Shloka 16
The Greatness of the Gaṇḍakī River and the Śālagrāma Stone
अस्यां भवा ये चाश्मानश्चक्रचिह्नैरलंकृताः । ते साक्षाद्भगवंतो हि स्वस्वरूपधराः पराः
asyāṃ bhavā ye cāśmānaścakracihnairalaṃkṛtāḥ | te sākṣādbhagavaṃto hi svasvarūpadharāḥ parāḥ
Und die Steine, die man hier findet und die mit den Zeichen des Cakra (Diskus) geschmückt sind, sind wahrlich der selige Herr selbst — höchste Wesen, die ihre eigene wesensgemäße Gestalt annehmen.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Pātālakhaṇḍa 20)
Concept: The Lord is directly present in Śālagrāma stones marked by the cakra; worship is worship of Bhagavān Himself.
Application: Cultivate reverence for sacred symbols and consecrated forms; practice daily pūjā with purity and attentiveness, seeing the divine as truly present.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On a riverbank strewn with smooth black stones, several Śālagrāma-śilās gleam—each bearing a crisp cakra-like spiral. As a sage lifts one in both hands, a subtle vision overlays the stone: Vishnu’s form radiates from within, as if the cosmos is coiled in the spiral mark.","primary_figures":["Śālagrāma-śilā (cakra-cihna)","Vishnu (subtle theophany)","sage/devotee"],"setting":"Gandaki-like riverbank with dark pebbles, swift clear water, and a small wooden altar with lamps and flowers.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["basalt black","conch white","chakra gold","deep river green","saffron"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: close-up devotional tableau of a sage presenting a cakra-marked Śālagrāma on a pedestal; Vishnu’s four-armed form emerging as a radiant aura from the spiral; heavy gold leaf on halo and cakra motifs, rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry, temple arch framing, stylized waves behind.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate riverbank scene with delicate hands holding a small dark Śālagrāma; fine spiral detail; translucent vision of Vishnu hovering above; cool natural palette, refined faces, gentle landscape with flowing water and pebbled shore.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic sage and stylized Śālagrāma with prominent spiral-cakra; Vishnu’s presence indicated by symbolic aura and emblems; bold outlines, earthy pigments, symmetrical composition like a sanctum wall painting.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Śālagrāma on a lotus pedestal with repeated cakra motifs in the border; river rendered as patterned blue field with gold wave-lines; peacocks and floral vines; subtle Vishnu symbols (śaṅkha-cakra) floating above, intricate ornamentation throughout."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["silence","soft bell","conch shell (distant)","flowing water"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चाश्मानः → च + अश्मानः. चक्रचिह्नैरलंकृताः → चक्रचिह्नैः + अलङ्कृताः (visarga sandhi). साक्षाद्भगवंतो → साक्षात् + भगवन्तः (t + bh → dbh).
FAQs
The verse presents such stones as direct manifestations of Bhagavān (Vishnu), indicating that the sacred mark (cakra-cihna) is a sign of divine presence rather than a mere ornament.
Yes. By calling these marked stones “sākṣāt” (directly) Bhagavān, it affirms a Vaiṣṇava view that the Lord can be worshipped through consecrated or divinely-signified forms.
It encourages reverence and careful, non-casual treatment of sacred manifestations—training devotion to recognize the divine even in humble forms like stones.