Shloka 18
The Greatness of the Gaṇḍakī River and the Śālagrāma Stone
पूजयेद्यो नरो धीमाञ्छालग्रामशिलां वराम् । तेनाचारवता भाव्यं दंभलोभवियोगिना
pūjayedyo naro dhīmāñchālagrāmaśilāṃ varām | tenācāravatā bhāvyaṃ daṃbhalobhaviyoginā
إنّ الرجل الحكيم الذي يعبد حجر شالاغراما الجليل ينبغي أن يسلك بسلوكٍ قويم وانضباطٍ حسن، متحرّرًا من الرياء والطمع.
Unknown (context not provided; likely a narrator/teacher within the Purāṇic dialogue tradition)
Concept: True worship requires ācāra (right conduct): discipline, and freedom from hypocrisy (dambha) and greed (lobha).
Application: Pair devotional routines with character audits: reduce performative religiosity, simplify desires, practice honest dealings and generosity.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A wise devotee sits before a Śālagrāma on a clean altar, but the focus is on inner purity: behind him, shadow-figures labeled ‘hypocrisy’ and ‘greed’ fade away like smoke. The devotee’s posture is simple and disciplined, suggesting that the true offering is integrity.","primary_figures":["wise devotee (dhīmān)","Śālagrāma-śilā","allegorical forms of dambha and lobha (fading)"],"setting":"Quiet shrine room or forest hermitage altar with minimal objects: water pot, flowers, lamp, scripture stand.","lighting_mood":"soft twilight serenity","color_palette":["smoke gray","lamp amber","saffron ochre","basalt black","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central Śālagrāma on a gold-embellished pedestal; wise devotee with calm gaze; symbolic dark figures of greed and hypocrisy dissolving at the edges; gold leaf accents on lamp and halo, rich maroons and greens, ornate yet morally didactic composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: restrained interior with delicate lines; devotee and small altar rendered with simplicity; faint translucent shadows of lobha/dambha drifting away; cool muted palette with warm lamp glow, refined contemplative mood.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic devotee and Śālagrāma with bold outlines; allegorical demons of greed/hypocrisy stylized and receding; earthy pigments, temple-wall didactic clarity, symmetrical framing.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central lotus pedestal with Śālagrāma; border filled with repeating tulasi-like floral motifs (as a general Vaishnava aesthetic) and cakra patterns; dark swirling motifs at corners representing greed/hypocrisy being dispelled by golden lamp-light; intricate ornamentation and devotional symbolism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft bell","low drone (tanpura)","silence","distant flowing water"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूजयेद्यो → पूजयेत् + यः (t + y → dy). धीमाञ्छालग्रामशिलाम् → धीमान् + शालग्रामशिलाम् (न् + श् → ञ्छ्). तेनाचारवता → तेन + आचारवता (a+a → ā).
FAQs
It teaches that worship of Śālagrāma (a sacred emblem of Viṣṇu) must be paired with personal integrity—proper conduct, not mere ritual.
It frames devotion as ethical and inward: true bhakti requires freedom from hypocrisy (dambha) and greed (lobha), aligning character with worship.
Religious practice is incomplete without moral discipline; one should avoid showy piety and material motives while engaging in sacred worship.