Shloka 38
The Greatness of the Gaṇḍakī River and the Śālagrāma Stone
गच्छत्सु प्राणमार्गेषु यस्य विश्रंभतोऽपि चेत् । शालग्रामशिला स्फूर्तिस्तस्य मुक्तिर्न संशयः
gacchatsu prāṇamārgeṣu yasya viśraṃbhato'pi cet | śālagrāmaśilā sphūrtistasya muktirna saṃśayaḥ
เมื่อปราณชีวิตกำลังเคลื่อนไปตามทางของมัน หากในจิตของผู้ใด—even โดยไม่รู้ตัว—บังเกิดความระลึกภายในถึงศิลา ศาลคราม (Śālagrāma-śilā) ผู้นั้นย่อมได้โมกษะโดยแน่นอน ไร้ข้อสงสัย
Unspecified (context-dependent within Pātālakhaṇḍa narrative)
Concept: Even unintentional remembrance of Viṣṇu’s sacred form at the time of death grants mokṣa.
Application: Keep a simple daily practice of seeing/remembering Viṣṇu (arcā, śālagrāma, nāma-japa) so that the mind naturally turns to Him in crisis and at life’s end.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A quiet deathbed chamber where the departing prāṇa is shown as subtle streams of light moving upward, while a small Śālagrāma-śilā on a tulasī-leaf altar suddenly glows, awakening an involuntary inner remembrance. The soul, depicted as a luminous miniature figure, turns toward a distant Viṣṇu radiance that opens like a lotus in the air, signaling certain liberation.","primary_figures":["Śālagrāma-śilā (aniconic Viṣṇu)","Viṣṇu (as distant protective radiance)","Departing jīva (subtle form)","Tulasī plant (optional, as altar presence)"],"setting":"Simple household shrine beside a bed; brass lamp, conch, water pot; faint suggestion of Gaṇḍakī stones in a small bowl; sacred calm.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["sapphire blue","lotus pink","gold leaf","smoky sandalwood brown","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a serene deathbed scene with a small altar holding a Śālagrāma-śilā on tulasī leaves, a tall brass dīpa, and a conch; above, Viṣṇu’s protective aura forms a lotus mandala; heavy gold leaf halos, rich vermilion and emerald borders, gem-studded ornaments on the altar vessels, South Indian iconographic symmetry, intricate floral filigree.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate interior with delicate linework; the Śālagrāma on a leaf plate softly glowing; the departing soul as a tiny luminous figure; cool twilight tones, refined faces of family in quiet reverence, a window opening to a distant river valley hinting Gaṇḍakī; lyrical naturalism and gentle gradients.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, warm ochres and greens; the Śālagrāma altar central, lamp flames stylized; Viṣṇu’s aura as concentric lotus petals; large expressive eyes on attendants; temple-wall aesthetic with ornamental borders and traditional pigment palette.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central glowing Śālagrāma on a lotus pedestal with tulasī garlands; surrounding lotus motifs and peacocks; a subtle Viṣṇu presence in a circular mandala above; deep indigo background, gold detailing, ornate floral borders in Nathdwara tradition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","lamp crackle","distant conch shell","silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विश्रंभतोऽपि = विश्रंभतः + अपि. स्फूर्तिस्तस्य = स्फूर्तिः + तस्य. मुक्तिर्न = मुक्तिः + न.
FAQs
It asserts that even a spontaneous, unintentional remembrance of the Śālagrāma-śilā at the time the life-breath departs is sufficient to lead to liberation (mokṣa).
Liberation is presented as accessible through grace-filled remembrance (smṛti) of Viṣṇu’s sacred emblem, not only through deliberate ritual or prolonged ascetic practice—highlighting devotion as a direct means.
Cultivate regular reverence and remembrance of Viṣṇu (here symbolized by Śālagrāma) in daily life, so that at life’s final moment the mind naturally turns toward the divine.