The Lesser-Known Hindu Myth Behind The Birth of Tulsi Plant & Its Connection with Lord Rama's Exile
- Pratha
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
One thing common in every Hindu household is a Tulsi plant and the attached sacredness to it. At the heart of Tulsi’s sacredness lies a powerful and poignant myth—the story of Vrinda, a devoted wife, and her spiritual transformation into the revered Tulsi plant. This tale is a blend of love, loyalty, cosmic deception, and divine promise, deeply symbolic of the eternal themes of dharma (righteousness) and karma (action).
Vrinda: The Chaste Devotee and Loyal Wife
Vrinda, also known as Brinda, was a pious and devoted woman, married to the mighty asura (demon king) Jalandhara. Jalandhara, though born of the ocean during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the cosmic ocean), was raised by demons and became a powerful ruler. Despite being an asura, Jalandhara was known for his strong moral character and extraordinary strength, much of which was said to stem from the unshakeable chastity and devotion of Vrinda.
Vrinda was a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, and her intense spiritual power created an impenetrable aura around her husband, which made him almost invincible. As long as her fidelity remained intact, Jalandhara could not be defeated, not even by the gods.
The Gods' Dilemma and Vishnu’s Deception
In his arrogance, Jalandhara waged war against the devas (gods) and even dared to challenge Lord Shiva. His invincibility became a threat to cosmic balance, and the gods grew desperate. After several failed attempts to subdue him, they realized that his power was not his own—it was Vrinda’s unwavering purity that protected him.
To break this divine shield, the gods devised a controversial plan. Lord Vishnu, the preserver and the very deity Vrinda worshipped daily, took it upon himself to intervene. He assumed the form of Jalandhara and appeared before Vrinda while her husband was away in battle. Deceived by the illusion, Vrinda unknowingly broke her vow of chastity.
The moment this happened, Jalandhara lost his protective aura and was swiftly defeated and killed by Lord Shiva.
Vrinda’s Curse and Transformation to Tulsi Plant
When Vrinda discovered the truth—that she had been deceived by the very god she worshipped—she was devastated. Betrayed on both spiritual and emotional levels, her grief turned into fury. She cursed Vishnu, saying that he too would suffer the pain of separation from his wife. This curse is symbolically linked to the later incarnation of Vishnu as Rama, who endured years of separation from Sita during the Ramayana. In some accounts, in her fury and heartbreak, Vrinda cursed Vishnu, saying:
“Just as you have turned me into a widow by deceit, may you too be turned into a lifeless stone.”
As a result of her curse, Vishnu was transformed into a black stone, which became the Shaligrama (or Shaligram) stone—an aniconic form of Lord Vishnu worshipped primarily in Vaishnavism.
Vishnu's Atonement
Recognizing the pain he caused, Vishnu blessed Vrinda with immortality in the form of the Tulsi plant, promising that her presence would purify any place she grew, no offering to him would be complete without her leaves, she would be worshipped eternally as a goddess, and every year, she would be ceremonially married to him during Tulsi Vivah. However, in some accounts, it is believed that Vrinda self-immolated in her grief, while in others, her body turned into ashes. From these ashes or her fallen body, the Tulsi plant was born, sanctified by the gods and declared sacred forever.
To this day, Shaligram stones (especially those found in the Gandaki River of Nepal) are worshipped alongside the Tulsi plant, and during Tulsi Vivah, the two are ceremoniously united. This act symbolizes Vishnu’s penance, Vrinda’s divine transformation, and the merging of devotion and redemption.
Tulsi Vivah
The divine union of Tulsi and Lord Vishnu is celebrated every year in a festival called Tulsi Vivah, performed on the Ekadashi of the Shukla Paksha in the Kartik month (usually in October–November).
During this symbolic marriage ceremony, Tulsi is decorated like a bride and "married" to a Shaligram (a sacred black stone representing Vishnu). The ritual marks the end of the monsoon and the beginning of the Hindu wedding season.
The story of Vrinda and her transformation into Tulsi is not just a myth—it is a profound narrative on devotion, betrayal, justice, and redemption. It explains why Tulsi is not merely a plant in Indian households, but a manifestation of divine endurance, forgiveness, and sanctity. Rooted in myth and nurtured by ritual, Tulsi continues to flourish as both a protector of homes and a silent witness to spiritual resilience.
AUTHOR
Pratha Editorial Team
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