The katha of Vrinda and Jalandhar
There was a mighty asura named Jalandhar. His wife Vrinda was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and a devoted wife. By the power of Vrinda's devotion to her husband no one could defeat Jalandhar, and in this pride he began to torment the gods.
When Jalandhar waged war on Lord Shiva, the gods prayed to Lord Vishnu. Vishnu ji knew that as long as Vrinda's devotion was unbroken, Jalandhar would not die. He took the form of Jalandhar and went to Vrinda. Vrinda took him for her husband and her vow of fidelity was broken. At that very moment Jalandhar was killed in battle.
When she learned the truth Vrinda was deeply grieved and cursed Lord Vishnu: 'You treated me like a stone; may you become a stone.' The Lord accepted the curse and became the Shaligram stone.
After this Vrinda became sati with her husband. From her ashes grew a plant, which Lord Vishnu named 'Tulsi', and said, 'You will be as dear to me as Lakshmi. I will accept no bhog without tulsi, and every year after Dev Uthani Ekadashi I will marry you in the form of Shaligram.'
Significance of Tulsi Vivah
It is believed that performing Tulsi Vivah brings merit like kanyadaan. With it the auspicious wedding season begins.
This is OmKiran Bhakti's retelling of the traditional katha in simple English; details of the katha vary slightly from region to region.
