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
जो शालग्राम को छोड़कर ही प्रणाम करते हैं, वे सब निश्चय ही हरि-निन्दा में लगे रहते हैं और उस दोष से अपरिवर्तित रहते हैं।
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.