The story of Tulasi Devi
Harigopal Dasa
Krishna. All scriptures stress on the importance of getting the mercy
of Tulasi devi if one has to make progress in the path of devotion. In
the Skanda Purana it is said: 'Tulasi is auspicious in all respects.
Simply by seeing, simply by touching, simply by remembering, simply by
praying to, simply by bowing before, simply by hearing about or simply
by sowing this tree, there is always auspiciousness. Anyone who comes
in touch with the Tulasi tree in the above-mentioned ways lives
eternally in the Vaikuntha world."
Vrinda devi
*********
Above this material world is the eternal spiritual world comprised of
millions of Vaikuntha planets. The topmost planet in Vaikuntha is
Goloka which is presided by Sri Krishna in His original form. Here
resides Vrinda devi, an intimate associate of and an expansion of
Srimati Radharani. Her partial expansion is Tulasi devi in the
Vaikuntha planets and they are all considered non-different from her.
As the embodiment of the lila-sakti (pastime potency), Vrinda devi is
the organizer of all the transcendental pastimes between Sri Krishna
and Srimati Radharani. In Goloka every thing is animate (cit) and only
for the pleasure of Sri Krishna. Vrinda devi makes this happen. She is
assisted by many confidential associates (which include two parrots)
and with their help she makes sure that every thing is pleasing to Sri
Krishna. She controls how the wind blows, when and where it rains, how
the trees bend, and so many other things for the pleasure of the
Divine Couple.
Manifest Vrindavana
*****************
Five thousand years ago when Sri Krishna descended on Earth to do His
pastimes, Vrinda devi created the proper environment for His pastimes
in Vrindavana. Millions of years before the descent of Sri Krishna,
Vrinda devi had appeared as the daughter of the pious Emperor Kedera.
Then she performed penances for sixty thousand years. Pleased by her
penances, Lord Vishnu gave the benediction that any austerities
performed in Vrindavana would be very potent. Thus Vrinda devi
sanctified the place and it got the name Vrindavana. Later Vrinda devi
once again descended here as Tulasi devi, the daughter of King
Kushadvaja to perform penances and attain perfection here.
Pastimes of Radha-Krishna
**********************
Vrindavana is completely under the control of Vrinda devi. Without her
mercy it is not possible to even approach the confidential pastimes of
Radha-Krishna, even as an audience. Even being allowed into Vrindavana
dhama indicates that one has received some mercy from Vrinda devi.
In Krishna lila she appeared as a young gopi friend of Srimati
Radharani. Under the instructions of Purnamasya (Yogamaya), she would
arrange secret meeting between Krishna and Radha. She would also make
all the material arrangements, like saffron, fruits, flowers, music
etc. for Radha Krishna. Thus she carried on her eternal service in
Goloka Vrindavana in the earthly Vrindavana.
Once Srimati Radharani was so pleased by the service of Vrinda devi
that with the help of the other gopis she arranged a magnificent
throne and had Krishna and Vrinda devi sit on it. Lalita sakhi acting
as the priest recited the mantras and performed the marriage cermony
of Krishna and Vrinda devi. Thus by the mercy of Srimati Radharani,
Vrinda devi got Krishna.
In another pastime, Vrinda devi offered all the forests of Vrindavana
to Srimati Radharani. Thus Radharani is also known as Vrindavaneshwari
or the queen of Vrindavana.
Tulasi devi becomes a plant
**********************
Pastimes involving pure devotees are only for the benefit of
conditioned souls in the material world. This pastime, given in the
Padma purana and in the Brahma-vaivarta purana involvong Tulasi devi
reveals this clearly.
Once Tulasi devi descended as the daughter of King Kushadvaja. She was
married to Jalhandara. It is said that Samudra deva the demigod
controlling the nether regions had Lakshmi devi as a daughter (since
she appeared from him at time of the churning of the ocean) and
Jalandara (one who is born from water).
Jalandara was married to Tulasi devi and drew strength from her purity
and chastity. So firm was her chastity that even Lord Shiva could not
defeat Jalandara in battle and all the demigods went to Lord Vishnu
for help.
At this time, Lord Vishnu went to Tulasi devi assuming the form of her
husband, Jalandara. When Tulasi devi greeted Him, thinking Him to be
her husband, her chastity was momentarily broken. Taking advantage of
this the demigods killed Jalandara.
When Tulasi devi understood what happened, Lord Vishnu revealed His
original form. An enraged Tulasi devi cursed Lord Vishnu for His stone
hearted behavior to become a stone. Honoring His pure devotee, Lord
Vishnu accepted this curse and promised to appear as the Saligrama
shila in the Gandika river (now in Nepal). He also gave Tulsai devi
the benediction that she will eternally reside with Him as His consort
in Vaikuntha. He said that for the benefit of every one she will
assume the form of a plant which will be most auspicious for anyone
performing devotional service.
Thus devotees never offer anything to Krishna without a Tulasi leaf.
He always adorns Himself with a Tulasi garland. The goddess of
fortune, Laksmi, is sometimes envious of the Tulasi leaves which are
placed at the lotus feet of the Lord, for they remain fixed there and
do not move, whereas Laksmiji, although stationed by the chest of the
Lord, sometimes has to please other devotees who pray for her favor.
Laksmiji sometimes has to go to satisfy her numerous devotees, but
tulasi leaves never forsake their position, and the Lord therefore
appreciates the service of the tulasi more than the service of
Laksmi.
Jaya Srimati Tulasi Devi ki !! Jaya !!