Tulsi Mata Katha – Chapter 4: Vishnu's Deception

Vishnu's Deception

In the previous chapter, the gods, crying out for help, had prayed to Lord Vishnu to free them from the atrocities of Jalandhar. Jalandhar had become invincible due to the penance and chastity of Vrinda. The only way to defeat him was to break Vrinda's power. Hearing the piteous cries of the gods, Lord Vishnu became worried. To protect Dharma, he had to choose a difficult path.

Vishnu's Incarnation

Deep contemplation was going on in Vaikuntha. Lord Vishnu's eyes held compassion for the gods, and also a resolve to protect Dharma. Seeing the lines of worry on her lord's face, Goddess Lakshmi became distressed. She asked in a sweet voice, "O Lord, why is there such worry on your face today? What calamity has befallen the gods?" Lord Vishnu described Jalandhar's atrocities in a low voice and said, "O Goddess, to protect Dharma, I will have to do something that will be remembered for ages. There is no other way but to break Vrinda's chastity."

Goddess Lakshmi's heart was shaken. She said, "O Lord, is there no other solution? Vrinda is your devoted devotee. Would it be right to deceive her?" Lord Vishnu replied, "O Goddess, this is not deception, but the path of protecting Dharma. This world rests on balance. I have to save my devotee as well as the gods." He decided to assume the form of Jalandhar. His face was radiant, and his resolve was firm. "I am going, Lakshmi. To protect Dharma," he said in a calm voice.

Vrinda's Delusion

Lord Vishnu, in the form of Jalandhar, reached Vrinda's hermitage. Vrinda was sitting anxiously for her husband's well-being. Just then, she saw her husband standing before her. However, this form of Jalandhar was wounded in battle, bloody and weak. Tears welled up in Vrinda's eyes. She immediately supported her husband and called out lovingly, "Husband! What has happened to you? How did you get these wounds?"

Jalandhar, in Vishnu's form, groaned and said, "Vrinda, I was wounded fighting the gods. I thought I would not survive, so I ran to you." Vrinda's heart was filled with pain. She took her husband inside and applied balm to his wounds. Her mind was restless, eager to know the outcome of the battle. "What happened, husband? Who won the battle?" she asked with apprehension.

The Breaking of Chastity

Vishnu said with deep despair, "We have lost, Vrinda. The gods have won, and all my soldiers have been killed. I am the only one who has survived." Vrinda's heart broke. She embraced her husband in her arms, tears flowing from her eyes. At that very moment, Vrinda's resolve broke, her chastity was shattered. As soon as Vrinda's chastity was broken, Jalandhar's strength began to wane. The gods in heaven began to chant victory.

The power of Mother Tulsi, which originated from Vrinda's penance and devotion to Vishnu, manifested as a divine light. This light permeated the trees and plants that witnessed this deception, bestowing upon them sanctity and medicinal properties. This light signifies that even in circumstances born of deception, divine grace always remains present.

The Consequence of Deception

Meanwhile, in the battle, Jalandhar, who had become invincible due to Vrinda's penance, became powerless. Lord Shiva killed him with his trident. When Vrinda learned of Vishnu's deception, she was filled with anger and agony. She cursed Lord Vishnu, and then gave up her life. Due to Vrinda's chastity and curse, Lord Vishnu was transformed into a stone, known as Shaligram. Vrinda's ashes transformed into the Tulsi plant, which is considered sacred even today. The next chapter will tell what the consequence of Vrinda's curse was and how Lord Vishnu appeased her.