Devi Bhagavatam — Skandha 9 - Devotion & Grace of the Goddess, Shloka 12

Yama's Description of Karma Vipaka and the Supremacy of Devi Yajna

Devanagari script

यो ददाति ब्राह्मणाय शालग्रामं सवस्त्रकम् । महीयते स वैकुण्ठे यावच्चन्द्रदिवाकरौ

Transliteration

yo dadāti brāhmaṇāya śālagrāmaṃ savastrakam | mahīyate sa vaikuṇṭhe yāvaccandradivākarau

Translation

Wer einem Brahmanen eine Shalagrama zusammen mit Kleidern schenkt, wird in Vaikuntha verehrt, solange Mond und Sonne existieren.

Word by Word

• śālagrāmam: Shalagrama stone
• śālagrāmam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śālagrāma
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• savastrakam: along with clothes
• savastrakam: Viśeṣaṇa (Modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: savastraka
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• vaikuṇṭhe: in Vaikuntha
• vaikuṇṭhe: Adhikaraṇa (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaikuṇṭha
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• yāvat: as long as
• yāvat: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yāvat
• Form: null

• candradivākarau: moon and sun
• candradivākarau: Kartā (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: candradivākara
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

Speaker

Yama

Shakti Theology

Devi Form: null

Mahavidya Connection: null

Shakti Manifestation: null

Tattva Discussed: null

Devi Narrative

Demon Antagonist: null

Devi Weapon Used: null

Narrative Source: null

Story Arc Position: null

Tantra Dimension

Mantra Referenced: null

Yantra Referenced: null

Kundalini Element: null

Chakra Referenced: null

Tantric Practice Type: null

Bhakti & Stuti

Stuti Type: null

Recitation Occasion: null

Phala Shruti: Glorification in Vaikuntha for as long as the sun and moon exist.

Devotee Offering Stuti: null

Cosmic Feminine

Maya Aspect: null

Creation Role: null

Shakti Philosophy: null

Relation To Brahman: null

Vyasa-Janamejaya Dialogue

Narrator: Yama

Listener: Savitri

Dialogue Context: Describing the ultimate merit of donating a Shalagrama stone.

Narrative Layer: embedded

Ritual Context

Text: Gifting a Shalagrama is considered one of the highest spiritual gifts, often given to a Guru or a devout Vaishnava.

Philosophical Significance

Text: Since the Shalagrama is Vishnu Himself, gifting it means facilitating supreme worship for another. This selfless act grants the highest eternal liberation (Vaikuntha).

Characters & Entities

• Brahmana
• Shalagrama
• Vaikuntha
• Chandra
• Divakara

FAQs

What is a Shalagrama?

A Shalagrama is a sacred fossilized stone found in the Gandaki river, worshipped as a direct, non-anthropomorphic manifestation of Lord Vishnu.

What is the reward for gifting a Shalagrama?

The giver resides in Vaikuntha (the supreme abode of Vishnu) eternally, as long as the sun and moon exist.