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SriRangaSri List Archive: Message 00008 Dec 2003

 
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SALIGRAMA 

1. Is Saligrama in the form of black stone only?

Yes. Mostly black stone only. Reddish black are also there, but they are very 
rare. Red Saligrama is not worshipped in houses. 

2. Is it available at Gandaki River in Nepal only or else where also?

In gandaki river only.

3. Does it have the symbol of sudarshana chakra or other holy weapons of lord 
Vishnu? 

Chakra symbol only. No other symbols.

4. Is it a natural formation or impression of any river worm or insect due to 
passage on the black stone or it used as a shell by the insect?

It is not a stone-formation by nature. The charkas on the stones are formed by 
the river worms called Vajra-keeta. Its teeth/nails are said to be harder than 
granite stone. The chakra formation is found not only on the outer surface of 
the Saligrama. 

There are charkas inside Saligrama also. This can be seen through the hole or 
holes on the Saligrama with the aid of torch light. The holes are termed as 
vadana (mouth). Charkas can be seen inside these holes. At the very face of 
this chakra one can confirm or suspect whether a particular Saligrama is 
original or duplicate.

The Vajra keeta worms drill the stones, get inside and live there. During their 
stay inside the stones, they cause these charkas. Similarly outside Charkas 
also are caused by the worms only. Saligrama are used as living place by the 
worms not used as shells. 

The puranic declaration is that the Lord Himself causes these charkas in the 
guise of worms. He reveals His presence in Saligrama through the Charkas. 
Because He is already present there by his own choice, We do not perform any 
pratishta-ritual for Saligrama just as we do for other idols.

There is also some normal size, small and very small size Saligrama with no 
hole and in chakra. They look like mere black stones. But if you hold it 
against the lamp and look through the stone, you will be surprised to find it 
is transparent. That is, the reddish light will be visible inside the stone. 
These Saligramas are called Ratna Garbha. They are very rare.

5. Is it a fact that more number of charkas in a Saligrama represents its 
significance? 

No such significance. A Saligrama with one or two charkas is as powerful as the 
one with a dozen charkas. A Saligrama with 7 holes and 14 charkas is known as 
Ananta Padmanabha Murthy. 2 holes and 4 charkas is Narayana Murthy and so on. 
All the Murthys are of the same power. 

6. Is it a coincidence of the availability at river Gandaki is not the abode of 
Shiva.

7. Any other mythological background to substantiate the prevalence of such 
stones deserve worship as the manifestation of Lord Vishnu?

Of the 18 Puranas, a good number of them, under different contexts, proclaim 
the mahima of Saligrama as Vishnu pooja. They also proclaim that the White 
stones ashore at Dwaraka are as powerful as Saligrama. These white stones are 
called: "CHAKRANIKA". This is to be kept in pooja along with Saligrama, 
proclaims the Purana.

SALIGRAM SHILA YATRA, YATRA DHVARAVATHI SHILA |

UBAYO SANKHMO YATRA, YATRA MUKTHRNASAMSHAYAHA ||

8. Is any size prescribed for the worship in the daily pooja by Madhwa's? It is 
learnt that abnormal sizes should be kept in the Temples/Mutts etc.

Yes. The size recommended for the pooja in the house is the smaller ones which 
can be accommodated in the closed fist. Abnormal ones are to be kept in the 
Temples/Mutts etc. 

9. Is it true that Saligrama should not be kept in the house without daily 
Abusheka? 

The emphasis is only to stress the point that you should not be lazy and miss 
Saligrama Pooja for too long a period on False excuses. It is not to ask you do 
away with Saligrama on grounds of imaginary problems. 

10. Are Saligramas worshipped exclusively by Madhwa's or by others also?

Iyengars do Saligrama Pooja as also some of the Vadana Iyers who wear 
Gopichandana.      



B.Venkatesh 

Jl. Kelenci 4 No.10-A,Pasar Baru.

Jakarta Utara - Indonesia

Telp : (021) 3519180

       : (021) 3846532

HP : 0815-9638936










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