Saligram Shila- Part 1

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A Small Article on Great Saligram Shila

 

The name salagrama is one of the many names of Vishnu. The origin of

the word is traced to a remote village in nepal near the sacred river

Gandaki called Salagrami where Vishnu is known by the name of

Salagraman. It is near here that the stones are found which have

natural markings and are very sacred to the Lord and are worshipped

as manifestations of the Lord Himself.

 

The site known as Salagrama ksetra or mukti ksetra is about 140

miles from Khatmandu north of the river Gandaki [also known as

narayani]. These are direct forms of the Lord found at one place

in the gandaki river. Those which are lustrous, black, round,

the size of an amalaki fruit, with perfect cakra, deep navel,

perfect mouth, curved back, in the shape of varaha or vasudeva,

are said to bestow all of ones desires.

 

The origin of the Saligram Shila goes back to the Puranic or

mythological era. The Puranic encyclopaedia says Vishnu and Lakshmi

once had a terrible quarrel and cursed one another. Sarawati's curse

transformed Lakshmi into a Tulsi plant destined to live on earth

forever. Vishnu, however, intervened and said, "Lakshmi, you will

live in the world as a holy Tulsi plant and when the curse has been

completed you will come back to me. On that day a river named Gandaki

will start from your body which will be in the shape of a Tulsi

plant. On the bank of that river I will remain as a stone image

(Saligram). There will be many worms with strong tusks and teeth

which will pierce the stone into the shape of the sudarshan chakra

(quoit) and it will create numberless Saligram." Puranic sources

further state that Tulsi and Saligarm Shila are married on earth on

Kartik Purnima day.

 

Kartik is an auspicious month and on the ekadasi day (eleventh day

from no-moon day) a unique festival called Kartik Puja is performed

by women on the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi. This also happens to

be the day of celestial marriage of Tulsi with Saligram Shila. Tulsi

is a plant (Ocimum basilicum or Ocimum sanctum). There are two types

of Tulsi – one is Rama Tulsi with light green leaves and the other is

Krishna Tulsi with dark green leaves. Its is a prerequisite for the

worship of Vishnu and Narayan. A Saligram Shila is an ammonite fossil

which is roughly 425 million years old. This stone is one of the most

sacred stones for Hindus.

 

to be continued.........

 

Gaurav

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya