Dear Sir,
Please check out this URL in the archives of SRI Ranga Sri.
http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/srirangasri/archives/jan03/msg00115.html
Regards,
Srimathi Venkatachari Raghavan
venkatesh balasubramanian <venki_mrudhu@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
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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