Shloka 16
The Greatness of the Gaṇḍakī River and the Śālagrāma Stone
अस्यां भवा ये चाश्मानश्चक्रचिह्नैरलंकृताः । ते साक्षाद्भगवंतो हि स्वस्वरूपधराः पराः
asyāṃ bhavā ye cāśmānaścakracihnairalaṃkṛtāḥ | te sākṣādbhagavaṃto hi svasvarūpadharāḥ parāḥ
اور یہاں پائے جانے والے وہ پتھر جو چکر (چکرا) کے نشانات سے مزین ہیں، بے شک ساکشات بھگوان ہی ہیں—وہ برتر ہستیاں جو اپنے ہی حقیقی روپ کو دھارن کرتی ہیں۔
Unspecified (context-dependent within Pātālakhaṇḍa 20)
Concept: The Lord is directly present in Śālagrāma stones marked by the cakra; worship is worship of Bhagavān Himself.
Application: Cultivate reverence for sacred symbols and consecrated forms; practice daily pūjā with purity and attentiveness, seeing the divine as truly present.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On a riverbank strewn with smooth black stones, several Śālagrāma-śilās gleam—each bearing a crisp cakra-like spiral. As a sage lifts one in both hands, a subtle vision overlays the stone: Vishnu’s form radiates from within, as if the cosmos is coiled in the spiral mark.","primary_figures":["Śālagrāma-śilā (cakra-cihna)","Vishnu (subtle theophany)","sage/devotee"],"setting":"Gandaki-like riverbank with dark pebbles, swift clear water, and a small wooden altar with lamps and flowers.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["basalt black","conch white","chakra gold","deep river green","saffron"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: close-up devotional tableau of a sage presenting a cakra-marked Śālagrāma on a pedestal; Vishnu’s four-armed form emerging as a radiant aura from the spiral; heavy gold leaf on halo and cakra motifs, rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry, temple arch framing, stylized waves behind.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate riverbank scene with delicate hands holding a small dark Śālagrāma; fine spiral detail; translucent vision of Vishnu hovering above; cool natural palette, refined faces, gentle landscape with flowing water and pebbled shore.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic sage and stylized Śālagrāma with prominent spiral-cakra; Vishnu’s presence indicated by symbolic aura and emblems; bold outlines, earthy pigments, symmetrical composition like a sanctum wall painting.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Śālagrāma on a lotus pedestal with repeated cakra motifs in the border; river rendered as patterned blue field with gold wave-lines; peacocks and floral vines; subtle Vishnu symbols (śaṅkha-cakra) floating above, intricate ornamentation throughout."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["silence","soft bell","conch shell (distant)","flowing water"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चाश्मानः → च + अश्मानः. चक्रचिह्नैरलंकृताः → चक्रचिह्नैः + अलङ्कृताः (visarga sandhi). साक्षाद्भगवंतो → साक्षात् + भगवन्तः (t + bh → dbh).
FAQs
The verse presents such stones as direct manifestations of Bhagavān (Vishnu), indicating that the sacred mark (cakra-cihna) is a sign of divine presence rather than a mere ornament.
Yes. By calling these marked stones “sākṣāt” (directly) Bhagavān, it affirms a Vaiṣṇava view that the Lord can be worshipped through consecrated or divinely-signified forms.
It encourages reverence and careful, non-casual treatment of sacred manifestations—training devotion to recognize the divine even in humble forms like stones.