Once when Shiv looked into the ocean, a brightness appeared and that resulted into the manifestation of a small child. This incident happened at the place where river Gangaa submerged into the ocean and which is known as Gangaa Saagar now a days. The child was crying so ferociously that an environment of fear was created everywhere. The deities and the sages went to Brahmaa to satisfy their curiosity. Brahma assured them to find out the reason, so he went to the seashore. The sea put the child in his lap and enquired about the name of that child and also about his future. Meanwhile the child pressed Brahmaa's neck with such power that tears rolled down from his eyes. For this reason he named the child as Jalandhar.

Brahmaa told the sea that the child will become the mighty ruler of the demons. No deity would be able to kill him except Shiv. The sea was very pleased to hear Brahma's predictions. After that Brahmaa returned to his abode, the sea brought that child to his home and brought up that child with great love and care. When Jalandhar grew up he got married to Vrindaa, who was the daughter of Kaalnemi Asur and later on he became the ruler of the demons.

Bhrighu Narrates the Story of Saagar Manthan to Jalandhar

One day Sage Bhrigu came to meet Jalandhar. After receiving him with due respect Jalandhar asked him as to who severed the head of Raahu. Sage Bhrigu then told him about Hiranyakashyap who was the maternal uncle of Raahu. Sage Bhrigu also told him about Virochan who was the son of the great Asur King Bali. After that he narrated the tale of the churning of ocean and how ambrosia emerged from it. He also told him how Raahu's head was severed by Vishnu, while he was sitting among Devtaa assuming the formof a Devtaa at the time when ambrosia was being distributed to all.

Jalandhar became very furious after hearing this story. He summoned one of his messengers whose name was Ghasmar and instructed him to go and ask Indra, as to why he had misappropriated all the wealth of his father (Sea) which emerged from Saagar Manthan. He also instructed Ghasmar to warn Indra about the dire consequences unless he takes his refuge. Ghasmar obeyed him and delivered his message to Indra, but Indra sent him back without any specific assurance or hearing. This action of Indra made Jalandhar angrier than before. He collected his army and attacked Indra. A fierce battle too place between his army and the army of Indra. Many warriors got killed from both the sides.

Shukraacharya, the Guru of Asur, brought back the dead warriors from the Asur's side back to life by his Mrit Sanjeevanee Vidyaa. Similarly Dev Guru Brihaspati also brought back the dead warriors from Devtaa's side back to life with the help of medicinal herbs from Drone Giri. When Shukraachaarya saw this that sage Brihaspati too was successfully bringing the dead Devtaa alive, he instructed Jalandhar to submerge the Drone Giri into the sea, so that it becomes impossible for Brihaspati to get the medicinal herbs by the help of which he was bringing the dead deities alive. Jalandhar obeyed the command of Shukraachaarya. He lifted the Drone Giri and submerged it into the sea. Now Devtaa became unsuccessful, so they fled from the battle field and Jalandhar captured Indra Puree.

Jalandhar and Vishnu

The terrified deities took the refuge of Vishnu and sought His help. Vishnu gave a patient hearing and agreed to help them, but there was a hitch. His consort  Lakshmee considered Jalandhar as her brother because both of them originated from the sea. She requestd Vishnu not to kill Her brother Jalandhar. Vishnu promised Her that He won't kill Jalandhar. After giving his word to Lakshmee, He went to fight with Jalandhar. Again a fierce battle took place between Vishnu and Jalandhar which remained indecisive till the end. Vishnu became very much impressed by the valiance of Jalandhar and asked him to demand any boon he liked.

Jalandhar requested him to make his dwelling in the Ksheer Saagar - the abode of Jalandhar, along with his sister (Lakshmee). Vishnu agreed to fulfill his wish and started living in the Ksheer Saagar along with his consort Lakshmee. This is the reason why the sea is wealthy with resources.

Jalandhar and Shiv

Being undefeated by Vishnu Himself, Jalandhar became the ruler of the entire three worlds. All his subjects were satisfied by his just and virtuous rule, except the deities. The deities now eulogized Shiv to seek his help in defeating Jalandhar. According to the wish of Shiv, sage Naarad came to meet Devtaa. Devtaa narrated their woeful tales to him. Feeling pity on their condition, he went to Jalandhar who accorded a grand reception to him which pleased Naarad very much. He praised the splendors and prosperity of Jalandhar but added that it was nothing in comparison to Shiv's splendors. He also told him that in spite of all his authority and splendors, his prosperity was still incomplete, as he did not have a proper consort. Jalandhar asked curiously as to where could he find his consort.

According to his strategy, Naarad advised him to make Paarvatee as his consort. Jalandhar fell into Naarad's trap. So he sent 'Raahu' to Shiv with a proposal to part with Paarvatee. Raahu went to Shiv and demanded Paarvatee, which made Shiv extremely furious. His anger resulted into the manifestation of a ferocious creature, which ran towards Raahu to devour him. Raahu had no option but to take the refuge of Shiv. Shiv protected the life of Raahu.

The hungry creature then asked Shiv as to what should he eat to satisfy his hunger. Shiv asked him to devour his own limbs. The creative followed his instructions and devoured his limbs. Shiv was very pleased by his sense of obedience, so he blessed him saying that he too would be worshipped along with him (Shiv). Raahu went back to Jalandhar and narrated the whole story to him. Hearing this Jalandhar then attacked Kailaash Mountain with his huge army. A fierce battle was fought between the Shiv Gan and the demons. When Jalandhar realized that Shiv had begun to dominate the battle he created beautiful Apsaraa and Gandharv by his illusionary powers to divert the attention of Shiv and his Gan. He was successful in his attempt. Shiv and his Gan became enchanted by the heavenly beauty of the Apsaraa created by Jalandhar. They stopped fighting and started watching their dance and music.

Meanwhile Jalandhar went to Paarvatee in disguise of Shiv but Paarvatee recognized Jalandhar. Being enchanted by the beauty of goddess Paarvatee, he looked at her with his evil intentions, but was immobilized by her wrath. Paarvatee then went to Vishnu and narrated the whole story. She wanted to teach Jalandhar a lesson. She requested Vishnu to go to Jalandhar's wife Vrindaa in the guise of Jalandhar and act in the same way.

Vrindaa and Vishnu

With the help of His divine powers, Vishnu created many inauspicious dreams while Vrindaa was asleep. Vrindaa became very restless and when the anxieties become unbearable she proceeded towards the forest. Vrindaa saw a hermit in the forest who was preaching his disciples. The hermit was none other than Vishnu. She went to that hermit and prayed to save her husband's life. Vishnu disappeared from the scene and reappeared - this time in the guise of Jalandhar. But Vrindaa was unable to recognize the real identity of her husband. She was very pleased after finding her husband alive and well. She stayed in that very forest with her husband for a very long time.

One day, Vrindaa came to know about the real identity of the person, who was impersonating as her husband. Realizing that her chastity has been breached, she cursed Vishnu by saying that "just as he had played a deceitful trick with her in the same way somebody would deceitfully abduct his wife and he too would wander in her search." After cursing Vishnu, Vrindaa embraced death by entering into the fire.

Shiv Kills Jalandhar

On the other side, after the departure of Paarvatee from Kailaash Mountain and after the illusionary powers created by Jalandhar had ended all the Apsaraa and Gandharv vanished. Shiv realized that whatever he was watching was nothing more than an illusion. Shiv recommenced his battle. Now Jalandhar again arrived to fight with him. A fierce battle commenced between them. Finding an opportune time, Shiv severed the head of Jalandhar by his Chakra which had been created from his toe. After his death, Jalandhar's soul united with Shiv. When Devtaa came to know about the killing of Jalandhar, they became overjoyed. They came to Shiv and eulogized him. They also hailed his great achievement. After expressing their gratitude they returned to their respective abodes.

Manifestation of Aamalaa (myrobalan), Tulasee (basil) and Maalatee

Lord Vishnu was very much saddened by the death of Vrindaa. He took the ashes from the pyre and after applying them on His body started wandering here and there. Devtaa became very worried to see the condition of Vishnu. They again went to Shiv and reporte the condition of Vishnu. They requested Him to eliminate the false attachment with which Vishnu was suffering. Shiv sent the Devtaa to Paarvatee, saying that she would certainly help in this regard. The Devtaa went to Paarvatee and prayed to her. She became very pleased and with the assistance of Lakshmee and Saraswatee, gave some seeds to them. Devtaa sprayed those seeds on the pyre, on which Vrindaa had given up her life. Three holy plants manifested from that pyre - Aamalaa, Tulasee and Maalatee. Later on Tulasee and Maalatee attained the Vishnu Lok by the virtue of their respective penance, but Aamalaa remained on Prithvi to do Kalyaan of people.