Tulsi Mata Katha – Chapter 5: Jalandhar's Defeat

Defeat of Jalandhar

After Vrinda's chastity was broken by Vishnu's deceit, the war between the gods and demons became even more fierce. Jalandhar, invincible by the power of his wife's virtue, now began to lose his strength. Dark clouds gathered in the sky, as if a deluge was imminent. The gods were terrified, for Jalandhar was still a formidable warrior.

The War of the Gods

A fierce battle ensued between the gods and demons. Jalandhar, with his vast army, roared and advanced. His sword flashed like lightning, and his arrows rained fire. The gods, led by Indra, fought with all their might, but they were weakening before Jalandhar's power. Screams echoed everywhere, rivers of blood flowed, and it seemed as if the earth was trembling. Despair clouded the faces of the gods; they felt their end was near.

Indra struck Jalandhar with his thunderbolt, but Jalandhar easily deflected it and let out a terrible laugh, "King of Gods Indra! Your thunderbolt cannot harm me! My victory is certain!" The commander of the gods, Kartikeya, also attacked Jalandhar with all his strength, but he too failed. "What shall we do? How do we stop this demon?" Worry took root in the hearts of the gods.

Jalandhar's Weakness

Amidst the war, Lord Shiva decided to slay Jalandhar. He raised his trident, which had the power to destroy the universe. As Shiva hurled the trident, it pierced Jalandhar's chest. Jalandhar's strength, which was based on Vrinda's chastity, had gradually weakened. His eyes filled with anger and despair.

Compassion welled up in the heart of Mother Tulsi. Although Jalandhar's slaying was necessary, she understood the sorrow of a devoted wife. She prayed to Lord Shiva to grant Jalandhar peace. Due to Vrinda's chastity, Jalandhar possessed a special power, but because that power was misused, his end was inevitable for the establishment of justice.

Jalandhar's Death

With the strike of the trident, Jalandhar fell to the ground. With his death, panic spread through the demon army. The gods were victorious, and a wave of joy swept through heaven. Lord Shiva declared that righteousness had been established and unrighteousness destroyed. But Vrinda was broken by her husband's death. Her heart was filled with grief, and she began to lament.

With Jalandhar's slaying, the gods breathed a sigh of relief, but Vrinda's misfortune did not end there. Vrinda's curse was to befall the gods, a consequence of Lord Vishnu's deceit. Vrinda's curse would bring a significant turning point in the next chapter, leading to Tulsi's transformation and her glory spreading in all directions.