In Hinduism, Tulasi or Holy Basil is considered a sacred plant and is revered for its medicinal properties. There are several myths and stories associated with the origin and significance of Tulasi in Hinduism.
One of the most popular stories is that of Tulasi’s marriage to Lord Vishnu. According to the legend, Tulasi was a beautiful woman named Vrinda, who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. She was married to a demon named Jalandhar, who was invincible due to a boon granted by Lord Shiva.
Jalandhar began to wreak havoc on the world, and the gods sought Lord Vishnu’s help to defeat him. However, as long as Jalandhar’s wife Vrinda remained faithful to him, he could not be defeated. So, Lord Vishnu disguised himself as Jalandhar and tricked Vrinda into breaking her chastity.
When Vrinda found out about the deception, she cursed Lord Vishnu, causing him to turn into stone. But she immediately regretted her actions and prayed to Lord Shiva for forgiveness. Lord Shiva appeared before her and told her that Lord Vishnu had only done what he did to defeat Jalandhar and save the world.
Feeling guilty, Vrinda transformed herself into the Tulasi plant and continued to worship Lord Vishnu as she did when she was human. Lord Vishnu was pleased with her devotion and blessed her, saying that she would be worshiped and revered by all. To this day, Tulasi is considered a symbol of purity, devotion, and protection in Hinduism.
