Tulsi: symbol of chaste devotion

The tulsi plant has been a hallmark of Hindu households from time immemorial. But if you have ever wondered what the events were that contributed to its role in Hindu culture and the rituals associated with it, there is an interesting story which makes the tulsi plant a subject of moral and spiritual introspection.
According to the Hindu tradition of Tulsi Vivah, on the 11th day of the waxing moon in the month of Kartik (following Deepavali), Hindus commemorate the marriage of Tulsi to Maha Vishnu. The day is called Devothani Ekadasi or the awakening of the Devas.
The story says that Tulsi was married to a demon king named Shankachuda, who terrorised the world with his atrocities. But Tulsi also was a great bhakta of Vishnu and her chastity, rendered Shankachuda invincible. In order to vanquish the demon, Vishnu assumed the guise of Shankachuda and embraced Tulsi. Having lost her chastity, Tulsi cursed Vishnu to turn into a Shaligrama (a black stone). Later after the curse was lifted from Vishnu, he atoned for his act by promising to marry Tulsi every year on this day of Kartik. And the day marks the auspicious beginning of the marriage season for Hindus.
There are lessons to be learned from the story — one being the supreme prevalence of dharma. Tulsi protected Shankachuda despite his evil-doing, only because he was her husband. But according to dharma, no individual is exempt from the law of nature. Evil-doers must be stopped, no matter who the perpetrator of the act might be – friends, relatives and anyone in between. The high ground of morality must not be abandoned for selfish motives.
Another lesson of this story is that evil is not a separate entity in itself. Shankachuda, who was the husband of the pious Tulsi, is a manifestation of the dark side prevalent in all of us. When money and power join forces, they assume an air of arrogance and the bearer falls under the illusion of invincibility. It’s something human beings have to learn to deal with — to eliminate their sense of selfishness and work towards collective good.
Many think that spirituality is outside their own existence, whereas it’s not. Every act as spoken about in our scriptures, is an act of obeisance to the environment. When you breathe in, you are inhaling air, one of the five basic and founding elements responsible for sustaining life. In fact, you are inhaling God while breathing — an act that keeps you alive. No other culture in the world can pride themselves on honouring the elements and respecting their sanctity as much as our own. It’s something that needs to be passed on as a legacy from one generation to the next.

The writer is the director of research at Tattvaloka, a monthly spirituality journal