Shalagrama, Śālagrāma, Sālagrāma, Salagrama, Shala-grama: 18 definitions

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1. Marathi
2. Sanskrit
3. Kannada
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Introduction:

Shalagrama means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit term Śālagrāma can be transliterated into English as Salagrama or Shalagrama, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

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In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Sālagrāma (सालग्राम) refers to a place at the origin of river Gaṇḍakī. There are various kinds of stone figures which are called Sālagrāmas. These Sālagrāmas themselves have orginated from portions of Viṣṇu. That is why those stones are used for making images of Viṣṇu.

1) Sālagrāma is the kind of ammonite, used for making the image of Viṣṇu.

2) Mahāviṣṇu is known by the name Sālagrāma also.

3) Sālagrāma is the name of the place from where the river Gaṇḍakī, which flows through Nepal, starts. This Sālagrāma is considered to be a holy place. Mahāviṣṇu and other gods always dwell in this place. Sālagrāma is the name of Viṣṇu who dwells in Sālagrāma.

Different classes of sālagrāmas:

Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa.
Lakṣmījanārdana.
Raghunātha.
Vāmana.
Śrīdhara.
Dāmodara.
Raṇarāma.
Rājarājeśvara.
Ananta.
Madhusūdana.
Sudarśana.
Gadādhara.
Hayagrīva.
Nārasiṃha.
Lakṣmīnarasiṃha.
Vāsudeva.
Pradyumna.
Saṅkarṣaṇa.
Aniruddha.

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Śālagrāma (शालग्राम) refers to a type of “stone” (worn around the neck), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.31 (“Description of Śiva’s magic”).—Accordingly, after the Gods eulogised Śiva: “Then the lord Śiva who is favourably disposed to his devotees, the lord of magic and free from aberrations went to the lord of mountains. [...] He was in the guise of a saintly Brahmin. He was repeating the name of Viṣṇu with devotion. He had the garland of crystal beads in his hand and the Śālagrama stone round his neck. On seeing that extraordinary guest, Himavat with his attendants stood up in reverence and prostrated before him with devotion. [...]”.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

1) Śālagrāma (शालग्राम).—The place where Pulastya and Pulaha had their hermitages. Sages of this locality visited Dvārakā;¹ fit for śrāddha performance;² sacred to Mahādevī and the Pitṛs;³ the Nāgarāṭ tīrtha at.⁴

1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa V. 8. 30; X. 90. 28 [3].
2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 13. 89; 25. 66;
3) Matsya-purāṇa 13. 33; 22. 62.
4) Vāyu-purāṇa 77. 88-89.

2) Sālagrāma (सालग्राम).—The place to which Āgnīdhra retired after dividing Jambūdvīpa among his nine sons;¹ yoga practised by Bharata at.²

1) Viṣṇu-purāṇa II. 1. 24.
2) Ib. II. 1. 34; 13. 4 and 34.

Source: Shodhganga: Temples and cult of Sri Rama in Tamilnadu

Salagrama refers to one of the 108 divyadesas according to Priyavaccan Pillai’s compendium of the Ramayana based on the Nalayirativviyappirapantam.—Salagrama is in Nepal. Salagrama is a sacred stone that is available in the River Khandaki. It is about 275 kms from Kathmandu (called Janakapuri), capital of Nepal.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: archive.org: Pratima Kosa Encyclopedia of Indian Iconography - Vol 6

Śālagrāma (शालग्राम) refers to “ammonite fossil stones”.—Śālagrāma stones are very ancient geological specimens, rendered rounded and smooth by water-currents in a great length of time. They are distinguished by the ammonite (śālā, described as “vajra-kīṭa”, “adamantine worms”) which having entered into them for residence, are fossilized in course of time, leaving discus-like marks inside the stone. Such marks alone make the stone eligible to be called a śālagrāma and worshipped. Legends describe that Viṣṇu himself enters into these stones in the form of śāla creatures and makes his presence felt by the discus-marks. Thus a śālagrāma is verily the image of Viṣṇu.

Śālagrāmas (ammonite fossil stones), recovered from the Gaṇḍaki river-bed in Nepāl, are regarded as exceedingly precious and sacred. Viṣṇnu is believed to be present in them, and these stones require neither consecration nor any ritual in fusion of divinity in them; they are worship-worthy as they are.

The śālagrāma to become one must not only have one or more discus-like marks (cakras) near an opening in the stone (called ‘vadana’, “mouth” or ‘śīla-dvāra’, “the gate by which the śāla had entered”), but also lines, scratches or holes on the surface suggesting several emblems of Viṣṇu, like vana-mālā (garland), padma (lotus), gadā (mace), kaustubha (chest-ornament) and so on. Perfectly smooth (snigdha) and blue-black (mecaka) Śālagrāmas are regarded as best if the colour is like washed coal or bluish, the śālagrāma stone is of midling merit If the colour is tawny (piṅgala), yellowish (pīta), ash-grey (dhūmābha) or red (rakta-varṇa) the stone is to be avoided.

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: Acta Orientalia vol. 74 (2013): Historical sequence of the Vaiṣṇava Divyadeśas

Śālagrāma (or Muktinātha in Nepal) refers to Cāḷakkirāmam, one of the 108 Vaishnava Divya Desam (divyadeśas or divyasthalas), located in the topographical division of Vaṭanāṭu (“North India”), according to the 9th century Nālāyirativviyappirapantam (shortly Nālāyiram).—Tradition would record the Vaiṣṇava divyadeśas or divyasthalas are 108. The divyadeśa is a base of the cult of Viṣṇu in Viṣṇuism [Vaiṣṇavism] tradition. The list of 108 [viz., Śālagrāma] seems to have reached maturation by about the early 9th century CE as all the deśas are extolled in the hymns of the twelve Āḻvārs.

context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

1a) Śālagrāma (शालग्राम) refers to “pebbles (used in the daily worship of Hari)”, as discussed in the thirteenth chapter [third book] of the Jñānāmṛtasārasaṃhita: a Pāñcarātra text representing a sectarian glorification of Kṛṣṇa and Rādha (i.e., the cult of Radha-Krishna) dated among the latest of the Saṃhitā-type works.—Accordingly, here Vyāsa ventures to suggest that one may fittingly alter the offerings advanced to Kṛṣṇa in pūjā at various times of day as well as change the mantras. The prayogic effects of such variations and substitutes are suggested (1-25). In closing, Vyāsa says that daily worship of Hari may be done through a śālagrāma-pebble, gems, yantras and maṇḍalas (26-27).

1b) Sālagrāma (सालग्राम) refers to “stones used for worship”, as discussed in chapter 28 of the Puruṣottamasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text consisting of more than 1800 verses devoted to temple-building and the practical concerns of the Pāñcarātra priestly community.—Description of the chapter [sālagrāma-lakṣaṇa]: Brahmā wants to know about sālagrāma-stones (1). Bhagavān says that worship with a sālagrāma gives relief from all sins, for any such stone represents the place where Hari stands at all times (2-3). The bulk of the chapter is then given over to descriptions of specific types of sālagrāma-stones which, according to their characteristic flaws or marks, are to be identified with certain forms of the Lord for worship. [...]

2) Sālagrāma (सालग्राम) is the name of a sacred region mentioned as “one of the places where God’s presence is felt”, as discussed in chapter 36 of the Pauṣkarasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text of almost 5900 verses divided into forty-three chapters presented as a frame-work dialogue between Pauṣkara and Bhagavān dealing with the esoteric meaning of maṇḍala-designs, worship routines and temple-building.—Description of the chapter [āyatana-vicāra]: God’s presence at certain places [e.g., Sālagrāma] [...]—has made these places particularly sacred (5-28). People who live in such places will enjoy certain spiritual benefits (29-84). Those who pollute such places incur double sin, but rebirth in the holy vicinity will give them the more opportunity to atone for their former evil ways (85-125). [...]

context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: salagram.net: Salagram kosha

The Shalagram-stones that are worshipped are only those which are picked up from the Himalayan stream Gandaki. The Shalagram stones are generally associated with Vishnu and are regarded as representations (pratika) of Vishnu; but there are also Shalagram stones representing some forms of Shiva, some forms of Shakti, Surya, and Ganesh. The entire panchayatana worship, an account of which has been given, could be carried out by having the Shalagram stones signifying the five deities.

etymology: The expression Shalagrama, which is of the Puranic celebrity, refers to a particular site in the course of this stream, where the sacred stones were found in profusion. The site was once a village, which was distinguished by the Shala-trees, or by the one grand specimen of the species (as the story told hereafter suggests); hence the name 'Shala-grama'. The word 'Saala' is derived from the root 'shala gatau' (meaning "to move") (anikriti shaalas siddhyati'), and signifies any tree (which is moved by wind 'shalati vayunaa chalatiiti'), but refers principally to the tree mentioned above (cf. the lexicon Visva, which says 'shaalo haale nripa matsya-prabhede sarja-paadape'). Ancient and medieval treatises on Indian medicinal plants give the name of a group of large trees as 'shaladi-varga' (dipterocarpeae), which includes not only the Shala-trees (Shorea robusta), but also Sarja (Vateria indica, Garjana (Dipterocarpus alatus) and Bhimasena-karpura (Dryobalanops aromatica or what is commonly called Sumatra camphor). The Shala-trees grow in the Himalayan foothills, and prevail from Kangra valley to Assam.

India history and geography

Source: Heidelberg: Glory of the Tiruvanantapuram Padmanabhasvami Temple

Śālagrāma (शालग्राम) refers to a “small idol used for daily worship”, according to the Anantaśayanakṣetramāhātmya, a text talking about the Thiruvananthapuram temple in eleven chapters, written before the 14th century and claiming to be part of the Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa.—Pleased by Divākara’s devotion, Viṣṇu appears before him as a radiant young child. [...] One day, in an extremely naughty mood, the little boy puts the sacred śālagrāma (the small idol used for daily worship) worshipped by sage Divākara into his mouth. Seeing this, the sage pushes away the little one with his left hand and the boy runs away from the sage. Leaving the rituals, the sage runs behind him lamenting, saying that he would not be able to live without the boy. [...]

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

śālagrāma (शालग्राम).—m (Properly śāligrāma) The stone sacred to Viṣṇu.

--- OR ---

śāḷagrāma (शाळग्राम).—& śāḷigrāma m Corrupted from śāligrāma.

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Śālagrāma (शालग्राम).—a kind of sacred stone said to be typical of Viṣṇu, as the Phallus is of Śiva. °गिरि (giri) Name of a mountain. °शिला (śilā) the Śālagrāma stone.

Derivable forms: śālagrāmaḥ (शालग्रामः).

Śālagrāma is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms śāla and grāma (ग्राम).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Śālagrāma (शालग्राम).—m.

(-maḥ) A particular sacred stone typical of Vishnu.

--- OR ---

Sālagrāma (सालग्राम).—n.

(-maṃ) A stone, a species of ammonite common in the Gandaka river, and worshipped by the Vaishnavas, as a type of Vishnu. E. sa with, ara a ring, grāma multitude.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Sālagrāma (सालग्राम).—m. a stone, a species of ammonite worshipped by the Vaiṣṇavas.

Sālagrāma is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms sāla and grāma (ग्राम).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Śālagrāma (शालग्राम).—[masculine] [Name] of a sacred village.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Śālagrāma (शालग्राम):—[=śāla-grāma] [from śāla] a m. Name of a village situated on the river Gaṇḍakī and regarded as sacred by the Vaiṣṇavas (its name comes from the Śāl trees growing near it), [Prabodha-candrodaya; Purāṇa]

2) [v.s. ...] Name of Viṣṇu as worshipped at Śāla-grāma or as identified with the Śālgrām stone, [Mahābhārata]

3) [v.s. ...] mn. a sacred stone worshipped by the Vaiṣṇavas and supposed to be pervaded by the presence of Viṣṇu (it is a black stone which contains a fossil ammonite and is chiefly found near the above village in the Gaṇḍakī), [Religious Thought and Life in India 69, 1412]

4) [=śāla-grāma] b etc. See 1. śāla, [column]1.

5) Sālagrāma (सालग्राम):—[=sāla-grāma] sālaṅka etc. See śāl, p.1067, [columns] 1 and 3.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Sālagrāma (सालग्राम):—(maṃ) 1. n. Ammonite stone viewed as an emblem of Vishnu.

[Sanskrit to German]

Shalagrama in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Śālagrāma (ಶಾಲಗ್ರಾಮ):—[noun] a kind of ammonite or fossil of an extinct species of molluscs, found mainly along the river Gandak, which represents Viṣṇu.

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Sālagrāma (ಸಾಲಗ್ರಾಮ):—[noun] = ಸಾಲಿಗ್ರಾಮ [saligrama].

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Relevant text

Search found 48 books and stories containing Shalagrama, Śālagrāma, Sālagrāma, Salagrama, Śāḷagrāma, Shala-grama, Śāla-grāma, Sala-grama, Sāla-grāma, Śalagrāma; (plurals include: Shalagramas, Śālagrāmas, Sālagrāmas, Salagramas, Śāḷagrāmas, gramas, grāmas, Śalagrāmas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

16. Icons of Shalagrama (worshippable objects) < [Chapter 4 - Sculpture in the Puranas]

2. Texts on the Art of Sculpture < [Chapter 4 - Sculpture in the Puranas]

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Chapter LXVI - Description of the specific marks of Salagrama < [Agastya Samhita]

Chapter XLV - Characteristic marks of Shalagrama Stones (Shaligram) < [Agastya Samhita]

Chapter LIV - Progeny of Priya Vrata and incidental description of the Seven Islands of the Earth < [Agastya Samhita]

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On the Date of Visnu Purana’s account of Bharata and Bhuvanakosa < [Purana, Volume 8, Part 2 (1966)]

Sucipatra or contents of the Vamana Purana < [Purana, Volume 12, Part 1 (1970)]

Svalpa Matsya-purana (part 2) < [Purana, Volume 8, Part 1 (1966)]

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Chapter 24 - On the glory of Tulasī < [Book 9]