RE: Shalagrama-shila

[Guest guest]

"...Worshiping shalagrama-shila is more satisfying to Lord Narayana

than the worship of His Deity form along with Lakshmiji in the

temple. By adoring Lord Hari in the cakra of a shalagrama-shila one

receives the same benefit as performing the agnihotra sacrifice and

giving the whole world with all its oceans in charity. The lowest of

men covered by lust, anger, and greed will attain the highest abode

of the Supreme Lord Hari by worshiping shalagrama-shila. One who

adores the shalagrama-shila as Govinda will never fall from the

heavenly planets up to the end of the universe - even without

serving holy places, giving in charity, doing sacrifices, or

studying the scriptures, persons who simply worship a shalagrama-

shila will still achieve mukti.

 

A shraddha ceremony done in front of shalagrama-shila will satisfy

many generations of forefathers and grant them residence in deva-

loka for hundreds of days of Brahma (kalpas).

 

Even if a person lusty or angry by nature worships shalagrama-shila

with devotion, or even carelessly, he will get liberation. Those who

speak Hari-katha in front of shalagrama-shila need not fear Yamaraja

or repeated birth and death. In Kali-yuga one who devotedly worships

shalagrama-shila with prayers, kirtana, and musical instruments,

will live eternally in Hari-dhama.

 

Lord Shiva further declares that, "My devotees who offer obeisances

to the shalagrama-shila even negligently become fearless. Those who

adore me while making a distinction between myself (Shiva) and Lord

Hari will become free from this offence by offering obeisances to

shalagrama-shila. Those who think themselves as my devotees, but who

are proud and do not offer obeisances to my Lord Vasudeva, are

actually sinful and not my devotees. O my son, I always reside in

the shalagrama-shila. Being pleased with my devotion the Lord has

given

me a residence in His personal abode.

 

The area within a radius of twenty-four miles from where a

shalagrama-shila is worshiped is counted as a holy place (tirtha).

The fruits of japa, charity, sacrifices, or any other religious

activities done in that area will be multiplied millions of

times.>>>"

I am sending this as an "informational email" to those who may

not be familiar with Shaligrammas. I would like to respond to

Saraswati's email in another post. These are exerpts from Skanda and

Padma Puranas regarding the worship of Shaligrammas.

Sadhvi