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
ആയിരക്കണക്കിന് പാപങ്ങൾ ചെയ്തവനായാലും, ശാലഗ്രാമശിലയുടെ സ്നാനജലം കുടിച്ചാൽ അവൻ ക്ഷണത്തിൽ തന്നെ ശുദ്ധനാകുന്നു.
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.