The Glory of the Shaligrama Stone

Verse 1 (padma.6.120.1)

सूत उवाच। इति वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य पुनः पप्रच्छ पावकिः । शालग्रामार्चनं भूयस्तच्छृणुध्वं तपोधनाः

sūta uvāca iti vākyaṁ samākarṇya punaḥ papraccha pāvakiḥ śālagrāmārcanaṁ bhūyastacchṛṇudhvaṁ tapodhanāḥ

Sūta said: Having heard these words, the son of Agni [Kartikeya] asked again about the worship of the Shaligrama stone; hear that, O you rich in austerity.

Verse 2 (padma.6.120.2)

कार्तिकेय उवाच। भगवन्योगिनां श्रेष्ठ सर्वेधर्माः श्रुता मया । शालग्रामार्चनं ब्रूहि विस्तरेण मम प्रभो

kārtikeya uvāca bhagavanyogināṁ śreṣṭha sarvedharmāḥ śrutā mayā śālagrāmārcanaṁ brūhi vistareṇa mama prabho

Kartikeya said: O Lord, foremost of yogis, I have heard all these dharmas. Now tell me, O Lord, in detail, of the worship of the Shaligrama.

Verse 3 (padma.6.120.3)

ईश्वर उवाच। साधुसाधु महाप्राज्ञ यन्मां हि परिपृच्छसि । तदहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि श्रूयतां मम वत्सल

īśvara uvāca sādhusādhu mahāprājña yanmāṁ hi paripṛcchasi tadahaṁ saṁpravakṣyāmi śrūyatāṁ mama vatsala

Ishvara said: Well done, well done, O greatly wise one, that you ask me this. I shall tell it; listen, O affectionate one.

Verse 4 (padma.6.120.4)

शालग्रामशिलायां तु त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम् । महाशय महासेन नित्यं तिष्ठति संहितम्

śālagrāmaśilāyāṁ tu trailokyaṁ sacarācaram mahāśaya mahāsena nityaṁ tiṣṭhati saṁhitam

O great-minded one, O great commander, within the Shaligrama stone the three worlds, moving and unmoving, ever abide together.

Verse 5 (padma.6.120.5)

दृष्टं प्रणमितं येन स्नापितं पूजितं तथा । यज्ञकोटिगुणं पुण्यं गवां कोटिफलं लभेत्

dṛṣṭaṁ praṇamitaṁ yena snāpitaṁ pūjitaṁ tathā yajñakoṭiguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ gavāṁ koṭiphalaṁ labhet

By whomever it has been seen, bowed to, bathed, and worshipped — he obtains merit equal to ten million sacrifices, and the fruit of the gift of ten million cows.

Verse 6 (padma.6.120.6)

छिन्नस्तेन तथा वत्स गर्भवासः सुदारुणः । पीतं येन सदा विष्णोः शालग्रामशिलाजलम्

chinnastena tathā vatsa garbhavāsaḥ sudāruṇaḥ pītaṁ yena sadā viṣṇoḥ śālagrāmaśilājalam

My child, by him the terrible dwelling in the womb is cut off — by whomever the water of Vishnu's Shaligrama stone has ever been drunk.

Verse 7 (padma.6.120.7)

कामासक्तोऽपि यो नित्यं भक्तिभावविवर्जितः । शालग्रामशिला पुत्र पूजयित्वाच्युतो भवेत्

kāmāsakto'pi yo nityaṁ bhaktibhāvavivarjitaḥ śālagrāmaśilā putra pūjayitvācyuto bhavet

My son, even one who is ever attached to desire and devoid of devotion, by worshipping the Shaligrama stone, becomes Achyuta.

Verse 8 (padma.6.120.8)

शालग्रामशिला बिंबं हत्वा कोटिविनाशनम् । स्मृतं संकीर्तितं ध्यातं पूजितं च नमस्कृतम्

śālagrāmaśilā biṁbaṁ hatvā koṭivināśanam smṛtaṁ saṁkīrtitaṁ dhyātaṁ pūjitaṁ ca namaskṛtam

The very image of the Shaligrama stone destroys ten million sins — whether remembered, glorified, meditated upon, worshipped, or bowed to.

Verse 9 (padma.6.120.9)

शालग्रामशिलां दृष्ट्वा यांति पापान्यनेकशः । सिंहं दृष्ट्वा यथा यांति वने मृगगणा भयात्

śālagrāmaśilāṁ dṛṣṭvā yāṁti pāpānyanekaśaḥ siṁhaṁ dṛṣṭvā yathā yāṁti vane mṛgagaṇā bhayāt

Sins in their multitudes flee upon seeing the Shaligrama stone, just as herds of deer flee in fear in the forest upon seeing a lion.

Verse 10 (padma.6.120.10)

नमस्कारं तु मनुजः शालग्रामशिलार्चने । भक्त्या वा यदि वाऽभक्त्या कृत्वा मुक्तिमवाप्नुयात्

namaskāraṁ tu manujaḥ śālagrāmaśilārcane bhaktyā vā yadi vā'bhaktyā kṛtvā muktimavāpnuyāt

A man who bows before the Shaligrama stone in worship — whether with devotion or without it — attains liberation.

Verse 11 (padma.6.120.11)

वैवस्वतभयं नास्ति तथा मरणजन्मनोः । यः करोति नरो नित्यं शालग्रामशिलार्चनम्

vaivasvatabhayaṁ nāsti tathā maraṇajanmanoḥ yaḥ karoti naro nityaṁ śālagrāmaśilārcanam

For that man who daily performs the worship of the Shaligrama stone, there is no fear of Yama, nor of death and rebirth.

Verse 12 (padma.6.120.12)

गंधपाद्यार्घनैवेद्यैर्दीपैर्धूपैर्विलेपनैः । गीतैर्वाद्यैस्तथा स्तोत्रैः शालग्रामशिलार्चनम्

gaṁdhapādyārghanaivedyairdīpairdhūpairvilepanaiḥ gītairvādyaistathā stotraiḥ śālagrāmaśilārcanam

With scented water, foot-water, offerings, food-gifts, lamps, incense, unguents, song, music, and hymns — the worship of the Shaligrama stone —

Verse 13 (padma.6.120.13)

कुरुते मानवो यस्तु कलौ भक्तिपरायणः । कल्पकोटिसहस्राणि रमते विष्णुसद्मनि

kurute mānavo yastu kalau bhaktiparāyaṇaḥ kalpakoṭisahasrāṇi ramate viṣṇusadmani

— that whatever man performs, devoted with faith in the Kali age, he dwells joyfully in the abode of Vishnu for a thousand ten-million kalpas.

Verse 14 (padma.6.120.14)

शालग्रामनमस्कारो भावेनापि नरैः कृतः । मानुषत्वं कथं तेषां मद्भक्ता ये नरा भुवि

śālagrāmanamaskāro bhāvenāpi naraiḥ kṛtaḥ mānuṣatvaṁ kathaṁ teṣāṁ madbhaktā ye narā bhuvi

Even a bow to the Shaligrama performed by men merely with feeling — how can such men, who are My devotees on this earth, remain merely human?

Verse 15 (padma.6.120.15)

मद्भक्तास्तीव्रपापिष्ठा मत्प्रभुं न नमंति ये । वासुदेवं न ते ज्ञेया मद्भक्ताः पापमोहिताः

madbhaktāstīvrapāpiṣṭhā matprabhuṁ na namaṁti ye vāsudevaṁ na te jñeyā madbhaktāḥ pāpamohitāḥ

But those who, though claiming to be My devotees, are gravely sinful, and do not bow to Me their Lord — such deluded sinners should not be regarded as true devotees of Vasudeva.

Verse 16 (padma.6.120.16)

मद्भक्तोऽपि च यो भूत्वा भुंक्ते त्वेकादशीदिने । स याति ह्यंधतामिस्रे निरयं मम घातकः

madbhakto'pi ca yo bhūtvā bhuṁkte tvekādaśīdine sa yāti hyaṁdhatāmisre nirayaṁ mama ghātakaḥ

And whoever, though being My devotee, eats food on the day of Ekadashi — he, as a slayer of Me, goes to the hell of Andhatamisra.

Verse 17 (padma.6.120.17)

मल्लिंगस्पर्शनं कार्यं नान्या शुद्धिर्विधीयते । या तिथिर्दयिता विष्णोः सा तिथिर्मम वल्लभा

malliṁgasparśanaṁ kāryaṁ nānyā śuddhirvidhīyate yā tithirdayitā viṣṇoḥ sā tithirmama vallabhā

To atone, one should touch My linga; no other purification is prescribed. Whatever lunar day is dear to Vishnu, that same day is beloved to Me [Shiva].

Verse 18 (padma.6.120.18)

यस्तां नोपवसेन्मर्त्यः स पापी श्वपचाधिकः । शालग्रामशिलायां तु सदा पुत्र वसाम्यहम्

yastāṁ nopavasenmartyaḥ sa pāpī śvapacādhikaḥ śālagrāmaśilāyāṁ tu sadā putra vasāmyaham

Whatever mortal does not fast on that day is a sinner worse than an outcaste dog-cooker. My son, I myself ever dwell within the Shaligrama stone.

Verse 19 (padma.6.120.19)

दत्तं देवेन तुष्टेन स्वस्थानं मम भक्तितः । पद्मकोटिसहस्रैस्तु पूजिते मयि यत्फलम्

dattaṁ devena tuṣṭena svasthānaṁ mama bhaktitaḥ padmakoṭisahasraistu pūjite mayi yatphalam

This has been granted by the pleased God as My own abode, out of devotion. That fruit which is obtained by worshipping Me with a thousand ten-million lotuses —

Verse 20 (padma.6.120.20)

तत्फलं कोटिगुणितं शालग्रामशिलार्चनात् । पूजितोऽहं न तैर्मर्त्यैर्नमितोऽहं न तैर्नरैः

tatphalaṁ koṭiguṇitaṁ śālagrāmaśilārcanāt pūjito'haṁ na tairmartyairnamito'haṁ na tairnaraiḥ

— that same fruit is multiplied ten million times through worship of the Shaligrama stone. I am not truly worshipped, I am not truly bowed to, by those mortals —

Verse 21 (padma.6.120.21)

न कृतं मर्त्यलोके यैः शालग्रामशिलार्चनम् । शालग्रामशिलाग्रे तु यः करोति ममार्चनम्

na kṛtaṁ martyaloke yaiḥ śālagrāmaśilārcanam śālagrāmaśilāgre tu yaḥ karoti mamārcanam

— by whom, in the world of mortals, the worship of the Shaligrama stone has not been performed. But whoever performs My worship before the Shaligrama stone —

Verse 22 (padma.6.120.22)

तेनार्चितोऽहं सेनानीर्युगानामेकविंशतिम् । किमर्चितैर्लिंगशतैर्विष्णुभक्तिविवर्जितैः

tenārcito'haṁ senānīryugānāmekaviṁśatim kimarcitairliṁgaśatairviṣṇubhaktivivarjitaiḥ

— by him, O commander, I am worshipped for twenty-one ages. What use are a hundred lingas worshipped, if devoid of devotion to Vishnu?

Verse 23 (padma.6.120.23)

शालग्रामशिलाबिंबं नार्चितं यदि पुत्रक । अनर्हं मम नैवेद्यं पत्रं पुष्पं फलं जलम्

śālagrāmaśilābiṁbaṁ nārcitaṁ yadi putraka anarhaṁ mama naivedyaṁ patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ jalam

My son, if the image of the Shaligrama stone has not been worshipped, then leaf, flower, fruit, and water offered to Me elsewhere as food-offering are unworthy.

Verse 24 (padma.6.120.24)

शालग्रामशिलाग्रे तु सर्वं याति पवित्रताम् । भुक्त्वान्यदेवनैवेद्यं द्विजश्चांद्रायणं चरेत्

śālagrāmaśilāgre tu sarvaṁ yāti pavitratām bhuktvānyadevanaivedyaṁ dvijaścāṁdrāyaṇaṁ caret

But before the Shaligrama stone, everything becomes purified. A brahmin who eats food-offerings made to another deity first should perform the Chandrayana penance.

Verse 25 (padma.6.120.25)

भुक्त्वा केशवनैवेद्यं यज्ञकोटिफलं लभेत् । पादोदकेन देवस्य हत्याकोटिसमन्विताः

bhuktvā keśavanaivedyaṁ yajñakoṭiphalaṁ labhet pādodakena devasya hatyākoṭisamanvitāḥ

Having eaten the food-offering of Keshava, one obtains the fruit of ten million sacrifices. By the water that has washed the feet of the God, those laden with ten million sins like murder —

Verse 26 (padma.6.120.26)

शुद्ध्यंति नात्र संदेहस्तथा शंखोदकेन हि । यो हि माहेश्वरो भूत्वा वैष्णवं च न पूजयेत्

śuddhyaṁti nātra saṁdehastathā śaṁkhodakena hi yo hi māheśvaro bhūtvā vaiṣṇavaṁ ca na pūjayet

— are purified, without doubt, and likewise by the conch-water. Whoever, though being a devotee of Maheshvara, does not honor a Vaishnava —

Verse 27 (padma.6.120.27)

द्वेष्टा च याति नरकं यावदिंद्राश्चतुर्दश । ज्येष्ठाश्रमी गृहे यस्य मुहूर्त्तमपि विश्रमेत्

dveṣṭā ca yāti narakaṁ yāvadiṁdrāścaturdaśa jyeṣṭhāśramī gṛhe yasya muhūrttamapi viśramet

— and, being hateful, goes to hell for as long as fourteen Indras reign. In whose house an elder ascetic rests even for a moment —

Verse 28 (padma.6.120.28)

पितामहा युगान्यष्टौ भवत्यमृतभोजिनः । संसारे दुःखकांतारे निमज्ज्यंते नराधमाः

pitāmahā yugānyaṣṭau bhavatyamṛtabhojinaḥ saṁsāre duḥkhakāṁtāre nimajjyaṁte narādhamāḥ

— his ancestors, for eight ages, become eaters of ambrosia. The lowest of men, devoid of the worship of Krishna, sink into the forest of suffering that is worldly existence —

Verse 29 (padma.6.120.29)

वर्षकोटिसहस्राणि कृष्णाराधनवर्जिताः । स्नेहादभ्यर्चितैर्लिंगैः शालग्रामसमुद्भवैः

varṣakoṭisahasrāṇi kṛṣṇārādhanavarjitāḥ snehādabhyarcitairliṁgaiḥ śālagrāmasamudbhavaiḥ

— for a thousand ten-million years. But through lingas born of Shaligrama, worshipped with love —

Verse 30 (padma.6.120.30)

मुक्तिं प्रयांति मनुजा योगसांख्येन वर्जिताः । मल्लिंगकोटिभिर्दृष्टैर्यत्फलं पूजितैः स्तुतैः

muktiṁ prayāṁti manujā yogasāṁkhyena varjitāḥ malliṁgakoṭibhirdṛṣṭairyatphalaṁ pūjitaiḥ stutaiḥ

— men attain liberation even without recourse to yoga or Sankhya. That fruit which comes from beholding, worshipping, and praising ten million lingas of Mine —

Verse 31 (padma.6.120.31)

शालग्रामशिलायां तु एकस्यामिह तद्भवेत् । द्वादशैव शिला यो वै शालग्रामसमुद्भवाः

śālagrāmaśilāyāṁ tu ekasyāmiha tadbhavet dvādaśaiva śilā yo vai śālagrāmasamudbhavāḥ

— that same fruit is obtained here through a single Shaligrama stone. Whoever worships the twelve stones that are born of Shaligrama —

Verse 32 (padma.6.120.32)

अर्चयेद्वैष्णवो नित्यं तस्य पुण्यं न बोध मे । कोटिलिंगसहस्रैस्तु पूजितैर्जाह्नवी तटे

arcayedvaiṣṇavo nityaṁ tasya puṇyaṁ na bodha me koṭiliṁgasahasraistu pūjitairjāhnavī taṭe

— that Vaishnava daily worshipping them, the extent of his merit is not even known to Me. That which comes from worshipping a thousand ten-million lingas on the bank of the Ganga,

Verse 33 (padma.6.120.33)

काशीवासे युगान्यष्टौ दिनेनैकेन तद्भवेत् । किं पुनर्बहुना यस्तु पूजयेद्वैष्णवो नरः

kāśīvāse yugānyaṣṭau dinenaikena tadbhavet kiṁ punarbahunā yastu pūjayedvaiṣṇavo naraḥ

— and from dwelling at Kashi for eight ages — that same is obtained in a single day. What need then of saying more? Whatever Vaishnava man worships —

Verse 34 (padma.6.120.34)

नाहं ब्रह्मादयो देवाः संख्यां कर्तुं समीहते । तस्माद्भक्त्या च मद्भक्तैः प्रीत्यर्थं मम पुत्रक

nāhaṁ brahmādayo devāḥ saṁkhyāṁ kartuṁ samīhate tasmādbhaktyā ca madbhaktaiḥ prītyarthaṁ mama putraka

— neither I nor the gods beginning with Brahma can even attempt to number his merit. Therefore, my son, for the sake of My pleasure, by My devotees, with devotion —

Verse 35 (padma.6.120.35)

कर्त्तव्यं मम तद्भक्त्या शालग्रामशिलार्च्चनम् । शालग्रामशिलारूपी यत्र तिष्ठति केशवः

karttavyaṁ mama tadbhaktyā śālagrāmaśilārccanam śālagrāmaśilārūpī yatra tiṣṭhati keśavaḥ

— the worship of the Shaligrama stone must be performed for My sake. Wherever Keshava abides in the form of the Shaligrama stone —

Verse 36 (padma.6.120.36)

तत्र देवासुरा यक्षा भुवनानि चतुर्दश

tatra devāsurā yakṣā bhuvanāni caturdaśa

— there abide the gods, the demons, the Yakshas, and the fourteen worlds.

Verse 37 (padma.6.120.37)

सुराणां कीर्तनैः सर्वैः कोटिभिश्च फलं लभेत् । तत्फलं कीर्त्तनादेव केशवे सुकृतं कलौ

surāṇāṁ kīrtanaiḥ sarvaiḥ koṭibhiśca phalaṁ labhet tatphalaṁ kīrttanādeva keśave sukṛtaṁ kalau

That fruit which is obtained by ten million recitations praising all the gods — that same fruit, in the Kali age, is obtained by the mere meritorious recitation of Keshava's name.

Verse 38 (padma.6.120.38)

शालग्रामशिलाग्रे तु सकृत्पिंडेन तर्पिताः । वसंति पितरस्तस्य न संख्या तत्र विद्यते

śālagrāmaśilāgre tu sakṛtpiṁḍena tarpitāḥ vasaṁti pitarastasya na saṁkhyā tatra vidyate

His ancestors, satisfied even by a single rice-ball offered before the Shaligrama stone, dwell in bliss for a period that cannot even be numbered.

Verse 39 (padma.6.120.39)

ये पिबंति नरा भक्त्या शालग्रामशिलाजलम् । पंचगव्यसहस्रैस्तु प्राशितैः किं प्रयोजनम्

ye pibaṁti narā bhaktyā śālagrāmaśilājalam paṁcagavyasahasraistu prāśitaiḥ kiṁ prayojanam

For those men who drink the water of the Shaligrama stone with devotion, what need is there even of drinking a thousand measures of panchagavya?

Verse 40 (padma.6.120.40)

प्रायश्चित्ते समुत्पन्ने किं दानैः किमुपोषणैः । चांद्रायणैः सुचीर्णैश्च पीत्वा पादोदकं हरेः

prāyaścitte samutpanne kiṁ dānaiḥ kimupoṣaṇaiḥ cāṁdrāyaṇaiḥ sucīrṇaiśca pītvā pādodakaṁ hareḥ

When atonement is needed, what need of gifts, what need of fasts, or of duly performed Chandrayana penances, for one who has drunk the water that has washed Hari's feet?

Verse 41 (padma.6.120.41)

यः करोति तडागे तु प्रतिमां जलशायिनीम् । कोटिभिश्चापि किं कार्यमन्यदेवैश्च पूजितैः

yaḥ karoti taḍāge tu pratimāṁ jalaśāyinīm koṭibhiścāpi kiṁ kāryamanyadevaiśca pūjitaiḥ

For whoever makes worship of an image lying in the water of a tank, what need is there even of worshipping other gods ten million times over?

Verse 42 (padma.6.120.42)

विष्णुमुख्यास्तु वै देवास्तत्र जल्पंति वै सह । प्रमाणमस्ति सर्वस्य सुकृतस्य हि पुत्रक

viṣṇumukhyāstu vai devāstatra jalpaṁti vai saha pramāṇamasti sarvasya sukṛtasya hi putraka

There, the gods headed by Vishnu themselves converse together. My son, there is a fixed measure for the merit of every other virtuous deed —

Verse 43 (padma.6.120.43)

फलप्रमाणं नैवास्तिशालग्रामशिलार्चन । यो ददाति शिलां विष्णोः शालग्रामसमुद्भवाम्

phalapramāṇaṁ naivāstiśālagrāmaśilārcana yo dadāti śilāṁ viṣṇoḥ śālagrāmasamudbhavām

— but for the worship of the Shaligrama stone, there is no fixed measure of its fruit. Whoever gives a stone of Vishnu born of Shaligrama —

Verse 44 (padma.6.120.44)

विप्राय विष्णुभक्ताय तेनेष्टं क्रतुभिः शतैः । गृहेऽपि वसतस्तस्य गंगास्नानं दिनेदिने

viprāya viṣṇubhaktāya teneṣṭaṁ kratubhiḥ śataiḥ gṛhe'pi vasatastasya gaṁgāsnānaṁ dinedine

— to a Vishnu-devoted brahmin, by him a hundred sacrifices have been performed. Even while dwelling at home, he obtains, day after day, the merit of bathing in the Ganga.

Verse 45 (padma.6.120.45)

स स्नातः सर्वतीर्थेषु सर्वयज्ञेषु दीक्षितः । शालग्रामशिलातोयैरभिषेकं समाचरेत्

sa snātaḥ sarvatīrtheṣu sarvayajñeṣu dīkṣitaḥ śālagrāmaśilātoyairabhiṣekaṁ samācaret

He has bathed in all sacred waters, and been initiated into all sacrifices — for one who performs the ritual bathing with the water of the Shaligrama stone.

Verse 46 (padma.6.120.46)

स्वर्गे मर्त्ये च पाताले पाषाणाः संति वै गुह । शालग्रामशिला ग्राव्णा नास्ति नास्ति समा पुनः

svarge martye ca pātāle pāṣāṇāḥ saṁti vai guha śālagrāmaśilā grāvṇā nāsti nāsti samā punaḥ

O Guha, there are stones in heaven, on earth, and in the netherworld — but there is truly, truly none equal to the Shaligrama stone among stones.

Verse 47 (padma.6.120.47)

मानुषे दुर्ल्लभे लोके सफलं तस्य जीवितम् । तिलप्रस्थशतं भक्त्या यो ददाति दिनेदिने

mānuṣe durllabhe loke saphalaṁ tasya jīvitam tilaprasthaśataṁ bhaktyā yo dadāti dinedine

In this human world, so hard to attain, his life alone is fruitful. That fruit which one obtains by devotedly giving a hundred measures of sesame day after day —

Verse 48 (padma.6.120.48)

तत्फलं समवाप्नोति शालग्रामशिलार्चनात् । पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं मूलं दूर्वादलं तथा

tatphalaṁ samavāpnoti śālagrāmaśilārcanāt patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ mūlaṁ dūrvādalaṁ tathā

— that same fruit is obtained through the worship of the Shaligrama stone. A leaf, a flower, a fruit, water, a root, or a blade of durva grass —

Verse 49 (padma.6.120.49)

जायते मेरुणा तुल्यं शालग्रामे समर्पितम् । विधिहीनोऽपि यः कश्चित्क्रियामंत्रविवर्जितः

jāyate meruṇā tulyaṁ śālagrāme samarpitam vidhihīno'pi yaḥ kaścitkriyāmaṁtravivarjitaḥ

— when offered to the Shaligrama, becomes equal in merit to offering Mount Meru itself. Even one who is without proper procedure, devoid of ritual and mantra —

Verse 50 (padma.6.120.50)

चक्रांकभुज आप्नोति सम्यक्शास्त्रोदितं फलम् । यत्तु पूर्वं मया दृष्टं केशवे क्लेशनाशनम्

cakrāṁkabhuja āpnoti samyakśāstroditaṁ phalam yattu pūrvaṁ mayā dṛṣṭaṁ keśave kleśanāśanam

— if the stone bears the mark of the discus on its face, he obtains the full fruit declared in the scriptures. That which I myself once beheld in Keshava, the destroyer of afflictions —

Verse 51 (padma.6.120.51)

तत्सर्वं कथयिष्यामि तव स्नेहेन पुत्रक । क्व त्वं वससि हे विष्णो किमाधारः किमाश्रयः

tatsarvaṁ kathayiṣyāmi tava snehena putraka kva tvaṁ vasasi he viṣṇo kimādhāraḥ kimāśrayaḥ

— all of that I shall tell you, my son, out of love for you. [I, Shiva, once asked:] "Where do you dwell, O Vishnu? What is your support, what is your abode?

Verse 52 (padma.6.120.52)

कथं वा प्रीयसे देव तत्सर्वं कथयस्व मे । श्रीकृष्ण उवाच। निवसामि सदा शंभो शालग्रामोद्भवेऽश्मनि

kathaṁ vā prīyase deva tatsarvaṁ kathayasva me śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca nivasāmi sadā śaṁbho śālagrāmodbhave'śmani

And how, O God, are you pleased? Tell me all of that." Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: [Vishnu replied:] "O Shambhu, I ever dwell in the stone born at Shaligrama —

Verse 53 (padma.6.120.53)

तत्रैव रथचक्रांके यानि नामानि मे शृणु । द्वारदेशे समे चक्रे दृश्येते नांतरं यदि । वासुदेवः स विज्ञेयः शुक्लश्चैवातिशोभनः

tatraiva rathacakrāṁke yāni nāmāni me śṛṇu dvāradeśe same cakre dṛśyete nāṁtaraṁ yadi vāsudevaḥ sa vijñeyaḥ śuklaścaivātiśobhanaḥ

— hear there the names of Mine marked by the chariot-wheel. If, at the mouth-opening, two even discus-marks are seen without any gap between them, it should be known as Vasudeva form, white and exceedingly beautiful.

Verse 54 (padma.6.120.54)

प्रद्युम्नः सूर्यवक्त्रस्तु नीलदीप्तिस्तथैव च । सुषिरं च्छिद्रबहुलं दीर्घाकारं तु तद्भवेत्

pradyumnaḥ sūryavaktrastu nīladīptistathaiva ca suṣiraṁ cchidrabahulaṁ dīrghākāraṁ tu tadbhavet

Pradyumna has an opening like the sun, with a blue luster; it is hollow, has many small holes, and is of elongated shape.

Verse 55 (padma.6.120.55)

अनिरुद्धस्तु पीताभो वर्त्तुलश्चातिशोभनः । रेखात्रयांकितो द्वारि दृष्टपद्मेन चिह्नवत्

aniruddhastu pītābho varttulaścātiśobhanaḥ rekhātrayāṁkito dvāri dṛṣṭapadmena cihnavat

Aniruddha has a yellow luster, is round and exceedingly beautiful, marked with three lines at its opening, and bears the sign of a visible lotus.

Verse 56 (padma.6.120.56)

श्यामो नारायणो देवो नाभिचक्रे तथोन्नते । दीर्घ रेषा समोपेतो दक्षिणे सुषिरान्वितः

śyāmo nārāyaṇo devo nābhicakre tathonnate dīrgha reṣā samopeto dakṣiṇe suṣirānvitaḥ

The God Narayana is dark, with the discus raised at the navel-place, joined with a long even line, and possessing a hollow on the right side.

Verse 57 (padma.6.120.57)

ऊर्ध्वंमुखं च जानीयात्सुंदरं हरिरूपिणम् । कामदं मोक्षदं चैव अर्थदं च विशेषतः

ūrdhvaṁmukhaṁ ca jānīyātsuṁdaraṁ harirūpiṇam kāmadaṁ mokṣadaṁ caiva arthadaṁ ca viśeṣataḥ

One should recognize it with its face turned upward, beautiful, bearing the form of Hari — granting desire, granting liberation, and especially granting wealth.

Verse 58 (padma.6.120.58)

परमेष्ठी च शुक्लाभः पद्मचक्रसमन्वितः । बिंबाकृतिस्तथा पृष्ठे सुषिरं चातिपुष्कलम्

parameṣṭhī ca śuklābhaḥ padmacakrasamanvitaḥ biṁbākṛtistathā pṛṣṭhe suṣiraṁ cātipuṣkalam

Parameshthi form is of white luster, joined with a lotus and a discus, of round shape at the back, and with a very ample hollow.

Verse 59 (padma.6.120.59)

कृष्णवर्णस्तथा विष्णुर्मूले चक्रे सुशोभने । द्वारोपरि तथा रेखा लक्ष्यते मध्यदेशतः

kṛṣṇavarṇastathā viṣṇurmūle cakre suśobhane dvāropari tathā rekhā lakṣyate madhyadeśataḥ

Vishnu form is of dark color, with a beautiful discus at the base, and a line is seen above the opening, from the middle region.

Verse 60 (padma.6.120.60)

कपिलो नरसिंहश्च पृथुचक्रः सुशोभितः । ब्रह्मचर्येण पूज्योसावन्यथा विघ्नदो भवेत्

kapilo narasiṁhaśca pṛthucakraḥ suśobhitaḥ brahmacaryeṇa pūjyosāvanyathā vighnado bhavet

Narasimha form is tawny, beautifully adorned with a broad discus; it should be worshipped only in a state of celibacy, otherwise it becomes an obstacle-causer.

Verse 61 (padma.6.120.61)

वाराहः शक्तिलिंगस्तु चक्रे च विषमे स्मृते । इंद्र नीलनिभः स्थूलस्त्रिरेखो नाभितः शुभः

vārāhaḥ śaktiliṁgastu cakre ca viṣame smṛte iṁdra nīlanibhaḥ sthūlastrirekho nābhitaḥ śubhaḥ

Varaha form bears the mark of a spear-like linga, and is remembered by its uneven discus; it is dark-blue like sapphire, thick, marked with three lines, auspicious from the navel.

Verse 62 (padma.6.120.62)

दीर्घाकांचनवर्णाया बिंदुत्रयविभूषिता । मत्स्याख्या सा शिला ज्ञेया भुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रदा

dīrghākāṁcanavarṇāyā biṁdutrayavibhūṣitā matsyākhyā sā śilā jñeyā bhuktimuktiphalapradā

That stone which is elongated, golden in color, and adorned with three dots, should be known as the Matsya form, bestowing the fruit of both enjoyment and liberation.

Verse 63 (padma.6.120.63)

कूर्मस्तथोन्नतः पृष्ठे वर्तुलश्चक्रपूरितः । हरितं वर्णमाधत्ते कौस्तुभेन तु चिह्नितः

kūrmastathonnataḥ pṛṣṭhe vartulaścakrapūritaḥ haritaṁ varṇamādhatte kaustubhena tu cihnitaḥ

The Kurma form is raised at the back, round, filled with discus-marks, bears a green color, and is marked with the sign of the Kaustubha jewel.

Verse 64 (padma.6.120.64)

हयग्रीवो हयाकारो रेखापंचकभूषितः । बहुबिंदुसमाकीर्णः पृष्ठे नीलं च रूपकम्

hayagrīvo hayākāro rekhāpaṁcakabhūṣitaḥ bahubiṁdusamākīrṇaḥ pṛṣṭhe nīlaṁ ca rūpakam

Hayagriva has the shape of a horse, is adorned with five lines, thickly strewn with many dots, and bears a blue mark on its back.

Verse 65 (padma.6.120.65)

वैकुंठमविभिन्नांगं चक्रमेकं तथा ध्वजम् । द्वारोपरि तथा रेखा गुंजाकारा सुशोभना

vaikuṁṭhamavibhinnāṁgaṁ cakramekaṁ tathā dhvajam dvāropari tathā rekhā guṁjākārā suśobhanā

Vaikuntha form is undivided in its parts, bearing a single discus and a banner-mark; above its opening is a beautiful line shaped like a gunja seed.

Verse 66 (padma.6.120.66)

श्रीधरस्तु तथा देवश्चिह्नितो वनमालया । कदंबकुसुमाकारो रेखापंचकभूषितः

śrīdharastu tathā devaścihnito vanamālayā kadaṁbakusumākāro rekhāpaṁcakabhūṣitaḥ

The god Shridhara is marked with a forest-garland, shaped like a kadamba flower, and adorned with five lines.

Verse 67 (padma.6.120.67)

वर्तुलश्चापि हृस्वश्च वामनः परिकीर्तितः । अतसीकुसुमप्रख्यो बिंदुना परिशोभितः

vartulaścāpi hṛsvaśca vāmanaḥ parikīrtitaḥ atasīkusumaprakhyo biṁdunā pariśobhitaḥ

Vamana is declared to be round and small, resembling the flax flower in color, and beautifully adorned with a dot.

Verse 68 (padma.6.120.68)

सुदर्शनस्ततो देवः श्यामवर्णो महाद्युतिः । वामपार्श्वे गदाचक्रे रेखा चैव तु दक्षिणे

sudarśanastato devaḥ śyāmavarṇo mahādyutiḥ vāmapārśve gadācakre rekhā caiva tu dakṣiṇe

The god Sudarshana is then dark in color and of great splendor, with a mace-mark and discus on the left side, and a line on the right.

Verse 69 (padma.6.120.69)

दामोदरस्तथा स्थूलो मध्ये चक्रं प्रतिष्ठितम् । दूर्वाभं द्वारसंकीर्णं पीतरेखं तथैव च

dāmodarastathā sthūlo madhye cakraṁ pratiṣṭhitam dūrvābhaṁ dvārasaṁkīrṇaṁ pītarekhaṁ tathaiva ca

Damodara is likewise thick, with the discus established in the middle; it has the color of durva grass, a narrow opening, and likewise a yellow line.

Verse 70 (padma.6.120.70)

नानावर्णो ह्यनंतस्तु नानाभोगेन चिह्नितः । अनेकमूर्तिकोभिन्नः सर्वकामफलप्रदः

nānāvarṇo hyanaṁtastu nānābhogena cihnitaḥ anekamūrtikobhinnaḥ sarvakāmaphalapradaḥ

Ananta is of various colors, marked with many serpent-coils, undivided though bearing many forms, bestowing the fruit of every desire.

Verse 71 (padma.6.120.71)

विदिक्षुदिक्षुसर्वासु यस्योर्ध्वं दृश्यते मुखम् । पुरुषोत्तमः स विज्ञेयो भुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रदः

vidikṣudikṣusarvāsu yasyordhvaṁ dṛśyate mukham puruṣottamaḥ sa vijñeyo bhuktimuktiphalapradaḥ

That stone whose face is seen turned upward in all the intermediate and cardinal directions should be known as Purushottama, bestowing the fruit of both enjoyment and liberation.

Verse 72 (padma.6.120.72)

दृश्यते शिखरे लिंगं शालग्रामशिलोद्भवम् । यस्य योगेश्वरो देवो ब्रह्महत्यां व्यपोहति

dṛśyate śikhare liṁgaṁ śālagrāmaśilodbhavam yasya yogeśvaro devo brahmahatyāṁ vyapohati

That Shaligrama stone upon whose crest a linga-mark is seen — the God Yogeshvara present in it removes even the sin of killing a brahmin.

Verse 73 (padma.6.120.73)

आरक्तः पद्मनाभस्तु पंकजं वक्त्रसंयुतम् । तस्याभ्यर्चनतो नित्यं द्ररिद्रस्त्वीश्वरो भवेत्

āraktaḥ padmanābhastu paṁkajaṁ vaktrasaṁyutam tasyābhyarcanato nityaṁ draridrastvīśvaro bhavet

Padmanabha is reddish, joined with a lotus at its mouth; by ever worshipping it, even a poor man becomes a lord of wealth.

Verse 74 (padma.6.120.74)

चक्रांकितं हिरण्यांगं रश्मिजालं विनिर्दिशेत् । सुवर्णरेखाबहुलं स्फाटिकद्युतिशोभितम्

cakrāṁkitaṁ hiraṇyāṁgaṁ raśmijālaṁ vinirdiśet suvarṇarekhābahulaṁ sphāṭikadyutiśobhitam

One should designate as the highest quality that which is marked with a discus, golden in body, indicating a network of rays, abundant with golden lines, and shining with crystal luster.

Verse 75 (padma.6.120.75)

अतिस्निग्धा सिद्धिकरी कृष्णा कीर्तिं ददाति च । पांडुरा पापदहनी पितापुत्रफलप्रदा

atisnigdhā siddhikarī kṛṣṇā kīrtiṁ dadāti ca pāṁḍurā pāpadahanī pitāputraphalapradā

The very glossy stone brings accomplishment; the black one bestows fame; the pale-white one burns away sin and grants the fruit of good fathers and sons.

Verse 76 (padma.6.120.76)

नीला प्रयच्छती लक्ष्मीं रक्ता रोगप्रदायिनी । रूक्षा उद्वेगजननी वक्रा दारिद्र्यभागिनी

nīlā prayacchatī lakṣmīṁ raktā rogapradāyinī rūkṣā udvegajananī vakrā dāridryabhāginī

The blue one bestows Lakshmi; the red one brings disease; the rough one generates anxiety; the crooked one brings poverty.

Verse 77 (padma.6.120.77)

एकं सुदर्शनं ज्ञेयं लक्ष्मीनारायणं द्वयम् । तृतीयं चाच्युतं विद्याच्चतुर्थं तु जनार्दनम्

ekaṁ sudarśanaṁ jñeyaṁ lakṣmīnārāyaṇaṁ dvayam tṛtīyaṁ cācyutaṁ vidyāccaturthaṁ tu janārdanam

The first should be known as Sudarshana; the second, Lakshmi-Narayana; the third should be known as Achyuta; and the fourth, Janardana.

Verse 78 (padma.6.120.78)

पंचमं वासुदेवं च षष्ठं प्रद्युम्नमेव च । संकर्षर्णं सप्तमं च अष्टमं पुरुषोत्तमम्

paṁcamaṁ vāsudevaṁ ca ṣaṣṭhaṁ pradyumnameva ca saṁkarṣarṇaṁ saptamaṁ ca aṣṭamaṁ puruṣottamam

The fifth is Vasudeva; the sixth is Pradyumna; the seventh is Sankarshana; and the eighth is Purushottama.

Verse 79 (padma.6.120.79)

नवमं च नवव्यूहं दशमं तु तदात्मकम् । एकादशं चानिरुद्धं द्वादशं द्वादशात्मकम्

navamaṁ ca navavyūhaṁ daśamaṁ tu tadātmakam ekādaśaṁ cāniruddhaṁ dvādaśaṁ dvādaśātmakam

The ninth is the Nine-fold Array; the tenth is of that same nature; the eleventh is Aniruddha; and the twelfth is of twelvefold nature.

Verse 80 (padma.6.120.80)

अत ऊर्ध्वं तु चक्राणि दृश्यंतेऽनंतसंज्ञके । खंडिते त्रुटिते भग्ने सालग्रामे न दोषभाक्

ata ūrdhvaṁ tu cakrāṇi dṛśyaṁte'naṁtasaṁjñake khaṁḍite truṭite bhagne sālagrāme na doṣabhāk

Beyond this, the discus-marks are seen in the one called Ananta. Even if the Shaligrama is chipped, cracked, or broken, one is not thereby at fault.

Verse 81 (padma.6.120.81)

इष्टा च यस्य या मूर्तिः स तां यत्नेन पूजयेत् । स्कंधे कृत्वा तु योऽध्वानं वहते शैलनायकम्

iṣṭā ca yasya yā mūrtiḥ sa tāṁ yatnena pūjayet skaṁdhe kṛtvā tu yo'dhvānaṁ vahate śailanāyakam

Whichever form is dear to a person, he should worship that one with care. Whoever, having placed the lord of stones upon his shoulder, carries it on a journey —

Verse 82 (padma.6.120.82)

तस्य वश्यं भवेत्सर्वं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम् । शालग्रामशिला यत्र तत्र संनिहितो हरिः

tasya vaśyaṁ bhavetsarvaṁ trailokyaṁ sacarācaram śālagrāmaśilā yatra tatra saṁnihito hariḥ

— to him the entire three worlds, moving and unmoving, become subject. Wherever the Shaligrama stone is, there Hari is truly present.

Verse 83 (padma.6.120.83)

तत्र दानं जपः स्नानं वाराणस्याः शताधिकम् । कुरुक्षेत्रे प्रयागे च नैमिषे पुष्करे तथा

tatra dānaṁ japaḥ snānaṁ vārāṇasyāḥ śatādhikam kurukṣetre prayāge ca naimiṣe puṣkare tathā

There, gifts, japa, and bathing are more than a hundred times as meritorious as at Varanasi, at Kurukshetra, at Prayaga, at Naimisha, and at Pushkara.

Verse 84 (padma.6.120.84)

तत्र कोटिगुणं पुण्यं वाराणस्यां महाफलम् । ब्रह्महत्यादिकं पापं यत्किंचित्कुरुते नरः

tatra koṭiguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ vārāṇasyāṁ mahāphalam brahmahatyādikaṁ pāpaṁ yatkiṁcitkurute naraḥ

There, the merit is ten million times that of the great fruit at Varanasi. Whatever sin a man commits — even the killing of a brahmin —

Verse 85 (padma.6.120.85)

तत्सर्वं निर्दहत्याशु शालग्रामशिलार्चनम् । शालग्रामोद्भवो देवो यत्र द्वारावतीभवः

tatsarvaṁ nirdahatyāśu śālagrāmaśilārcanam śālagrāmodbhavo devo yatra dvārāvatībhavaḥ

— the worship of the Shaligrama stone swiftly burns it all away. Where the God born of Shaligrama meets the image born at Dvaraka —

Verse 86 (padma.6.120.86)

उभयोः संगमो यत्र मुक्तिस्तत्र न संशयः । ब्रह्मचारि गृहस्थैश्च वानप्रस्थैश्च भिक्षुभिः

ubhayoḥ saṁgamo yatra muktistatra na saṁśayaḥ brahmacāri gṛhasthaiśca vānaprasthaiśca bhikṣubhiḥ

— where the two meet, there is liberation without doubt. By the celibate student, by householders, by forest-dwellers, and by wandering mendicants —

Verse 87 (padma.6.120.87)

भोक्तव्यं विष्णुनैवेद्यं नात्र कार्या विचारणा । तत्पूजनेन मंत्राश्च न जपो न च भावना

bhoktavyaṁ viṣṇunaivedyaṁ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā tatpūjanena maṁtrāśca na japo na ca bhāvanā

— the food-offering of Vishnu should be eaten; no deliberation is needed here. In the worship of that stone, no additional mantras —

Verse 88 (padma.6.120.88)

न स्तुतिर्नापि चाचारः शालग्रामशिलार्चने । शालग्रामशिलाग्रे तु कृत्वा स्वस्तिकमादरात्

na stutirnāpi cācāraḥ śālagrāmaśilārcane śālagrāmaśilāgre tu kṛtvā svastikamādarāt

— no japa, and no special meditation are required; nor is there need of hymns of praise, nor of elaborate ritual procedure, in the worship of the Shaligrama stone. Having reverently drawn a svastika before the Shaligrama stone —

Verse 89 (padma.6.120.89)

कार्तिके तु विशेषेण पुनात्यासप्तमं कुलम् । अणुमात्रं तु यः कुर्यान्मंडलं केशवाग्रतः

kārtike tu viśeṣeṇa punātyāsaptamaṁ kulam aṇumātraṁ tu yaḥ kuryānmaṁḍalaṁ keśavāgrataḥ

— especially in Kartika, it purifies one's family up to the seventh generation. Whoever draws even a tiny mandala before Keshava —

Verse 90 (padma.6.120.90)

मृदाधातुविकारैश्च कल्पकोटिं दिवं वसेत् । यस्तु संवत्सरं पूर्णमग्निहोत्रमुपासते

mṛdādhātuvikāraiśca kalpakoṭiṁ divaṁ vaset yastu saṁvatsaraṁ pūrṇamagnihotramupāsate

— using clay, minerals, or their derivatives, dwells in heaven for ten million kalpas. That which one who tends the Agnihotra fire for a full year obtains —

Verse 91 (padma.6.120.91)

कार्तिके स्वस्तिकं कृत्वा सममेतन्न संशयः । अगम्यागमने चैव ह्यभक्षस्य तु भक्षणे

kārtike svastikaṁ kṛtvā samametanna saṁśayaḥ agamyāgamane caiva hyabhakṣasya tu bhakṣaṇe

— is equalled, without doubt, by drawing a svastika in Kartika. Even the sin of approaching a forbidden woman, or of eating what should not be eaten —

Verse 92 (padma.6.120.92)

तत्पापं नाशमायाति मंडयित्वा हरेर्गृहम् । मंडलं कुरुते नित्यं या नारी केशवाग्रतः । सप्तजन्मानि वैधव्यं न प्राप्नोति कदाचन

tatpāpaṁ nāśamāyāti maṁḍayitvā harergṛham maṁḍalaṁ kurute nityaṁ yā nārī keśavāgrataḥ saptajanmāni vaidhavyaṁ na prāpnoti kadācana

— that sin is destroyed by decorating the house of Hari. Whatever woman daily draws a mandala before Keshava never attains widowhood for seven births.