The Spiritual Value of Salagramam
Most of us are eager to know what a "Salagramam" is and how it has
to be worshipped. The Vedha Sastras describe the three manifestations of
the 'Thirumeni' of Lord Vishnu that enable the devotees to worship Him.
The three manifestations are categorized as Swayam Vyaktham ,
Maanusham and Salagramam. Salagramam is a holy place about 75 kms
from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The divine town is 14,750 ft. high
from the sea level. The place is also hailed as Mukthi Narayana kshethram
and Mukthinath. There is a tank called "Dhamothara Kuntam' 72 kms from
Mukthinath. A holy river called Kantaki gushes out from the said tank. A
dip in this sacred river followed by the dharshan of Lord Visshnu in the
form of Salagramam is believed to erase all the sins and certain to gift the
devotee 'Mukthi'. Hence the name Mukthi kshethram.
The river Kantaki is regarded as equal to that of the Ganges. It was
worshipped as Hiranyavathi in the Kirutha Yuga. The very name 'Hiranyam'
denotes gold. There is no wonder that in this holy river, Vishnu and Siva in
the form of Salagramam with golden rays are being produced.
"Bruhath Sthothra Rathnakaram" is a very old and popular book in
Sanskrit with authenticity. This is an unparalled book that describes the
spiritual values of Salagramam, its various kinds and the mode in it has to be
worshipped etc.
Sri Narasimha Puranam, Sri Thathva Nidhi and Sri Vedhantha
Rudhra Bashyam are the famous books that also speak highly and
beautifully about the kinds of Salagramam , their divine values , the story of
river Kantaki and when and why Lord Vishnu assumed the form of
Salagramam.
Why Lord incarnated as Salagramam:
The ratio between the innocent and the wicked is not always the same.
The index has been a changing factor. In the Thretha and Dhuvabhara yuga
innocents(saadhus) were the majority ones. The wicked were the minority.
This has become vice verse in this Kali Yuga i.e. the wicked and the
criminals are the manority now. Admittedly the innocent has become a rare
species. People are forced to think that it is foolish to be very innocent in
this world of fraud and prejudice. Even those who have the inclination to
worship god with Bhakthi would be tempted to commit evil acts. Only to
alleviate the common man from these evils Vishnu has showed an easier
way of worship. Worshipping through easy ways and thereby getting the
benefits and finally to reach mukthi which is the main objective of our birth
in this world. Lord Vishnu is bhakthi bound and hence he has assumed the
form of Salagramam, a mode of simplification of the Omniscient.
Divya Desam is a holy place that is praised by the Aazhwars their
poetic works. A house where 12 Salagramam is worshipped is equal to a
Divya Desam.
"The most important and the fundamental thing that is essential for the
worship of Salagramam is Bhakthi alone and nothing else. May be, one has
committed a heinous crime or offence or sin. But when he sits down and
worships the salagramam with a strong determination not to repeat such sins
in the future will be relieved of all such sins" vouches Bruhath
Rathnakaram.
Due to the evil effect of Kali Purusha, we are not interested to chant
the name of Vishbnu. But if one just worships and Salagramam and recite
His names, Lord's blessings will shower on such a devotee.This is due to
the fact that He has simplified Himself to the devotee.
When our mind is subjected to various temptations and vacillations in
additions to the changing environments, the Salagrama worship comes in
'handy'.
Temples have been constructed with due observance of lthe Vedha
Aakama sastras starting from the temple tower to the sanctum sanctorium.
Every part of the temple including the installation of the idols have been
empowered with proper mantra and yanthra. Strict observaance of the rules
have to be followed to worship the deities in a temple. There are many
restriction imposed to a devote including the purity of heart. Only then could
he have a dharshan. The restrictions imposed on the priests of the temple are
stricter. The priest has to be a veteran in the vedha Aahama saastra . Also he
has to be very pious and observe the rituals laid down for performing the
abishekam and archana and alangara for the idol. Any violation of these
rules would severely affect the sanctity in the sanctum sanctorium.
Salagrama Puja:
Whatever the problems or the strains in the living conditions, one has
to compulsorily perform the daily pujas to the Lord. The only easy way to
perform such puja is possible by observing the Salagrama puja.
The strict puja rules laid down for the installed idols will not hold
good for the Salagramam worship.
As a first step abishekam with pure water has to be performed on the
Salagramam. Next comes abishekam with milk. This should be followed by
again performing abishekam with pure water. Then it has to be gently wiped
with a pure towel/cloth. Sandal paste (prepared by hand grinding with a
sandal wooden piece against a white piece of rock) mixed with Pachai
Karpuram and Kungumapoo has to be applied on it. Lighted incense stick
(Dhoopam) has to be presented to it followed by the regulr worship. The
cooked rice for our daily use has to be offered to the Salagramam as
neivaedhyam.
The devotee is at free to get the guidance from the elders who observe
the rites and rituals for the proper aaradhana and abishekam. He can also get
their Upadesam (directions) and blessings and start daily pujas. Organizing
daily puja is bound to give a very great benefit to the devotee. Tulsi and
prescribed flowers may also be offered to the Salagramam.
Kinds of Salagramam:
The Salagramam with hole is preferred for the puja. The one without
the hole is called 'Hiranya karpam' and that can also be worshipped. Nonveg
items SHOULD be avoided in the house where there is a Salagramam.
The advantages of Salagrama Puja:
Morning dharshan of the Salagramam that is worshipped in
the house daily is bound to give the purity to the devotee equal to
that of dip in the Ganges. Taking a drop of the abisheka theertham
of the Salagramam daily will give the effect equal to the combined
effect of drinking the holy waters of all the sacred rivers including
manasrovaram, pushkaram, brammasaras, Suriya kuntam
Kurukshethram etc. Such benefit is an instant one too.
Saalagrama theertham is regarded as the Vishnu Patha
Theertham. It will remove the dhoshams related to premature death
and Brahma hathi.
The neivedhya rice is bound to improve our health. A home
with a Salagramam is regarded as a temple. The Salagramam has
the power to nullify the evil effects of Atharvana Vedha and other
black magics such billy, sunyam etc. within a radius of 5 miles
from its location.
Worshipping a Salagramam along with Dwaragasila
(mahalakshmi) that is available in the Gomathy river is bound to
bestow very great favourable espects (punniyam) . Even Yama
would be afraid to enter the house where Salagramam is being
worshipped.
In this Kali Yuga no puja or no worship is equal to
Salagrama pura and worship.
(Based on the article by Sri. A.M.R. in Kumudam jothidam,)