The Saligrams are basically described as fossil-stones and characterized by the presence of discus marks. Saligram-stones (black stones in which fossil ammonites are embedded) are the most celebrated universally. Worship of these stones is widespread and dates back to a distant past. They are worshipped in temples, monasteries and households all over the world, as visible and natural emblems of Vishnu. They are also worshipped in quasi-religious functions like house-warming (grha-pravesa, vastu-puja), pacificatory rites of different sorts (santi), marriages and funerary rituals.
The legend, related at length tells us that Lord Vishnu for benefit of mankind in kaliyuga comes in earth in the form of Saligram and in tulsi tree. Like the worship of Shiva in the form of a Linga, the worship of Vishnu in the shape of a Saligram, is aniconic in character. Saligrams are naturally found in the river Gandaki in Nepal. They are never made by man.
In the worship of Saligrams, no initiation is required; there is no special hymnology or specific procedure of worship, nor any need for a qualified priest or master of ceremonies. Worshipped by regular bathing saligram stones in curds, ghee, milk or water will give untold merit and will bestow all the benefits.
Saligram-stones are found only in the river Gandaki, which is a Himalayan stream, celebrated since antiquity as Narayani, Saligrami, Hiranvati and Hiranyavati. The epic Mahabharata speaks of its sanctity (Bhishma-Parva). The Puranas also describe it as a sacred stream in which all the gods and titans abide. By merely looking at it, one would eliminate all his mental dement’s, by touching it his bodily sins are burnt , and by sipping its water the verbal demerits are destroyed. One who comes into contact with this sacred stream will be liberated from the cycle of birth and deaths, even if he be a sinner.
There is a lake at the source of the Kali-Gandaki, called Damodar-Kunda at Nepal. The lower Gandaki is well known as Mukti-Natha-Kshetra, also called Saligrama-Kshetra. The sacred stones are largely found on the banks of Kali-Gandaki near Tukche, between the two mountains Dhavala-Giri and Annapurana. Damodara-Kunda is a Saivite place of pilgrimage. These spots where saligrama-stones are found located within the Nepal territory. Actually there are four spots in the river within Nepal jurisdiction, where the sacred stones are picked up.
Whether one has real devotion or not, if he worships a saligrama-stone with prostration before it, he will surely get emancipated from the cycle of phenomenal existence.
The person who offers a daily service for the saligrama stone will be freed from the fear of death, and he will cross over the stream of births and deaths.
Following are different forms of Shaligrams
2nd Pose Shaligram, Ananta Shaligram, Aniruddha Shaligram, Auspicious Big Shaligram, Damodar Krishna Shaligram, Damodar Shaligram Delhi India, Auspicious Big Shaligram, Damodar Krishna Shaligram, Damodar Shaligram, Devi Mansarovar Shaligram, Exotic Saligram, Ganesha Shaligram, Garuda Shaligram, Golden Ananta Shaligram, Gopinath Dwarka Shaligram, Govind Shaligram, Hayagriva Shaligram, Hiranya Garv Shaligram, Kalki Shaligram, Kalp Vriksha Shaligram, Kalpa Laxmi Conch Shaligram, Kamal Narayan Shaligram, Kamal Varaha Shaligram, Keshav Shaligram etc. |
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