TULSI VIVAH (MARRIAGE) WITH SALAGRAMA (KRISHNA) – COMPLETE DETAILS AND HOW TO CELEBRATE IT?
This is the celebration of the marriage ceremony of Srimati Tulsi Maharani and Lord Sri Krishna in the form of Salagrama Sila.
STORIES (LEGENDS) BEHIND TULASI VIVAH (MARRIAGE)
This Marriage Festival is performed on the 11th day of the bright half of Kartik.
LEGEND-1: TULASI VIVAH STORY FROM ‘PADMA PURANA’
Tulsi, the plant (Botanical Name: Ocimum Sanctum) in her former birth was Vrinda, the daughter of a giant named Nemi, and the faithful wife of demon Jalandhar.
Pastimes involving pure devotees are only for the benefit of conditioned souls in the material world. This pastime, given in the Padma purana and in the Brahma-vaivarta purana involvong Tulasi devi reveals this clearly.
Once Tulasi devi descended as the daughter of King Kushadvaja. She was married to Jalhandara.
Samudra deva, the demigod controlling the nether regions had Lakshmi devi as a daughter (since she appeared from him at time of the churning of the ocean) and Jalandara (one who is born from water).
Since Jalandhar was born in water, he claimed the rights over the ocean and demands the 14 treasures churned out of the ocean in Vishnu’s second incarnation. He declared war with the demigods.
Jalandara was married to Vrinda (Tulasi devi) and drew strength from her purity and chastity. He had also got a boon that he can not be killed till his wife Vrinda was chaste. So firm was her chastity that even Lord Shiva could not defeat Jalandara in battle and all the demigods went to Lord Vishnu for help.
At this time, Lord Vishnu went to Tulasi devi assuming the form of her husband, Jalandara. When Tulasi devi greeted Him, thinking Him to be her husband, her chastity was momentarily broken. Taking advantage of this the demigods killed Jalandara.
When Tulasi devi understood what happened, Lord Vishnu revealed His original form. An enraged Tulasi devi cursed Lord Vishnu for His stone hearted behavior to become a stone.
Honoring His pure devotee, Lord Vishnu accepted this curse and promised to appear as the Saligrama shila in the Gandika river (now in Nepal).
He also gave Tulsai devi the benediction that she will eternally reside with Him as His consort in Vaikuntha. He said that for the benefit of every one she will assume the form of a plant which will be most auspicious for anyone performing devotional service.
Thus devotees never offer anything to Krishna without a Tulasi leaf. He always adorns Himself with a Tulasi garland.
The goddess of fortune, Laksmi, is sometimes envious of the Tulasi leaves which are placed at the lotus feet of the Lord, for they remain fixed there and do not move, whereas Laksmiji, although stationed by the chest of the Lord, sometimes has to please other devotees who pray for her favor. Laksmiji sometimes has to go to satisfy her numerous devotees, but tulasi leaves never forsake their position, and the Lord therefore appreciates the service of the tulasi more than the service of Laksmi.
Vrinda in her wrath crused and turned Lord Krishna into a Black stone (Salagram) for his deceit.
Krishna too makes her as the sacred Tulsi plant and promises to marry her annually on this day of Karti.
Therefore, the people worship the Tulsi plant with flowers and milk and also believe that Lord Krishna is present on this auspicious day.
One who performs this ceremony of marrying Tulsi Devi to Krishna considering them to be one’s own daughters, gets the credit of helping to perform a marriage of a girl.
From this Tulasi Vivah day, the annual marriage season of the devotees across the globe begins.
READ THIS POST TO KNOW HOW TO PERFORM TULASI PUJA (WORSHIP).
LEGEND-2: RADHARANI PERFORMING TULASI-KRISHNA MARRIAGE
Once Srimati Radharani was so pleased by the service of Vrinda devi that
with the help of the other gopis she arranged a magnificent throne and had Krishna and Vrinda devi sit on it.
Lalita sakhi acting as the priest recited the mantras and performed the marriage cermony of Krishna and Vrinda devi.
Thus by the mercy of Srimati Radharani, Vrinda devi got Krishna.
HOW TO PERFORM THE MARRIAGE OF TULSI – SALAGRAMA (KRISHNA)?
(i) SYSTEM FOLLOWED IN ISKCON TEMPLES
Marriage of Shalagrama (Krishna) and Tulasi is explained here using the selected inputs from the article written by Sri Padmanabha Gosai, a well-known Vaishnava Acharya and a Head Priest of the famous Radharaman Mandir in Vrindavana, India.
Shri Vasishthaji said that what I have heard in ancient times from Lord Brahma about the marriage of Tulasi. I will now describe according to what is written in the Narada-pancaratra:
(1) First one should plant Tulasi either in the house or the forest, and after three years one may perform her marriage. (ie, the plant should be atleast three years old)
(2) The auspicious time to perform the marriage of Shalagrama and Tulasi are: When the sun is moving in the north, Jupiter and Venus are rising, in the month of Kartika, from the Ekadashi to the full moon in the month of Magha, and when constellations that are auspicious for marriage appear, especially the full moon day.
(3) First one should arrange a place for sacrifice (yajna-kunda) under a canopy (mandapa – building). Then after performing shanti-vidhana, one should install sixteen goddesses, and do the shraddha ceremony for his female maternal ancestors.
(4) One should call four brahmanas learned in the Veda, and appoint one to be the Brahma, one to be the acarya, one to be the rishi, and one to be the priest.
(5) One should establish an auspicious waterpot (mangala-ghat) under that mandapa according to the Vaishnava rituals. Then one should establish an attractive shalagrama-shila (Lakshmi-Narayana). After that one should perform home sacrifice (griha-yajna), worship the sixteen goddesses, and do the shraddha ceremony.
(Also read THIS POST to know: Who are gopis? Can I love Krishna like Gopis? But, my parents want me to marry a boy. What to do?)
(6) When it is dusk one should install a golden Deity of Narayana and a silver murti of Tulasi according to one’s means.
(7) With vasa-shanta mantra two cloths should be tied together.
(8) With yadavandha mantra the marriage bracelets (kangana) should be tied on the wrists,.
(9) With ko’ dat mantra, the marriage should be consecrated.
(10) Then the host along with the acarya, rishi, and others should make nine offerings in the yajna-kunda.
(11) After these marriage rites have been done, the wise gurudeva should offer sacrifice according to the Vaishnava rituals chanting, “Om namo bhagavate keshavaya namah svaha.”
(12) The host with his wife, friends, and relatives should then do parikrama of Tulasi four times with shalagrama-shila.
(13) Everyone should then recite the following prayers in front of the yajna-kunda: (i) shatkumbha-sukta, (ii) pavamani-sukta, (iii) shakti-kadhyaya, (iv) nava-sukta, (v) jiva-sukta, and (vi) vaishava-samhita.
(14) After this the ladies should blow conch and other similar instruments, sing auspicious songs, and recite mangalacarana.
(15) Following this, the final sacrifice should be done (purnahuti) and then abhisheka.
(16) (i) An ox is to be given to the Brahma, (ii) a cow, cloth, and bed to the acarya, and (iii) cloth to the rishi. Dakshina (Money) should be given to all.
(17) In this way, installing Tulasi Devi one should begin her regular worship along with Lord Vishnu.
(18) Whoever sees the marriage of Tulasi Devi will have all of the accumulated sins of his life removed.
(19) Whoever with devotion plants Tulasi, collects her leaves, or installs her along with Vishnu will achieve liberation, the abode of the Lord, all varieties of enjoyment, and will enjoy along with Shri Hari.
Also read THIS POST to know HOW TO GROW, MAINTAIN AND PLUCK THE TULASI PLANT?
(ii) TULSI-SHALAGRAM VIVAH/ MARRIAGE – SYSTEM FOLLOWED IN MANY OTHER SAMPRADHAYAS:
(1) Dress Tulasi pot in a nice Red skirt.
(2) Beautify her branches with red bangles, red kum kum, and red bindhis.
(3) Use a fresh or dried Haldi (tumeric) root as mangal Sutra (thali).
(4) Offer red garlands.
(5) Giving off the bride (Kanya Sampradanam):
The bride is given away by her father or guardian after reciting of her lineage and pedigree together with that of the groom.
(6) Honouring the groom: Give a seat and tieing the red thread (kankabandanam ) to both of them – on His right wrist Her left wrist). Apply oils and chandan on their wrists.
(7) Exchange of garlands (Mala Dharanam):
Offer a garland of flowers on the Tulsi plant and the Shaligram Sila. Exchange the garlands three times from her and Him and vice versa. Tulasi first to garland her lord that indicates that she claims the Lord first as in the Swayamvara.
(8) APPLYING SINDHUR TO TULASI (SINDHUR DHAN):
Apply sindhur three times on the leaves of Tulasi that marks Krishna claiming her as His own.
Om sindhur iva pradhvane sughanaso vata pramiyah patayanti yahvah
Ghrtasya dhara aruso nah vaji kastha bhindan urmibhih pinvamanah
(9) WEARING THE THALI (MANGALYA DHARANA):
The sacred thread and ornament (mangal sutra) are sanctified and then tied around the bride’s neck as a symbol of her marital status, the sister of the groom helps him with this and is given a present by the bride’s family. A girdle symbolizing chastity is tied around her waist (can be tied around the pot or laid on the soil as if her waist.
Recite this popular Manthra while wearing the thali:
Mangalyam tantunanena mama jeevana hetuna:
kanthe badhnami subhage twam jeeva sarada satam
Meaning: “This is a sacred thread. This is essential for my long life. I tie this around your neck. O maiden having many auspicious attributes. May you live happily for a hundred years (with me).”
(10) BONDING THE COUPLES WITH CLOTHES (Vastra Bandhan):
Tie the angavasthra (white dress) of the Shaligram with the upper part of the colour dress that Tulsi is wearing . Do not remove this knot immediately. keep the tied knot for seven nights from marriage day. Sprinkle the bonded cloth with water.
Read THIS POST to know whether Krishna Rings, dollars, Tulasi mala, etc. – Necessary or Not.
(11) Offering of Puffed Rice (Laja Homa):
This is done for the long life of husband and Vamsa Vruddhi (Progeny) as well as prosperity and happiness for all the family.
You can recite this manthra while offering puffed rice to the couples:
Om idam asmanam aroha asmeva tvam sthira bhava
Dvisantam apavadhasya ma ca tvam dvisatam adhah
MEANING: Mount this stone, and like a stone be steadfast in devotion at the feet of the Lord. Annihilate those who would dare harm you. May you never fall under their influence.
(12) PUTTING SEVEN STEPS (Saptapadi Grahana):
The seven steps indicate the seven great sacrifices of Vivaha. Each step is placed with a blessing through the following manthras:
(i) Om ekam ise visnuh tva nayatu
Meaning: May lord vishnu lead you to strength.
(ii) Om dve urje visnuh tva nayatu
Meaning: May lord vishnu lead you to power.
(iii) Om trini vrataya visnuh tva nyatu
Meaning: May lord visnu lead you to uphold your vows.
(iv) Om catvari mayobhavaya visnuh tva nayatu
Meaning: May lord visnu lead you to happiness.
(v) Om panca pasubhyo visnuh tva nayatu
Meaning: May lord visnu lead you to plenty of cows.
(vi) Om sad rayas posaya visnuh tva nayatu
Meaning: May lord visnu lead you to multiplying spiritual wealth.
(vii) Om sapta saprabhyo hotrabhyo visnuh tva nayatu
Meaning: May lord visnu lead you to maintain these seven sacrifices.
(Also read THIS POST about TULASI DEVI (VRINDA) – GLORIES AND HER ROLE IN RADHA KRISHNA LILAS AND OUR DEVOTION!)
(13) FINAL STAGE – UNITING THEM IN MARRIAGE (PANI GRAHANAM):
The groom formally accepts the bride and takes her hand while reciting ritual formulae. Meditate upon Their holding hands and recite the following:
“For good fortune I join your hands so that you may attain old age in the company of your husband. The four Kumaras have given you to Him for performance of household duties.
“Be gentle-eyed, protecting your husband. Be kind to the animals, be good minded, beautiful. Be the mother of heroes, mother of life, and dear to Lord Krishna, bringing the highest happiness. In this way be good to us all, both man and beast.”
“May Vishnu generate progeny for you. May Lord Krishna keep you together until old age. Enter now your husband’s house, with auspiciousness. In this way be good to us, both man and beast.”
“Oh Vishnu, impregnate her, make fine, strong sons in her. Put ten sons in her, make eleven men in their house.”
“Be the ruler of your husband’s father. Be the ruler of your husband’s mother. Be the ruler of your husband’s sisters. Be the ruler of your husband’s brothers.”
“May your heart be fixed on life’s higher goals. May your mind follow after that of your husband. With body and soul be devoted to his words. May Lord Visnu join you together.”
(Also read THIS POST to know whether we can use the products containing tulasi)
(14) BLESS THE COUPLES BY SHOWERING AKSHATA (DRY RICE MIXED WITH TURMERIC POWDER):
Om Asmin Vivaha Karmani Anga Hinam Kriyan Hinam Vidhi Hinam Ca Yad Bhavet
Astu Tat Sarva Acchidram Krsna Karsna Prasadatah Yat Kincit Caigunyam Jatam
Tad Dosa Prasamanaya Sri Visnu Smaranam Karomi
MEANING: “May all deficiencies in rules and activities of the vivaha ceremony be absolved by the mercy of Lord Sri Krsna and His devotees. I now remember that Supreme Lord Vishnu in order to nullify whatever faults there may be there in the proceedings.”
(15) MARRIAGE FEAST:
Serve the Food offered to Krishna to al the family members and the visitors of marriage.
That’s all. You have beautifully performed the Tulasi Vivah.
Let Tulasi Maharani and Krishna bless all of you.
(Also read THIS POST with the Procedure to wear Kanti (Tulasi) mala around neck)