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I would like to let you all know about Saligrama stone with its
history and types.
Saligrama, a sacred Gandaki river stone is a special Avatara of
Maha Vishnu.It is always placed with
Tulasi (signifying Lakshmi). In some parts of India,Tulasi
vivaham with Saligramam is conducted- sort of
Kalyanotsavam forSaligrmam and Tulasi. In a way we can compare
Saligramam worship as
theVaishnavites equivalent of worship of tiny Lingam by Veera
Shivas.
The sacred Saligramastones (black ammonite stone), are found
only on the bed of river Gandak near
Muktinath, Nepal. These naturally formed stones are used by
devout Hindus to worship Lord Vishnu.
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 are 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 naturall 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 chakras 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 chakras
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). Chakras 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 chakras. Similarly outside Chakras
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
chakras in the guise of worms.
He reveals His presence in Saligrama through the Chakras.
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 are
also some normal size, small and very small size Saligramas with
no hole and ni chakra. They look like
mere black stones. But if you hold it against the lamp and look
through the stone, you will be surpraised to
find it is transparent. That is, the reddish light will be
visible insid the stone. These Saligramas are called
Ratna Garbha. They are very rare.
5. Is it a fact that more number of chakras in a Saligrama
represnet its significance ?
No such significance. A Saligrama with one or two chakras is as
powerful as the one with a dozen chakras.
A Saligrama with 7 holes and 14 chakras is known as Ananta
Padmanabha Murthy. 2 holes and 4 chakras
is Narayana Murthy and so on. All the Murthys are of the same
power.6. 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 is as powerful as Saligrama.
These white stones are called : CHAKRANIKA. This is to be kept
in pooja along with Saligrama,
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proclaims the Purana.SALIGRAM SHILA YATRA, YATRA DHVARAVATHI
SHILA UBAYO SANKHMO
YATRA, YATRA MUKTHRNASAMSHAYAHA
7. Is any size prescribed for the worship in the daily puja by
Madhwas?
It is learnt that abnormal sizes should be kept in the
Temples/Mutts etc.Yes. The size recommended for
the puja 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.
8. 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 Puja for too long a
period on False excuses. It is not to ask you do away with
Saligrama on grounds of imaginary problems.
9. Are Saligramas worshipped exclusively by Madhwas or by others
also ?Iyengars do Saligrama Puja as
also some of the Vadama Iyers who wear Gopichandana.
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Types of Saligramas:
Twenty five types of Saligrama are known. These are classified
based on shap, size, color, openings
(Dwaras), Chakras(natural carvings), lines etc.Some of them are
are as follows:
1. Lakshminarayana Saligrama: Light dark in color, one opening,
four chakrasand one line.
2. Pradhyumna Saligrama: Small, one chakra on the top, and with
crookedopenings.
3. Aniruddah Saligrama: Round, light yellow to yellow color,
smooth glasslike appearnace. Brongs peace
and happiness to the owner.
4. Vasudeva Saligrama: Equivalent to worshipping Krishna
himself. Round,shiny, with one opening
surrounded by two chakras. Brings to devotees theirhearts
desires.
5. Sankarshana Saligrama: Two chakras facing each other. Narrow
in the frontand wider at the back. For
Brahmacharis, it brings knowledge.
6. Narasimha Saligrama: Worshipped with great devotion. Contains
two chakrasand shape is varied. The
devotee of this Saligrama becomes a sarva sangatyagi
(renunciate) and a jitendria.
7. Lakshmi Narasimha Saligrama: Not a sugra as the Narasimha
Saligrama. ThisSaligrama is thus an
embodiment of pleasantness.This has a wide opening, has two
chakra an also has a garland type of
line.This brings to the devotees peace and solace.
8. Hayagriva Saligrama: Horse faced with two chakras. Not so
appealing inappearance. Specially for
gnanam (education).
9. Sudarshana Saligrama: Has a ordinary form with one
Chakra.
10. Gadadhara Saligrama: Very ordinary with one chakra.
11. Madhusudana Saligrama: Dark cloud color and wheel shape. Has
the signsimilar to foot print of a calf.
Very Holy.
12. Lakshminarayana Saligrama: One opening with a garland like
line. color ofdark clouds, four chakras.
Very rare and special. Fulfils all desires ofBhaktas.13.
Lakshmijanardhana Saligrama: Same as above (12) but without garland
shapeline.
14. Vamana Saligrama: Small in size, lighter shade of black
color, twochakras with no opening.
15. Sridhara Saligrama: Same as above(14) but with a garland
like line.Brings good luck and progress to
the devotees.
16. Raghunatha Saligrama: Two openings, four chakras and a sign
similar tofoot print of a calf.
17. Damodara Saligrama: Huge, found commonly in temples. Has two
chakras.
