03-04-2006, 09:41 PM
<b>Salagrama</b>-- <i>Contd</i>
The shalagramas are the natural objects held in extraordinary veneration in India. These are black stones in which fossil ammonites are embedded. And as per Aasura-Khanda of Skaanda Purana, Salagrama stones were formed out of cadaverous fossils, inhabited by Gods as worms (Vajra Kita), and by Vishnu in the form of Chakra.
The word Shaligrama is more popularly used in North India, whereas the word Saligrama is used in Southern States, But the Puranic accounts, make a clear preference for the form Shalagrama.
Like the worship of Shiva in the form of a linga, the worship of Vishnu in the shape of Shaalagrama is aniconic in character. However the linga may be a natural object like the white quartz (known as baana-linga) found in the river Narmada, or carved in stone by man. The stone lingas are usually found only in temples, and white quartz or crystalemblem represents Siva in household worship.
But Saalagramas are always only those which are naturally found in the river Gandaki; they are never made by man. They do not require the preliminary rituals of purification and consecration ( Shodhana and Prathistha). <b>In the worship of Salagrama, no initiation is required; there is no special hymnology or specific procedure of worship, nor any need for a qualified priest or master of ceremonies. Worshipped anyhow, it will bestow the benefits; and there is no error of any kind. Salagrama alongside Tulasi leaves and Sankha, placed in one plate is regarded as very meritorious.</b>
If, however, it is formally worshipped with all details scrupulously observed, the benefits procured are immense.
Salagrama stones are obtained only from the river Gandaki, which is a Himalayan stream, celebrated since antiquity as Naaraaayani,Saalagrami, Hiranvathi and Hiranyavathi. The Mahabharatha says it contains in itself all the holy rivers, and is the abode of Agni.
The Salagramas take shape in the Gandaki river, and are characterised by the presence of Chakra marks. (Gandakyudbhava vajra kita krita Chakra samaayuktha Sila).The stones are picked up near the village Salagraama on the banks of Gandaki where these sacred stones are found in abundance.The spots where Shaalagrama stones are found are within the Nepal territory. Actually there are four spots in the river, within Nepali jurisdiction, where the sacred stones are picked up. The maharaja controlled the the gathering of the stones. While texts prohibited the sale, they were indeed sold for extraordinarily high amounts,the most precious and valuable being sold for more than Five lakh Nepali rupees then.
Due to great demand for these sacred stones, and high prices they fetch, there has been a steady practice of making fake Salagramas. Many nomadic mendicants (bairagis) pick up round black pebbles, which are found in many rivers, but which do not contain the Chakra-emblems, and make in them imitation holes (vadanas), and tracing artificial Chakra-marks in slate stone, they paste them up on these pebbles. This deceit is so skilfully perpetrated, that it would be impossible to recognise the fake Salagrama straightaway.The deceit gets revealed after a few years.
<i>
Tests to check the genuineness : It is gently struck on all sides by a small hammer, or knocked with ones fingers firmly. If fake, soft powders within will fall out, when when the shila is struck or knocked.
In another (given in Skanda Purana) Salagrama is placed in a plate of equal weight of rice, or in milk in a bowl; and leave for a night. In the case of genuine Salagrama, there will be a slight increase in the weight of rice, or the quantity of milk. If there is no increase it is an unlucky one , and if there is decrease it would be disastrous to have it.</i>
All Saalagrama stonesare alike in external forms, and for an untrained and uninformed eye little differencecould indeed be perceived among them. But close inspection revealscharacteristic differences. Like : location, number and shape of Chakras present in them,the colours and hues of the stones,the source of the stones,the scrtches and lines on the surface of the stone representing the Ayudhas of Vishnu. And the devotee needs to be acquainted with the form of the diety which the Salagrama stone symbolizes, before he proceeds to worship it.
But, all stones marked with Visnu's emblems from river Gandaki, irrespective of forms and details are suitable for worship., and would, without doubt lead to worldly welfare , and salvation.--- Bathing the stone in milk would suffice in case of defilement by touch, etc.--- Lapses and improprieties in the worship-rituals, are all readily condoned.
Among the general features of a shalagrama stone which helps the identification of he form of the diety that it represents and which helps the ascertainment of the stone's spiritual value and benefits,seven are regarded as important.
(1) Mudra (seal, sign,impression)
(2) Kshetra: (field, class, ground, enclosed area) --As regards colour, most of them are shades of black or blue, though all of them are smooth and lustrous
(3) Parimana (cirumference, length, breadth, measure, size, etc.) A test used is to wind a thread around the stone, and if the opening (vaktra, vadana,randhra, vivara) is the eighthpart of the thread, that goes round the stone, the stone is of superior order, if one fourth partit is of average quality, and if one third, it is inferior requiring to be rejected.
(4) Aasana (seat, base) When placed on ground,if it could be steadily poised (Sthira), it is to be preferred, and not which is unsteady ( chala)
(5) Murhi-bheda (deity distinction) : these are of three types. (i) Jalaja (water-born), arevery smooth , and possess lustre. They are of superior merit. (ii)sthalaja (land-born) --are rough and lack lustre. They are of average merit. (iii) maha (cell-born) Said to be eatenout by insects (kitaka) These are inferior , and are of two types : (a) matha-proper--eaten out hastily by insects, they have chakras which are very rough. -- (b) kesara, eaten by insects gently and slowly by the insects. chakras produced by the insects will be distinguished by numerous filaments (kesara).
(6) Sthula-sukshma-sila ( the size being large or small)-- Though they come in all sizes, size of an Amalaki, is most meritorious. Small stones have to be worshipped by house-holders and never large ones.
(7) Chakra-lakshana ( characteristics of the spiral marks, known as chakras. Not only discus marks, but all other marks resembling the weapons and ornaments of Vishnu. The characteristic marks are formed of lines, scratches or spots.
The popular belief is that smooth, small and dark-coloured Shalagramas are to be preferred to the rough surfaced,large and multiple-coloured ones.
The shalagramas are the natural objects held in extraordinary veneration in India. These are black stones in which fossil ammonites are embedded. And as per Aasura-Khanda of Skaanda Purana, Salagrama stones were formed out of cadaverous fossils, inhabited by Gods as worms (Vajra Kita), and by Vishnu in the form of Chakra.
The word Shaligrama is more popularly used in North India, whereas the word Saligrama is used in Southern States, But the Puranic accounts, make a clear preference for the form Shalagrama.
Like the worship of Shiva in the form of a linga, the worship of Vishnu in the shape of Shaalagrama is aniconic in character. However the linga may be a natural object like the white quartz (known as baana-linga) found in the river Narmada, or carved in stone by man. The stone lingas are usually found only in temples, and white quartz or crystalemblem represents Siva in household worship.
But Saalagramas are always only those which are naturally found in the river Gandaki; they are never made by man. They do not require the preliminary rituals of purification and consecration ( Shodhana and Prathistha). <b>In the worship of Salagrama, no initiation is required; there is no special hymnology or specific procedure of worship, nor any need for a qualified priest or master of ceremonies. Worshipped anyhow, it will bestow the benefits; and there is no error of any kind. Salagrama alongside Tulasi leaves and Sankha, placed in one plate is regarded as very meritorious.</b>
If, however, it is formally worshipped with all details scrupulously observed, the benefits procured are immense.
Salagrama stones are obtained only from the river Gandaki, which is a Himalayan stream, celebrated since antiquity as Naaraaayani,Saalagrami, Hiranvathi and Hiranyavathi. The Mahabharatha says it contains in itself all the holy rivers, and is the abode of Agni.
The Salagramas take shape in the Gandaki river, and are characterised by the presence of Chakra marks. (Gandakyudbhava vajra kita krita Chakra samaayuktha Sila).The stones are picked up near the village Salagraama on the banks of Gandaki where these sacred stones are found in abundance.The spots where Shaalagrama stones are found are within the Nepal territory. Actually there are four spots in the river, within Nepali jurisdiction, where the sacred stones are picked up. The maharaja controlled the the gathering of the stones. While texts prohibited the sale, they were indeed sold for extraordinarily high amounts,the most precious and valuable being sold for more than Five lakh Nepali rupees then.
Due to great demand for these sacred stones, and high prices they fetch, there has been a steady practice of making fake Salagramas. Many nomadic mendicants (bairagis) pick up round black pebbles, which are found in many rivers, but which do not contain the Chakra-emblems, and make in them imitation holes (vadanas), and tracing artificial Chakra-marks in slate stone, they paste them up on these pebbles. This deceit is so skilfully perpetrated, that it would be impossible to recognise the fake Salagrama straightaway.The deceit gets revealed after a few years.
<i>
Tests to check the genuineness : It is gently struck on all sides by a small hammer, or knocked with ones fingers firmly. If fake, soft powders within will fall out, when when the shila is struck or knocked.
In another (given in Skanda Purana) Salagrama is placed in a plate of equal weight of rice, or in milk in a bowl; and leave for a night. In the case of genuine Salagrama, there will be a slight increase in the weight of rice, or the quantity of milk. If there is no increase it is an unlucky one , and if there is decrease it would be disastrous to have it.</i>
All Saalagrama stonesare alike in external forms, and for an untrained and uninformed eye little differencecould indeed be perceived among them. But close inspection revealscharacteristic differences. Like : location, number and shape of Chakras present in them,the colours and hues of the stones,the source of the stones,the scrtches and lines on the surface of the stone representing the Ayudhas of Vishnu. And the devotee needs to be acquainted with the form of the diety which the Salagrama stone symbolizes, before he proceeds to worship it.
But, all stones marked with Visnu's emblems from river Gandaki, irrespective of forms and details are suitable for worship., and would, without doubt lead to worldly welfare , and salvation.--- Bathing the stone in milk would suffice in case of defilement by touch, etc.--- Lapses and improprieties in the worship-rituals, are all readily condoned.
Among the general features of a shalagrama stone which helps the identification of he form of the diety that it represents and which helps the ascertainment of the stone's spiritual value and benefits,seven are regarded as important.
(1) Mudra (seal, sign,impression)
(2) Kshetra: (field, class, ground, enclosed area) --As regards colour, most of them are shades of black or blue, though all of them are smooth and lustrous
(3) Parimana (cirumference, length, breadth, measure, size, etc.) A test used is to wind a thread around the stone, and if the opening (vaktra, vadana,randhra, vivara) is the eighthpart of the thread, that goes round the stone, the stone is of superior order, if one fourth partit is of average quality, and if one third, it is inferior requiring to be rejected.
(4) Aasana (seat, base) When placed on ground,if it could be steadily poised (Sthira), it is to be preferred, and not which is unsteady ( chala)
(5) Murhi-bheda (deity distinction) : these are of three types. (i) Jalaja (water-born), arevery smooth , and possess lustre. They are of superior merit. (ii)sthalaja (land-born) --are rough and lack lustre. They are of average merit. (iii) maha (cell-born) Said to be eatenout by insects (kitaka) These are inferior , and are of two types : (a) matha-proper--eaten out hastily by insects, they have chakras which are very rough. -- (b) kesara, eaten by insects gently and slowly by the insects. chakras produced by the insects will be distinguished by numerous filaments (kesara).
(6) Sthula-sukshma-sila ( the size being large or small)-- Though they come in all sizes, size of an Amalaki, is most meritorious. Small stones have to be worshipped by house-holders and never large ones.
(7) Chakra-lakshana ( characteristics of the spiral marks, known as chakras. Not only discus marks, but all other marks resembling the weapons and ornaments of Vishnu. The characteristic marks are formed of lines, scratches or spots.
The popular belief is that smooth, small and dark-coloured Shalagramas are to be preferred to the rough surfaced,large and multiple-coloured ones.