Shloka 70
Jñāna-hetu-nirūpaṇa
On the Causes/Means of Knowledge
शालग्रामं विहायैव नमनं ये प्रकुर्वते / ते सर्वे हरिनिन्दायामविकारिण एव हि
śālagrāmaṃ vihāyaiva namanaṃ ye prakurvate / te sarve harinindāyāmavikāriṇa eva hi
Quienes ofrecen salutaciones pero descuidan el Śālagrāma, en verdad todos incurren en el menosprecio de Hari, permaneciendo sin cambio en esa falta.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: True reverence must include honoring Śālagrāma; selective salutations that bypass Viṣṇu’s principal emblem amount to harinindā and indicate lack of inner transformation.
Vedantic Theme: Arcā-tattva: the Lord’s presence in consecrated forms; inner disposition (bhāva) must align with outer act (kriyā).
Application: If one’s practice includes Śālagrāma worship, do not treat it as optional; align daily namaskāra with one’s iṣṭa-devatā commitments and avoid performative piety.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Type: sacred icon/stone; domestic shrine or temple
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.12.69 (harinindā regarding symbols); Garuda Purana 3.12.71-72 (ignorant separative cognition leads to duḥkha)
FAQs
This verse treats Śālagrāma as a primary, tangible emblem of Hari; neglecting it while performing external salutations is portrayed as a form of disrespect, implying that devotion should be aligned with proper sacred observance.
In the Preta Kanda’s ethical-ritual framework, inner reverence must match correct worship; careless or contradictory practice is counted as a fault against Hari, which can obstruct spiritual merit that supports the soul’s auspicious post-death journey.
Keep worship consistent and sincere: honor sacred symbols and prescribed forms (as per one’s tradition), avoid token gestures, and ensure daily devotion is not merely performative but disciplined and respectful.