Glories to Aadyanagha Mahadevi and Duranteshwar Mahadev 🙏!
Today we will be discussing the difference between Vrinda and Tulasi though they both are Vrinda Gopi of Golok and both are also Tulasi Devi of Vaikuntha.
Lakshmi has four primary forms - Shridevi, Bhudevi, Niladevi, Girdevi (blend of Bhudevi and Niladevi - Vishnu Patni Saraswati). Niladevi further expands into Viraja, Sinivali and Tulasi. Tulasi further expands as Ram Tulasi and Krishna Tulasi. Viraja further expands as Sarayu in Saketlok, Ganga and Yamuna in Golok.
Both come under the Vrinda / Tulasi tattva within Niladevi. But Vrinda also has a portion of Parvati in her while Tulasi is only Lakshmi.
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| Vrinda (Ram Tulasi) and Tulasi (Krishna Tulasi) |
In Hindu Puranic traditions, Vrinda (also spelled Vrindā) and Tulasi (or Tulsi) are figures renowned for their unwavering devotion and chastity (pativrata dharma), which granted their demon husbands immense power. Their stories explain the origin of the sacred Tulasi plant (holy basil), revered as an earthly manifestation of divine grace and essential in Vishnu worship.
Vrinda: The Wife of Jalandhar (Shiva Purana)
According to the Shiva Purana (Rudra Samhita, Yuddha Khanda), Vrinda was the pious daughter of the asura Kalanemi. She married Jalandhar, a powerful demon born from Lord Shiva's third-eye energy flung into the ocean during a moment of rage. Jalandhar and Vrinda are described as partial manifestations (amsa) of Shiva and Parvati, reflecting their divine origins — Jalandhar's essence eventually merges back into Shiva, and Vrinda's into Parvati.
Vrinda's extraordinary devotion made Jalandhar invincible. He conquered the three worlds and challenged the gods, even attempting to abduct Parvati (disguised as Shiva). When Shiva battled him, no weapon could harm Jalandhar due to Vrinda's protective prayers. At Parvati's request, Lord Vishnu disguised himself as Jalandhar and approached Vrinda, breaking her chastity vow through deception. This allowed Shiva to slay Jalandhar.
Devastated upon learning the truth, Vrinda cursed Vishnu (in some versions, causing him to become a stone) before immolating herself or ascending. Her ashes or essence gave rise to the Tulasi plant in certain retellings, though the Shiva Purana emphasizes her soul merging with Parvati.
"The brilliance of Śiva born of the eye in the forehead and cast off into the briny sea immediately assumed the form of a boy (Jalandhar)." Shiv Puran, Rudra Samhita, Yuddha Khanda, Chapter 14, Verse 4
"The refulgence of Vṛindā became merged in Pārvatī. There was a great shout of “Victory” in the rows of the gods standing in the sky." Shiv Puran, Rudra Samhita, Yuddha Khanda, Chapter 23, Verse 49
Curse of Vrinda to Vishnu - "O base foe of the Daityas, defiler of other people’s virtue, O wicked one, take this curse from me, greater in force than all persons. The two persons whom you made to appear in front of me shall become Rākṣasas and abduct your wife. You will be distressed on account of separation from your wife roaming about with Śeṣa ‘lord of snakes’ who posed as your disciple here. You will seek the help of monkeys in the forest." Shiv Puran, Rudra Samhita, Yuddha Khanda, Chapter 23, Verse 43-45
"In that forest, Vṛindā turned into the form of Tulasī. That (Tulasī) that was highly purifying arose from the sweat of Vṛindā. Having, for some days, enjoyed the pleasure due to the contact with Vṛindā’s body, (Viṣṇu) the lord of the world, thought about the mission of Śiva." Padma Puran, Uttar Khand, Chapter 15
"That round image of the particles of Vṛndā’s body was burnt. Collecting the remaining ashes, they threw them into Mandākinī. At the place where Vṛndā cast her body and went to heaven, was the Vṛndāvana, near the Govardhana mountain." Padma Puran, Uttar Khand, Chapter 15
Tulasi: The Wife of Shankhachuda (Brahma Vaivarta Purana & Devi Bhagawatam)
In the Brahma Vaivarta Purana (Prakriti Khanda), the story shifts to Tulasi, a devoted woman born as the daughter of King Dharmadhvaja (linked to Lakshmi's manifestation). She performed severe penance to attain Lord Vishnu as her husband. Tulasi married Shankhachud, a demon who was a partial manifestation (amsa) of Lord Vishnu (often as Sudama, Krishna's devotee, reborn due to a curse). Tulasi herself is portrayed as an amsa of Lakshmi.
Shankhachud received boons from Brahma, including invincibility protected by Krishna's armor and Tulasi's fidelity. He defeated the gods and waged war on Shiva. To end the conflict, Vishnu disguised himself as Shankhachud and embraced Tulasi, violating her chastity. This enabled Shiva to defeat and kill Shankhachud.
Upon discovering the deception, the grieving Tulasi, cursed Vishnu to become a stone (leading to the Shaligrama shila). Vishnu blessed her, transforming her into the sacred Tulasi plant, eternally dear to him. Her leaves became indispensable for his worship, and she resides near him as the Gandaki River's banks produce Shaligrama stones.
"O Lakṣmī! Let you be born in parts, without being born in any womb, in the world as the daughter in the house of the King Dharmadhvaja. You will have to take the form of a tree there, out of this evil turn of fate. There Śaṅkhacūḍa, 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 Tulasī, the purifier of the three worlds, in Bhārata." Devi Bhagawatam, Canto 9, Chapter 6
Curse of Tulasi to Vishnu - "O Viṣṇu, you are ruthless. Your mind is like a rock. Since my chastity has been outraged my husband is doomed - O wicked one, being ruthless you are like a rock. Hence due to my curse you will become a rock." Shiv Puran, Rudra Samhita, Yuddha Khanda, Chapter 41
This very same Tulasi also comes as Gandaki river.
Nexus with Krishna consorts
In Garg Samhita, Nagnajiti is considered to be Tulasi. In Brahma Vaivarta Puran, Lakshmana too is considered to be Tulasi.
श्रीः साक्षाद् रुक्मिणी भैष्मी
शिवा जाम्बवती तथा
सत्या च तुलसी भूमौ
सत्यभामा वसुन्धरा
दक्षिणा लक्ष्मणा चैव
कालिन्दी विरजा तथा
भद्रा ह्रीर् मित्रविन्दा च
जाह्नवी पाप-नाशिनी
"Rukmini will be Shri, Jambavati will be Shivā, Tulasī will take birth as Satyā and Vasundharā as Satyabhāmā. Dakṣiṇā will become Lakṣmaṇā, Virajā will become Kālindī, Hrī will become Bhadrā, and Jhnavī, who destroys sins, will become Mitravindā." Garg Samhita, Golok Khanda, Chapter 3
कालिन्दी सूर्यतनया गांशेन महीतले । अर्थाशेनैव तुलसी लक्ष्मणा राजकन्यका।।
"In the land of Bhārata Kalindi, the daughter of Sürya, would be born out of the rays of the Gangå. With half of her amsa, Tulasi would be born as princess Laksmaņā." Brahma Vaivarta Puran, Krishna Janma Khand, Chapter 6
But some commentaries even identify Jambavati to be Tulasi. Yadavabhyudayam clearly displays Jambavati as Nila. As mentioned before, Tulasi is one of the aspects of Nila who is Vishnu Patni Durga. Further in Brahma Vaivarta Puran, Tulasi Devi also takes the form of Gandaki river, further strengthening her connection with Niladevi. Also to connect the dots - Both Vrinda (wife of Jalandhar) (Ram Tulasi) and Jambavati are connected to Parvati. While Krishna Tulasi (wife of Shankhachud) can be connected to Nagnajiti and Lakshmana.
"Jambavati is the best (shreshta) among the six great women (Shanmahishis) of Shri Krishna. Lakshmi devi is present in a special form (vishesha sannidhana) in her. Jnanis (learned ones) say that it is Jambavati in the form of Tulasi, who is worshipping Vishnu on a daily basis (तुलसी जांबवती प्रोक्ता)"
Some recensions of Padma Puran, mention the following Sloka (unfortunately it is not in the Wisdomlib edition)
तुलसी जांबवतीयुक्ता लक्ष्म्यांशेन संयुता ।
तया संपूजयेद् भक्त्या विष्णुलोकमवप्नुयात ।।
"Tulasi is Jambavati with Lakshmi as the indweller; offering Tulasi with devotion during pooja will enable one to reach the abode of Lord Vishnu."
We often read about Brahma Vaivarta Puran and Garg Samhita connecting Jambavati with Gauri tattva. If we further read Shiv Puran, we see Vrinda (wife of Jalandhar) merging in the body of Parvati, as shown above.
Mool Gauri cannot marry anyone other than Shiva.
शिवा शिवस्य पत्नीयं शैल जन्मनिजन्मनि
"Parvati is wife of Shiva in her every birth and manifestation." Brahma Vaivarta Purana 4.41.80
Parvati says that Shiva alone is her Lord in all her births.
भवानात्मा च योगीशः स्वामी जन्मनि जन्मनि ।
Parvati said "You are My Soul and You alone are my Husband in all my births" Brahma Vaivarta Purana 4.43.103
पिनाकिनं विना दुर्गा वरं नान्यं वरिष्यति
"Parvati can never ever wed anyone else apart from Shiva." Brahma Vaivarta Purana 4.40.129 and 4.40.152
Menavati says that Parvati is devoted to feet of Shiva in her every birth.
त्वत्पदांबुजभक्तैषा मद्वत्सा जन्म जन्मनि ।।
"My Daughter is devoted to Your lotus feet in her every birth, O Shiva." - Brahma Vaivarta Purana 4.45.58
Reconciling all the given statements, we see that Jambavati is Vrinda (wife of Jalandhar), while Nagnajiti and Lakshmana are Tulasi (wife of Shankhachud).
The Vrinda in Parvati came as Jambavati. Not the complete form of Parvati.
Both Vrinda and Tulasi are the Tulasi of Vaikuntha and Vrinda Gopi of Golok.
Though Vrinda and Tulasi may have differences, they are actually the same just like Ganga and Yamuna. Both are Nila tattva.
Thanks and Regards,
The Aadyanagha Foundation.
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