Vrinda: The Woman Who Became Tulsi

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Dharma Katha · Season 4: The Road to Diwali · Episode 138 In millions of Indian homes, there is a small plant growing in a raised pot in the courtyard, or on a balcony, or by the front door. Every morning someone pours water at its root. Every evening someone lights a lamp before it. Its leaves are put into the offerings to Vishnu, and without them, many say, his worship is not complete. It is the tulsi, holy basil. And in a few weeks, in many of those homes, it will be dressed as a bride, in a red sari and bangles, and married, with full wedding rites, to Vishnu. Why would anyone marry a plant to God? Missed the previous story? Listen to Episode 133 first. Source note. Label: Purana. The birth of Jalandhara from Shiva's fire cast into the ocean, his marriage to Vrinda, daughter of Kalanemi, the power of her faithfulness, his war with the gods, his attempt on Parvati, Vishnu's deception of Vrinda in Jalandhara's form, Jalandhara's death, Vrinda's curse that Vishnu would be separated from his wife and helped by monkeys, her self-immolation, Vishnu's grief and the plants grown from the Goddess's seeds, follow the Shiva Purana, Rudra Samhita, Yuddha Khanda. The versions with Tulasi and Shankhachuda, the curse that turned Vishnu into the shaligram, and his blessing on Tulasi and the Gandaki, are in the Devi Bhagavata Purana and the Brahma Vaivarta Purana. Tulsi Vivah is living tradition, and its household story often combines these versions. I have summarised and not quoted. The reflections are my own. Note: this episode is narrated with an AI voice and the script was written with AI assistance. Sanskrit verses are checked against published editions; corrections are welcome.