Tulsi's Wedding

Tulsi, the plant, was in her former birth, Vrinda, the daughter of a giant. Her husband was born of the sweat which Shiva had thrown from his brow into the ocean. Born in water, he was named Jalandhar and claimed as his birthright the suzerainty of the ocean which Indra denied. He performed austere penances to Brahma and was granted the boon of freedom from death as long as his wife never loved another. Feeling invincible he declared war on the Gods. The gods rushed to Vishnu for help.

Taking a disguise Vishnu appeared before Vrinda and succeeded in winning her love. Soon after, Jalandhar was killed by Indra.

Overcome with remorse, she cursed Vishnu, saying he would become a black stone. He retailed by saying that she would become a shrub. Many believe that is is story behind the saligram and the tulsi plant.

In time Vrinda came to love Vishnu so dearly that she believed to rank higher than Rukmini, the married wife of Vishnu in the avatar as Krishna.

Their love is believed to have been so tender, that many people devoutly repeat the episode every year in the belief that a sure abode is reserved for them in Heaven.

An interesting follow up to this story, happened when Satyabama, Krishna's wife met with Sage Narada and asked his advise to ensure that Krishna married her in all future births. Ever the troublemaker, Narada advised her what one wanted most, one should give away. Satyabama complied and gave krishna away to Narada. Krishna's other wives were horrified and begged Narada to release Krishna. He agreed on condition that Krishna's weight in precious things be given to him.

A scale was set up and Krishna made to sit in one pan. The wives emptied their coffers of jewellery but the scale did not budge. In desperation they sought our Rukmini who untill now had been unaware of the events.

Rukmini prayed to the tulsi plant for an answer, and the plant dropped a leaf. She reverently placed it on the scales. Immediately, the pan with the leaf dropped while the one with Krishna rose up! Tulsi's reputation as the chief wife was established as never before