Shloka 138
The Glory of Dhātrī (Āmalakī) and Tulasī: Ekādaśī Observance and Protection from Preta States
निखिलं पुरुकालेन गुणं वक्तुं न शक्नुमः । यस्त्विदं शृणुयान्नित्यमाख्यानं पुण्यसंचयम्
nikhilaṃ purukālena guṇaṃ vaktuṃ na śaknumaḥ | yastvidaṃ śṛṇuyānnityamākhyānaṃ puṇyasaṃcayam
แม้มีเวลายาวนานเพียงใด เราก็มิอาจกล่าวคุณความดีทั้งหมดได้ครบถ้วน; แต่ผู้ใดฟังเรื่องเล่าอันศักดิ์สิทธิ์นี้เป็นนิตย์ ย่อมสั่งสมบุญกุศลเป็นคลังใหญ่
Unspecified narrator (contextual speaker not provided in the excerpt)
Concept: Tulasi’s merits are inexhaustible; regular listening to her sacred narrative accumulates puṇya like a treasury.
Application: Adopt a small daily/weekly habit of listening to or reading a devotional passage; consistency compounds spiritual clarity and ethical steadiness.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A circle of listeners sits in attentive silence as a narrator recites Tulasi’s sacred account; each syllable becomes a visible stream of light rising like incense. Above them, an unseen celestial ledger fills with luminous script, symbolizing ‘puṇya-saṃcaya’—merit accumulating through regular hearing.","primary_figures":["Narrator/reciter (paurāṇika)","Listeners (householders, ascetics)","Tulasi-devī (subtle presence)"],"setting":"Temple mandapa or āśrama pavilion with hanging lamps, a tulasī plant at the entrance, and palm-leaf manuscripts on a low stand.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["smoky lamp black","antique gold","leaf green","ivory","royal blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: ornate mandapa with gold-leaf pillars; paurāṇika seated with manuscript, listeners in rows; stylized luminous syllables rising as gold patterns; tulasī-vṛndāvana at the threshold; rich reds/greens, embossed gold borders and halos.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate satsang under a pavilion, delicate faces turned toward the speaker; soft beams of light painted as fine washes; tulasī plant rendered with botanical care; cool palette with gentle gold highlights, lyrical calm.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined reciter and audience, rhythmic repetition of lamp motifs; radiating aura patterns behind the speaker; tulasī plant iconically centered; warm reds/yellows with green accents, temple-wall symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central satsang scene framed by lotus and tulasī borders; decorative script-like motifs representing spoken kathā; deep blue ground with gold and white highlights; intricate floral filigree and devotional abundance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["tanpura drone","soft hand cymbals","temple bells","silence between verses"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yastv idam → yaḥ tu idam; śṛṇuyān nityam → śṛṇuyāt nityam (final -t before n); nityam ākhyānam → nityam ākhyānam; puṇyasaṃcayam → puṇya-saṃcayam; purukālena treated as karmadhāraya compound puru+kāla.
FAQs
It teaches that the spiritual benefits (guṇa/phala) of the narrative are immeasurable, and that regular listening (śravaṇa) leads to the accumulation of merit (puṇya-saṃcaya).
It highlights śravaṇa—devotional listening—as a powerful devotional discipline, implying that sustained engagement with sacred narration cultivates spiritual merit and inner refinement.
It encourages consistent, disciplined practice—listening regularly rather than occasionally—suggesting that steady spiritual habits yield lasting positive results.