तुलसी विवाह कथा
तुलसी का भगवान विष्णु (शालिग्राम) से पवित्र विवाह
तुलसी विवाह पवित्र तुलसी का भगवान विष्णु से, शालिग्राम स्वरूप में, विधिपूर्वक किया जाने वाला विवाह है। यह कार्तिक मास के शुक्ल पक्ष की द्वादशी को, प्रबोधिनी (देवउठनी) एकादशी के अगले दिन किया जाता है, और भगवान विष्णु के चातुर्मास की योगनिद्रा से जागरण तथा विवाह ऋतु के आरंभ का प्रतीक है। तुलसी विवाह करना कन्यादान के समान पुण्यदायी माना जाता है। यह तुलसी की कथा है।
वृंदा, पतिव्रता
In ancient times there was a woman named Vrinda, a devotee of Lord Vishnu and the wife of the powerful asura Jalandhar. So perfect was Vrinda's chastity and devotion to her husband (pativrata dharma) that its spiritual power made Jalandhar invincible — no god could defeat him in battle so long as her virtue remained unbroken.
Emboldened, Jalandhar grew tyrannical and waged war upon the gods, who could not overcome him. In their distress the devas turned to Lord Vishnu for help, for only by ending the protection of Vrinda's chastity could Jalandhar be defeated.
श्राप और तुलसी का प्राकट्य
To save the gods, Lord Vishnu took the form of Jalandhar and so the spiritual armour of Vrinda's devotion was broken; in that moment Shiva was able to slay the demon Jalandhar in battle. When Vrinda discovered the truth, in her grief she cursed Lord Vishnu to become a stone. Honouring her devotion, the Lord accepted the curse and took the form of the Shaligram stone. Vrinda gave up her life, and from the place of her ashes there sprang a sacred plant.
Lord Vishnu blessed her, declaring: 'This plant shall be Tulsi, dearest to me of all; without a leaf of Tulsi I shall not accept any offering, and I shall ever dwell as the Shaligram beside her.' Thus each year the marriage of Tulsi and the Shaligram (Vishnu) is lovingly celebrated as Tulsi Vivah, honouring Vrinda's purity and devotion. To this day Tulsi is revered in every Hindu home, and her leaf is offered to the Lord in all worship.
व्रत का फल
तुलसी विवाह करने से कन्यादान का महान पुण्य, दांपत्य सुख व पारिवारिक कल्याण तथा भगवान विष्णु की विशेष कृपा प्राप्त होती है। तुलसी के पौधे की नित्य पूजा व सिंचन घर में आरोग्य, शांति व समृद्धि लाने वाला माना जाता है।
इस पूजा के मंत्र व आरती
सामान्य प्रश्न
When is Tulsi Vivah performed?
On the Dwadashi of the bright fortnight of Kartik — the day after Prabodhini (Devutthana) Ekadashi, usually in November. It marks Lord Vishnu's awakening from Chaturmas and the start of the auspicious wedding season.
What is the merit of performing Tulsi Vivah?
It is said to grant the same punya as the kanyadaan (giving away of a daughter in marriage); couples without a daughter especially perform it. It also brings marital harmony and the grace of Lord Vishnu.
Why is Tulsi so sacred to Lord Vishnu?
By the Lord's own blessing, Tulsi — who was Vrinda, the supremely devoted wife — became dearest to Him; no offering to Vishnu is considered complete without a Tulsi leaf, and He dwells eternally as the Shaligram beside her.