Shloka 109
The Glory of Dhātrī (Āmalakī) and Tulasī: Ekādaśī Observance and Protection from Preta States
तुलसीपत्रमेकं तु शतहेमफलप्रदम् । नान्यैः पुष्पैस्तथापत्रैर्नान्यैर्गंधानुलेपनैः
tulasīpatramekaṃ tu śatahemaphalapradam | nānyaiḥ puṣpaistathāpatrairnānyairgaṃdhānulepanaiḥ
تُلسی کا ایک ہی پتا سو سونے کے نذرانوں کا پھل عطا کرتا ہے؛ ایسا پھل نہ دوسرے پھولوں سے ملتا ہے، نہ دوسرے پتّوں سے، نہ کسی اور خوشبودار لیپ سے۔
Unspecified (narrative voice not provided in the single-verse input; commonly framed within Purāṇic dialogue contexts)
Concept: A single Tulasi leaf yields merit surpassing lavish material offerings; devotion’s ‘dear offering’ outweighs expensive substitutes.
Application: Do not equate spirituality with expense: offer Tulasi with sincerity; simplify worship while deepening intention; practice non-ostentation and consistent daily devotion.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee’s hand offers a single fresh Tulasi leaf at the feet of a Viṣṇu śālagrāma, while behind it heaps of gold, perfumes, and exotic flowers fade into soft shadow—visually declaring the leaf’s superior spiritual radiance. The Tulasi leaf emits a subtle golden aura that forms the number ‘100’ as a halo-like motif, symbolizing ‘śata-hemā’ fruit.","primary_figures":["Viṣṇu (as śālagrāma or temple icon)","Devotee (hands in offering)","Tulasi leaf (central focus)"],"setting":"Intimate home shrine or temple sanctum with a small lamp, conch, and offering plate; background includes gold coins and perfumes rendered as secondary, subdued elements.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["deep indigo","lamp gold","leaf green","bronze","ivory"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: close-up devotional offering—single Tulasi leaf at Viṣṇu’s feet with intense gold leaf glow; background shows gold offerings and perfumes subdued; embossed gold borders, rich maroon and green accents, jewel-like ornamentation on the deity icon, traditional South Indian altar details.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate hands offering a Tulasi leaf to a small Viṣṇu icon; soft lamp light, minimalistic elegance; cool indigo shadows, fine brushwork on the leaf veins, refined domestic shrine setting with subtle textiles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized shrine with bold outlines; Tulasi leaf enlarged and radiant; warm red/yellow background, green leaf highlighted with natural pigments; lamp and conch as iconic shapes, devotional simplicity emphasized.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central oversized Tulasi leaf as a sacred emblem before Viṣṇu symbols; ornate floral borders with Tulasi sprigs and lotuses; deep blue ground with gold highlights, symmetrical offering trays, peacocks at corners, intricate Nathdwara-style detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","conch shell","soft cymbals (tāla)","lamp crackle","brief silence after the merit claim"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tulasīpatram = tulasī-patram; nānyaiḥ = na + anyaiḥ; puṣpaistathāpatraiḥ = puṣpaiḥ + tathā + patraiḥ; nānyairgaṃdhānulepanaiḥ = na + anyaiḥ + gandha-anulepanaiḥ.
FAQs
It teaches the exceptional spiritual efficacy of offering a tulasī leaf—portrayed as surpassing the merit of many conventional offerings like flowers, leaves, and perfumes.
By valuing a simple, heartfelt devotional offering (tulasī) over costly or elaborate ritual items, it highlights devotion and sacred intent rather than material expense.
It uses comparison to stress tulasī’s special status; it does not necessarily forbid other offerings, but elevates tulasī as uniquely potent in devotional worship.