Chapter 255 - Greatness of Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Gālava said:

1-4. Thus after being cursed by Pārvatī, they all (Suras) became afflicted and also devoid of issues. They had to assume the forms of human beings.

Śālagrāma is born from Gaṇḍakī and Maheśvara from Narmadā. They are thus self-born. Hence, these two cannot be (called) artificial.

Hari is present in the Śālāgrāma of twenty-four varieties. He is to be tested (scrutinized) by the people but Sadāśiva is of a single form.

One who takes his bath in and drinks the pure water of Gaṇḍakī where there is Śālagrāma stone, attains the status of Brahman (or Region of Brahmā).

5. After (by) duly worshipping the Śālagrāma stone having its origin in Gaṇḍakī, one undoubtedly becomes a leading Yogin of pure soul.

6. Thus I have narrated to you everything that I was asked by you. Listen to how Hara incurred the curse of Brāhmaṇas.

7-9. A man who devoutly listens to the narration of this story connected with the dance of Giriśa and the story of his share of half of the Lord’s body taken over by Umā, and the eulogy of Brahmā, shall attain the greatest goal.

He who reads the entire verse or a half thereof or even a fourth without any opposition having given up Māyā (deception) as well as arrogance goes to the greatest region after going where one does not get grief-stricken.

10. An excellent man who reads or listens (to this) especially during Cāturmāsya gets his cherished Siddhi (fulfilment of desire) and is richly endowed with wealth and is surrounded by sons etc.

11. Just as gods Brahmā and others attained the highest Siddhi by singing and playing on musical instruments near Durgā and Śiva (so does such a man).

12. When there is the advent of rainy season Janārdana is in devout Yogic slumber and Maheśvara is in the company of Durgā, (such a man in v. 10 above) does not become a sucking child again.)

13. A man should always perform the worship of Gaṇeśa particularly during these four months for the sake of gain. His endeavour yields profit.

14. Sun-god grants freedom from illness to those by whom he is devoutly worshipped. If he is worshipped during Cāturmāsya he grants men special fruit.

15. This Pañcāyatana (set of five deities) is resorted to by householders. If it is worshipped during Cāturmāsya in particular, it yields everything desired.

16. If anyone always worships Viṣṇu present in Śālagrāma along with Dvārāvatī Cakraśilā, it gives liberation.

17. Especially during Cāturmāsya it grants salvation even through his mere vision. When it is eulogized it is as good as the entire universe eulogized. When it is adored, the entire universe is adored.

18. Hari dispels sins on being adored, read about, meditated upon and remembered in Śālagrāma because Hari is present in Śālagrāma.

19. What then is the Naivedya of Hari? Of course fruit, ghee and water. Particularly in Cāturmāsya everything pertaining to Śālagrāma is auspicious.

20. Gingelly seeds offered on Śālagrāma, O son of a Śūdra, sanctify the man endowed with devotion. It is more so, particularly during Cāturmāsya.

21. He is endowed with glory and prosperity always. He is endowed with wealth and food-grain. There is no doubt about it that he will be born in the house of highly fortunate ones.

22. Undoubtedly, he should be known as Viṣṇu accompanied by Lakṣmī. One should adore him with great devotion. The Goddess of prosperity shall remain steady in his house.

23. As long as one does not worship Hari, penury may still linger in the world, sin (sins in general) may roar, and pains and strains may torment the body.

24. Where he is worshipped that makes the area extending to five Krośas (a Krośa = 3 Kms.) sacred. Nothing inauspicious can happen there.

25. This alone is the greatest luck. This alone is the greatest penance. This alone is the greatest salvation wherein the Lord of Lakṣmī is worshipped.

26. Śrī (prosperity), Vijaya (success), Viṣṇu and Mukti (salvation)—these four are present there where there is Dakṣiṇāvarta (curved to the right side) conchshell identical with Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa, Tulasī plant, Kṛṣnasāra (black antelope) and the stone called Dvārāvatī.

27. The set of these four gives unparalleled merit to a man who performs the worship of Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa. He becomes liberated instantly.

28. Hari associated with Lakṣmī should be worshipped, especially in Cāturmāsya.

29. Meditation on that Lord is destructive of the sins of that person who practises it. If he is worshipped with bunches of Tulasī, one is reborn no more (i.e. is liberated).

30. If he is worshipped with Bilvapatra during Cāturmāsya, he is the best of those who dispel sins.

31. The Lord of all the worlds alone has pervaded the universe. He creates and destroys sportingly. He should be resorted to with all efforts. After attaining him a devotee ceases to be distressed.