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The Story Behind Tulsi Vivah

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat
11 November 2024
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The story behind Tulsi Vivah by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj | Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat

(Speech by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on the occasion of Tulsi Vivah)

Today marks an important festival honouring Thakur Ji, (Shri Krishna) the Supreme Lord. The story behind this day is deeply profound, revolving around the demon Jalandhar and his chaste wife Vrinda.

Jalandhar was a powerful demon, and due to the chastity of his wife Vrinda, no one could defeat him. Even the celestial gods, with all their powers, failed in their attempts to kill him. In desperation, they sought help from the Supreme Lord, saying, “O Lord, Jalandhar is a terrible demon, and because of his wife’s virtue, no one can kill him. What can we do?”

The Lord replied that He would think about it. After all, He is the Supreme Being, and in all the countless universes, who can resist His charm? So, the Lord approached Vrinda while her husband was away. Through His divine power, He bewitched her. 

Then, Thakur Ji interacted with her in the way a husband would with his wife, thus breaking her vow of chastity.  The demon was under a curse that he could not be killed as long as his wife remained chaste. However, a vow of chastity does not get broken through God’s divine interactions with her.

But just for the sake of appearance, it was assumed that her vow of chastity was broken because she got intimate with another man, be it God or anyone else.   

When Vrinda learned of this, she was heartbroken and angry. She cursed the Lord, saying, “You have tricked me into breaking my vow. Now, because of You, my husband has been killed, and I have become a widow. Therefore, I curse you to become a stone! (the black stones that are known as Shaligram)

The Lord, ever gracious, replied, “As you wish, dear one. I am the All-pervading Lord, so what do I have to lose by becoming a stone?”

Vrinda then added another condition, “And since you have broken my vow, you must marry me.”

The Lord agreed, saying, “I will marry you in your next birth.”

And so, in her next life, Vrinda was born as Tulsi—the sacred basil plant. Today is that special day. She was eventually married to the Lord, but this wedding was not just any marriage. It was a divine and declared union, similar to the marriages of Lakshmi and Rukmini with the Lord.

However, for all of you, Shyamsundar (Lord Krishna) is your Beloved, not your husband in the traditional sense. The love you feel for Him is secret, a love that transcends formal vows or worldly customs. This kind of love is known as “jaar prem” – the love of a Beloved, not a husband. It is also called “parakiya prem”, the love that exists outside the boundaries of marriage.

There are two kinds of husbands. One in the mood of ‘swakiya’ in which the girl is married to him. And the other in the mood of ‘parakiya,’ in which the girl simply loves; she doesn’t marry him.

The love of the Gopis is of the ‘parakiya’ nature, called Gopi Prem – the very path that you all are following. 

By Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

*A brief introduction of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj*

(Known by His devotees as Shri Maharaj Ji)

The original title of Jagadguruttam (‘Greatest Spiritual Teacher of the World’) was bestowed upon Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on January 14, 1957, by ‘Kashi Vidvat Parishad’ (a council of 500 greatest scholars saints of India). He composed divine texts like ‘Prem Ras Madira’, ‘Prem Ras Siddhant’, and ‘Radha Govind Geet’ to lead us on the right path of devotion. He also gave priceless monuments as gifts to the world which include  -  Bhakti Mandir located in Bhakti Dham, Mangarh,  Prem Mandir located in Vrindavan Dham, and Kirti Mandir located in Barsana Dham. Shri Maharajji also built hospitals for the impoverished, the Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Vrindavan, Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Barsana, and another one in Pratapgarh. All three help millions of underprivileged to gain free access to medical care. His Kindergarten, School, and College for impoverished girls Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Education is located in Kunda and provides completely free education.