, approaching along a winding path; delicate foliage, soft shadows, restrained palette with luminous sun-wash over the scene.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: strong outlines; Āditya Varcas with pronounced eyes and a circular solar prabhāmaṇḍala; devourer in earthy pigments, dynamic stance; tulasī leaves patterned rhythmically; temple-wall composition with ornamental borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central tulasī grove framed by floral borders; Āditya Varcas with golden halo; the devourer as a contrasting dark figure at the edge; peacocks and lotuses as auspicious counterpoints, deep blue ground with gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["dry wind","distant crows","rustling leaves","single bell strike"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तृषार्तो = तृषा + आर्तः; कश्चिदागतो = कश्चित् + आगतः.
FAQs
The simile signals radiant virtue and purity—like the Sun, he is portrayed as inherently meritorious and morally luminous.
Literally ‘a devourer/eater’ burdened with many sins; without fuller context it may indicate a morally corrupt person (or a predatory figure) arriving in distress.
It sets up a contrast between virtue and heavy sinfulness, often used in Purāṇic narratives to introduce tests of compassion, charity, or righteous conduct.