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Exlusive
Shaligram collection @ Astroshastra |
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Shaligram represents a natural form of Lord
Vishnu. Shaligrams are worshiped in temples and households
all over the world for the blessings of Lord Vishnu and goddess
Lakshmi .
The Salagramas are specifically described as fossil-stones
which have taken shape in the Gandaki-river, and as characterized
by the presence of discus marks (‘gandakyudbhava-vajra-kita-krta-chakra-samayukta-sila).
Salagrama stones are obtained only from the river Gandaki,
which is a Himalayan stream, celebrated since antiquity as
Narayani, Salagrami, Hiranvati and Hiranyavati. The epic Mahabharata
speaks of its sanctity (Bhishma-parva): it contains in itself
the waters of all the holy-rivers (Vana-parvan, 84, 113),
and it is the abode of Agni, the fire-god.
Krishna, Arjuna and Bhima are said to have crossed this river
on their way from India-prastha to Girivraja. The puranas
also describe it as a sacred stream in which all the gods
and titans abide (‘punyodaka surasura-nishevita’).
By merely looking at it, one would eliminate all his mental
defilement’s, by touching it his bodily sins are burnt
up, and by sipping its water the verbal demerits are thrown
out.
By worshiping Maha Vishnu in the form of shaligrama , one
gains the merit of performing a thousand Rajasuya sacrifices.
Astroshastra offers an exotic and rare collections
of Shaligrams (saligram, saligrama or shalagrams) from Gandaki
river in Nepal.
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Legend of Shaligarm
Shilas / Shalagrams/ Saligram |
Salagrama is an iconic in character. However in comparison, the linga may be a natural object like the bana-linga found in the river Narmada, or carved by man in stone, gems or clay or any material. But Salagramas are always only those which are naturally found in the river Gandaki; they are never made by man. 
It is interesting to that the great Samkara (632-664 A.D.) mentions in his Vedanata-sutra-bhashya the worship of no other god other than that of Vishnu, and that too in his Salagrama aspect (1,2,7 ‘yatha salagrama harih’; 1,2,14 ‘salagrama iva vishnoh’; 1,3,14 ‘yatha salagrame vishnuh sannihitah, tadvat’), and not in iconic forms. There is a wide-spread belief that the aniconic salagrama must necessarily accompany the iconic representations; and the worship offered to the salagrama takes precedence in the worship offered at home or in temples. It is a fact that in the Vishnu shrines, salagramas are invariably placed in close contact with the ‘mula-murti’, which worship is offered. Even in the celebrated temple of Vengadam (Tirupati-Tirumalai), the group of salagramas always kept at the feet of the main deity in the sanctum partakes of the principal worship daily; administrating a ceremonial bath to the salagramas is an important detail. More ... |
| Identification of Shaligarm Shilas / Shalagrams/ Saligram |
Wherever Shaligram is kept Lord Vishnu lives there along with Goddess Laxmi. The umbrella shape Shaligram has power to give kingdom and the one having elliptical shape gives lots of wealth. Shaligram purifies a person and gives success in all walks of life. The benefits that one get by reading all the Vedas and doing penace (tapasya) is obtained by a person who worships Shaligram. The one who does Abhishek of Shaligram with water gets lots of benefits and happiness. It is said that if a dying person is given the water of Shaligram then he is purified from all the sins committed by him and goes to Vishnu Lok and get Nirvan.
From different puranas that in former days Shalagrams were divided into 24 varieties, their names according to the Skandapurana being as follows: Keshava, Madhusudana, Shankarshan, Daamodara, Vaasudeva, Pradyumna, Vishnu, Maadhava, Ananta, Purushottama, Adhokshaja, Janaardan , Govinda, Trivikrama, Shridhar, Hrishikesha, Nrisimha, Vishvayoni, Vaamana, Naaraayana, Pundarikaaksh, Upendra, Hari, Krishna. (Skanda Purana, Nagarckhanda, 244. 3-9) Know More ... |
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Benefits of Shree Shaligarm / Shalagrams / Saligrama Shilas |
The marks made by the shell of the ammonite give a Shaligram its characteristic appearance, with the pattern often resembling and representing the 'Sudarshan Chakra' or the discus with a sharp-toothed edge which rests on the index finger of Lord Vishnu. Shaligram stones come in dfferent colors such as red, blue, yellow, green and black. Of these, the yellow, blue and black varieties are considered more sacred. The yellow and golden-colored Shaligrams are considered most auspicious and are believed to bestow great wealth and prosperity on its worshippers. Some Tips and Importance of Shaligram Shila's are given below:
1.Worship Shree Shaligram for six values of life:Righteous living, Wealth, Protection, good health, pleasures and Spiritual .
2.The Shaligram is the most sacred stone worshipped by the Vaishnavas and is used to worship
Vishnu in an abstract form i.e., God without form as a 'Saligrama'. The use of the Shaligram is
similar to the use of 'Lingam' as abstract symbol of Lord Shiva.The Shaligram is found in
river Gandaki near Muktinath in Nepal.
3.There are numerous popular beliefs concerning salagrama. Salagrama alongside Tulasi
leaves and conch (samkha), placed in one plate is regarded as most meritorious. Know More ...
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