SALIGRAMAM

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 is 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 natural 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 charkas 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 charkas 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). Charkas 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 charkas. Similarly outside Charkas 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 charkas in the
guise of worms. He reveals His presence in Saligrama through the Charkas.
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 is also some normal size, small and very small size Saligrama with no hole
and in chakra. They look like mere black stones. But if you hold it against the
lamp and look through the stone, you will be surprised to find it is
transparent. That is, the reddish light will be visible inside the stone. These
Saligramas are called Ratna Garbha. They are very rare.

5. Is it a fact that more number of charkas in a Saligrama represents its
significance?

No such significance. A Saligrama with one or two charkas is as powerful as the
one with a dozen charkas. A Saligrama with 7 holes and 14 charkas is known as
Ananta Padmanabha Murthy. 2 holes and 4 charkas is Narayana Murthy and so on.All the Murthys are of the same power.

6. Is it a coincidence of the availability at river Gandaki is not the abode of
Shiva.

7. 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 are as powerful as Saligrama. These white stones are called: "CHAKRANIKA". This is to be kept in pooja along with Saligrama, proclaims the Purana.

SALIGRAM SHILA YATRA, YATRA DHVARAVATHI SHILA |

UBAYO SANKHMO YATRA, YATRA MUKTHRNASAMSHAYAHA ||

8. Is any size prescribed for the worship in the daily pooja by Madhwa's? It is
learnt that abnormal sizes should be kept in the Temples/Mutts etc.

Yes. The size recommended for the pooja 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.

9. 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 Pooja for too long a period on False excuses. It is not to ask you do
away with Saligrama on grounds of imaginary problems.

10. Are Saligramas worshipped exclusively by Madhwa's or by others also?

Iyengars do Saligrama Pooja as also some of the Vadama Iyers who wear
Gopichandana.


Sri Saligrams is considered the direct symbol of Lord Vishnu, They are found only in Mukti chhetra and Damodar Kunda (north-west of Nepal). According to the religious text of Devi Bhagwate (and other scriptures) to kill demon Jalandhar Lord Vishnu have to destroy Sati Brindha's sati dharma. When he did that Sati Brindha gave four seeming desecrations to Lord Vishnu to become stone, grass, tree, plant. To wash away this reaction Lord Vishnu took four avatars (incarnations). He became stone (Sri Saligram) grass (Kush) tree (Pipal) and plant (Tulsi). Since this time the Saligrams are considered to be most auspicious to behold and to worship. The worshipper knows no fear and by Sri Saligram's mercy the worshipper is blessed to attain all desirable things; worldly comforts, good wife, good sons, good health and wealth etc. It is all by the blessings of Lord Mahavishnu that His pastimes are being served. It is an excellent service for devotees of Lord Narayana.

Mostly saligram are black stone, which is found in the Gandaki River only. Sometimes we find reddish black, blue black or yellowish color saligram which is consider to be very rare among those reddish color Saligram is not worshipped in houses because it is said ir raises tension and anxiety.
Blue-black saligram increase peace and harmony in the family where yellowish saligram increase wealth and prosperity. It is aid there are so many symbols of saligram equal to Lord Vishnu's several names. Different symbols and chakra formation is not by nature, it is made by the river worms called Vajra-Keeta. It' teeth/nails are said to be harder than granite stone. The chakra formation is found not only on the outer surface of the Saligram. There are chakras inside Saligram also. This can be seen through the hole or holes on the Saligram with the aid of torchlight. The holes are termed as vadana (mouth). Chakras can be seen inside these holes. The Vajra keeta worms drills the stone, get inside and live there. During their stay inside the tones, they cause these chakras. Similarly outside the worm also causes Chakras only. Saligram are used as living place by the worm not uses as shells.

The Puranic declaration i that the Lord himself causes these chakras in the guise of worms. He reveals his presence in Saligram through the Chakras. Because he is already present there by his own choice, we do not perform any pratishta-ritual for Saligram just as we do for other idols. f the 18 Purans, a good number of them, under different contexts, proclaim the Mahima of Saligram as Vishnu pooja. The size recommended for the puja in the house is the smaller ones, which can be accommodated, in the closed fit. Big size saligrams are to be kept in the Temples/Mutts etc.