Shloka 140
Karma, Non-Violence, Tīrtha & Gaṅgā Merit, Vaiṣṇava Protection, Śālagrāma Worship, and Ekādaśī as Deliverance
तोयं यदि पिबेत्पुण्यं शालग्रामशिलांगजम् । शालग्राम शिला यत्र तत्तीर्थं योजनत्रयम्
toyaṃ yadi pibetpuṇyaṃ śālagrāmaśilāṃgajam | śālagrāma śilā yatra tattīrthaṃ yojanatrayam
శాలగ్రామశిలాస్పర్శంతో పుణ్యమైన జలాన్ని ఎవడు పానము చేయునో, శాలగ్రామశిల ఉన్న చోట మూడు యోజనాల మేర తీర్థమవుతుంది।
Unspecified (narrative voice within Svarga-khaṇḍa; commonly framed in the Purāṇic dialogue tradition such as Pulastya → Bhīṣma in many editions)
Concept: Viṣṇu’s presence is portable through Śālagrāma; sanctity is not only geographic but ontological—where Viṣṇu is, there is tīrtha.
Application: Keep a clean worship space; offer water to Śālagrāma (or Viṣṇu-arcā) with mantra and drink/receive it as tīrtha; treat the home shrine as a sanctified zone with ethical discipline.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A small copper vessel pours clear water over a dark, spiral-marked Śālagrāma resting on a lotus pedestal; the runoff gathers in a conch-shaped bowl, glowing as tīrtha-jala. Around the shrine, a luminous circle expands across the landscape—villages, trees, and distant ghāṭas subtly bathed in the same sanctifying radiance, visualizing the ‘three yojanas’ tīrtha-field.","primary_figures":["Śālagrāma-śilā","Vaishnava priest/devotee offering water","attendant devotees receiving tīrtha"],"setting":"Home-temple sanctum opening to a riverine landscape; tulsi pots and conch, bell, and lamp arranged near the pedestal.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["obsidian black","conch-white","aqua turquoise","marigold gold","lotus pink"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central Śālagrāma on a lotus throne with embossed gold leaf aura; a devotee in silk dhoti pours water from a copper kalaśa; conch and lamp at the base, rich reds and greens, gem-studded arch framing the sanctum; a stylized golden ring expands outward indicating three-yojana tīrtha influence.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate shrine scene with delicate lines; the Śālagrāma’s spiral markings rendered finely; cool river landscape beyond the doorway, soft mist and pale blues; devotees with small cups receiving tīrtha, understated halos and lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, flat yet vibrant pigments; the Śālagrāma on a lotus base under a temple arch, large stylized eyes of the devotee, rhythmic ornamentation; red/yellow/green palette with a radiant circular mandala spreading into the background landscape.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral borders with lotus and conch motifs; central shrine with Śālagrāma treated like a deity icon; deep blue background with gold highlights; peacocks near water bowls, attendants offering tiny cups of tīrtha, the sanctity-field shown as concentric lotus rings."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","water pouring","soft mantra hum","incense crackle"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पिबेत्पुण्यं → पिबेत् + पुण्यम्; शालग्रामशिलांगजम् → शालग्रामशिलाङ्गजम्; तत्तीर्थं → तत् + तीर्थम्.
FAQs
It states that water made sacred by contact with a Śālagrāma-śilā is spiritually meritorious to drink, emphasizing Śālagrāma’s role as a powerful Vaiṣṇava sacred object.
It declares that wherever a Śālagrāma stone is present, the surrounding area is regarded as a tīrtha extending for three yojanas.
The verse encourages reverence for Śālagrāma worship—especially the sanctified water used in its ritual washing—as a means of accruing religious merit and creating sacred space.