Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 105
Dharmānukathana
Narration of Dharma
शालग्रामशिलारूपी विष्णुरेवेति विश्रुतः । यो ददाति नरो दानं गृहेषु महतां प्रभो ॥ १०५ ॥
śālagrāmaśilārūpī viṣṇureveti viśrutaḥ | yo dadāti naro dānaṃ gṛheṣu mahatāṃ prabho || 105 ||
O Lord, it is well known that Viṣṇu Himself is present in the form of the Śālagrāma stone. The man who offers this gift in the homes of the noble and great attains vast religious merit.
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, vocative 'prabho')
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)
Secondary Rasa: shanta (peace)
FAQs
It affirms the Purāṇic doctrine that Śālagrāma is a direct, sacred manifestation of Viṣṇu, making its donation a highly meritorious act (dāna-dharma).
By identifying Śālagrāma with Viṣṇu Himself, the verse encourages tangible devotion—honoring, gifting, and supporting Vaiṣṇava sanctity—so bhakti is expressed through reverent action, not only sentiment.
It primarily teaches ritual-dharma (application of śāstra in dāna); while not a technical Vedāṅga lesson, it reflects kalpa-oriented practice—how sacred objects and charity are used to cultivate merit and devotion.