Brahma Vaivarta Purana Chapter 17:211-220

Brahma Vaivarta Purana

Çri Våndävana-nagara-varnana

Description of Çri Våndävana

Chapter 17: Verse 211-220

ENGLISH TRANSLATION 211. King Kuçadhvaja had two daughters, Tulasi and Vedavati, who were learned in the dharma-çästras and renounced from material activities. 212.Vedavati performed austerities and attained Lord Näräyana as her husband. She became King Janaka's daughter Sitä, who is famous everywhere. 213.Desiring Lord Kåñna as her husband, Tulasi performed austerities, but by destiny's arrangement Durväsä Muni cursed her and she attained the demon Çaìkhacüda as her husband. 214.After that she attained handsome Lord Näräyana as her husband, but He also cursed her and she became a tree that is the queen of the demigods. 215.Then she cursed Lord Näräyana and He became the Çälagräma stone. Beautiful Tulasi tree Våndä always stays on the chest of Çälagräma stone Lord Näräyana. 216.O sage, I have already narrated Tulasi's pastimes at great length. Still, because they are relevant here, I have mentioned them. 217.Another name of Tulasi is Vrndä. For this reason the wise say that Våndävana is named after Tulasi because she performed austerities there. 218.Please listen and I will tell you still another reason this holy place on the earth is named Våndävana. 219.Of the sixteen names of Rädhä given in the Vedas, Våndä is one. Because Rädhä enjoyed pastimes in beautiful Våndävana forest, it is named after Her. 220.To please Rädhä, Lord Kåñna manifested Våndävana forest in the spiritual world of Goloka. When Våndävana was brought to earth for Rädhä's pastimes, it was named after Her.