You are here: SriPedia : Oppiliappan : Sri Venkatesa Ashtotthram Home  Index  VarAha : Home  Nama List :  CD&Donation  Credits

Sri Venkateswara Ashtotthram 

Prev   ::   (pranavam) Saalagraama nivaasaaya SrI VenkatEsAya nama: - 76   ::   Next

Saalagrama Moorthys
76) Saalagraama nivaasaaya SrI venkatEsaaya nama:
 
The Lord may be present everywhere, but there are certain places and objects which can boast of His constant and preferred presence. One of these is the Saalagraama silaa or the Saalagraama stone, which is to be found in and around the river Gandaki in Nepal. On its banks is also located a beautiful temple of the Lord, adulated by Sri Tirumangai Azhwar, known by the same name (Saalagraamam) or as Muktinaath. Azhwar is so enamoured of this particular sannidhi that he constantly counsels his mind to reach and reside at this hallowed kshetram--"Saalagraamam adai nenje".
 
The beauty of the Saalagrama murthy is that unlike idols, in which the Lord's presence has to be sought and obtained through appropriate mantras, the Lord resides  constantly in the former, obviating any necessity for time-consuming and difficult rituals to ensure His presence. This makes the stone the easiest form in which the Lord could be worshipped, by even a lay person who doesn't have knowledge of rituals.
 
Saalagraama moorthies are of myriad varieties, many having in them small holes adorned by cirucular, discus-like patterns, made in them over hundreds of years by an insect known as Vajrakeetam. It is indeed wonderful to see some of the moorthies with signs of the Sudarsana Chakra, the Panchajanya shankha, the flag, a lotus etc., all of which are symbols of Sri Mahavishnu.
 
The very presence of this Saalagraama sila in the house brings to it all auspiciousness, both material and spiritual. Water in which the stone has been bathed is capable of curing even the deadliest of diseases. Conversely, scriptures say that a house in which the Saalagraama sila is not there is equivalent to a cemetery, irrespective of its other adornments and amenties.
 
Volumes have been written about the glory of such Saalagraama silaas. Since they form the Lord's preferred abodes, He is known as "Saalagraama nivaasa:".



Donate by credit card via PayPal