• What is the scientific name for Shaligram? A shaligram is called Ammonite fossil. • Where are shaligrams found? It is found on the bank of River Gandaki (which is a Himalayan stream, celebrated since history as Narayani, Saligrami and Hiranyavati) in Nepal. There is a lake at the source of the Kali Gandaki, called Damodar Kunda, (a place of pilgrimage) at Nepal. The lower Gandaki is well known as Mukti Natha Kshetra or Shaligrama Kshetra. The sacred stones are largely found on the banks of Kali Gandaki. • Why is Tulsi always worshipped with or offered to Shaligram? Tulsi or the basil plant is closely associated with the origins of Shaligram shila worship. According to the Puranas, Vishnu had reunited with Lakshmi, his wife. Saraswati, also wanted to be Lord Vishnu's consort. Once in anger Saraswati cursed and changed Lakshmi into a Tulsi plant, forcing her to make earth her abode forever. Vishnu modified the curse, saying that Lakshmi would remain on earth as Tulsi, until the river Gandaki flowed from her body. In the meantime, He would wait by the riverside in the form of a stone to take her back to his abode. This stone was the shaligram shila, which thus remained on earth as a representative of Vishnu. The Shaligram and the Tulsi plant are thus always worshipped together as Vishnu and Lakshmi. • What is the difference between a Shaligram stone and Shila? A Shaligram stone is round or oval in shape. A Shaligram shila is an uneven piece of stone with a symbolic imprint on it. Both are worthy of worship. • How is a shaligram worshipped? A simple procedure to worship a Shaligram is as follows: 1.
Sit in a position in which you can face the East or North-East direction
2.
Wash the Shaligram with Ganga Jal poured from the conch shell. Then wash it again with punchgavya, and then wash it once more with Ganga Jal. The water that has touched the Shaligram becomes 'amrit' (holy water), and has tremendous properties. If you drink this water, it can help bring relief from various physical ailments and poor health so you can lead a more healthy life.
3.
Place the Shaligram on some peepal leaves on a plate or on a cloth.
4.
Place some kusha grass in a glass filled with water to sprinkle over the Shaligram.
5.
Light camphor, incense sticks and a lamp filled with ghee.
6.
Apply some sandal paste on the Shaligram.
7.
Place a tulsi mala around it or offer fresh tulsi leaves.
8.
Light the lamp and move it in a circular, clockwise movement of the hand in front of the Shaligram.
9.
Recite the mantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare or the following mantra nine times.
Om dhyayeh sada savitra mandala madhyavarti narayanah
sarasijasana sannivistah keyuravan kanaka kundalavan kiriti harir hiranmaya vapor dharta sankha chakrah Hare Rama Hare Rama, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare ! 10. Offer milk, fruits, sweets and coconut to the Shaligram. Offer some money and then give that money to a poor person. 11. If you are worshipping more than one shaligram, then the number should be even.
• What are the benefits of a Shaligram? 1.
Brahma Vaivarta Purana (Prakrti Khanda): Any religious observation, auspicious gifts, daily puja, last rites (Sraddha) ceremony done in the presence of Shaligram is very meritorious.
2.
Padma Purana (Uttara Khanda): If the Last Rites (Sraddha) are conducted in front of a Shaligram, then the departed soul will directly reach Vaikuntha (Vishnu’s Abode) and subsequent death ceremonies become unnecessary; gifts given in the vicinity of Shaligram will be infinitely meritorious; whatever comes into contact with Shaligram will be instantly purified; whoever worships the Shaligram will surely be liberated and will obtain all prosperity here, while alive.
3.
Purana Samgraha: If a dying person sips water in which the Shaligram is bathed (abisheka), he/she will be freed from all sins; if the death itself occurs in the presence of Shaligram, the path to Vishnu’s Heavenly Abode is cleared for the departing soul.
4.
Haemadri: The rites of atonement of sins (Prayashchitha, Parikara) become most effective and in times of Lunar or Solar Eclipse. Whatever ritual is undertaken becomes all the more effective when done in front of a Shaligram.
5.
Skanda Purana (Kartika Mahatmya): Lord Shiva tells his son Lord Skanda that all the three worlds in their entirety and he himself abide in a Shaligram and a mere glance at it is meritorious, and much more so worshipping it.
6.
Vishnu Purana: The Shaligram represents the everlasting presence and power of Lord Vishnu. The vibhuti present in these sacred stones are of an akhanda variety. In fact, Prameya Ratnakara enumerates as many as 5,535 forms of Lord Vishnu in Shaligrams, while the iconic forms are only 513.
7.
Lord Shiva has said that a devotee who offers obeisance to the shaligram become fearless.
8.
Padma Purana says that giving a shaligram shila, is the best form of charity and equals the charity of donating the entire earth together with its forests, mountains, and all.
9.
Garuda Purana describes the glories of keeping a shaligram with the auspicious mark of a chakra in one's house. It is said that where 108 shilas are kept and worshipped, that place becomes 'Vaikuntha' (abode of Vishnu) and Lord Vishnu personally comes and stay there and blesses the worshipper.
10. Any person who has drunk the water which has bathed a shaligram shila, for him it is equivalent to drinking pancagavya a thousand times.
Ye pibanti nara nityam salgrama sila jalam Panchagavya sahasrais tu sevitaih kim prayojanam (Padma Purana) 11. If someone offers foodgrains to a Shaligram shila, eating of the same prasadam by the devotee is as if Lord Vishnu himself has tasted it.
Naivedyam Purato nyastam drishtaivya swikartam Maya bhaktaya rasanagrena rasam asnain padmaja (Hari Bhakta Vilasa)
12. The water from liberating rivers like Ganga, Godavari, Reva has washed a Shaligram. If this water is available, it is equivalent to a thousand pilgrimages.
Ganga Godavari Reva nadyomukti pradas to yah Nivasanti sa tirtha tah saligrama sila jale Koti tirtha sahasrais tu sevitah kim prayojanam Tirtham yadi bhaveta punyam salagrama silodbhavam (Padma Purana) 13. No enemies, demons or ghosts can create obstacles or harm a place where a shaligram shila is placed. It becomes a pilgrimage and Madhusudan (killer of the demon Madhu) resides there.
Salagram silarupi yatra tishtati keshava Navadhante asuras tatra bhoota vetalaka adayah Salagram sila yatra tattirtham tat tapovanam Yatah sannihitas tatra bhagawan madhusudanah (Brahma Naradiya Purana) 14. Worshipping a Shaligram bestows immense prosperity, protection and peace. 15. A Shaligram is considered to be the abode of Lord Vishnu. Goddess Lakshmi is his consort. So prosperity and wealth are always present where there is a Shaligram installed. The Shaligram is capable of bestowing a kingdom upon the blessed. 16. A Shaligram purifies a person and gives success in all walks of life. 17. Worshipping a Shaligram gives the benefit derived from deep penance and reading of all the Vedas. 18. A shaligram bestows the six values of life namely, righteous living, wealth, protection, health, pleasure and spiritualism.
