Reality of Vishnu Tulsi episode
Devi Bhagwad Puranam, Book 9, Chapter 6 - On the coming in this world of Laksmi, Ganga and Sarasvati
As a part of Leela Devi Saraswati feels jealously towards Ganga, who resides near feet of Shri Hari, she starts pulling her hair. Devi lakshmi tries to stop her due which saraswati cursed lakshmi to be turned into tree and flow as river on earth
Verse 34-38. Sarasvati rose up to catch hold of Ganga by Her hairs violently. Padma intervened to stop this.
Sarasvati became very violent and cursed Laksmi :— “No doubt you will be turned into a tree and into a river. In as much as seeing this undue behaviour of Ganga, you do not step forward to speak anything in this assembly, as if you are a tree or a river.” Padma did not become at all angry, even when she heard of the above curse. She became sorry and, holding the hands of Sarasvati, remained silent.
Verse 45. At that time Bhagavan Hari told them one by one :—
O Laksmi! Let you be born in parts, without being born in any womb, in the world as the daughter in the house of the King Dharma-dhvaja. You will have to take the form of a tree there, out of this evil turn of fate. There Sankhacuda, the Indra of the Asuras, born of my parts will marry you. After that you will come back here and be my wife as now. There is no doubt in this. You will be named Tulasi, the purifier of the three worlds, in Bharata. O Beautiful One! Now go there quickly and be a river in your parts under the name Padmavati
From above verse Devi Lakshmi will be born to dharmadhavaja as his daughter Tulsi and will marry a asura Shankachuda who is Vishnu’s Amsha
Devi Bhagwad Puranam 9.7-On The curses of Ganga, Sarasvati and Laksmi
Narayana Uplifts the Curse of the 3 Goddesses
7-15. Padma said :— “O Lord! I am ready just now to go to Bharata when Sarasvati has cursed me. But tell me, How long shall I have to remain in my part, the daughter of Dharma Dhvaja, How long shall I have to assume the form of Tulasi tree, the abode of Thine.
16-37. Narayana said :— Let Sarasvati go in her one part to have the form of a river and in her one half part to Brahma and remain with me in Vaikuntha in Her full parts. Ganga will have to go in one part to Bharata to purify the three worlds as she will be urged eagerly to do so by Bhagiratha. And She will remain in her one part in the matted hair of Candra Sekhara And let her remain with me in full parts. O Padme! O Lovely-eyed One! You are most innocent; so part of your part will go to Bharata and be the Padmavati river and you will be the Tulasi tree. After the expiry of five thousand years of Kali Yuga, your curse will expire. Again you all will come to My abode.
Devi Bhagwad Puranam.9 skanda Chapter 17 - On the anecdote of Tulasi
1-19. Sri Narayana Said
O Narada! The wife of Dharmadhvaja was Madhavi by the Deva’s influence, she became pregnant and conceived for one hundred years. In the womb there was the incarnation of Laksmi; and the body’s lustre increased day by day. she delivered on the full moon night of the month of Kartik one beautiful daughter, the incarnation in part of Laksmi. The face of the baby looked like the autumnal moon; Her two eyes resembled autumnal lotuses and her upper and lower lips looked beautiful like ripe Bimba fruits. The daughter began, no sooner it was born, to look on all sides of the lying-in-room. The palm and lower part of feet were red. The navel was deep and below that there were three wrinkles. Her loins were circular. Her body was hot in the winter and cold in the summer and pleasant to touch. Her hairs on the head were hanging like the roots of the fig tree. Her colour was bright like Champaka; She was a jewel amongst women. Men and women cannot compare her beauty. The holy wise men named Her Tulasi. As soon as she was born, full in every way. Though prevented repeatedly by all, She went to the forest of Badari for practising Tapasya. There she practised hard Tapasya for one lakh divine years. Her main object was to get Narayana for her husband. In summer she practise Panchatapa in the winter she remained in water and in the rainy season she remained in the open air and endured the showers of the rain, twenty thousand years. She passed away thus in eating fruits and water. For thirty thousand years she subsisted only on the leaves of trees. When the forty thousandth year came, she subsisted only on air and her body became thinner and thinner day by day. Then for ten thousand years afterwards she left eating anything whatsoever and without any aim, stood on only one leg. At this time the lotus-born Brahma, seeing this, appeared there to grant her boons. On seeing Him, Tulasi immediately bowed down to Brahma, the Four-faced One riding on His vehicle, the Swan.
20. He then addressed her and said
Tulsi And sudhama past life and Curse of radhika
21-27. Tulasi Said
I am Tulasi Gopi; I used to dwell before in the Goloka. I was a dear she-servant of Radhika, the beloved of Krsna. I was also born of Her amsha, Her Sakhis used to love me. Once in Rasa Mandalam I was enjoyed by Govinda; but I was not satiated and while l was lying down in an unconscious state, Radha, the Governess-in-chief of the Rasa circle, came there and saw me in that state. She rebuked Gobinda and, out of anger, cursed me :-‘Go at once and be born as a human being. At this Govinda spoke to me :— ‘If you go and practise Tapas in Bharata, Brahma will get pleased and He will grant you boon. When you will get Narayana, the Four-armed, born of Me in part as your husband. O Father! Thus speaking, Sri Krsna disappeared out of sight. Out of Radha’s fear, I quitted my body and am now born in this world. Now grant me this boon that I get the peaceful, lovely, beautiful Nara for my husband.”
28-37. Brahma Said
“O Child Tulasi! The Gopa Sudama was born of Sri Krsna’s amsha. At the present time he is very energetic, He too, under the curse of Radha, has come and taken his birth amongst the Danavas. He is named Sankha Cuda. No one is equal to him in strength. In Goloka, when he saw you before, he was overpowered with passion for you. Only out of Radha’s influence, he could not embrace you. That Sudama is Jatismara (knows all about his previous births); and you, too, are Jati Smara. There is nothing unknown to you. O Beautiful One! You will now be his wife. Afterwards you will get Narayana, the Beautiful and Lovely for your husband. Thus under the curse of Narayana, you will be transformed into the world purifying Tulasi tree. You will be the foremost amongst the flowers and will be dearer to Narayana than His life. No one’s worship will be complete without Thee as leaf. You will remain as a tree in Bindraban and you will be widely known as Vrindabani. The Gopas and Gopis will worship Madhava with Your leaves. Being the Presiding Deity of the Tulasi tree, you will always enjoy the company of Krsna, the best of the Gopas.” O Narada! Thus bearing Brahma’s words, the Devi Tulasi became very glad. Smile appeared in her face.
Both Vrinda/Tulasi and Jalandhara/Shankachuda are Vishnu and Lakshmi parts
Jalandhara is श्रीकृष्णांशसमुद्भवः and Vrinda is तदंशा तत्सखी प्रिया a/c Devi Bhagavata 9.18.23-28.
Marriage of Tulasī with Shankachuda and Cursing Vishnu into Shaligram Roop
Chapter 18-24: The Complete Episode
Due to a curse of Rādhā, Sudāmā, the cowboy, was born on earth as a demon named Sankhacūda. He did penance sitting at Badarikāśrama and obtained Viṣṇukavaca. Another object of his was to marry Tulasi. He obtained a boon from Brahma that his death would occur only when the Viṣṇu Kavaca was removed from his body and the chastity of his wife was lost.
At that time Śankhacūda and Tulasī met each other in the forests and were married. Śankhacūda, brilliant and majestic, went about with Tulasi in amorous sports creating jealousy even among the devas. His arrogance gave innumerable troubles to the devas and they along with Brahma and Śiva approached Mahāviṣṇu for a remedy.
Vishnu’s Strategy Using Maya
Viṣṇu then sent Śiva with his spike to kill Sankhacūda with the help of Maya. Vishnu created the form of Jalandhar (Tulsi husband), he meet to tulsi. He explained about the war & did Vihar (to enjoy or to travel somewhere) with her.
After when Tulsi came to know about all of the maya of Sri Vishnu, she was extremely aggrieved and anguish, after knowing everything and the death of her husband, she was in great sorrow and grief, after knowing the whole leela, she cursed Vishnu to turn into Shaligram stone and she took the form of the tulsi plant, after that her soul returned to the Vaikunth… And her materialistic body turned out in the form of a plant and a river
Tulsi’s Pavivratha Is destroyed by Vishnu Maya
As shakachuda had boon he is undefeated till his wife remains loyal towards him, due to satitva of vrinda demon Jalandhar was invincible so her satitva needed to be destroyed.
The Deception Process
Vishnu through his illusion stationed himself in the city garden in the form of an ascetic made vrinda see jalandhar’s death and other bad dreams and also made two
On enquiry about Jalandhar, ascetic vishnu created two illusionary monkeys who brought to brinda the dead body of Jalandhar which was severed into pieces. illusory demons chase brinda. Brinda came running and encountered the ascetic (Vishnu) who drove away the demons with a “Hum” sound.
On request of tulsi the ascetic Vishnu says that anyone killed by shiva can’t be resurrected but the ascetic Vishnu resurrects the body of jalandhar and disappears.
Vrinda has dalliance with jalandhar for many days after which she realised that Vishnu tricked her and destroyed her Satitva.
The Truth About Vishnu’s Form
Mahāviṣṇu by his maya shakti acted as Sankhacūda approached Tulasī
So as both Shiva Purana and skanda Purana clearly mention that vrinda/tulsi said that Vishnu tricked her as an ascetic so it’s clear that it wasn’t Vishnu himself who acted as Jalandhar/shankachuda but rather it was Vishnu’s illusory creation
But since Vishnu maya is the energy of Vishnu so some people have interpreted it wrongly as Vishnu himself assuming the form of jalandhar/Shankachuda and destroying the satitva of vrinda and after some preliminary talks entered into physical acts.
Tulasi’s Discovery and Curse
Tulasi found some difference suspecting foul play jumped up to curse the impostor. At once Mahāviṣṇu appeared in his true form tulsi said:
" Shloka 41 Chapter 23 of Yuddha Khanda Rudra Samhita" "Fie on this misdeed of Viṣṇu in outraging the modesty of another man's wife. I have now realised you as the wielder of illusion, appearing in the guise of an ascetic."
Further she cursed him to turned into shaligram stone
Key Theological Understanding
"Clarification on Divine Action" The episode involves Vishnu's Maya Shakti (illusory power) creating forms, not Vishnu himself directly assuming physical forms to deceive. This distinction is crucial for proper theological understanding of the episode.
Results of the Episode
Glorification of Sati Naari and Essence of Bhagavan Brahma
A Story of Glorification of Sati Naari
The Shiva Purana states that since Vrinda/Tulasi was a sati, so due to her satitva even shiva (who is the supreme lord as per shivapurana) was unable to defeat the evil demon Jalandhar/shankachuda.
Since both Vrinda and Jalandhara are Vishnu’s and Lakshmi’s amsas, there is nothing wrong in Vishnu creating the form of Jalandhara by maya. Vishnu had to do maya since there was no other way to put an end to sinful deeds.
Since devi bhagawatam says Tulsi/Vrinda belongs to Visnu only! She was a golok vasi due to Radha Rani’s curse she is on earth and a form of lakshmi to revive from the curse she must get Narayana as her husband
Vishnu’s Revelation to Tulasi
At once Mahāviṣṇu appeared in his true form of maya and said:
" Vishnu's Words to Tulasi" "You have been doing penance for a long time to get me as your husband. Your husband Sankhacūda was the chief of my Pārṣadas, Sudāmā. It is time for him to go back to Goloka getting himself released from the curse. By this time Śiva would have killed him and he would have gone to Goloka as Sudāmā. You can now abandon your body and come with me to Vaikuntha to enjoy life as my wife. Your body will decay and become a holy river named Gandaki; your hair will become Tulasi plant the leaves of which will be held sacred in all the three worlds."
Tulasi then changed herself into the form of Laksmi and went to Vaikuntha with Mahāvisṇu.
Divine Leela - Purpose of the Episode
This was the story of Tulasi from Devi bhagwad puran, the goddess cursing each other was done as part of Leela:
Essence of Bhagavan Brahma - Refuting Character Assassination
Since centuries, we Hindus have witnessed that the opponents of Sanatana dharma have been trying to do character assassination of our deities. Bhagavan Brahma is one of those deities. Vidharmis were always and remain to be ignorant about the true essence or moola swarupa of these deities. So let’s explore the essence of Bhagavan Brahma to negate all the baseless allegations against him.
Prajapati Brahma As Shabd Brahma
First and foremost thing to be known is that Prajapati Brahma has been referred to as shabd Brahma in the scriptures.
" Śrīmadbhāgavatapurāṇam/Skandhaḥ ३/Adhyāyaḥ १२" शब्दब्रह्मात्मनस्तस्य व्यक्ताव्यक्तात्मनः परः ।
Traditional Acharyas’ Interpretation
" Bhavartha Dipika by Shridhar Swami" अत एव शब्दतनुत्वाद्ब्रह्मणः परमेश्वरो नित्यं प्रकाशत इत्याह । व्यक्ता वैखरी अव्यक्तः प्रणवः तदात्मनस्तस्य ब्रह्मणः परः परमेश्वरः अवभाति ।
Shabda forms Bhagavan Brahma’s body. He’s manifest as Vaikhari (faculty/presiding deity of speech) and unmanifest as Pranava mantra. Parabrahm is constantly experienced by him.
Why Sound Forms His Body
Because he’s the origin of syllables:
" Bhavarthadipika Prakasha by acharya Vamshidhar" अत एव सर्ववर्णादुद्भवस्थानत्वादेव ।
" Goswami Radharamanadasa" एतदेव शब्दरूपत्वम् । अत एव वर्णोत्पादकत्वादेव ||
Expression of Sound
" Viraraghavacharya Vyakhya" शब्दात्मकं ब्रह्मशरीरं यस्य तस्माच्छब्दस्याभिव्यक्तिरित्युक्तं।
His shabdatmaka form is the expression of sound.
Detailed Analysis by Vallabhacharya
" Subodhini by Vallabhacharya" एवं सामग्री विनिरूप्य शब्दब्रह्मणो देहं विनिरूपयति स्पर्शस्तस्याऽभवदिति सार्द्धनस्पर्शाः पञ्चविशतिः, ते सर्वे एकीभूताः शब्दब्रह्मणो जीवोऽभिमानी, योऽहमिति मन्यते । स्वरा अकारादयः षोडश, स देहः । उदाहृत इति प्रमाणम् । शषसहा ऊष्माणः, ते चत्वार इन्द्रियाणि । आहुरित्यपि प्रमाणम् । अन्तस्था यरलवाः, तस्य देहस्य बलम् । एवं चतुर्मूर्तेः स्वरूपमुक्तम् । बाह्यक्रियामुदात्तादिरूपां वदन् विहारेण तेषामुत्पत्तिमप्याह कार्यकारणयोरभेदत्वाय स्वराः सप्तविहारेणेति । स्वराः षड्जादयः सप्त । विहारेण गतिलीलया । प्रजापतेरिति । शब्दब्रह्मणोऽस्य चाऽभेदो निरूपितः ।।
The Phonetic Constitution of Brahma
- The letters from अ to अः form Shabdabrahm’s body
- Letters श, ष, स, ह are his indriyas
- य, र, ल, व form the strength of his body
- This is how the four-faced Brahma is described
Further, by referring to Uddata, Anudatta, Svarita as his external actions, the scriptures have established non-difference of Shabdbrahm and Prajapati.
Devi Saraswati As Vak (Speech)
That’s why speech or vak is his wife:
" Subodhini bhashya" वाचं सरस्वती लौकिकीम् । तन्वीं कोमलाङ्गी सुन्दरीम् । गद्यपद्याभिरूपा हि लोकिक्येव सरस्वती ।
Devi Saraswati has been described as worldly speech and also as a female with beautiful limbs because she’s of the form of prose and poetry which provides pleasure to the listeners.
Brahma As Vedas and Saraswati as its Dweller
" Matsyapuranam/Adhyayah ४" वेदराशिः स्मृतो ब्रह्मा सावित्री तदधिष्ठिता ।
Bhagavan Brahma has been referred to as Vedas and Devi Saraswati as its dweller.
" Vallabhacharya ji's Subodhini commentary" लौकिकी साऽत्रविज्ञेया सा वेदाऽपि तिरोहिता।
Devi Saraswati disappeared and entered into the Vedas.
Refuting False Allegations About Brahma
Allegation 1: Brahma Urinating to Create Oceans
Vidharmis abuse Bhagavan Brahma by saying that he urinated and it created oceans:
"Misinterpreted Verse" आस्याद्वाक्सिन्धवो मेट्रान्निऋर्तिः ।।
"Correct Interpretation by Vallabhacharya" वाक्समुद्रनिऋर्तय ।
It refers to vāk which is of the form of ocean.
Allegation 2: Brahma Giving Birth to Asuras from Buttocks
They talk about Bhagavan Brahma giving birth to Asuras from his buttocks:
"Misinterpreted Verse" देवोऽदेवाञ्जघनतः सृजति स्मातिलोलुपान्।
"Correct Interpretation by Vijayadhwaja Teertha" अदेवान्सुरान् जघनतो जघननाम्ना देहेन ।।
Asuras originated from Bhagavan Brahma’s body named Jaghana.
We read that Bhagavan Brahma created Devas, Asuras, Gandharvas, by assuming different bodies and left them after his objective was over.
" Shridhar Swami's Explanation" सर्वत्र तनुत्यागो नाम तत्तन्मनोभावत्यागो विवक्षितः । ग्रहणं च तत्तद्भावापत्तिरिति द्रष्टव्यम् ।।
Changing and assuming several bodies refers to transition of manobhava or mentality.
Allegation 3: Brahma’s Semen
Vidharmis accuse Bhagavan Brahma of ejaculating semen several times. So what is Brahma’s semen?
" Nilakantha Chaturdhara ji's Bharata Bhavadipa commentary for Mahabharatam-Anushasanparva-८५" भूतग्रामं चतुर्विधं तत्तेजसस्तस्य त्रिगुणमयस्य रेतस संबंधी यस्तेजोशो रजशस्तस्मात्तैजसं प्रवृत्तिप्रधान जंगममभूत् ।।
His three-fold (trigunatmaka) efflugence (tejas) has been referred to as his semen.
His lotus seat is the support/basis of the universe and abode of all the jivatma:
"Commentary" जगदाधारत्वमपीत्याहसर्वजीवानां समृहस्थानमिति ।
Conclusion
"Understanding Divine Nature" The episodes involving deities must be understood in their proper theological context as divine leela, not through mundane human interpretations. Bhagavan Brahma's true essence as Shabd Brahma - the cosmic sound principle - reveals his transcendent nature beyond physical form and human limitations. All apparent physical descriptions are metaphors for cosmic principles and should be interpreted through traditional acharya commentaries.