On Saligrama Aradhanai

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavatas:

Smt. Yamini Suresh wrote in the Bhakti list on 26th January 2003 as follows

and I wish to submit my replies to her observations.

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

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Dear friend:

You wrote:

”I heard a discourse by Sri Velukkudi Krishnan where he

mentioned that the practice of leaving the saligramam

in a bag of rice is not correct….

 

We should take utmost care and probably it is

advisable to take it along with you if you are

traveling for more than a day...

You wrote:

“The Saligramam murthy is to be treated like a five month

old child. In case we are leaving our house, then we

should try and leave the Saligramam murthy with someone

in the neighborhood or relation who will take care of

the Aradhanai for the said period.

 

 

My Reply:

Sri Velukkudi Swami is right in making these observations

only if and when other things are equal.

But, they are not always equal.

 

Let me explain:

His advice will be valid under ideal circumstances, when there will be

someone in the family or friends to take care of Saligramam in your absence,

as this may be the case in India. (But, even this is doubtful at all times

and in all places).

 

Once, I was taking Saligramam from a city to another in the USA. The

security people at the airport searched and were about to throw it out. They

did not understand the importance and significance of Saligramam. It was

with very great difficulty that I could convince them that it did not pose

potential threat as suspected by them. This intensive serach has become more

pronounced after 9/11 and their on-the spot decision is final. We can do

nothing about it except to experience the traumatic anguish.

 

For Bhagavatas who happen to reside in Middle East, even keeping a picture

of our Lord is taboo and is confiscated.

 

When you cannot carry and when none is available to “Baby- sit” Saligramam,

what else one could do? We have to think prcatically in these circumstances.

 

You wrote:

"In fact just leaving uncooked rice does not serve the

purpose. If we keep rice and dhal (uncooked) in front

of a 5month old child can it make use of it? Probably

it will land up with a stomach upset”.

 

My Reply:

This is a very funny argument. It is like the question that late Annadurai

(Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu) posed. He asked:

“If Brahma has Saraswati on his tongue, if VishNu has Mahaalakshmi on his

chest and if Siva has Parvati on half of his body, where would the spouses

ease themselves?”

 

It is obvious that these should not be taken literally.

What is important is the “Bhaavam” only.

 

It is not that the Lord in the form of Saligramam is going to eat raw rice

as made out. Keeping the Saligramam in a rice bag in the circumstances

stated above will not tantamount to feeding the 5-month-old baby with raw

rice! Sometimes, even cooked food when not done properly may give a stomach

upset to a child!

 

 

Rice is considered to be one of the most auspicious things. Akshadai is

sprinkled on the bride and groom during wedding. In fact, Yathivaras do so

on Bhaktas in token of their benediction. It represents “annam” that is

considered sacred in our scriptures.

 

It is not without reason that our elders advised keeping the Saligramam in a

rice bag when one has to be away for considerable length of time and in such

special circumstances

 

You wrote:

"The above paragraph is not my view but what I heard

from Sri V. Krishnan's discourse”.

 

You wrote:

“Honestly speaking, it is sad, but I do find that in

many homes the male members do not always perform the

Aradhanam to the saligramam. I also read some reply

saying that the when women offer rice to the Saligramam

murthy the box should remain closed”.

 

My Reply:

You are correct. This is a very sorry state of affairs that even in staunch

Srivaishnava homes Saligramam Aradhanai is NOT being done. What you have

said about ladies not touching the Saligramam box is what our Acharyas also

advise.

 

You wrote:

“Can someone please clarify Can small male children

who have not had samashrayanam open the box and offer

flowers / tulasi to Saligramam?”

 

My Reply:

No. I have heard from our Acharyas that women and /or children can offer

flowers etc to Saligramam without touching it.

 

I am awaiting the second post of Saligramam eagerly.

Can some learned member clarify the doubts with

references?

 

Thanks and regards

 

Ramanuja dasi.

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Hope this helps.

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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