Tulsi

One-line: devoted woman whose grief becomes a plant central to worship.

First appears: Book 9, in Book 9 retelling.

Who they are: Tulsi is one of Book 9’s most emotionally complicated figures. She is born from Lakshmi’s power, marries Shankhachuda, and is deceived in the chain of events that leads to his death. Her curse and transformation bind the Tulsi plant to Vishnu worship.

What they do that matters:

• Performs long discipline to win Narayana.
• Marries Shankhachuda and protects him through her chastity.
• Becomes the sacred Tulsi plant and is paired with the Shalagrama stone.

Other names: Tulasi

Family / lineage (when relevant): A partial form connected to Lakshmi.