Shree Shaligram is a sacred stone found in Gandaki river found in the Muktinath area of Nepal . This stone is worshipped as an iconic representation Lord Vishnu, just as Lingam is worshipped as an iconic Lord Shiva. The marks on the Shaligram are natural with the pattern often representing that of Sudarshan Chakra, the Discus of Lord Vishnu. The worship of these stones is widespread and dates back to a distant past. They are worshipped in temples, monasteries and households all over the country, as visible and natural emblems of Vishnu. The sipping of water in which these stones are bathed is a daily ritual for the pious Hindu belonging to the old and traditional families. 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. Know more about Shaligram

• Worship Shree Shaligram for six values of life:
  Righteous living, Wealth, Protection, good health, pleasures and Spiritual
  AKYAS CA IVA DESE CA SALAGRAMA STHALAM MAHAT
  SANAM TAD BHAVAM YAT TAT SALAGRAMAM ITI SMRTAM

• 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.
  GANDAKYAS CAIVA DESE CA SALAGRAMA STHALAM MAHAT
  PASANA TAD BHAVAM YAT TAT SALAGRAMAM ITI SMRTAM
  (HARI BHAKTI VILASA 5/296 From GAUTAMIYA TANTRA )

• There are numerous popular beliefs concerning salagrama. Salagrama alongside Tulasi leaves and conch (samkha), placed in one plate is regarded as most meritorious.

• Any religious observance, gift, consecration, obsequies, and worship should preferably be done in association with a salagrama: (Brahma-vaivarta-purana, Prakti-khanda, 19).

• Regarding the obsequies or the last rites (sraddha), it is usual to conduct such ceremonies in front of a salagrama. For that would ensure the departed spirit reaching Vishnu’s abode directly: and subsequent death ceremonies would become unnecessary:
  (Padma-purana, uttara-khanda, 127).

• When the dying person is made to sip a little of the water in which the salagrama-stone is bathed, he will be freed from all sins, and will reach the heavenly abode of Vishnu. And death itself when it occurs in the presence of a salagrama-stone will pave the way for Vishnu’s realm, for Vishnu is present in that stone. (Purana-samgraha).

• The rites of expiation of sins (prayaschitta) becomes effective more by drinking the water in which these stones are washed than by gifts or fasting or by observances of various kinds.

• In times of solar or lunar eclipse, whatever ritual is undertaken becomes all the more effective when done in front of a salagrama-stone so says Hemadri.

• It was practice in the olden days to ask the witness to hold a salagrama in hand while testifying in a court of law; if he uttered utter falsehood, he was believed to suffer immensely and long as a punishment: (Brahma – vaivarta – purana, op. Cit.)

• Merely looking at a salagrama stone would wash away the sins of the beholder, even as the mere sight of a lion would make the antelopes run for their lives in the forest.

• Whoever glances at a salagrama would be purified of his past demerits; what then would be the benefit of one who is mindful of it, who praises it, meditates on it, worships it, and prostrates before it?
  For Shaligram Shilas, Saligram Silas also see www.shaligram.org

• Whether one has real devotion or not, if he worships a salagrama-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 salagrama stone will be freed from the fear of death, and he will cross over the stream of births and deaths.

• A regular worship of the salagrama-stone, bathing it in curds, ghee, milk or water will cause untold merit.

• In the salagrama-stone abide the three realms, and all the immovable and movable aspects of creation; and hence Vishnu resides in it.

• The gifting of a salagrama-stone is also described as most meritorious.

• One who with delight in his mind worships a salagrama-stone placing it in front of him, will instantly obtain the merit of performing a million sacrifices.

• When excellent men worship a salagrama-stone, the area of a yojana (three miles) all around that spot, would become as holy as all the sacred places of pilgrimage together in one spot.

• Even the worst criminal who has committed countless sins will instantaneously get purified by sipping water in which salagrama stone has been washed.

• Also Tulasi leaves, sandal paste, discus, Gomati-sila (stone from Dvaraka), conch, bell, salagrama (stone from the Gandaki), lamp (sikha, flame of light) a vessel of copper, uttering the name of Vishnu and sipping the water in which the salagrama has been bathed – these nine will burn down the mass of sins.

• As Vishnu abides in these stones, all the gods dwell there, all the benevolent spirits and indeed the fourteen worlds reside in these stones.

• Hence, we have it as an assurance from Vishnu himself that whoever worships the salagrama-stone even once will surely be liberated: and also will obtain all prosperity here, while alive. (Padma-purana, Uttara-khanda, 127)

• Gifts given and rituals observed in the vicinity of a salagrama-stone will be infinitely meritorious, for where that stone is, is indeed a sacred place for miles around. And whatever comes into contact with the sacred stone will at once be purified.

• Worshipping the salagrama stone with articles like milk, ghee and curds, bathing the stone with them, will entitle the devotee to dwell in the heavenly realms for countless years.

• In Skanda-purana (Kartika-masa-mahatmya), Siva tells Skanda that all the three worlds in their entirety and he himself abide in a salagrama-stone and a mere glance at it is meritorious, and much more so worshipping it.

• Texts also say that it is rarely that one procures a salagrama; the possession of the sacred stone speaks of the merits of the person; he should consider himself as extremely fortunate, and worship it diligently.

Worship of Shri Shaligram Shilas

Salagramas do not require preliminary rituals of purification and consecration. They naturally contain the vibhuti of the Godhead, and may be worshipped straight away.
In the worship of Salagrama, 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 anyhow, it will bestowal the benefits; and there is no error of any kind.
If, however, it is formally worshipped with all the details scrupulously observed, the benefits procured are boundless.

Method of worship: In the morning after bath arrange your prayer vessels after cleaning. Fill a pot with water mixed with few drops of Gangajal or rosewater. Set up oil lamp, incence sticks and fresh flowers and sandal paste. Place the sila on the plate and perform abhishek (pour water) on the sila chanting "Om Namo Narayana". Now lift the shila, wipe it with a soft cloth and place it on the seat. Apply sandal paste as a 'Tilak' and offer fresh flowers. Offer a few leaves of Tulsi or encircle a tulsi mala around Him. Light incense and oil lamp and also camphor and offer to Shree Narayana one after the other. Offer a fruit or sweet as Naivedyam to the Lord.

Chant the Shaligram mantra below:
SHAANTAAKAARAM BHUJAGASHAYANAM PADMANAABHAM SURESHAM
VISHWAADHAARAM GAGANASADRASHAM MEGHAVARNAM SHUBHAANGAM
LAKSHMIKAANTAM KAMALANAYANAM YOGIBHIRDHYAANAGAMYAM
VANDE VISHNUM BHAVABHAYAHARAM SARVALOKAIKANAATHAM !!

Translation: I bow to Lord Vishnu the one Master of the Universe, Who is ever peaceful, who reclines on the great serpent bed, from whose navel springs the lotus of the creative power, who is the supreme being, who supports the entire universe, who is all-pervading as the sky, who is dark like the clouds and has a beautiful form; the Lord of Lakshmi, the lotus-eyed one, whom the yogis are able to perceive through meditation, He, who is destroyer of the fear of samsar.
 
Offer gratitude to Lord Vishnu for arriving in your home and blessing you and your family always.
Om Shantih shantih shantih !!!

This method of worship is easy to follow and applicable in our day to day life routine. In case you are unable to worship everyday, just offer Obeisance (Namaskar) to the deity before leaving for work/ starting the day. His presence alone is a guarding and protective force in your home, bringing along happiness and abundance.
In case you are interested to read detailed method of worship, please email us at rudracentre@hotmail.com .
For Shaligram Shilas, Saligram Silas also see www.shaligram.org
 

How do I choose my Shaligram

Worship Shree Shaligram for six values of life:
Righteous living, Wealth, Protection, good health, pleasures and Spiritual

Shaligrams may be worshipped by men and women and all people of all religions alike. God is the all pervading existance and no distinctions occurs at His level. What is needed for blessings to happen is love, faith and gratitude.

Shaligrams are an iconic representation of Lord Vishnu and one who worships them is blessed with peace, protection, abundance and manifestation of desires. Just as Lord Vishnu had many Avatars and forms and one who worships any one of them gets blessings from Lord Vishnu Himself, just so Shaligrams were categorized in many ways as devotees searched for marks and identifications to find which form of Vishnu they represent. But worship of any of them, would bestow the same blessings as that of any other. Ancient authentic references do not make distinctions among salagrama stones; any Salagrama-stone is taken as a visible representation of Vishnu. The salagrama-lore that seeks to identify the different stones and ascertain their worship-worthiness is obviously a part of the later puranic culture. Also in all the Puranas, the identifications are mentioned, but nowhere the benefits or the blessings of the different forms are mentioned distinctly, meaning very clearly that blessings that follow any form is equivalent the other.

Satyam Shivam Sundaram (meaning, "Truth is God and God is beautiful"). So select a Shaligram which you find beautiful and attracted to. We have chosen the jewels from Gandaki for you, which we have been collecting for past 7 years. Normally the Silas found there are round ones and many are uneven shaped ones with breakages around the surface as the Silas rolls in the river. But we have carefully selected the ones that have beautiful impressions, even unbroken edges and beautiful dark colours. We thank the local people who painstakingly collected these silas by diving deep into the river for days on all these years. Few times they were rewarded for the silas as they matched our choice and many times they had to go back empty handed. But we took good care of them and saw that they were well taken care of monetarily.

These Silas all vibrate with pure existential energy. So select the one you best vibe with and bring Him home. Also the amount you donate will be used for a worthy cause. We have plans to set up a meditation centre free for people where satsangs, mantras, religious discourses, meditation and healing, would be done to elevate the conciousness of the people.