TULSI VIVAHA : The Marriage Of Krishna

Kartik Dwadashi, the day after Kartik Ekadashi, is the celebration of the marriage of Rukmmi or Lakshmi with Krishna. This goddess is represented by the sacred plant, Tulsi. On the evening of this day, the markets are full of sugarcane, berries, tamarind, amlas as well as festive bridal clothes and gold paper headgear for the bride and groom.

A mandap is made around the plant with sugarcane pillars and the plant decorated with a yellow 'sari', jewellery, vermillion and the bridal paper crown of gold. An idol of Krishna is decorated similarly. A complete marriage ceremony is conducted with sweets distributed at the end. Tuisi Vivaha or the wedding of Tuisi, is the official start of the winter wedding season in India.

The temple of Vitthala in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, added a new dimension to the social and indigenous life of the state. Dnyaneshwar, a great 13th century poet-saint, started a movement here emphasising that love and devotion bind all human beings together irrespective of caste and creed. Each year millions of pilgrims express love and tenderness to the deity who is portrayed as waiting for his devotees with arms akimbo.

[Above] Though a wild plant, the Tuisi is considered holy and is planted in a special planter called the Vrindavan. Its leaves are fragrant and cool. Its flowers bear seeds which fly with the wind to germinate everywhere. The Tuisi leaf completes a gift given with love and purifies all food and water.

[Opposite page] The famous Golden Temple in Arnritsar is a shrine visited by millions of devotees each year. It has been beautifully built with a golden dome. Under the dome in the sanctum is kept the Granth Sahib, venerated by all visitors. Pilgrims also take a dip in the holy tank around the temple.

The myth which is associated with this divine marriage is fascinating and most relevant to modern life. It is said that Krishna, after completing his work of establishing dharma continued to live in Dwarka with his wives Rukmini and Satyabhama. But in heaven there was chaos. The gods therefore wanted him back. So they hatched a plan and kidnapped him. The two queens were anguished at their husband's sudden disappearance. Narada, the celestial messenger, brought them news of Krishna's kidnapping. He told them that the gods would return him only on one condition. They would put Krishna on one pan of a weighing scale {tula) and the queens would have to outweigh him by putting heavier treasures on the other pan.

The scale was set up. Satyabhama, the arrogant queen, brought out all her jewels, gold and silver pots to weigh against him. The more she piled onto the pan, the lighter her side became. Reduced to angry tears, she finally gave up. Rukmini cleared the scale of all valuables. She plucked a sprig of Tulsi from a nearby bush and put it in the scale saying, "With all my love, I weigh this leaf against you". Rukmini's devotion won. The pan dropped and Krishna came back to the queens. Since then, Tulsiis considered to be a symbol of love. Each year on Kartik Dwadashi day, she is married ceremonially to Krishna.