In ancient times, the pious Vrinda's unwavering purity protected her demon-king husband, Jalandhar, making him invincible to the gods. Desperate, the gods sought help from Lord Vishnu. Vishnu used divine trickery, assuming Jalandhar's form to deceive Vrinda. Her unintentional lapse in chastity shattered her husband's protection, leading to his death in battle. Grief-stricken and enraged by the deception, Vrinda cursed Vishnu to become a cold, lifeless stone (the Shaligram) and immolated herself on her husband’s pyre. Moved by her supreme devotion and sacrifice, Vishnu granted her a blessing. He ensured she would be reborn as the sacred Tulsi plant. He then accepted her curse, transforming himself into the Shaligram stone. Vishnu promised that neither would ever be worshipped alone. Their tragic conflict transformed into a story of eternal, sacred love, eternally bound in Hindu ritual, symbolizing divine union.