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
جو شخص کارتک کے مہینے کی دوادشی کو دھاتری (آملکی) کے پتّے اور تلسی کے پتّے توڑتا ہے، وہ عذابوں سے بھرے نرک میں جاتا ہے۔
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.