Vrinda's curse and the wedding of Tulsi

Vrinda, deceived by Vishnu in her husband Jalandhara's form, curses him and is reborn as the tulsi plant, whom Vishnu marries every year.

The story, beat by beat

1. The asura Jalandhara is invincible because of his wife Vrinda's fidelity.
2. Vishnu takes Jalandhara's form and goes to Vrinda; her vow is broken and Shiva kills the demon.
3. Vrinda learns the truth and curses Vishnu to be turned to stone and parted from his wife.
4. She burns herself on her husband's pyre, and the tulsi plant grows from the ashes.
5. Vishnu marries the plant to redeem her, and is represented in the rite by a shaligrama stone or an amla branch.

curse deception marriage fidelity plant