Shloka 144
Karma, Non-Violence, Tīrtha & Gaṅgā Merit, Vaiṣṇava Protection, Śālagrāma Worship, and Ekādaśī as Deliverance
भूचक्रं तेन दत्तं स्यात्सशैलवनकाननम् । शालग्रामशिलाया यो मूल्यमुत्पादयेन्नरः
bhūcakraṃ tena dattaṃ syātsaśailavanakānanam | śālagrāmaśilāyā yo mūlyamutpādayennaraḥ
Für ihn ist es, als hätte er den ganzen Erdkreis—mitsamt Bergen, Wäldern und Hainen—als Gabe gespendet: jener Mensch, der den gebührenden Wert für den heiligen Śālagrāma-Stein aufbringt.
Unspecified (context not provided; likely within a Pulastya–Bhīṣma discourse typical of Svarga-khaṇḍa sections)
Concept: Honoring the sacred (Śālagrāma) with due value is tantamount to gifting the whole earth; devotion must be expressed through dharmic, non-exploitative exchange.
Application: Treat sacred objects, rituals, and teachers with integrity—support temples and worship through rightful offerings rather than bargaining, profiteering, or casual handling.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A pilgrim stands on the stony bank of the Gandaki, holding a dark, spiral-marked Śālagrāma on a lotus-leaf. Behind him, the earth appears as a luminous mandala—mountains, forests, and groves unfolding like a cosmic gift—signifying that honoring the stone equals gifting the whole world.","primary_figures":["Śālagrāma-śilā (Viṣṇu arcā)","devotee/pilgrim","Gandaki river personified (optional)"],"setting":"Rocky Himalayan riverbank with sacred stones, small shrine, offering vessels, and distant snow peaks.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","basalt black","lotus pink","gold leaf","pine green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Gandaki riverbank shrine with a central Śālagrāma on a lotus pedestal, devotee offering tulasi and water, the earth-circle shown as a golden mandala behind; heavy gold leaf halos, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, ornate arch framing the arcā.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate Himalayan landscape with the Kali Gandaki flowing, a small devotee figure reverently presenting a Śālagrāma on a leaf, distant blue-grey peaks and cedar trees; fine linework, soft washes, lyrical naturalism, refined faces, subtle cloud bands.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined devotee before a stylized river and shrine, Śālagrāma on a lotus with radiating aura, earth-mandala motif behind; natural pigments, temple-wall symmetry, large expressive eyes, dominant reds/yellows/greens with black contours.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central lotus pedestal with Śālagrāma encircled by floral borders and tulasi motifs, peacocks at corners, deep indigo background with gold highlights; Nathdwara-like ornamentation, intricate vines, devotional symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","temple bells","conch shell","soft drone (tanpura)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: syāt+saśaila…→syātsaśaila…; mūlyam+utpādayet→mūlyamutpādayet; śilāyāḥ+yaḥ→śilāyā yo (visarga sandhi).
FAQs
The verse uses hyperbole to state that honoring a Śālagrāma properly—by offering its rightful value rather than acquiring it improperly—yields merit equivalent to the greatest conceivable gift, the entire earth with its natural riches.
The emphasis is on 'mūlya' (due value) as ethical propriety: one should not obtain a Śālagrāma through deceit or exploitation; providing fair value is framed as a righteous act that generates great merit.
Sacred devotion must be joined with dharma: reverence for holy objects includes fairness, non-greed, and honoring rightful exchange—actions presented as spiritually weighty.