Shloka 1
The Greatness of the Hymn to Tulasī
। द्विजाऊचुः । तुलसीपुष्पमाहात्म्यं श्रुतं त्वत्तो हरेः शुभम् । तस्या स्तोत्रं कृतं पुण्यं श्रोतुमिच्छामहे वयम्
| dvijāūcuḥ | tulasīpuṣpamāhātmyaṃ śrutaṃ tvatto hareḥ śubham | tasyā stotraṃ kṛtaṃ puṇyaṃ śrotumicchāmahe vayam
พราหมณ์ทั้งหลายกล่าวว่า “โอ้พระหริ! พวกเราได้สดับมหิมาอันเป็นมงคลของดอกทุลสีจากพระองค์แล้ว บัดนี้พวกเราปรารถนาจะฟังสโตตรอันเป็นบุญที่รจนาขึ้นเพื่อสรรเสริญนาง”
Dvijāḥ (the brahmins)
Concept: Tulasi is not merely a plant but a devotional medium; hearing her māhātmya naturally leads to stotra—praise as a direct act of bhakti.
Application: Add Tulasi to daily worship: offer leaves/flowers (where appropriate), chant a Tulasi-stotra, and cultivate humility and purity in speech and diet.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A circle of brahmins sits in an āśrama clearing, hands folded, addressing Hari with earnest eyes; a Tulasi plant in full bloom stands at the center like a living altar. The air feels freshly washed, as if the very fragrance of Tulasi invites the hymn to descend.","primary_figures":["Hari (Vishnu)","Dvijāḥ (brahmins)","Tulasi plant (in bloom)"],"setting":"forest āśrama with kusa grass seats, sacrificial fire nearby, Tulasi in a clay pot on a small pedestal","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["leaf green","lotus pink","sky blue","saffron","earth brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vishnu seated on a small throne in an āśrama pavilion, gold leaf halo, dvija sages in white with folded hands, central Tulasi pot adorned with garlands, rich reds/greens, ornate borders, gem-like detailing on Vishnu’s ornaments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene woodland hermitage with delicate trees and distant hills, sages seated in a semicircle, Vishnu appearing gently, Tulasi plant rendered with fine botanical detail, cool natural palette and refined faces, lyrical calm.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Vishnu with bold outlines and characteristic eyes, sages in stylized poses, Tulasi pot prominent with decorative bands, temple-wall aesthetic, red/yellow/green palette with black contour lines.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Tulasi as central sacred motif framed by lotus borders, Vishnu/Krishna presence above, peacocks and cows at margins, intricate floral creepers, deep blues and gold, Nathdwara-inspired ornamental symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["rustling leaves","gentle fire crackle","soft bell","distant river hush"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्विजाऊचुः = द्विजाः + ऊचुः (विसर्ग-लोप/स्वर-सन्धि); त्वत्तो = त्वत्तः (ओ-आदेशः); श्रोतुमिच्छामहे = श्रोतुम् + इच्छामहे (सन्धि: म् + इ → मि).
FAQs
The brahmins request to hear the meritorious hymn (stotra) composed in praise of Tulasī, after already hearing her sacred greatness.
By highlighting Tulasī—an emblem of devotion to Vishnu—and seeking her stotra, the verse frames worship through praise, listening, and reverence as key devotional practices.
It suggests humility and receptivity: spiritual progress comes through attentive listening to sacred teachings and honoring what is considered holy and beneficial.