Shloka 117
The Glory of Dhātrī (Āmalakī) and Tulasī: Ekādaśī Observance and Protection from Preta States
यो मंजरीदलैरेव तुलस्या विष्णुमर्चयेत् । तस्य पुण्यफलं स्कन्द कथितुं नैव शक्यते
yo maṃjarīdalaireva tulasyā viṣṇumarcayet | tasya puṇyaphalaṃ skanda kathituṃ naiva śakyate
اے سکند! جو شخص صرف تلسی کی کلیوں اور پتّوں ہی سے وِشنو کی پوجا کرے، اس کے پُنّیہ پھل کو بیان کرنا حقیقتاً ممکن نہیں۔
Unspecified narrator addressing Skanda (Kārttikeya)
Concept: Even minimal Tulasi (buds/leaves) offered to Viṣṇu yields indescribable puṇya—bhakti magnifies small acts.
Application: Do not postpone worship for lack of elaborate materials; offer a single Tulasi leaf with attention and purity to Viṣṇu daily.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a celestial hall, Skanda listens as a sage proclaims the boundless merit of Tulasi-offerings; in the foreground, a devotee places tiny Tulasi buds and leaves at Viṣṇu’s feet, and the offering erupts into a subtle shower of light, suggesting merit beyond measure. The composition balances martial Skanda’s presence with the gentle sanctity of Tulasi.","primary_figures":["Skanda (Kārttikeya)","Viṣṇu","a Purāṇic sage/narrator","a devotee offering Tulasi"],"setting":"A luminous divine sabhā with lotus pillars; a small altar with Viṣṇu’s feet (pāda-pīṭha) and a Tulasi garland nearby.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["celestial white","emerald green","royal blue","sunlit gold","vermillion"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Viṣṇu seated with gold-leaf halo, a devotee offering Tulasi buds and leaves at His feet; Skanda stands respectfully to one side with spear (vel) subdued in posture; ornate sabhā with lotus motifs, rich reds/greens, embossed gold borders, gem-studded jewelry, high devotional iconography.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a refined courtly divine assembly; Skanda attentive, sage speaking, and a small intimate act of offering Tulasi at Viṣṇu’s feet; delicate brushwork, cool blues and greens, lyrical clouds, subtle glow around the Tulasi offering.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: symmetrical composition with Viṣṇu central, Skanda to the side, Tulasi offering emphasized with stylized leaves; bold black outlines, warm yellow-red ground, green accents, temple-wall aesthetic and large expressive eyes.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Viṣṇu aura with Tulasi vines forming an ornate border; small devotee offering Tulasi buds; peacocks and lotus patterns around; deep indigo background with gold detailing, intricate floral filigree, devotional textile richness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","soft mridangam pulse","choral ‘Hari’ refrain","resonant hall ambience"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मंजरीदलैरेव → मञ्जरी-दलैः एव; विष्णुमर्चयेत् → विष्णुम् अर्चयेत्; पुण्यफलं → पुण्य-फलम्; नैव → न एव.
FAQs
It recommends worshipping Viṣṇu with Tulasī—specifically even with its buds and leaves—emphasizing the sanctity of this simple offering.
It teaches that sincere devotional worship (arcana) with a humble offering like Tulasī yields immeasurable spiritual merit, highlighting devotion over material grandeur.
The verse underscores reverence, simplicity, and sincerity in worship: small, pure acts done with devotion can bear results beyond ordinary calculation or description.