Akshaya Navami Vrat Katha: The Story of Kishori and the Miracle of Tulsi Worship

Akshaya Navami Vrat Katha: The Story of Kishori and the Miracle of Tulsi Worship

Akshaya Navami is also known as Amla Navami or Satya Yugadi, is one of the most auspicious days of the Kartik month. According to Hindu scriptures, observing Akshaya Navami Vrat brings eternal prosperity, good fortune, and divine blessings. On this sacred day, devotees worship Lord Vishnu and Tulsi Devi, believing that good deeds and charity performed today yield everlasting results. The story associated with this vrat, known as the Akshaya Navami Vrat Katha, narrates the divine tale of a Kshatriya girl named Kishori, who was freed from widowhood through the power of devotion and Tulsi worship.

The Birth of Kishori

Long ago, in the sacred city of Vishnukanchi, lived a wealthy Kshatriya named Kanak. Despite being prosperous, Kanak and his wife remained childless for many years. Through their deep devotion and observance of various fasts and rituals, they were blessed with a daughter, whom they lovingly named Kishori.

When an astrologer examined her horoscope, he revealed a sorrowful truth, the man Kishori would marry would die from a lightning strike soon after the wedding. Heartbroken, Kanak built a separate home for his daughter, away from the city, so he would not constantly grieve at the sight of her unmarried state.

The Arrival of the Brahmin Shankar

Kishori lived a life of devotion, serving Brahmins and saints with utmost faith. One day, a wise Brahmin named Shankar visited Vishnukanchi. Hearing about Kanak’s generous hospitality, he arrived at Kishori’s home. Seeing her pious nature, Shankar asked her companion why such a virtuous and beautiful girl remained unmarried. Upon learning of the curse in her horoscope, Shankar advised a divine remedy.

He told Kanak, “Teach your daughter Lord Vishnu’s twelve-letter mantra. Let her chant it daily for three years, water the Tulsi plant every morning, and perform the Tulsi Vivah on Kartik Shukla Navami with a golden idol of Lord Vishnu. By the power of this vrat, she will never become a widow.”

Kanak and Kishori followed his guidance with full devotion. Kishori began observing the Tulsi Vrat strictly as per Shastra.

Three years later, while Kishori was on her way to bathe during Kartik month, a wealthy Kshatriya youth saw her and was mesmerized by her divine beauty. Overcome with desire, he conspired with a florist woman named Malini to deceive her. Malini disguised the man as her daughter to help him approach Kishori during Tulsi Vivah preparations.

Meanwhile, in Vishnukanchi, there was a righteous king named Jaysen, whose son Mukund was a devout follower of Lord Surya (the Sun God). When Mukund heard about Kishori’s beauty, he vowed before the Sun that he would not eat or drink until he married her. Impressed by his devotion, the Sun God appeared in his dream but warned him that Kishori’s destiny carried a widowhood curse. Mukund humbly requested the deity to remove the curse and pleased by his persistence, Lord Surya agreed.

The Miracle on Tulsi Vivah Day

On the night of Tulsi Vivah, Kishori sat before the sacred Tulsi plant, remembering Lord Vishnu with devotion. Meanwhile, the disguised youth (Vilepi) entered her house, pretending to bring flowers. As the auspicious hour arrived, a thunderstorm broke out. Loud thunder roared, lightning flashed, and the lamps were extinguished.

In the confusion, Vilepi touched Mukund’s hand. At that very moment, lightning struck, instantly killing Vilepi, fulfilling the astrologer’s prophecy, but sparing Kishori’s destined husband. When the storm cleared, everyone realized that the imposter had died, and Mukund was unharmed. Soon after, Kishori and Mukund were married in a grand ceremony.

The Divine Blessings of Tulsi Vrat

After marriage, Kishori became a queen and was blessed with many brothers and immense prosperity. The truth of the scriptures and the power of Tulsi Vrat were proven beyond doubt. It is said that those who observe Tulsi Vivah or Akshaya Navami Vrat with faith attain wealth, longevity, good health, and marital bliss. The vrat signifies that sincere devotion and righteous living can even change destiny.

The story of Kishori is not merely a legend but a reminder of how faith and purity of heart can overcome fate itself. On Akshaya Navami, devotees are encouraged to observe Tulsi Vivah with devotion, as it symbolizes divine union, auspicious beginnings, and unending blessings from Lord Vishnu and Tulsi Devi.