Importance of Tulsi Vivah
In Hinduism, the Ekadashi of the Shukla Paksha in the Kartik month is celebrated as Dev Uthana Ekadashi, Tulsi Vivah, and Bhishma Panchaka Ekadashi. On this day, the Tulsi Puja festival is observed throughout India. According to our sacred texts, it is said that devotees who perform the Tulsi marriage ritual with Lord Vishnu during the auspicious month of Kartik are absolved of all sins from previous births.
It is also mentioned in scriptures that from the Ekadashi in the month of Ashadha (Devshayani Ekadashi) to the Ekadashi in the month of Kartik (Dev uthana Ekadashi), the period of Chaturmas is observed. During these four months, Lord Vishnu is believed to be in a cosmic slumber on the divine serpent Ananta in the Kshir Sagar (Ocean of Milk), and hence all auspicious activities like weddings, housewarming, and similar events are on hold. However, with Dev uthani Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu awakens, that marks the beginning of auspicious activities.
This divine union of Lord Vishnuโs form as Shaligram and Goddess Tulsi is celebrated as the holy Tulsi Vivah on the Ekadashi of the Kartik month.
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Significance of Tulsi Vivah 2024
It is said that observing the Ekadashi fast on the Prabodhini or Devotthani Ekadashi gives results equivalent to a thousand Ashvamedha Yagnas and a hundred Rajasuya Yagnas. This highly auspicious Ekadashi is said to cleanse all sins, and the meritorious results of any devotion, penance, bathing, charity, and fire offerings performed on this day are everlasting.
Tulsi Vivah Katha( Story)
According to scriptures, there was a fierce demon named Jalandhar who was unbeatable in battle. He was so powerful that all the gods were terrified of him, and he inflicted barbarity upon the entire world. His strength and success were due to his wife Vrindaโs chastity and her unwavering devotion to her husband, which granted him victory over all. Due to Jalandharโs atrocities, the gods approached Lord Vishnu for help, and Lord Vishnu decided to assist them.
When Jalandhar went to battle, Lord Vishnu assumed Jalandhar’s form to break Vrindaโs devotion and chastity. After Vrindaโs chastity was disrupted, Jalandhar was defeated and eventually killed in battle. When Vrinda realized what Lord Vishnu had done, she cursed him to become a stone. After her husbandโs death, Vrinda performed Sati (self-immolation) and sacrificed her life. A Tulsi (holy basil) plant grew from the place where she gave up her life.
Later, Lord Vishnu blessed Vrinda, saying that in her next birth, she would be reborn as Tulsi, and he would marry her. In her next birth, on the auspicious day of Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Shaligram and married Tulsi.
Importance of Tulsi Vivah for Childless Couples
According to Hindu scriptures, it is said that childless couples should perform Tulsi Vivah once in their lifetime, as this ritual bestows the same spiritual merit as performing Kanyadaan (the ceremonial giving away of a daughter in marriage).
By performing Tulsi Vivah on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi and worshiping Tulsi, devotees are granted their wishes and attain blessings. Worshipping Tulsi with devotion also purifies one from sins and increases spiritual merit. Following the prescribed rituals, all deities are offered Tulsi leaves, as the Tulsi plant is considered sacred and worthy of worship. Observing a fast on the occasion of Tulsi Vivah is considered highly auspicious.
Tulsi Aarti Lyrics
Tulasฤซ mahฤrฤแนi namล-namล,
hari rฤแนi, namล-namล.
Dhan tulasฤซ purฤแนaแน tapa kinล,
ลฤligrฤmaแน rฤแนi ayindi.
Veแธทli manฬjari kลmal anฤ uttaraแน rฤyaแนแธi.
ลrฤซpati kamal caraแน laptฤni.
Dhลซp-dฤซp-navaidya ฤrti,
puแนฃpinฬcฤ varแนฃaแน.
Yฤbhai ฤru naivฤdyฤlu, muppai ฤru vaแนแนญakฤlu,
tulasi lฤkuแนแนญฤ hari oppukลlฤdu.
Nฤ snฤhitulandarลซ nฤซ kฤซrtini pฤแธฤli
bhaktini ivvaแนแธi mahฤrฤแนi.
Namล-namล tulasฤซ mahฤrฤแนi,
tulasฤซ mahฤrฤแนi namล namล.
Tulasฤซ mahฤrฤแนi namล-namล,
hari rฤแนi, namล-namล.