Respected Madam : Although, the writer may not be that much qualified when compared with the most erudite of scholars and accomplished members in these fora, he has come across certain practical aspects with regard to Saligramam worship and related areas. Before elaborating, a preliminary note : Please consult your acharya for specific details. Many of the requirements may seem to be quite tough or impossible. It is a tall order. Please do not feel discouraged as to what you have asked or got into. Nothing wrong. The point is: Saligramam upasana is one of the forms of Yoga i.e. should be done with dedication, faith and consistency without expectation of any result/benefit. While this may be true generally in case of Saligrama worship the significance assumes higher criticality because the mental attitude is extremely important. The entire atmosphere of the household is involved. The intensity of devoution may be comparatively less stringent when it comes to general prayers, and routine worships. Yes it is true, one has to perform nitya pooja for Saligramam. It cannot be treated just like any other idol, picture or image worship. It is somewhat equal to the 'agni' upasana which one is supposed to do until the last breath, but which most of us cannot for practical reasons keep up. Extreme physical, external purity is the primary requirement. External purity in terms of dust, noise, pollution, etc. A dedicated room, if possible, or a particular spot appropriately sanctified has to be reserved for the Saligramam. Everyone in the household has to mandatorily be always aware mentally about the PRESENCE. Noisy talking, blaring of radio channels, mindless watching of TV etc. are to be avoided at all costs. In many houses in cities, the noise of the TV signals, channel surfing etc. are common. They may, however, be indulged with extreme caution and moderation on a need-basis and not as a habit. Immediately on getting up early morning, preferably the lady of the house should after/wash abulations but before consuming tea/coffee, make an offering of raw milk in a small silver cup - specifically reserved for the Saligramam In case male members are there in the house, Sandhyavandanam is MUST. Nothing moves without trikala Sandhi. Without Sandhyavandanam, it is absolutely incorrect to touch, worship and involve oneself with the Saligramam. Water has to be treated with extreme care. If someone can store in a, preferably silver or gold or copper/brass vessel it would be good. Cover this with a linen/cotton wet cloth washed nicely, not torn/frayed. The cloth may be dipped in a mixture of water and turmeric to make it yellow. The vessels etc. must not be used for regular use, not even for other gods. It has to be exclusively kept for the Saligramam. Do do not permit outsiders, non-permenant-living people/relations to even casually "see" the Saligramam. The Saligramam must be kept in a good box lined appropriately. Let every member of the household involve themselves into creatively thinking about the box/container. If it can be avoided, do not buy these readymade from the market. Let all be involved in constructing the box. Hard physical work coupled with a sense of art and beauty and of course, time and energy/effort has to be spent in LOVINGLY making this box. In case you are in Bombay, please call up 24026280 and meet Mr Krishnaswamy, who lives in Matunga area. His kind mother has a small box made out of cloves joined together. It is painstakingly done and is a beautiful work to behold. Very delicate, very unique. She was contemplating keeping their Saligramam inside this box made out of cloves. Preferably the box may be kept in a closed area (a sort of mini-mandapam/temple type structure available in many houses/market). In case someone wants to "see" just for the sake of mental worship, ensure he/she has thoroughly washed his/her feet, hands, face etc. and is clean. Do not permit them to touch though. Preferably one, the eldest or older family member may physically handle/touch the Saligramam. Everyone should not be permitted. If there are grandparents in the house, the grandfather may handle. The wife (grandmother) should if possible always accompany the grandfather. After the Saligrama worship do not just begin to go about the routine activities immediately. Sit and mentally take the Saligrama into the center of your eyebrows. Store this mentally in your brain and then after uttering Om Namo Narayana, get up. Be totally absorbed and involved with the Saligrama. Never consider this a stone. Even while looking at IT reflect and consider only on the strong feet and toes of the Lord. See the toes and not the face/body/features in the structure of the Saligramam Involving with astrology, jyotisha or horoscope reviews, castings etc. should be avoided inside the house. If at all these are to be done due to various reasons, mentally seek the permission of the Saligramam and then proceed but do these outside. IN HIS PRESENCE no one is permitted to dabble and intrepret the stars, planetary positions, planetary effects etc. Invalid, sick, disabled persons, including persons with mental disabilities who cannot comprehend or very old people bedridden may be informed in their ears that the "Saligramam" worship is about to begin. Whether they understand or are capable of hearing or not does not matter. They may be deaf also. A responsible member has to just "tell" into their ears. Vishnu sahasranamam should be chanted without fail every evening after the evening lamps/god's lights are lit. Literally you are converting the house into a local Tirupati or a Srirangam sannadhi if one can put it in a nut shell. Last but not the least, Saligramam upasana is a one-way street. There is no backing. Once you start, until the end it has to continue for generations together. Finally,ironical though it may seem, whether you worship or not is of secondary importance. It may not be mandatory. But performing the Sandhyavandanam is mandatory. If this is done one may even ask for pardon for not keeping up the Saligramam worship. Saligramam worship to the best of the writer's knowledge is not mandated as a nitya by the Vedas, but Sandhyavandanam is the command of the VEDAS and this cannot be breached under any circumstances. Om Tat Sat Tat tvam asi
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