Shloka 18
The Greatness of the Gaṇḍakī River and the Śālagrāma Stone
पूजयेद्यो नरो धीमाञ्छालग्रामशिलां वराम् । तेनाचारवता भाव्यं दंभलोभवियोगिना
pūjayedyo naro dhīmāñchālagrāmaśilāṃ varām | tenācāravatā bhāvyaṃ daṃbhalobhaviyoginā
Người trí tuệ nào thờ phụng Thánh thạch Śālagrāma tối thượng, người ấy nên sống với kỷ luật và chánh hạnh, lìa xa giả dối và tham lam.
Unknown (context not provided; likely a narrator/teacher within the Purāṇic dialogue tradition)
Concept: True worship requires ācāra (right conduct): discipline, and freedom from hypocrisy (dambha) and greed (lobha).
Application: Pair devotional routines with character audits: reduce performative religiosity, simplify desires, practice honest dealings and generosity.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A wise devotee sits before a Śālagrāma on a clean altar, but the focus is on inner purity: behind him, shadow-figures labeled ‘hypocrisy’ and ‘greed’ fade away like smoke. The devotee’s posture is simple and disciplined, suggesting that the true offering is integrity.","primary_figures":["wise devotee (dhīmān)","Śālagrāma-śilā","allegorical forms of dambha and lobha (fading)"],"setting":"Quiet shrine room or forest hermitage altar with minimal objects: water pot, flowers, lamp, scripture stand.","lighting_mood":"soft twilight serenity","color_palette":["smoke gray","lamp amber","saffron ochre","basalt black","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central Śālagrāma on a gold-embellished pedestal; wise devotee with calm gaze; symbolic dark figures of greed and hypocrisy dissolving at the edges; gold leaf accents on lamp and halo, rich maroons and greens, ornate yet morally didactic composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: restrained interior with delicate lines; devotee and small altar rendered with simplicity; faint translucent shadows of lobha/dambha drifting away; cool muted palette with warm lamp glow, refined contemplative mood.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic devotee and Śālagrāma with bold outlines; allegorical demons of greed/hypocrisy stylized and receding; earthy pigments, temple-wall didactic clarity, symmetrical framing.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central lotus pedestal with Śālagrāma; border filled with repeating tulasi-like floral motifs (as a general Vaishnava aesthetic) and cakra patterns; dark swirling motifs at corners representing greed/hypocrisy being dispelled by golden lamp-light; intricate ornamentation and devotional symbolism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft bell","low drone (tanpura)","silence","distant flowing water"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूजयेद्यो → पूजयेत् + यः (t + y → dy). धीमाञ्छालग्रामशिलाम् → धीमान् + शालग्रामशिलाम् (न् + श् → ञ्छ्). तेनाचारवता → तेन + आचारवता (a+a → ā).
FAQs
It teaches that worship of Śālagrāma (a sacred emblem of Viṣṇu) must be paired with personal integrity—proper conduct, not mere ritual.
It frames devotion as ethical and inward: true bhakti requires freedom from hypocrisy (dambha) and greed (lobha), aligning character with worship.
Religious practice is incomplete without moral discipline; one should avoid showy piety and material motives while engaging in sacred worship.