Tulsi Story in English reveals the sacred journey of Tulsi Devi, who is much more than a holy plant in Hindu tradition. According to ancient scriptures, she was first a divine goddess, later born as a human, and ultimately transformed into the revered Tulsi plant. Her story, filled with devotion, intense penance, and divine blessings, is beautifully detailed in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, which explains her celestial origin, ancestral background, and spiritual significance.
Goddess Tulsi’s Birth According to the Brahma Vaivarta Purana
In the Prakriti Khanda of the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, the sage Narada once asks Lord Narayana about the divine lady Tulsi — who she was in her previous birth, how she became Narayana’s consort, and why she was born in the human realm and later transformed into a plant.
The Lineage of Goddess Tulsi
Narayana responds with a divine narrative, tracing the ancestry of Tulsi through the exalted lineage of Daksha Savarni, a pious Manu and great devotee of Lord Vishnu. His descendants — Dharma Savarni, Vishnu Savarni, Deva Savarni, and Raja Savarni — were all devout Vaishnavas.
Eventually, a descendant named Vrishadhvaja emerged, who became so devoted to Lord Shiva that he ceased all forms of worship to Goddess Lakshmi and Saraswati. He banned rituals such as Lakshmi Puja in Bhadra and Saraswati Puja in Magha. His actions displeased the gods, but due to Shiva’s affection for him, no one dared to curse him — except Surya (the Sun god), who eventually cursed him, saying he would be “deprived of all fortune.”
The Wrath of Lord Shiva and Divine Intervention
Enraged by this curse on his beloved devotee, Lord Shiva chased Surya with his trident. Surya fled to Brahma, and together they sought refuge in Vaikuntha with Lord Narayana. Despite their pleas, Shiva pursued them to the divine abode. Seeing this, Narayana intervened and reassured them, declaring:
“Why fear when I am here? I protect all who seek my refuge. I myself manifest as Brahma, the creator, and Shiva, the destroyer. You have nothing to fear.”
Narayana acknowledged Shiva as the most powerful being in the universe and calmed him with words of praise and affection. Shiva, appeased and humbled, bowed to Narayana and took his seat beside Him.
Tulsi’s Ancestral Curse and the Path to Redemption
Narayana then informed Shiva that while he was away, Vrishadhvaja had passed away under the influence of time. His son Hansadhvaja also died, stripped of his fortune. However, his grandsons, Dharmadhvaja and Kushadhvaja, though affected by Surya’s curse, continued their intense devotion to Goddess Lakshmi. Pleased by their penance, Lakshmi blessed them with wealth and progeny. From Kushadhvaja and his wife Malavati was born a divine daughter — a partial incarnation of Lakshmi — who would become known as Tulsi.
The Divine Birth of Tulsi
Tulsi was born on a Friday, during Kartik Purnima, under an auspicious alignment of stars. She had lotus-shaped marks on her feet and exhibited radiant qualities of the goddess Lakshmi. Her beauty and divine aura left everyone speechless, and thus, she was named Tulsi — the incomparable one.
Tulsi’s Great Penance
Disregarding worldly advice, young Tulsi left for the sacred Badarikashram to perform intense penance to attain Lord Narayana as her husband. Her penance lasted for 100,000 years, with each phase increasing in austerity: subsisting on fruits and water, then dry leaves, then air, and eventually fasting altogether.
Pleased by her unwavering devotion, Lord Brahma appeared and asked her to request a boon.
Tulsi’s True Identity and the Curse of Radha
Tulsi revealed that she was once a Gopi in Goloka Vrindavan, a beloved companion of Lord Krishna and a part of Radha’s essence. Once, during a divine play (Rasa Leela), she fainted in Krishna’s embrace. When Radha arrived and saw this, she became furious and cursed Tulsi to be born as a mortal.
Later, Krishna comforted Tulsi and told her that in her earthly life, through penance, she would attain his four-armed form (Narayana) as her husband. This gave rise to her desire for Narayana in her new life.
Brahma’s Boon to Tulsi
Brahma, acknowledging her desire, revealed that a powerful Gopa named Sudama, who had once desired her in Goloka but restrained himself due to Radha’s presence, would be reborn on Earth as the demon Shankhachuda. He would marry Tulsi and, after his death, she would unite with Narayana.
Tulsi would also take the form of a holy plant, becoming the most sacred among all flora, indispensable in the worship of Lord Vishnu. She would reside in Vrindavan as Vrindavani, and only with her leaves would worship to Vishnu be considered complete.
Tulsi’s Devotion and the Final Blessing
Tulsi accepted this destiny with joy but requested Brahma to remove her fear of Radha. Brahma granted her the sixteen-syllable Radha mantra to neutralize the curse and elevate her status to one beloved by Radha herself.
Following this, Tulsi returned to Badarikashram, performed mantra japa and puja for twelve years, and eventually attained spiritual perfection. She received her desired boon and spent her days in divine bliss, her story becoming a symbol of unwavering devotion and divine grace.
Significance of Tulsi in Hinduism
- No Vishnu worship is complete without Tulsi leaves.
- She is the embodiment of purity, devotion, and penance.
- Tulsi represents Lakshmi’s grace and is said to reside wherever Bhagavan Vishnu is present.
- Homes with a Tulsi plant are believed to be protected from negative energies and blessed with peace.
Final Thoughts of Tulsi Story in English
The story of Goddess Tulsi is not just a spiritual legend — it is a journey of devotion, curse, penance, and divine union. Her life reflects the supreme value of Bhakti (devotion) and how divine love transcends births and forms. The Tulsi plant continues to be a bridge between heaven and Earth — a living symbol of purity and divine grace.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who is Goddess Tulsi in Hinduism?
A: Tulsi is considered a divine incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. She took birth as a human due to a curse and later transformed into the sacred Tulsi plant, becoming essential to Vishnu worship.
Q: Why was Tulsi cursed by Radha?
A: According to legends, Tulsi, in her celestial form as a gopi, was found with Lord Krishna during Rasa Lila. Enraged, Radha cursed her to take human birth.
Q: What is the significance of Tulsi plant in rituals?
A: Tulsi leaves are mandatory in the worship of Lord Vishnu and his avatars. Offering them during rituals enhances spiritual merit and blessings.
Q: Who was Shankhachuda in Tulsi’s story?
A: Shankhachuda was a demon and the earthly reincarnation of Sudama, a Gopa from Goloka. He married Tulsi due to their past-life connection.
Q: When is Tulsi Jayanti celebrated?
A: Tulsi Jayanti is celebrated on Kartik Purnima, usually in October or November, to mark the divine birth of Goddess Tulsi.
