Shalagram Shila needs PARAPHERNALIA & INSTRUCTIONS

[Guest guest]

Sri Rajivji,

 

Namaskar!!! In your reply to Sri Aadi and your business explanation it sounds

like a very

great system. But "donation" and "price" is a fine line. Unless you are working

for nothing,

and no one can survive on nothing.

 

I have a suggestion. For worship of Shalagram Shila certain items are required

such as

Simhasan. Panchapatra, cups, trays, conch (left or right), Sandal wood oil, and

other items

are minimum requirement. And these items are essential. They can be brass, or

silver, or

even gold or gold plated.

 

If you make all these items comercially available on your site, and then provide

free shila

to your "puja articles" clients, then you could have good business plus worry

free. In fact,

without purchasing the necessary puja articles from you it is questionable what

kind of

puja might be offered. So Puja articles are essential, and there is no question

of Shalagram

Puja without the paraphernalia.

 

Also, please provide a small booklet in English & Hindi that outlines the simple

Grihasta

method of Shalagram Puja, then it would be much easier for people to start. And

you

would get lots of orders for the complete sets.

 

This is just a simple suggestion for the better. Your web site is already very

nice. But still

doesn't answer the basic question of HOW to do the Shalgram Puja. Many people

are

unwilling to start because there is no simplified instruction manual.

 

Please consider the benefit of INSTRUCTIONS & PARAPHERNELIA, without which there

can

be no Shalagram Puja.

 

Best regards,

Richard

 

> sacred-objects, Shaligram Shala

> <shaligram8> wrote:

> >

> > Prabhu Richard Shaw Brown ji,

> > Hare Krishna,

> > It was wonderful to read your artical. It is really very good and

> extremely informative. You are really a very learned personality and

> its my profound previledge to have interaction with you. As I had

> mentioned earlier, that the devotees can visit my site viz

> www.shaligram.com (visit photo gallery) and choose what ever they

> like, still I will be sending you pictures of very very rare Shilas.

> We have a collection of more than 2000 shilas as of now and it is

> still increasing day by day. I am sure that 'Darshanas' of these

> Shilas will be definitely a treat for the eyes of the devotees.

> > We have been in touch with ISKON society at Mumbai and there we

> come across very learned Mahatamas who have performed

> the 'Namakaran ' (naming ceremony) of all our shilas. Also they had

> very unique and rare litrature with them which I could get from them

> and its now in our website.

> > Happy Darshanas

> > Haribol,

> > Rajiv

> >

> >

> > Richard Shaw Brown <rsbj66> wrote:

> > Sri Chandrashekarji,

> >

> > Sadar namaskar. You have asked a very good question. Below is some

> information on

> > that...

> >

> > Different Features of Shalagrama-shilas

> >

> > In the Brahma Purana Lord Narayana says, "O Brahma, I eternally

> reside in the form of

> > Shalagrama-shila. Hear from Me the different names of all these

> shilas according to the

> > various cakras marking them." The Vasudeva-shila is white in

> color, very attractive

> > looking, and has two equal-sized cakras on the front, but off-

> center. The Sankarsana-

> > shila is red-coloured, with two cakras combined in one section, a

> fat front portion, and is

> > very beautiful to see. That yellow shila with small cakras and a

> very large mouth with

> > numerous small holes within is known as Pradyumna. The Anirudha-

> shila steals the mind

> > with His blue colour and naturally round shape. He has three lines

> in front of His mouth

> > and a lotus mark on His back. The Keshava-shila is square-shaped

> and gives great

> > fortune. A black shila with a cakra in His raised navel is called

> Narayana. The Hari-shila

> > fulfils all desires, grants moksha (liberation), and especially

> gives wealth to the faithful

> > worshiper. He has a long line and a mouth opening upward and

> placed right of centre. The

> > Paramesthi-shila, is coloured red with marks of both a lotus and a

> cakra. The Vishnu-shila

> > is most attractive, but it will create problems if non-celibates

> do His puja. Black and

> > shaped like a bael fruit, He has two big cakras with a large mouth

> on His back. - In

> > another place it is described that the Narasimhadeva-shila with

> three spots on it and the

> > Kapila-shila with five spots both have two wide cakras. Only a

> brahmacari and no one else

> > should do Their puja or they will suffer all kinds of Problems.

> Thus one must remain

> > celibate while worshiping Them. Those Narasimha or Kapila-shilas

> that have two large

> > cakras, brownish colour, and a lotus-shaped line above the mouth,

> along with various

> > uneven cakras give liberation and victory in battle. In the

> Kartika Mahatmya of the Padma

> > Purana it states that a shalagrama-shila that contains the above

> mentioned signs, a large

> > mouth, and many lines like the filaments of saffron is called

> Narasimhadeva. - In the

> > Brahma Purdana it describes the Varaha-shila as saphire-blue,

> large sized with three lines,

> > two unequal cakras, two signs of shakti, and pleasing to see.

> According to the Padma

> > Purana the Varaha-shila is naturally hog-shaped with uneven

> cakras, many lines, and

> > awards His worshiper with material enjoyment and liberation.

> Giving the same blessings as

> > Varaha, the Matsya-shila is described in the Brahma Purana as

> long, bronze or golden in

> > colour, and adorned with three dots. There it also describes the

> shalagrama-shila named

> > Kurma as round with an arched back, green in colour, and marked

> with the sign of the

> > Kaustubha jewel. The Padma Purana says the Kurma-shila is

> naturally turtle-shaped and

> > marked with a cakra. - The Hayagriva-shila has a mark shaped like

> an elephant goad, a

> > line near one cakra, many other cakras, and His back is the colour

> of a blue rain cloud.

> > Another scripture describes the Hayagriva-shila as bluish, with

> the sign of elephant goad,

> > five lines, and many spots. The Padma Purana states that the

> Hayagriva-shila has a long

> > line in the shape of a horse's mouth and His worship gives one

> knowledge. Elsewhere it

> > says His mouth is like a horse's mouth, there is the sign of a

> lotus, and on top of the shila

> > the sign of a lotus seed garland. - The Brahma Purana gives

> descriptions of the following

> > shilas. The shila name Vaikuntha looks jewel-like in color, has

> one cakra, a three-cornered

> > flag, and beautiful lotus-shaped lines above His mouth. The

> Shridhara-shila is black and

> > shaped like a kadamba flower, has five lines, and the marks of a

> flower garland. A small

> > beautiful shila with a cakra on the top and the bottom and that

> fulfills all desires, is known

> > as Vamana. A second type of Vamana-shila is round-shaped, smaller

> than a marble, blue

> > in color, and adorned with spots. The Sudarsana-shila is black,

> very shiny, marked with a

> > cakra and club on His left side, and lines on His right. The Padma

> Purana says He has

> > many lines in the form of a cakra and He satisfies the aspirations

> of His worshipers. - ln

> > the Kartika Mahatmya of Purana it describes three types of

> Damodara-shila. One is plump

> > in shape, the colour of black-green durva grass, with a cakra in

> the middle portion, a

> > small mouth, and a yellow line. The second has cakras on its top

> and bottom, a small

> > mouth, with a long line in the middle. His worship always gives

> happiness. The third is

> > plump, with a narrow mouth, and two cakras on the middle portion.

> The shila called

> > Ananta has a variety of colours, the sign of a snake's body, along

> with many other signs.

> > He is also described as decorated with many different signs and

> numerous cakras. Like

> > most shilas, Ananta fulfils all desires. - The Brahma Purana give

> further descriptions. The

> > Purushottama-shila has many mouths on the upper portion and awards

> material

> > enjoyment and moksha. The Yogeshvara-shila has a cakra on its top

> and worshiping Him

> > removes the sin of killing a brahmana. A poor man will become

> wealthy by offering Tulasi

> > leaves to the reddish Padmanabha-shila marked with the signs of a

> lotus and an umbrella.

> > The Hiranyagarbha-shila is moon-shaped, gives off many rays, and

> has many golden lines

> > on His crystal white surface. By adoring the half-moon shaped

> Hrishikesha-shila one

> > attains the heavenly planets and fulfilment of all desires. A

> Lakshmi-Narasimha-shila is

> > black, with two equal cakras on His left side, and some dots on

> the surface. This shila

> > gives both pleasure and mukti (liberation) to His worshiper. A

> very shiny dark blue shila

> > with two cakras on His left side and one line on His right is

> known as Trivikrama.

> > Decorated with the marks of a forest garland on His left side, the

> Krishna-shila bestows

> > grains, wealth, and happiness. - The Gautamiya Tantra states that

> after many, many births

> > the fortunate person who receives a special Krishna-shila that is

> decorated with a cow's

> > hoof print will never take birth again. lt also describes the

> Caturmukhi-shila with two

> > cakras placed between four lines. - The Kartika Mahatmya of Padma

> Purana continues its

> > descriptions with the shila with a row of many small lines called

> Vishnu panjara. The

> > Shesha-shila has coils like a snake. The Garuda-shila has the sign

> of a lotus between two

> > lines and one long line below. The Janardana-shila has four

> cakras. Awarding both

> > material pleasure and liberation, the Lakshmi-Narayana-shila has

> four cakras, a small

> > mouth, and a flower garland decorating its middle portion. - All

> the shilas mentioned

> > above give auspicious results, but those that are very small are

> even more auspicious.

> > Elsewhere in the Padma Purana, the Supreme Lord Vishnu explains to

> Lord Brahma that the

> > smaller the shila is, the more auspicious results it gives. Such a

> shila should certainly be

> > worshiped by the devotee to attain perfection in religion,

> economic development, sense

> > gratification, and liberation. He declares, ''O Brahma, in that

> shila small like an amalaki

> > fruit or even much smaller, I eternally remain along with My

> divine consort, Shrimati

> > Lakshmidevi.''

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Links

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hare Krishna,

Thanks for your suggestion and very soon we will place pooja items,

paraphernalia on our website and they will be available at a very reasonable

price. Actually we have written for the benefit of the devotees 'puja vidhi' in

our 'Worship' section which you can see on the home page on the top links. Small

booklet is also under print and as of now a paper giving details of all

properties and worship is given along with the Shaligama.

Thankyou very much for your advise sir and we will soon implement it.

 

Regards,

Rajiv

Richard Shaw Brown <rsbj66 > wrote:

Sri Rajivji,Namaskar!!! In your reply to Sri Aadi and your business explanation

it sounds like a very great system. But "donation" and "price" is a fine line.

Unless you are working for nothing, and no one can survive on nothing.I have a

suggestion. For worship of Shalagram Shila certain items are required such as

Simhasan. Panchapatra, cups, trays, conch (left or right), Sandal wood oil, and

other items are minimum requirement. And these items are essential. They can be

brass, or silver, or even gold or gold plated.If you make all these items

comercially available on your site, and then provide free shila to your "puja

articles" clients, then you could have good business plus worry free. In fact,

without purchasing the necessary puja articles from you it is questionable what

kind of puja might be offered. So Puja articles are

essential, and there is no question of Shalagram Puja without the

paraphernalia.Also, please provide a small booklet in English & Hindi that

outlines the simple Grihasta method of Shalagram Puja, then it would be much

easier for people to start. And you would get lots of orders for the complete

sets.This is just a simple suggestion for the better. Your web site is already

very nice. But still doesn't answer the basic question of HOW to do the

Shalgram Puja. Many people are unwilling to start because there is no

simplified instruction manual.Please consider the benefit of INSTRUCTIONS &

PARAPHERNELIA, without which there can be no Shalagram Puja.Best

regards,Richard> sacred-objects, Shaligram Shala >

wrote:> >> > Prabhu Richard Shaw Brown ji, > > Hare Krishna,> > It was

wonderful to read your artical. It is really very

good and > extremely informative. You are really a very learned personality and

> its my profound previledge to have interaction with you. As I had > mentioned

earlier, that the devotees can visit my site viz > www.shaligram.com (visit

photo gallery) and choose what ever they > like, still I will be sending you

pictures of very very rare Shilas. > We have a collection of more than 2000

shilas as of now and it is > still increasing day by day. I am sure that

'Darshanas' of these > Shilas will be definitely a treat for the eyes of the

devotees.> > We have been in touch with ISKON society at Mumbai and there we >

come across very learned Mahatamas who have performed > the 'Namakaran '

(naming ceremony) of all our shilas. Also they had > very unique and rare

litrature with them which I could get from them > and its now in our website.>

> Happy Darshanas> > Haribol, >

> Rajiv> > > > > > Richard Shaw Brown wrote:> > Sri Chandrashekarji,> > > >

Sadar namaskar. You have asked a very good question. Below is some >

information on > > that...> > > > Different Features of Shalagrama-shilas> > >

> In the Brahma Purana Lord Narayana says, "O Brahma, I eternally > reside in

the form of > > Shalagrama-shila. Hear from Me the different names of all these

> shilas according to the > > various cakras marking them." The Vasudeva-shila

is white in > color, very attractive > > looking, and has two equal-sized

cakras on the front, but off-> center. The Sankarsana-> > shila is

red-coloured, with two cakras combined in one section, a > fat front portion,

and is > > very beautiful to see. That yellow shila with small cakras and a >

very large

mouth with > > numerous small holes within is known as Pradyumna. The Anirudha->

shila steals the mind > > with His blue colour and naturally round shape. He has

three lines > in front of His mouth > > and a lotus mark on His back. The

Keshava-shila is square-shaped > and gives great > > fortune. A black shila

with a cakra in His raised navel is called > Narayana. The Hari-shila > >

fulfils all desires, grants moksha (liberation), and especially > gives wealth

to the faithful > > worshiper. He has a long line and a mouth opening upward

and > placed right of centre. The > > Paramesthi-shila, is coloured red with

marks of both a lotus and a > cakra. The Vishnu-shila > > is most attractive,

but it will create problems if non-celibates > do His puja. Black and > >

shaped like a bael fruit, He has two big cakras with a large mouth > on

His back. - In > > another place it is described that the Narasimhadeva-shila

with > three spots on it and the > > Kapila-shila with five spots both have two

wide cakras. Only a > brahmacari and no one else > > should do Their puja or

they will suffer all kinds of Problems. > Thus one must remain > > celibate

while worshiping Them. Those Narasimha or Kapila-shilas > that have two large >

> cakras, brownish colour, and a lotus-shaped line above the mouth, > along with

various > > uneven cakras give liberation and victory in battle. In the >

Kartika Mahatmya of the Padma > > Purana it states that a shalagrama-shila that

contains the above > mentioned signs, a large > > mouth, and many lines like the

filaments of saffron is called > Narasimhadeva. - In the > > Brahma Purdana it

describes the Varaha-shila as saphire-blue, > large sized

with three lines, > > two unequal cakras, two signs of shakti, and pleasing to

see. > According to the Padma > > Purana the Varaha-shila is naturally

hog-shaped with uneven > cakras, many lines, and > > awards His worshiper with

material enjoyment and liberation. > Giving the same blessings as > > Varaha,

the Matsya-shila is described in the Brahma Purana as > long, bronze or golden

in > > colour, and adorned with three dots. There it also describes the >

shalagrama-shila named > > Kurma as round with an arched back, green in colour,

and marked > with the sign of the > > Kaustubha jewel. The Padma Purana says the

Kurma-shila is > naturally turtle-shaped and > > marked with a cakra. - The

Hayagriva-shila has a mark shaped like > an elephant goad, a > > line near one

cakra, many other cakras, and His back is the colour > of a blue

rain cloud. > > Another scripture describes the Hayagriva-shila as bluish, with

> the sign of elephant goad, > > five lines, and many spots. The Padma Purana

states that the > Hayagriva-shila has a long > > line in the shape of a horse's

mouth and His worship gives one > knowledge. Elsewhere it > > says His mouth is

like a horse's mouth, there is the sign of a > lotus, and on top of the shila >

> the sign of a lotus seed garland. - The Brahma Purana gives > descriptions of

the following > > shilas. The shila name Vaikuntha looks jewel-like in color,

has > one cakra, a three-cornered > > flag, and beautiful lotus-shaped lines

above His mouth. The > Shridhara-shila is black and > > shaped like a kadamba

flower, has five lines, and the marks of a > flower garland. A small > >

beautiful shila with a cakra on the top and the bottom and that

> fulfills all desires, is known > > as Vamana. A second type of Vamana-shila is

round-shaped, smaller > than a marble, blue > > in color, and adorned with

spots. The Sudarsana-shila is black, > very shiny, marked with a > > cakra and

club on His left side, and lines on His right. The Padma > Purana says He has >

> many lines in the form of a cakra and He satisfies the aspirations > of His

worshipers. - ln > > the Kartika Mahatmya of Purana it describes three types of

> Damodara-shila. One is plump > > in shape, the colour of black-green durva

grass, with a cakra in > the middle portion, a > > small mouth, and a yellow

line. The second has cakras on its top > and bottom, a small > > mouth, with a

long line in the middle. His worship always gives > happiness. The third is > >

plump, with a narrow mouth, and two cakras on the middle

portion. > The shila called > > Ananta has a variety of colours, the sign of a

snake's body, along > with many other signs. > > He is also described as

decorated with many different signs and > numerous cakras. Like > > most

shilas, Ananta fulfils all desires. - The Brahma Purana give > further

descriptions. The > > Purushottama-shila has many mouths on the upper portion

and awards > material > > enjoyment and moksha. The Yogeshvara-shila has a

cakra on its top > and worshiping Him > > removes the sin of killing a

brahmana. A poor man will become > wealthy by offering Tulasi > > leaves to the

reddish Padmanabha-shila marked with the signs of a > lotus and an umbrella. > >

The Hiranyagarbha-shila is moon-shaped, gives off many rays, and > has many

golden lines > > on His crystal white surface. By adoring the half-moon shaped

>

Hrishikesha-shila one > > attains the heavenly planets and fulfilment of all

desires. A > Lakshmi-Narasimha-shila is > > black, with two equal cakras on His

left side, and some dots on > the surface. This shila > > gives both pleasure

and mukti (liberation) to His worshiper. A > very shiny dark blue shila > >

with two cakras on His left side and one line on His right is > known as

Trivikrama. > > Decorated with the marks of a forest garland on His left side,

the > Krishna-shila bestows > > grains, wealth, and happiness. - The Gautamiya

Tantra states that > after many, many births > > the fortunate person who

receives a special Krishna-shila that is > decorated with a cow's > > hoof

print will never take birth again. lt also describes the > Caturmukhi-shila

with two > > cakras placed between four lines. - The Kartika Mahatmya of Padma

> Purana continues its > > descriptions with the shila with a row of many small

lines called > Vishnu panjara. The > > Shesha-shila has coils like a snake. The

Garuda-shila has the sign > of a lotus between two > > lines and one long line

below. The Janardana-shila has four > cakras. Awarding both > > material

pleasure and liberation, the Lakshmi-Narayana-shila has > four cakras, a small

> > mouth, and a flower garland decorating its middle portion. - All > the

shilas mentioned > > above give auspicious results, but those that are very

small are > even more auspicious. > > Elsewhere in the Padma Purana, the

Supreme Lord Vishnu explains to > Lord Brahma that the > > smaller the shila

is, the more auspicious results it gives. Such a > shila should certainly be >

> worshiped by the devotee to attain perfection in religion, >

economic development, sense > > gratification, and liberation. He declares, ''O

Brahma, in that > shila small like an amalaki > > fruit or even much smaller, I

eternally remain along with My > divine consort, Shrimati > > Lakshmidevi.''> >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Links> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > Music Unlimited -

Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.> >>------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Dear Sri Rajivji,

 

Namsakar!!! I went to your Shalagram Puja instructions page. It seems to be

parts of a few

ways mixed together. I learned in the Vrindavan ashram, and it was so

complicated it took

one and half hours to do and half hour to prepare. It involved forming different

hand

mudras and drawing yantras using the fingers with water for each article with

mantras and

more mudras, etc., it was way too hard for a grihasta. Unless they are a super

detail lover.

 

Later I realized that my Shalagram is atmaram. He doesn't depend on me or my

puja for

His happiness. He's eternally "atma-aram." And He doesn't take offence with his

sevak for

not doing complete archan-vidhi. I'm afraid that you might scare people away

from

Shalagram, even with you're simplified system if it is too hard to master the

process

without showing OR ***giving greater detail for a simplier system*** A present

you have a

list of steps.

 

My puja takes me half an hour. And Krishna is just as happy. How can I please

Krishna if I

take on a burden that becomes a burden. Puja should be such that it is so easy

that people

will look forward to do it, rather than thinking that Krishna will be "angry" if

we don't do

the maximum as outlined in Panjika. Really, it's a fact, Krishna doesn't suffer

from "anger"

or any other emotion. He takes what ever is offered without grudge. And He only

wants,

"Pushpam, patram, phalam, toyam" so anything more is simply pleasing one's own

mind.

And the full vidhi is for a "full priest".

 

Though no doubt the complete system of archan-vidhi is most appropriate for a

temple, it

will discourage grihastas if it's too much. As it stands you have given a list

of things to do

that leaves a lot to the imagination.

 

I'm also very busy like you. But I'll try to create a simple instruction that,

if implemented

without grudge, is fully pleasing to Krishna. Still, even a very simple puja

system will take

over 6 pages if explained in detail of proceedure. It may take me a little while

because I

have about 10 projects in hand, but I'll reach it eventually... "Bhagavan ke

itcha say"

 

The idea is to attract people to Dharma activity, and not scare them away. Some

people

actually think Sri Shalagram is (potentially) angry and impatient. This is not

the fact.

Krishna is 100% ATMARAM. And He is Sarva-karana-karanam.

 

Like when the Muslims attacked India, they would smash the Deities in some

temples, but

even under such trying circumstances Bhagavan was not the least disturbed. What

to

speak of a tiny omission in archan-vidhi.

 

What do you think?

 

Best rgds,

Richard

 

sacred-objects, Shaligram Shala <shaligram8> wrote:

>

> Prabhu RSB ji,

> Hare Krishna,

> Thanks for your suggestion and very soon we will place pooja items,

paraphernalia on

our website and they will be available at a very reasonable price. Actually we

have written

for the benefit of the devotees 'puja vidhi' in our 'Worship' section which you

can see on

the home page on the top links. Small booklet is also under print and as of now

a paper

giving details of all properties and worship is given along with the Shaligama.

> Thankyou very much for your advise sir and we will soon implement it.

>

> Regards,

> Rajiv

>

>

> Richard Shaw Brown <rsbj66> wrote:

> Sri Rajivji,

>

> Namaskar!!! In your reply to Sri Aadi and your business explanation it sounds

like a very

> great system. But "donation" and "price" is a fine line. Unless you are

working for

nothing,

> and no one can survive on nothing.

>

> I have a suggestion. For worship of Shalagram Shila certain items are required

such as

> Simhasan. Panchapatra, cups, trays, conch (left or right), Sandal wood oil,

and other

items

> are minimum requirement. And these items are essential. They can be brass, or

silver,

or

> even gold or gold plated.

>

> If you make all these items comercially available on your site, and then

provide free shila

> to your "puja articles" clients, then you could have good business plus worry

free. In

fact,

> without purchasing the necessary puja articles from you it is questionable

what kind of

> puja might be offered. So Puja articles are essential, and there is no

question of

Shalagram

> Puja without the paraphernalia.

>

> Also, please provide a small booklet in English & Hindi that outlines the

simple Grihasta

> method of Shalagram Puja, then it would be much easier for people to start.

And you

> would get lots of orders for the complete sets.

>

> This is just a simple suggestion for the better. Your web site is already very

nice. But

still

> doesn't answer the basic question of HOW to do the Shalgram Puja. Many people

are

> unwilling to start because there is no simplified instruction manual.

>

> Please consider the benefit of INSTRUCTIONS & PARAPHERNELIA, without which

there

can

> be no Shalagram Puja.

>

> Best regards,

> Richard

>

> > sacred-objects, Shaligram Shala

> > wrote:

> > >

> > > Prabhu Richard Shaw Brown ji,

> > > Hare Krishna,

> > > It was wonderful to read your artical. It is really very good and

> > extremely informative. You are really a very learned personality and

> > its my profound previledge to have interaction with you. As I had

> > mentioned earlier, that the devotees can visit my site viz

> > www.shaligram.com (visit photo gallery) and choose what ever they

> > like, still I will be sending you pictures of very very rare Shilas.

> > We have a collection of more than 2000 shilas as of now and it is

> > still increasing day by day. I am sure that 'Darshanas' of these

> > Shilas will be definitely a treat for the eyes of the devotees.

> > > We have been in touch with ISKON society at Mumbai and there we

> > come across very learned Mahatamas who have performed

> > the 'Namakaran ' (naming ceremony) of all our shilas. Also they had

> > very unique and rare litrature with them which I could get from them

> > and its now in our website.

> > > Happy Darshanas

> > > Haribol,

> > > Rajiv

> > >

> > >

> > > Richard Shaw Brown wrote:

> > > Sri Chandrashekarji,

> > >

> > > Sadar namaskar. You have asked a very good question. Below is some

> > information on

> > > that...

> > >

> > > Different Features of Shalagrama-shilas

> > >

> > > In the Brahma Purana Lord Narayana says, "O Brahma, I eternally

> > reside in the form of

> > > Shalagrama-shila. Hear from Me the different names of all these

> > shilas according to the

> > > various cakras marking them." The Vasudeva-shila is white in

> > color, very attractive

> > > looking, and has two equal-sized cakras on the front, but off-

> > center. The Sankarsana-

> > > shila is red-coloured, with two cakras combined in one section, a

> > fat front portion, and is

> > > very beautiful to see. That yellow shila with small cakras and a

> > very large mouth with

> > > numerous small holes within is known as Pradyumna. The Anirudha-

> > shila steals the mind

> > > with His blue colour and naturally round shape. He has three lines

> > in front of His mouth

> > > and a lotus mark on His back. The Keshava-shila is square-shaped

> > and gives great

> > > fortune. A black shila with a cakra in His raised navel is called

> > Narayana. The Hari-shila

> > > fulfils all desires, grants moksha (liberation), and especially

> > gives wealth to the faithful

> > > worshiper. He has a long line and a mouth opening upward and

> > placed right of centre. The

> > > Paramesthi-shila, is coloured red with marks of both a lotus and a

> > cakra. The Vishnu-shila

> > > is most attractive, but it will create problems if non-celibates

> > do His puja. Black and

> > > shaped like a bael fruit, He has two big cakras with a large mouth

> > on His back. - In

> > > another place it is described that the Narasimhadeva-shila with

> > three spots on it and the

> > > Kapila-shila with five spots both have two wide cakras. Only a

> > brahmacari and no one else

> > > should do Their puja or they will suffer all kinds of Problems.

> > Thus one must remain

> > > celibate while worshiping Them. Those Narasimha or Kapila-shilas

> > that have two large

> > > cakras, brownish colour, and a lotus-shaped line above the mouth,

> > along with various

> > > uneven cakras give liberation and victory in battle. In the

> > Kartika Mahatmya of the Padma

> > > Purana it states that a shalagrama-shila that contains the above

> > mentioned signs, a large

> > > mouth, and many lines like the filaments of saffron is called

> > Narasimhadeva. - In the

> > > Brahma Purdana it describes the Varaha-shila as saphire-blue,

> > large sized with three lines,

> > > two unequal cakras, two signs of shakti, and pleasing to see.

> > According to the Padma

> > > Purana the Varaha-shila is naturally hog-shaped with uneven

> > cakras, many lines, and

> > > awards His worshiper with material enjoyment and liberation.

> > Giving the same blessings as

> > > Varaha, the Matsya-shila is described in the Brahma Purana as

> > long, bronze or golden in

> > > colour, and adorned with three dots. There it also describes the

> > shalagrama-shila named

> > > Kurma as round with an arched back, green in colour, and marked

> > with the sign of the

> > > Kaustubha jewel. The Padma Purana says the Kurma-shila is

> > naturally turtle-shaped and

> > > marked with a cakra. - The Hayagriva-shila has a mark shaped like

> > an elephant goad, a

> > > line near one cakra, many other cakras, and His back is the colour

> > of a blue rain cloud.

> > > Another scripture describes the Hayagriva-shila as bluish, with

> > the sign of elephant goad,

> > > five lines, and many spots. The Padma Purana states that the

> > Hayagriva-shila has a long

> > > line in the shape of a horse's mouth and His worship gives one

> > knowledge. Elsewhere it

> > > says His mouth is like a horse's mouth, there is the sign of a

> > lotus, and on top of the shila

> > > the sign of a lotus seed garland. - The Brahma Purana gives

> > descriptions of the following

> > > shilas. The shila name Vaikuntha looks jewel-like in color, has

> > one cakra, a three-cornered

> > > flag, and beautiful lotus-shaped lines above His mouth. The

> > Shridhara-shila is black and

> > > shaped like a kadamba flower, has five lines, and the marks of a

> > flower garland. A small

> > > beautiful shila with a cakra on the top and the bottom and that

> > fulfills all desires, is known

> > > as Vamana. A second type of Vamana-shila is round-shaped, smaller

> > than a marble, blue

> > > in color, and adorned with spots. The Sudarsana-shila is black,

> > very shiny, marked with a

> > > cakra and club on His left side, and lines on His right. The Padma

> > Purana says He has

> > > many lines in the form of a cakra and He satisfies the aspirations

> > of His worshipers. - ln

> > > the Kartika Mahatmya of Purana it describes three types of

> > Damodara-shila. One is plump

> > > in shape, the colour of black-green durva grass, with a cakra in

> > the middle portion, a

> > > small mouth, and a yellow line. The second has cakras on its top

> > and bottom, a small

> > > mouth, with a long line in the middle. His worship always gives

> > happiness. The third is

> > > plump, with a narrow mouth, and two cakras on the middle portion.

> > The shila called

> > > Ananta has a variety of colours, the sign of a snake's body, along

> > with many other signs.

> > > He is also described as decorated with many different signs and

> > numerous cakras. Like

> > > most shilas, Ananta fulfils all desires. - The Brahma Purana give

> > further descriptions. The

> > > Purushottama-shila has many mouths on the upper portion and awards

> > material

> > > enjoyment and moksha. The Yogeshvara-shila has a cakra on its top

> > and worshiping Him

> > > removes the sin of killing a brahmana. A poor man will become

> > wealthy by offering Tulasi

> > > leaves to the reddish Padmanabha-shila marked with the signs of a

> > lotus and an umbrella.

> > > The Hiranyagarbha-shila is moon-shaped, gives off many rays, and

> > has many golden lines

> > > on His crystal white surface. By adoring the half-moon shaped

> > Hrishikesha-shila one

> > > attains the heavenly planets and fulfilment of all desires. A

> > Lakshmi-Narasimha-shila is

> > > black, with two equal cakras on His left side, and some dots on

> > the surface. This shila

> > > gives both pleasure and mukti (liberation) to His worshiper. A

> > very shiny dark blue shila

> > > with two cakras on His left side and one line on His right is

> > known as Trivikrama.

> > > Decorated with the marks of a forest garland on His left side, the

> > Krishna-shila bestows

> > > grains, wealth, and happiness. - The Gautamiya Tantra states that

> > after many, many births

> > > the fortunate person who receives a special Krishna-shila that is

> > decorated with a cow's

> > > hoof print will never take birth again. lt also describes the

> > Caturmukhi-shila with two

> > > cakras placed between four lines. - The Kartika Mahatmya of Padma

> > Purana continues its

> > > descriptions with the shila with a row of many small lines called

> > Vishnu panjara. The

> > > Shesha-shila has coils like a snake. The Garuda-shila has the sign

> > of a lotus between two

> > > lines and one long line below. The Janardana-shila has four

> > cakras. Awarding both

> > > material pleasure and liberation, the Lakshmi-Narayana-shila has

> > four cakras, a small

> > > mouth, and a flower garland decorating its middle portion. - All

> > the shilas mentioned

> > > above give auspicious results, but those that are very small are

> > even more auspicious.

> > > Elsewhere in the Padma Purana, the Supreme Lord Vishnu explains to

> > Lord Brahma that the

> > > smaller the shila is, the more auspicious results it gives. Such a

> > shila should certainly be

> > > worshiped by the devotee to attain perfection in religion,

> > economic development, sense

> > > gratification, and liberation. He declares, ''O Brahma, in that

> > shila small like an amalaki

> > > fruit or even much smaller, I eternally remain along with My

> > divine consort, Shrimati

> > > Lakshmidevi.''

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Links

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

> > >

> >

>

>

Links

>

>

>

>

 

> Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

>

[Guest guest]

Hare Krishna,

I do agree with your point of view that puja should be simple and we should

enjoy that. Prabhu we take your point and soon we will upload a simplified

procedure on our site. However we have devotees visiting our site from all over

the world and few of them insisted that we must write a detailed puja procedure

so that if one really wants to follow that and has that much time for the Puja

, he can do that. Considering that we had placed a elaborate puja Vidhi on our

site.

But your point is well taken and we will do the needful at the earliest. We are

very grateful to you for your valuable guidance, pl keep on helping us like

this for further improvisation.

Thanks ,

Haribol,

RajivRichard Shaw Brown <rsbj66 > wrote:

Dear Sri Rajivji,Namsakar!!! I went to your Shalagram Puja instructions page. It

seems to be parts of a few ways mixed together. I learned in the Vrindavan

ashram, and it was so complicated it took one and half hours to do and half

hour to prepare. It involved forming different hand mudras and drawing yantras

using the fingers with water for each article with mantras and more mudras,

etc., it was way too hard for a grihasta. Unless they are a super detail

lover.Later I realized that my Shalagram is atmaram. He doesn't depend on me or

my puja for His happiness. He's eternally "atma-aram." And He doesn't take

offence with his sevak for not doing complete archan-vidhi. I'm afraid that you

might scare people away from Shalagram, even with you're simplified system if it

is too hard to master the process without showing OR ***giving greater

detail for a simplier system*** A present you have a list of steps.My puja takes

me half an hour. And Krishna is just as happy. How can I please Krishna if I

take on a burden that becomes a burden. Puja should be such that it is so easy

that people will look forward to do it, rather than thinking that Krishna will

be "angry" if we don't do the maximum as outlined in Panjika. Really, it's a

fact, Krishna doesn't suffer from "anger" or any other emotion. He takes what

ever is offered without grudge. And He only wants, "Pushpam, patram, phalam,

toyam" so anything more is simply pleasing one's own mind. And the full vidhi

is for a "full priest".Though no doubt the complete system of archan-vidhi is

most appropriate for a temple, it will discourage grihastas if it's too much.

As it stands you have given a list of things to do that leaves a lot to the

imagination.I'm also very busy like you. But I'll try to create a simple

instruction that, if implemented without grudge, is fully pleasing to Krishna.

Still, even a very simple puja system will take over 6 pages if explained in

detail of proceedure. It may take me a little while because I have about 10

projects in hand, but I'll reach it eventually... "Bhagavan ke itcha say"The

idea is to attract people to Dharma activity, and not scare them away. Some

people actually think Sri Shalagram is (potentially) angry and impatient. This

is not the fact. Krishna is 100% ATMARAM. And He is Sarva-karana-karanam.Like

when the Muslims attacked India, they would smash the Deities in some temples,

but even under such trying circumstances Bhagavan was not the least disturbed.

What to speak of a tiny omission in archan-vidhi.What do you think?Best

rgds,Richardsacred-objects, Shaligram Shala wrote:>>

Prabhu RSB ji, > Hare Krishna,>

Thanks for your suggestion and very soon we will place pooja items,

paraphernalia on our website and they will be available at a very reasonable

price. Actually we have written for the benefit of the devotees 'puja vidhi' in

our 'Worship' section which you can see on the home page on the top links. Small

booklet is also under print and as of now a paper giving details of all

properties and worship is given along with the Shaligama.> Thankyou very much

for your advise sir and we will soon implement it.> > Regards, > Rajiv> > >

Richard Shaw Brown wrote:> Sri Rajivji,> > Namaskar!!! In your reply to Sri

Aadi and your business explanation it sounds like a very > great system. But

"donation" and "price" is a fine line. Unless you are working for nothing, >

and no one can survive on nothing.> > I have a suggestion. For worship of

Shalagram Shila certain items

are required such as > Simhasan. Panchapatra, cups, trays, conch (left or

right), Sandal wood oil, and other items > are minimum requirement. And these

items are essential. They can be brass, or silver, or > even gold or gold

plated.> > If you make all these items comercially available on your site, and

then provide free shila > to your "puja articles" clients, then you could have

good business plus worry free. In fact, > without purchasing the necessary puja

articles from you it is questionable what kind of > puja might be offered. So

Puja articles are essential, and there is no question of Shalagram > Puja

without the paraphernalia.> > Also, please provide a small booklet in English &

Hindi that outlines the simple Grihasta > method of Shalagram Puja, then it

would be much easier for people to start. And you > would get lots of orders

for the complete sets.>

> This is just a simple suggestion for the better. Your web site is already very

nice. But still > doesn't answer the basic question of HOW to do the Shalgram

Puja. Many people are > unwilling to start because there is no simplified

instruction manual.> > Please consider the benefit of INSTRUCTIONS &

PARAPHERNELIA, without which there can > be no Shalagram Puja.> > Best

regards,> Richard> > > sacred-objects, Shaligram Shala >

> wrote:> > >> > > Prabhu Richard Shaw Brown ji, > > > Hare Krishna,> > > It was

wonderful to read your artical. It is really very good and > > extremely

informative. You are really a very learned personality and > > its my profound

previledge to have interaction with you. As I had > > mentioned earlier, that

the devotees can visit my site viz > >

www.shaligram.com (visit photo gallery) and choose what ever they > > like,

still I will be sending you pictures of very very rare Shilas. > > We have a

collection of more than 2000 shilas as of now and it is > > still increasing

day by day. I am sure that 'Darshanas' of these > > Shilas will be definitely a

treat for the eyes of the devotees.> > > We have been in touch with ISKON

society at Mumbai and there we > > come across very learned Mahatamas who have

performed > > the 'Namakaran ' (naming ceremony) of all our shilas. Also they

had > > very unique and rare litrature with them which I could get from them >

> and its now in our website.> > > Happy Darshanas> > > Haribol, > > > Rajiv> >

> > > > > > > Richard Shaw Brown wrote:> > > Sri Chandrashekarji,> > > > > >

Sadar

namaskar. You have asked a very good question. Below is some > > information on

> > > that...> > > > > > Different Features of Shalagrama-shilas> > > > > > In

the Brahma Purana Lord Narayana says, "O Brahma, I eternally > > reside in the

form of > > > Shalagrama-shila. Hear from Me the different names of all these >

> shilas according to the > > > various cakras marking them." The Vasudeva-shila

is white in > > color, very attractive > > > looking, and has two equal-sized

cakras on the front, but off-> > center. The Sankarsana-> > > shila is

red-coloured, with two cakras combined in one section, a > > fat front portion,

and is > > > very beautiful to see. That yellow shila with small cakras and a >

> very large mouth with > > > numerous small holes within is known as

Pradyumna. The Anirudha-> > shila steals the mind > > > with His blue colour and

naturally round shape. He has three lines > > in front of His mouth > > > and a

lotus mark on His back. The Keshava-shila is square-shaped > > and gives great

> > > fortune. A black shila with a cakra in His raised navel is called > >

Narayana. The Hari-shila > > > fulfils all desires, grants moksha (liberation),

and especially > > gives wealth to the faithful > > > worshiper. He has a long

line and a mouth opening upward and > > placed right of centre. The > > >

Paramesthi-shila, is coloured red with marks of both a lotus and a > > cakra.

The Vishnu-shila > > > is most attractive, but it will create problems if

non-celibates > > do His puja. Black and > > > shaped like a bael fruit, He has

two big cakras with a large

mouth > > on His back. - In > > > another place it is described that the

Narasimhadeva-shila with > > three spots on it and the > > > Kapila-shila with

five spots both have two wide cakras. Only a > > brahmacari and no one else > >

> should do Their puja or they will suffer all kinds of Problems. > > Thus one

must remain > > > celibate while worshiping Them. Those Narasimha or

Kapila-shilas > > that have two large > > > cakras, brownish colour, and a

lotus-shaped line above the mouth, > > along with various > > > uneven cakras

give liberation and victory in battle. In the > > Kartika Mahatmya of the Padma

> > > Purana it states that a shalagrama-shila that contains the above > >

mentioned signs, a large > > > mouth, and many lines like the filaments of

saffron is called > > Narasimhadeva. -

In the > > > Brahma Purdana it describes the Varaha-shila as saphire-blue, > >

large sized with three lines, > > > two unequal cakras, two signs of shakti,

and pleasing to see. > > According to the Padma > > > Purana the Varaha-shila

is naturally hog-shaped with uneven > > cakras, many lines, and > > > awards

His worshiper with material enjoyment and liberation. > > Giving the same

blessings as > > > Varaha, the Matsya-shila is described in the Brahma Purana

as > > long, bronze or golden in > > > colour, and adorned with three dots.

There it also describes the > > shalagrama-shila named > > > Kurma as round

with an arched back, green in colour, and marked > > with the sign of the > > >

Kaustubha jewel. The Padma Purana says the Kurma-shila is > > naturally

turtle-shaped and > > > marked

with a cakra. - The Hayagriva-shila has a mark shaped like > > an elephant goad,

a > > > line near one cakra, many other cakras, and His back is the colour > >

of a blue rain cloud. > > > Another scripture describes the Hayagriva-shila as

bluish, with > > the sign of elephant goad, > > > five lines, and many spots.

The Padma Purana states that the > > Hayagriva-shila has a long > > > line in

the shape of a horse's mouth and His worship gives one > > knowledge. Elsewhere

it > > > says His mouth is like a horse's mouth, there is the sign of a > >

lotus, and on top of the shila > > > the sign of a lotus seed garland. - The

Brahma Purana gives > > descriptions of the following > > > shilas. The shila

name Vaikuntha looks jewel-like in color, has > > one cakra, a three-cornered >

> > flag, and beautiful

lotus-shaped lines above His mouth. The > > Shridhara-shila is black and > > >

shaped like a kadamba flower, has five lines, and the marks of a > > flower

garland. A small > > > beautiful shila with a cakra on the top and the bottom

and that > > fulfills all desires, is known > > > as Vamana. A second type of

Vamana-shila is round-shaped, smaller > > than a marble, blue > > > in color,

and adorned with spots. The Sudarsana-shila is black, > > very shiny, marked

with a > > > cakra and club on His left side, and lines on His right. The Padma

> > Purana says He has > > > many lines in the form of a cakra and He satisfies

the aspirations > > of His worshipers. - ln > > > the Kartika Mahatmya of

Purana it describes three types of > > Damodara-shila. One is plump > > > in

shape, the colour of black-green

durva grass, with a cakra in > > the middle portion, a > > > small mouth, and a

yellow line. The second has cakras on its top > > and bottom, a small > > >

mouth, with a long line in the middle. His worship always gives > > happiness.

The third is > > > plump, with a narrow mouth, and two cakras on the middle

portion. > > The shila called > > > Ananta has a variety of colours, the sign

of a snake's body, along > > with many other signs. > > > He is also described

as decorated with many different signs and > > numerous cakras. Like > > > most

shilas, Ananta fulfils all desires. - The Brahma Purana give > > further

descriptions. The > > > Purushottama-shila has many mouths on the upper portion

and awards > > material > > > enjoyment and moksha. The Yogeshvara-shila has a

cakra on its top > >

and worshiping Him > > > removes the sin of killing a brahmana. A poor man will

become > > wealthy by offering Tulasi > > > leaves to the reddish

Padmanabha-shila marked with the signs of a > > lotus and an umbrella. > > >

The Hiranyagarbha-shila is moon-shaped, gives off many rays, and > > has many

golden lines > > > on His crystal white surface. By adoring the half-moon

shaped > > Hrishikesha-shila one > > > attains the heavenly planets and

fulfilment of all desires. A > > Lakshmi-Narasimha-shila is > > > black, with

two equal cakras on His left side, and some dots on > > the surface. This shila

> > > gives both pleasure and mukti (liberation) to His worshiper. A > > very

shiny dark blue shila > > > with two cakras on His left side and one line on

His right is > > known as Trivikrama. > >

> Decorated with the marks of a forest garland on His left side, the > >

Krishna-shila bestows > > > grains, wealth, and happiness. - The Gautamiya

Tantra states that > > after many, many births > > > the fortunate person who

receives a special Krishna-shila that is > > decorated with a cow's > > > hoof

print will never take birth again. lt also describes the > > Caturmukhi-shila

with two > > > cakras placed between four lines. - The Kartika Mahatmya of

Padma > > Purana continues its > > > descriptions with the shila with a row of

many small lines called > > Vishnu panjara. The > > > Shesha-shila has coils

like a snake. The Garuda-shila has the sign > > of a lotus between two > > >

lines and one long line below. The Janardana-shila has four > > cakras.

Awarding both > > > material pleasure and

liberation, the Lakshmi-Narayana-shila has > > four cakras, a small > > > mouth,

and a flower garland decorating its middle portion. - All > > the shilas

mentioned > > > above give auspicious results, but those that are very small

are > > even more auspicious. > > > Elsewhere in the Padma Purana, the Supreme

Lord Vishnu explains to > > Lord Brahma that the > > > smaller the shila is,

the more auspicious results it gives. Such a > > shila should certainly be > >

> worshiped by the devotee to attain perfection in religion, > > economic

development, sense > > > gratification, and liberation. He declares, ''O

Brahma, in that > > shila small like an amalaki > > > fruit or even much

smaller, I eternally remain along with My > > divine consort, Shrimati > > >

Lakshmidevi.''> > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Links> > > > > > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.> > >> >> > >

> > > > > > Links> > > > > > > > > > >

> Music Unlimited - Access over 1

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[Guest guest]

Dear Sri Rajiv ji,

 

Sadar Namaskar!!! It will be perfect if you have two puja choices,

COMPLETE or SIMPLE, so people can choose easy or hard way accordingly.

That's a good choice to offer. The less hard you make it the more you

can distribute.

 

I hope you do well, and then you become Vishnu Dhoot, as already you

have become.

 

Om svastya-astu

 

All the best

 

Richard

 

--- Shaligram Shala <shaligram8 wrote:

 

> Prabhu RSB ji,

> Hare Krishna,

> I do agree with your point of view that puja should be simple and we

> should enjoy that. Prabhu we take your point and soon we will upload

> a simplified procedure on our site. However we have devotees visiting

> our site from all over the world and few of them insisted that we

> must write a detailed puja procedure so that if one really wants to

> follow that and has that much time for the Puja , he can do that.

> Considering that we had placed a elaborate puja Vidhi on our site.

> But your point is well taken and we will do the needful at the

> earliest. We are very grateful to you for your valuable guidance, pl

> keep on helping us like this for further improvisation.

> Thanks ,

> Haribol,

> Rajiv

>

> Richard Shaw Brown <rsbj66 wrote:

> Dear Sri Rajivji,

>

> Namsakar!!! I went to your Shalagram Puja instructions page. It seems

> to be parts of a few

> ways mixed together. I learned in the Vrindavan ashram, and it was so

> complicated it took

> one and half hours to do and half hour to prepare. It involved

> forming different hand

> mudras and drawing yantras using the fingers with water for each

> article with mantras and

> more mudras, etc., it was way too hard for a grihasta. Unless they

> are a super detail lover.

>

> Later I realized that my Shalagram is atmaram. He doesn't depend on

> me or my puja for

> His happiness. He's eternally "atma-aram." And He doesn't take

> offence with his sevak for

> not doing complete archan-vidhi. I'm afraid that you might scare

> people away from

> Shalagram, even with you're simplified system if it is too hard to

> master the process

> without showing OR ***giving greater detail for a simplier system***

> A present you have a

> list of steps.

>

> My puja takes me half an hour. And Krishna is just as happy. How can

> I please Krishna if I

> take on a burden that becomes a burden. Puja should be such that it

> is so easy that people

> will look forward to do it, rather than thinking that Krishna will be

> "angry" if we don't do

> the maximum as outlined in Panjika. Really, it's a fact, Krishna

> doesn't suffer from "anger"

> or any other emotion. He takes what ever is offered without grudge.

> And He only wants,

> "Pushpam, patram, phalam, toyam" so anything more is simply pleasing

> one's own mind.

> And the full vidhi is for a "full priest".

>

> Though no doubt the complete system of archan-vidhi is most

> appropriate for a temple, it

> will discourage grihastas if it's too much. As it stands you have

> given a list of things to do

> that leaves a lot to the imagination.

>

> I'm also very busy like you. But I'll try to create a simple

> instruction that, if implemented

> without grudge, is fully pleasing to Krishna. Still, even a very

> simple puja system will take

> over 6 pages if explained in detail of proceedure. It may take me a

> little while because I

> have about 10 projects in hand, but I'll reach it eventually...

> "Bhagavan ke itcha say"

>

> The idea is to attract people to Dharma activity, and not scare them

> away. Some people

> actually think Sri Shalagram is (potentially) angry and impatient.

> This is not the fact.

> Krishna is 100% ATMARAM. And He is Sarva-karana-karanam.

>

> Like when the Muslims attacked India, they would smash the Deities in

> some temples, but

> even under such trying circumstances Bhagavan was not the least

> disturbed. What to

> speak of a tiny omission in archan-vidhi.

>

> What do you think?

>

> Best rgds,

> Richard

>

> sacred-objects, Shaligram Shala wrote:

> >

> > Prabhu RSB ji,

> > Hare Krishna,

> > Thanks for your suggestion and very soon we will place pooja items,

> paraphernalia on

> our website and they will be available at a very reasonable price.

> Actually we have written

> for the benefit of the devotees 'puja vidhi' in our 'Worship' section

> which you can see on

> the home page on the top links. Small booklet is also under print and

> as of now a paper

> giving details of all properties and worship is given along with the

> Shaligama.

> > Thankyou very much for your advise sir and we will soon implement

> it.

> >

> > Regards,

> > Rajiv

> >

> >

> > Richard Shaw Brown wrote:

> > Sri Rajivji,

> >

> > Namaskar!!! In your reply to Sri Aadi and your business explanation

> it sounds like a very

> > great system. But "donation" and "price" is a fine line. Unless you

> are working for

> nothing,

> > and no one can survive on nothing.

> >

> > I have a suggestion. For worship of Shalagram Shila certain items

> are required such as

> > Simhasan. Panchapatra, cups, trays, conch (left or right), Sandal

> wood oil, and other

> items

> > are minimum requirement. And these items are essential. They can be

> brass, or silver,

> or

> > even gold or gold plated.

> >

> > If you make all these items comercially available on your site, and

> then provide free shila

> > to your "puja articles" clients, then you could have good business

> plus worry free. In

> fact,

> > without purchasing the necessary puja articles from you it is

> questionable what kind of

> > puja might be offered. So Puja articles are essential, and there is

> no question of

> Shalagram

> > Puja without the paraphernalia.

> >

> > Also, please provide a small booklet in English & Hindi that

> outlines the simple Grihasta

> > method of Shalagram Puja, then it would be much easier for people

> to start. And you

> > would get lots of orders for the complete sets.

> >

> > This is just a simple suggestion for the better. Your web site is

> already very nice. But

> still

> > doesn't answer the basic question of HOW to do the Shalgram Puja.

> Many people are

> > unwilling to start because there is no simplified instruction

> manual.

> >

> > Please consider the benefit of INSTRUCTIONS & PARAPHERNELIA,

> without which there

> can

> > be no Shalagram Puja.

> >

> > Best regards,

> > Richard

> >

> > > sacred-objects, Shaligram Shala

> > > wrote:

> > > >

> > > > Prabhu Richard Shaw Brown ji,

> > > > Hare Krishna,

> > > > It was wonderful to read your artical. It is really very good

> and

> > > extremely informative. You are really a very learned personality

> and

> > > its my profound previledge to have interaction with you. As I had

>

> > > mentioned earlier, that the devotees can visit my site viz

> > > www.shaligram.com (visit photo gallery) and choose what ever they

>

> > > like, still I will be sending you pictures of very very rare

> Shilas.

> > > We have a collection of more than 2000 shilas as of now and it is

>

> > > still increasing day by day. I am sure that 'Darshanas' of these

> > > Shilas will be definitely a treat for the eyes of the devotees.

> > > > We have been in touch with ISKON society at Mumbai and there we

>

> > > come across very learned Mahatamas who have performed

> > > the 'Namakaran ' (naming ceremony) of all our shilas. Also they

> had

> > > very unique and rare litrature with them which I could get from

> them

> > > and its now in our website.

> > > > Happy Darshanas

> > > > Haribol,

> > > > Rajiv

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Richard Shaw Brown wrote:

> > > > Sri Chandrashekarji,

> > > >

> > > > Sadar namaskar. You have asked a very good question. Below is

> some

> > > information on

> > > > that...

> > > >

> > > > Different Features of Shalagrama-shilas

> > > >

> > > > In the Brahma Purana Lord Narayana says, "O Brahma, I eternally

>

> > > reside in the form of

> > > > Shalagrama-shila. Hear from Me the different names of all these

>

> > > shilas according to the

> > > > various cakras marking them." The Vasudeva-shila is white in

> > > color, very attractive

> > > > looking, and has two equal-sized cakras on the front, but off-

> > > center. The Sankarsana-

> > > > shila is red-coloured, with two cakras combined in one section,

> a

> > > fat front portion, and is

> > > > very beautiful to see. That yellow shila with small cakras and

> a

> > > very large mouth with

> > > > numerous small holes within is known as Pradyumna. The

> Anirudha-

> > > shila steals the mind

> > > > with His blue colour and naturally round shape. He has three

> lines

> > > in front of His mouth

> > > > and a lotus mark on His back. The Keshava-shila is

> square-shaped

> > > and gives great

> > > > fortune. A black shila with a cakra in His raised navel is

> called

> > > Narayana. The Hari-shila

> > > > fulfils all desires, grants moksha (liberation), and especially

>

> > > gives wealth to the faithful

> > > > worshiper. He has a long line and a mouth opening upward and

> > > placed right of centre. The

> > > > Paramesthi-shila, is coloured red with marks of both a lotus

> and a

> > > cakra. The Vishnu-shila

> > > > is most attractive, but it will create problems if

> non-celibates

> > > do His puja. Black and

> > > > shaped like a bael fruit, He has two big cakras with a large

> mouth

> > > on His back. - In

> > > > another place it is described that the Narasimhadeva-shila with

>

> > > three spots on it and the

> > > > Kapila-shila with five spots both have two wide cakras. Only a

> > > brahmacari and no one else

> > > > should do Their puja or they will suffer all kinds of Problems.

>

> > > Thus one must remain

> > > > celibate while worshiping Them. Those Narasimha or

> Kapila-shilas

> > > that have two large

> > > > cakras, brownish colour, and a lotus-shaped line above the

> mouth,

> > > along with various

> > > > uneven cakras give liberation and victory in battle. In the

> > > Kartika Mahatmya of the Padma

> > > > Purana it states that a shalagrama-shila that contains the

> above

> > > mentioned signs, a large

> > > > mouth, and many lines like the filaments of saffron is called

> > > Narasimhadeva. - In the

> > > > Brahma Purdana it describes the Varaha-shila as saphire-blue,

> > > large sized with three lines,

> > > > two unequal cakras, two signs of shakti, and pleasing to see.

> > > According to the Padma

> > > > Purana the Varaha-shila is naturally hog-shaped with uneven

> > > cakras, many lines, and

> > > > awards His worshiper with material enjoyment and liberation.

> > > Giving the same blessings as

> > > > Varaha, the Matsya-shila is described in the Brahma Purana as

> > > long, bronze or golden in

> > > > colour, and adorned with three dots. There it also describes

> the

> > > shalagrama-shila named

> > > > Kurma as round with an arched back, green in colour, and marked

>

> > > with the sign of the

> > > > Kaustubha jewel. The Padma Purana says the Kurma-shila is

> > > naturally turtle-shaped and

> > > > marked with a cakra. - The Hayagriva-shila has a mark shaped

> like

> > > an elephant goad, a

> > > > line near one cakra, many other cakras, and His back is the

> colour

> > > of a blue rain cloud.

> > > > Another scripture describes the Hayagriva-shila as bluish, with

>

> > > the sign of elephant goad,

> > > > five lines, and many spots. The Padma Purana states that the

> > > Hayagriva-shila has a long

> > > > line in the shape of a horse's mouth and His worship gives one

> > > knowledge. Elsewhere it

> > > > says His mouth is like a horse's mouth, there is the sign of a

> > > lotus, and on top of the shila

> > > > the sign of a lotus seed garland. - The Brahma Purana gives

> > > descriptions of the following

> > > > shilas. The shila name Vaikuntha looks jewel-like in color, has

>

> > > one cakra, a three-cornered

> > > > flag, and beautiful lotus-shaped lines above His mouth. The

> > > Shridhara-shila is black and

> > > > shaped like a kadamba flower, has five lines, and the marks of

> a

> > > flower garland. A small

> > > > beautiful shila with a cakra on the top and the bottom and that

>

> > > fulfills all desires, is known

> > > > as Vamana. A second type of Vamana-shila is round-shaped,

> smaller

> > > than a marble, blue

> > > > in color, and adorned with spots. The Sudarsana-shila is black,

>

> > > very shiny, marked with a

> > > > cakra and club on His left side, and lines on His right. The

> Padma

> > > Purana says He has

> > > > many lines in the form of a cakra and He satisfies the

> aspirations

> > > of His worshipers. - ln

> > > > the Kartika Mahatmya of Purana it describes three types of

> > > Damodara-shila. One is plump

> > > > in shape, the colour of black-green durva grass, with a cakra

> in

> > > the middle portion, a

> > > > small mouth, and a yellow line. The second has cakras on its

> top

> > > and bottom, a small

> > > > mouth, with a long line in the middle. His worship always gives

>

> > > happiness. The third is

> > > > plump, with a narrow mouth, and two cakras on the middle

> portion.

> > > The shila called

> > > > Ananta has a variety of colours, the sign of a snake's body,

> along

> > > with many other signs.

> > > > He is also described as decorated with many different signs and

>

> > > numerous cakras. Like

> > > > most shilas, Ananta fulfils all desires. - The Brahma Purana

> give

> > > further descriptions. The

> > > > Purushottama-shila has many mouths on the upper portion and

> awards

> > > material

> > > > enjoyment and moksha. The Yogeshvara-shila has a cakra on its

> top

> > > and worshiping Him

> > > > removes the sin of killing a brahmana. A poor man will become

> > > wealthy by offering Tulasi

> > > > leaves to the reddish Padmanabha-shila marked with the signs of

> a

> > > lotus and an umbrella.

> > > > The Hiranyagarbha-shila is moon-shaped, gives off many rays,

> and

> > > has many golden lines

> > > > on His crystal white surface. By adoring the half-moon shaped

> > > Hrishikesha-shila one

> > > > attains the heavenly planets and fulfilment of all desires. A

> > > Lakshmi-Narasimha-shila is

> > > > black, with two equal cakras on His left side, and some dots on

>

> > > the surface. This shila

> > > > gives both pleasure and mukti (liberation) to His worshiper. A

> > > very shiny dark blue shila

> > > > with two cakras on His left side and one line on His right is

> > > known as Trivikrama.

> > > > Decorated with the marks of a forest garland on His left side,

> the

> > > Krishna-shila bestows

> > > > grains, wealth, and happiness. - The Gautamiya Tantra states

> that

> > > after many, many births

> > > > the fortunate person who receives a special Krishna-shila that

> is

> > > decorated with a cow's

> > > > hoof print will never take birth again. lt also describes the

> > > Caturmukhi-shila with two

> > > > cakras placed between four lines. - The Kartika Mahatmya of

> Padma

> > > Purana continues its

> > > > descriptions with the shila with a row of many small lines

> called

> > > Vishnu panjara. The

> > > > Shesha-shila has coils like a snake. The Garuda-shila has the

> sign

> > > of a lotus between two

> > > > lines and one long line below. The Janardana-shila has four

> > > cakras. Awarding both

> > > > material pleasure and liberation, the Lakshmi-Narayana-shila

> has

> > > four cakras, a small

> > > > mouth, and a flower garland decorating its middle portion. -

> All

> > > the shilas mentioned

> > > > above give auspicious results, but those that are very small

> are

> > > even more auspicious.

> > > > Elsewhere in the Padma Purana, the Supreme Lord Vishnu explains

> to

> > > Lord Brahma that the

> > > > smaller the shila is, the more auspicious results it gives.

> Such a

> > > shila should certainly be

> > > > worshiped by the devotee to attain perfection in religion,

> > > economic development, sense

> > > > gratification, and liberation. He declares, ''O Brahma, in that

>

> > > shila small like an amalaki

> > > > fruit or even much smaller, I eternally remain along with My

> > > divine consort, Shrimati

> > > > Lakshmidevi.''

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Links

> > > >

> > > >

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> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

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