In the Vishnu Purana, Tulasi is referred to as Vrindavati Devi, goddess of the forest, and also as Sati Vrinda. (‘Sati’ is the title given to a wife who is totally chaste and devoted to her husband.

In the Vishnu Purana, Tulasi is referred to as Vrindavati Devi, goddess of the forest, and also as Sati Vrinda. (‘Sati’ is the title given to a wife who is totally chaste and devoted to her husband. This one-pointed devotion makes her very powerful, and therefore no one can harm her husband.) It is said that in her previous birth Tulasi Devi was called Sati Vrinda. Her husband, who was named Jalandhara, was a very cruel man, because he took birth at the time Lord Shiva burnt Kamadeva, the god of love. Jalandhara used to harass the rishis and munis and destroy their sacrifices. In this way he was becoming very powerful, and the gods were worried.

Lord Vishnu therefore had to set about killing him, but due to the purity of his Jalandhara’s wife, Sati Vrinda, and her devotion for her husband, he could not do so. So Vishnu took the form of Jalandhara and stole her virginity. Only after doing this was he able to rid the world of Jalandhara and restore peace and harmony. When Sati Vrinda discovered the trick Lord Vishnu had played on her, she cursed him to become a shaligram, an oval stone used in sadhana and worship, in his next incarnation. Vishnu then gave Sati Vrinda the boon that in her next birth she would incarnate as Tulasi, and be worshipped everywhere. That is why Tulasi is virtually married to Shaligram.

Tulasi pooja

In the Devi Bhagavatam it is written that, “One who worships Tulasi with the mantra Om Shreem, Hreem, Kleem, Aim, Vrindaavanyai Swaahaa attains all siddhis.” Goddess Tulasi, who dwells in the Tulasi plant will appear and grant this boon. For it is said that goddess Tulasi is a benevolent force presiding over all the lokas, or planes of existence. From ancient times, many cultures have worshipped plants and trees, and regarded all flora and fauna as sacred. This reveals the sensitivity, foresight and refinement of such cultures. Those who wish to be righteous and live a happy and prosperous family life worship Tulasi. Girls pray to her for good husbands. Either in the front, back or central angan (courtyard) of most Indian homes there is a Tulasi-chawra or altar bearing a Tulasi plant. Pooja or worship of Tulasi is part of the daily morning ritual of most Hindus, whether they understand the scientific purpose behind this worship or not. The common belief is that where Tulasi always resides, auspicious vibrations, peace and prosperity always dwell.

Tulasi is especially worshipped during the month of Kartik (October/ November). After bathing, the worshipper offers water, flowers, kumkum, sandal paste, naivaidya (food) and incense to Tulasi, who is then circumambulated. In the evening her aarti is performed, along with pooja of the household deities. Aarti is performed by waving incense and a deepak of ghee before her in a clockwise direction. Vaishnavites (followers of Vishnu) in particular worship Tulasi with full reverence and due observance of scriptural injunctions. Traditionally, before she is worshipped, she is nurtured for a period of three months. Side by side with Tulasi, it is customary to have a pot of either kusha grass or sugar cane which, like the shaligram, are symbols of Lord Vishnu. 🌷🍃🔆🌿🕉📿🌀🌿🐚🌸🐍❤️🔔🍃🌀💖💕🌿🌸🙏🌸

Om LakshmiNarayana Namah ~ Jai Maa Tulsi 🌷🍃🔆🌿🕉📿🌀🌿🐚🌸🐍❤️🔔🍃🌀💖💕🌿🌸🙏🌸