Shree Shaligram murti

December 17, 2008

Importance of Shaligram

Worship Shree Shaligram for six values of life:Righteous living, Wealth, Protection, good health, pleasures and Spiritual AKYAS CA IVA DESE CA SALAGRAMA STHALAM MAHATSANAM TAD BHAVAM YAT TAT SALAGRAMAM ITI SMRTAM

The Shaligram is the most sacred stone worshipped by the Vaishnavas and is used to worship Vishnu in an abstract form i.e., God without form as a 'Saligrama'. The use of the Shaligram is similar to the use of 'Lingam' as abstract symbol of Lord Shiva.The Shaligram is found in river Gandaki near Muktinath in Nepal.GANDAKYAS CAIVA DESE CA SALAGRAMA STHALAM MAHATPASANA TAD BHAVAM YAT TAT SALAGRAMAM ITI SMRTAM(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/296 From GAUTAMIYA TANTRA )

There are numerous popular beliefs concerning salagrama. Salagrama alongside Tulasi leaves and conch (samkha), placed in one plate is regarded as most meritorious.

Any religious observance, gift, consecration, obsequies, and worship should preferably be done in association with a salagrama: (Brahma-vaivarta-purana, Prakti-khanda, 19).

Regarding the obsequies or the last rites (sraddha), it is usual to conduct such ceremonies in front of a salagrama. For that would ensure the departed spirit reaching Vishnu's abode directly: and subsequent death ceremonies would become unnecessary: (Padma-purana, uttara-khanda, 127).

When the dying person is made to sip a little of the water in which the salagrama-stone is bathed, he will be freed from all sins, and will reach the heavenly abode of Vishnu. And death itself when it occurs in the presence of a salagrama-stone will pave the way for Vishnu's realm, for Vishnu is present in that stone. (Purana-samgraha).

The rites of expiation of sins (prayaschitta) becomes effective more by drinking the water in which these stones are washed than by gifts or fasting or by observances of various kinds.

In times of solar or lunar eclipse, whatever ritual is undertaken becomes all the more effective when done in front of a salagrama-stone so says Hemadri.

It was practice in the olden days to ask the witness to hold a salagrama in hand while testifying in a court of law; if he uttered utter falsehood, he was believed to suffer immensely and long as a punishment: (Brahma – vaivarta – purana, op. Cit.)

Merely looking at a salagrama stone would wash away the sins of the beholder, even as the mere sight of a lion would make the antelopes run for their lives in the forest.

Whoever glances at a salagrama would be purified of his past demerits; what then would be the benefit of one who is mindful of it, who praises it, meditates on it, worships it, and prostrates before it?

Whether one has real devotion or not, if he worships a salagrama-stone with prostration before it, he will surely get emancipated from the cycle of phenomenal existence.

The person who offers a daily service for the salagrama stone will be freed from the fear of death, and he will cross over the stream of births and deaths.

A regular worship of the salagrama-stone, bathing it in curds, ghee, milk or water will cause untold merit.

In the salagrama-stone abide the three realms, and all the immovable and movable aspects of creation; and hence Vishnu resides in it.

The gifting of a salagrama-stone is also described as most meritorious.

One who with delight in his mind worships a salagrama-stone placing it in front of him, will instantly obtain the merit of performing a million sacrifices.

When excellent men worship a salagrama-stone, the area of a yojana (three miles) all around that spot, would become as holy as all the sacred places of pilgrimage together in one spot.

Even the worst criminal who has committed countless sins will instantaneously get purified by sipping water in which salagrama stone has been washed.

Also Tulasi leaves, sandal paste, discus, Gomati-sila (stone from Dvaraka), conch, bell, salagrama (stone from the Gandaki), lamp (sikha, flame of light) a vessel of copper, uttering the name of Vishnu and sipping the water in which the salagrama has been bathed – these nine will burn down the mass of sins.

As Vishnu abides in these stones, all the gods dwell there, all the benevolent spirits and indeed the fourteen worlds reside in these stones.

Hence, we have it as an assurance from Vishnu himself that whoever worships the salagrama-stone even once will surely be liberated: and also will obtain all prosperity here, while alive. (Padma-purana, Uttara-khanda, 127)

Gifts given and rituals observed in the vicinity of a salagrama-stone will be infinitely meritorious, for where that stone is, is indeed a sacred place for miles around. And whatever comes into contact with the sacred stone will at once be purified.

Worshipping the salagrama stone with articles like milk, ghee and curds, bathing the stone with them, will entitle the devotee to dwell in the heavenly realms for countless years.

In Skanda-purana (Kartika-masa-mahatmya), Siva tells Skanda that all the three worlds in their entirety and he himself abide in a salagrama-stone and a mere glance at it is meritorious, and much more so worshipping it.

Texts also say that it is rarely that one procures a salagrama; the possession of the sacred stone speaks of the merits of the person; he should consider himself as extremely fortunate, and worship it diligently.

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