Astha SangrahASTHA SANGRAHhttps://asthasangrah.comThe Legend of Vrinda and Jalandhar (The Origin of Tulsi)
The legend of Vrinda and Jalandhar explains the origin of the Tulsi plant and its eternal bond with Lord Vishnu's Shaligram form, it is because of this story that Tulsi Vivah is observed every year.
Chapter 1 · Vrinda's Power of Devoted Chastity
Vrinda was a supremely devoted wife and a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, married to the demon king Jalandhar. Jalandhar was immensely powerful, and this strength came directly from Vrinda's unbroken chastity and devotion, as long as her fidelity remained intact, no one could defeat Jalandhar in battle.
Emboldened by this power, Jalandhar began tyrannizing the gods and drove them out of heaven. The helpless gods sought refuge with Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva waged war against Jalandhar, but because of the power of Vrinda's devotion, Jalandhar could not be defeated.
Chapter 2 · Vishnu's Deception and the Origin of Tulsi
To protect the gods, Lord Vishnu decided to appear before Vrinda in Jalandhar's own form, so that her devoted chastity would be compromised and Jalandhar's power would weaken. Believing this form to be her true husband, the power of Vrinda's devotion was broken. At that very moment, Lord Shiva slew Jalandhar on the battlefield.
When Vrinda learned the truth, she was overcome with grief and anger, and she cursed Lord Vishnu to turn to stone, this very curse gave rise to Lord Vishnu's Shaligram form, which is worshipped to this day. Vrinda then gave up her body by entering fire.
Honoring Vrinda's unwavering devotion and fidelity, Lord Vishnu caused a sacred plant to spring from her ashes, which he named 'Tulsi', and vowed that he would always remain beside her in his Shaligram form, and that his worship would forever be considered incomplete without a Tulsi leaf. It is in memory of this eternal bond that the wedding of Shaligram and Tulsi is performed every year in the month of Kartik.
Read the Tulsi Chalisa →About The Legend of Vrinda and Jalandhar (The Origin of Tulsi)
This legend is told across two chapters. The first describes Vrinda's power of chastity and Jalandhar's strength. The second tells of Lord Vishnu's deception, Vrinda's curse, and the origin of Tulsi from her ashes.
This legend is tied to Kartik month's Tulsi Vivah celebration. This page presents both chapters' full text in plain Hindi, with adjustable text size and print support.
About The Padma Purana
The legend of Vrinda and Jalandhar has no single authoritative printed 'katha text', it is a well-known Puranic legend told in somewhat varying forms across the Padma Purana and other Puranas. The wording here has been composed independently, so it is not a word-for-word copy of any single website's or publication's text, and has been kept deliberately measured and suitable for general readers, though the sequence of events follows the Puranas' well-established tradition faithfully.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Tulsi Vivah observed?
It is observed in memory of the eternal bond between Tulsi, who arose from Vrinda's ashes, and Lord Vishnu's Shaligram form, in which the Lord vowed to always remain beside Tulsi.
Where did Jalandhar's strength come from?
Jalandhar's strength came from his wife Vrinda's unbroken devoted chastity, as long as it remained intact, no one could defeat him in battle.
Why was Lord Vishnu cursed to turn to stone?
To protect the gods, Lord Vishnu appeared before Vrinda in Jalandhar's form, breaking her devotion, grief-stricken, Vrinda cursed him to turn to stone, and this curse became known as his Shaligram form.
How did the Tulsi plant originate?
Lord Vishnu caused a sacred plant to spring from Vrinda's ashes, naming it Tulsi, and vowed that his worship would forever be considered incomplete without a Tulsi leaf.