Shloka 21
The Greatness of the Gaṇḍakī River and the Śālagrāma Stone
अपि पापसहस्राणां कर्ता तावन्नरो भवेत् । शालग्रामशिलातोयं पीत्वा पूतो भवेत्क्षणात्
api pāpasahasrāṇāṃ kartā tāvannaro bhavet | śālagrāmaśilātoyaṃ pītvā pūto bhavetkṣaṇāt
Aunque un hombre haya cometido miles de pecados, al beber el agua con que se ha bañado la piedra Śālagrāma, queda purificado en un instante.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Pātāla-khaṇḍa; traditional frame often involves Pulastya instructing Bhīṣma)
Concept: Viṣṇu’s grace mediated through Śālagrāma-snāna-jala purifies even heavy sin swiftly; sacramental contact (prasāda) is transformative when received with faith.
Application: If one keeps Śālagrāma, perform respectful snāna with clean water, then partake a small amount as prasāda (where culturally practiced) with repentance and renewed vows of right conduct; otherwise honor it through sprinkling and ācamana per one’s tradition.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee cups crystal-clear water that has just flowed over a black Śālagrāma resting in a silver basin, the water shimmering with faint chakra-like ripples. As he drinks, a translucent veil of darkness lifts from his form, replaced by a soft golden aura, while a tulasī pot and conch stand witness beside the lamp.","primary_figures":["Devotee (male figure)","Śālagrāma","Sudarśana ripple motif (subtle)"],"setting":"Household altar or riverside pavilion with ritual basin, conch, lamp, and offerings; intimate sacramental focus on water.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["crystal silver","river-water turquoise","basalt black","honey gold","tulasī green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: close-up devotional scene of Śālagrāma snāna in a silver vessel, devotee receiving śālagrāma-toya as prasāda; gold-leaf aura around the stone with chakra embossing, rich red-green textiles, ornate brass lamp and conch, jeweled highlights on vessels and borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate, intimate ritual moment—fine hands cupping water, Śālagrāma in a small basin, soft facial expression of relief; cool translucent water tones, minimal interior architecture, lyrical calm, subtle chakra ripples painted like faint circles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized basin and Śālagrāma, devotee in profile drinking; radiant circular mandala behind the stone, warm reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall symmetry with ritual objects clearly iconized.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central silver basin with Śālagrāma on lotus, concentric chakra-rings in the water, tulasī vines forming an ornate border; deep blue background with gold highlights, peacocks near the lamp, intricate floral filigree."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","soft conch shell","temple bells","silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तावन्नरो = तावत् + नरः. भवेत्क्षणात् = भवेत् + क्षणात्. शालग्रामशिलातोयं = शालग्राम-शिला-तोयम्.
FAQs
It refers to the water used to bathe (abhiṣeka) the Śālagrāma-śilā, a revered Vaiṣṇava sacred stone identified with Viṣṇu; the verse praises that water as purifying.
Yes—the verse uses emphatic language (“even if” thousands of sins; “in an instant”) to extol the purificatory potency attributed to Śālagrāma-related worship materials.
The teaching highlights the Padma Purāṇa’s Vaiṣṇava devotional orientation: sincere connection to Viṣṇu through sacred symbols (like Śālagrāma) and their ritual context is presented as a powerful means of inner purification.