Varaha Purana 186.40 — Adhyaya 186, Shloka 40
Ritual Procedure for Installing Silver and Gold Images, and the Special Status of Śālagrāma
शालग्रामशिला भग्ना पूजनीया सचक्रका । खण्डिता स्फुटिता वापि शालग्रामशिला शुभा
śālagrāmaśilā bhagnā pūjanīyā sacakrakā | khaṇḍitā sphuṭitā vāpi śālagrāmaśilā śubhā
ศิลาศาลครามที่แตกหัก หากมีเครื่องหมายจักร ก็ยังควรบูชา. แม้บิ่นหรือร้าว ศิลาศาลครามอันเป็นมงคลก็ยังคงเป็นสิริมงคลอยู่.
Varāha (default dialogue framework)
Varaha Avatara Context: {"is_varaha_focus":true,"earth_interaction":"Clarifies an exception for Śālagrāma-śilā: even if broken/chipped, it remains worship-worthy when marked (cakra)."}
Bhu Devi Dialogue: {"is_dialogue":true,"speaker_role":"instructor","bhu_devi_state":"curious; seeking precise criteria for sacred-object validity","key_question":"Are there sacred stones that remain worship-worthy even when damaged, and what sign confirms their sanctity?"}
Mathura Mandala: {"is_mathura_related":false,"krishna_connection":"Indirect: Śālagrāma as Viṣṇu emblem anticipates later Vaiṣṇava devotion, but no Mathurā/Kṛṣṇa site is invoked."}
Dharma Shastra: {"has_dharma_rule":true,"instruction_summary":"A broken Śālagrāma bearing the cakra-mark is still to be worshipped; even chipped/cracked it remains auspicious.","karmic_consequence":"Recognizing the cakra-mark preserves merit and avoids doṣa from abandoning Viṣṇu’s emblem; misjudging and discarding it risks loss of auspiciousness/merit."}
Vrata Mahatmya: {"has_vrata":false}
Cosmic Boar Symbolism: {"has_symbolism":true,"symbolic_interpretation":"The cakra-mark functions as the invariant ‘identity-sign’ of Viṣṇu: form may be imperfect, but the tattva-sign remains, so worship remains valid.","yajna_varaha_imagery":"Cakra as dharma/ṛta-wheel; the stone as condensed arcā-presence where the sign (liṅga) outweighs material fracture.","vedantic_connection":"Name-and-form (nāma-rūpa) may vary, but the indicated reality (Viṣṇu-tattva) is stable; devotion fixes on the essential sign rather than perishable matter."}
Philosophical Teaching: {"has_teaching":true,"teaching_type":"theology of arcā","core_concept":"Sacred presence is recognized by defining marks (lakṣaṇa); devotion honors the divine sign even amid physical imperfection.","practical_application":"When a Śālagrāma is chipped/cracked, verify the cakra/mark and continue worship respectfully rather than treating it as ordinary damaged stone."}
Subject Matter: ["Iconography","Ritual Practice","Material Culture"]
Primary Rasa: śānta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: sacred object provenance (implied)
Related Themes: Varāha Purāṇa 186.43 (general prohibition); Varāha Purāṇa 186.45-47 (types and extraordinary fruits)
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Close view of a Śālagrāma stone showing a clear cakra-mark; Varāha gestures that it remains worship-worthy despite a visible crack.","item_prompts":["Śālagrāma with cakra-mark","fine crack/chip","pujā tray","tulasī leaves","water vessel","Varāha teaching gesture","Bhūdevī attentive"],"kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: enlarged Śālagrāma with stylized cakra; Varāha’s hand in abhaya/teaching mudrā; rich ochres and greens.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: gold-highlighted cakra-mark on the stone; ornate puja items; halos for Varāha and Bhūdevī; jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: refined detailing of the stone’s mark; soft shading; serene faces; balanced altar composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari: intimate devotional still-life with Śālagrāma and tulasī; gentle linework; Varāha instructing in a small pavilion."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"assuring, clarificatory","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium-slow","voice_tone":"calm, precise, explanatory"}
FAQs
It reflects an iconographic criterion (presence of a mark) used to determine ritual eligibility, valuable for the study of Vaiṣṇava material religion.
No location is specified in this verse.
Prioritize identifying characteristics and established criteria over superficial damage when assessing the suitability of sacred objects.
Ask anything about this verse
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