Shloka 42
The Glory of Gayā and the Pilgrimage Circuit of Allied Tīrthas
शालग्राम इति ख्यातो विष्णोरद्भुतकर्मणः । अभिगम्य त्रिलोकेशं वरदं विष्णुमच्युतम्
śālagrāma iti khyāto viṣṇoradbhutakarmaṇaḥ | abhigamya trilokeśaṃ varadaṃ viṣṇumacyutam
Er wurde als „Śālagrāma“ berühmt, als eine Erscheinung Viṣṇus von wundersamen Taten; und, zu Viṣṇu hintretend — dem Herrn der drei Welten, dem Spender von Gaben, dem Unfehlbaren —
Unspecified narrator (contextual narrative voice within Svarga-khaṇḍa; exact dialogue speaker not stated in the provided excerpt)
Concept: Approaching Viṣṇu through His wondrous, accessible manifestation (Śālagrāma) grants immediate devotional proximity to the Lord of the three worlds.
Application: Keep a daily practice of respectful approach—darśana, namaskāra, and simple offerings—treating sacred forms and symbols as living reminders of divine presence.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A black, spiral-marked Śālagrāma-śilā rests on a lotus pedestal as a pilgrim-sage approaches with folded hands. Behind the stone, Viṣṇu’s cosmic form subtly appears in translucent radiance—conch, discus, mace, lotus—suggesting the arcā as a doorway to Trilokeśa.","primary_figures":["Śālagrāma-śilā (Viṣṇu arcā)","Viṣṇu (subtle theophany)","pilgrim-sage/devotee"],"setting":"Rocky riverbank of the Gandaki with prayer flags and distant snow peaks; a small shrine with brass lamps and a water pot for abhiṣeka.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","basalt black","lotus pink","gold leaf","glacial white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Śālagrāma-śilā on a lotus throne with a faint four-armed Viṣṇu emerging as haloed radiance behind it, devotee offering tulasī leaves and water; heavy gold leaf on crown, ornaments, and aureole; rich vermilion and emerald borders, gem-studded jewelry, South Indian temple lamp-lit sanctum feel.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate Śālagrāma on a small altar by the Kali Gandaki, sage in simple robes approaching with añjali; cool Himalayan palette, misty snow mountains, lyrical river curves, refined faces, subtle divine aura around Viṣṇu’s hinted form.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, Śālagrāma on lotus pedestal with stylized Viṣṇu behind, large expressive eyes, flat temple-wall composition; natural pigment reds/yellows/greens with deep blue for Viṣṇu, ornate floral borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Śālagrāma framed by lotus medallions and tulasī vines, peacocks at corners, deep indigo ground with gold highlights; Krishna-Viṣṇu presence suggested through conch-discus motifs, intricate floral border in Nathdwara tradition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","conch shell","flowing water","soft drone (tanpura)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विष्णोरद्भुतकर्मणः → विष्णोः + अद्भुतकर्मणः (ः + अ → र्). विष्णुमच्युतम् → विष्णुम् + अच्युतम् (म् + अ → म).
FAQs
In this verse, “Śālagrāma” is presented as a renowned designation associated with Viṣṇu’s wondrous power—pointing to a sacred, Viṣṇu-connected manifestation revered in Vaiṣṇava tradition.
They frame Viṣṇu as sovereign over all realms (Trilokeśa), compassionate and responsive to devotion (Varada, giver of boons), and unwaveringly dependable (Acyuta, the infallible).
The phrasing highlights the bhakti posture of seeking the divine directly—turning toward Viṣṇu with reverence and reliance, anticipating grace and guidance from the boon-giving Lord.