Worship of Lord Shaligram has special significance in Sanatan tradition. According to religious texts, Shaligram is the idol form of Lord Hari Vishnu, the protector of the world. These are in the form of black colored round smooth stones. Tulsi ji is married to him. Shaligram ji is installed at the place of worship of most of the people who follow Sanatan tradition.
It is believed that in the houses where Shaligram ji is worshiped regularly, the blessings of Lord Vishnu always remain there. By keeping them at home and worshiping them regularly, you get relief from many types of problems. It also brings happiness and prosperity in the house.
Where is Lord Shaligram found?
The Shaligram form of Lord Vishnu is found only in the bed of Gandaki river flowing in Nepal. There is a temple of Lord Vishnu at a place called Salagram, where this form of his is worshipped, it is said that he was named Shaligram after the name of this village. Gandaki River is also called Badi Gandak or simply Gandak. This river is called Saligrami or Salgrami in Nepal and Narayani and Saptagandaki in the plains. This is also the Sadanira mentioned in the epics. This river has also been mentioned in Skandpuran as a river full of eternal and sacred water.
Many names of Gandaki River
This river is the left tributary of Ganga in India. It is also called Krishna Gandaki. Gandaki River has five main tributaries, Daraundhi, Seti, Madi, Marsyandi and Budhi Gandaki. Gandaki river is formed by the confluence of Kali and Trishuli rivers. Both these rivers originate from the Great Himalayan range of Nepal. From this confluence till the border of India, this river is called Narayani River. This river enters India in the south-west direction and then flows south-east along the Bihar-Uttar Pradesh border, traveling a distance of 765 kilometers and joins the Ganga river in front of Patna.
Gandaki river has importance in Puranas.
This Gandaki river has been accepted as a woman and goddess in the Puranas, just like Ganga, and Lord Vishnu’s sacred name is given to him because of this river. It is described in the Puranas that Gandaki was actually a courtesan. In ancient times, Ganika was a type of prostitute and she used to be adept in songs, music, art etc.
She accepted only one lover at a time and remained tied to him. Once God had come to the house of this courtesan and tested her. After which the courtesan was saved. Many stories of the courtesan’s salvation are recorded in different contexts in the Puranas, but the climax of all is the same, in which she gets salvation and is transformed into a holy river, in which God also resides.
This importance of courtesan is revealed from a verse of devotee poet Raskhan…
Draupadi Angnika Gaj Gidh Ajamil So what did you do so don’t look at it,
Gautam – Gehini, how can you defeat Prahlad and bear his sorrow.
Who should think about Raskhani, where are Rabinand’s thoughts,
Ta khan ja khan rakhiyi hai butter-chakhan haar so rakhi hai.
Here Raskhan is pleading to God for his salvation. He says that you had not thought about who Draupadi, courtesan, Gaja, vulture (Jatayu) and Ajamil (a sinful adulterer) are, what they are and what they were. Ahilya, wife of Gautam Rishi, did not even see Prahlad’s clan and sent a telegram to them, then O you who eat butter by stealing it, you will not think anything in accepting me and will become my protector. I believe so.
Saint Tulsi also mentions Ganika in his poetry.
Pai Nahi Gati Pait Patit Ram Bhaji Sunu Sath Mana.
Ganika Ajamil Byadh Geedh Gajadi Khal Taare Ghana॥
Abheer Jaman Kirat Khas Swapchadi Ati Aghroop J.
Where is the name of Barak Tepi hohin Ram Namami Te?
Oh foolish mind! Listen, who has not attained supreme bliss by worshiping Shri Ram, who purifies even the fallen? He defeated many evil people like Ganika, Ajamil, Vyadha, Vulture, Gaja etc. Abhir, Yavan, Kirat, Khas, etc., who are extremely sinful forms and become pure only by taking their name once, I salute that Shri Ramji.
Devotee poet Surdas also mentions Ganika in his verses and says that when Shyam gave her a telegram and did not give any thought then why is he leaving me.
I am Lord, all the husbands and wives are saved.
And I have fallen all the days, I am not a mere public opinion.
Badhik, Ajamil Ganika Tari and Putna Hi Kaun?
Mohin, you leave me and the debt is erased, why should I live?
No one is capable now, who is close to me, who am I to say?
Mariat Laj ‘Sur’ I am my husband, I love you so much.
Surdas says that God saved all the fallen sinners. Badhik (murderer), Ajamil (sinful adulterer), Ganika (prostitute) and even Pootna were telegraphed. You are saving everyone except me. Why is it like this? Without you no one has the power to save me. Therefore, considering that I am the greatest of the fallen, at least save my honor while dying and save me.
a woman who became a river
The courtesan who has been repeatedly mentioned in the verses of Puranas and devotional poems, is the same courtesan who transforms into the river Gandaki. The story of the Gandaki River is a deeply spiritual symbol. This is the story of salvation of sinners on the strength of faith and transformation of their souls and pure transformation. The story of river Gandaki is the desire to discover the ultimate truth despite living in worldly bondages.
Mention of Gandaki in Shivpuran
Gandaki is mentioned as a prostitute in Shivpuran. Where she was a courtesan i.e. prostitute. She was a prostitute, but at the same time she was also simple-hearted and had faith in God. His mother was also a prostitute, so he had to adopt the same profession, but there was a pure feeling within him. She remained absorbed in God and when men came to her, she would accept to stay with only one person, no matter how much money someone offered her. This was the rule of the courtesan and she never deviated from this rule.
The gods took the test
Once Narada Muni discussed about the courtesan with the Trinity. On this Lord Shiva came to test him. He approached him with the jeweled Shivalinga in his hand and disguised as a merchant. He said to the courtesan – I am a businessman, I have to go to a far away country for business. I worship this Shivalinga daily, but due to business, I may not be able to worship it daily. It is only by the grace of this Shivalinga that I have gained wealth and it is dearer to me than my life.
The courtesan said- What do you want from me?
Shivji handed over Shivling to the courtesan
Shiva became a merchant and said – Devi! I have heard that you are devout and accept only one master at a time. Therefore now you consider me as your master and protect and worship this Shivalinga as my heritage. When I return after six months, you will be free and I will take my Shivalinga.
The courtesan thought – Okay, this solution is also right because through this, firstly I will get a chance to worship Shivling and secondly, at least six months will be spent in devotion, I will not have to be in contact with any man and the big thing is that the businessman is also giving money for this work. There is benefit from every side. Thinking like this, the courtesan said yes to Shivji who became a businessman.
Now Shivji put the last and difficult condition. He said- Remember Goddess, this is crystal Shivalinga. If it breaks or gets damaged in any way, I will also commit suicide.
Saying this, merchant Shivji left on a business trip. The courtesan started taking care of Shivalinga and started worshiping it daily.
Courtesan served Shivalinga
In this way days and months started passing. Meanwhile, the courtesan faced many kinds of temptations, greed for diamonds and jewels, and big rich lords and kings asked her to become their wife, but the courtesan’s only answer was that she would accept someone else’s proposal only after six months and she was already under contract. He sent back all the rich people from the gate with their money.
Fire in courtesan’s palace
One day somehow a fire broke out in the courtesan’s palace and in this fire the Shivalinga also got burnt. The courtesan was very sad. She started thinking what answer she would give to the businessman. On the other hand, Shivji, who became a businessman, returned at the right time and came to know about the fire in the palace. Then he said – Goddess, don’t be sad, God wills it, but now I will have to commit suicide. The businessman decorated a funeral pyre, set it on fire and sat down. The courtesan thought that there are still 15 days left for the period of six months to be completed, so I am the servant of this businessman for 15 days and he is my master. I should act accordingly. Thinking like this, the courtesan also jumped into the pyre with determination.
Courtesan turned into river Gandaki
As their bodies were burning in the pyre, smoke filled the sky and nothing was visible. The next moment the scene changed. The Trinity appeared and the funeral pyre became a bed of flowers. The Trinity appreciated the courtesan’s devotion and dedication and hailed her. Lord Shiva blessed the courtesan with immortality. Lord Brahma gave her the blessing of purity and turned her into Ganga water and Vishnu said – Goddess, your water will now become my abode. Just as I sleep in the ocean of milk, my Saligram (Shaligram) form will be found resting in your bed. Now you will be famous by the name Gandaki.
In this way a courtesan turned into the sacred river Gandaki and became the abode of Shaligram in the form of Vishnu.
The story is also found in Bhagwat
Another story of courtesan is also found in Bhagwat. Once upon a time, there was a courtesan who was pure in heart and saw the form of her husband-God in every man and whenever she was with whomever she was, she would sincerely practice religion with him only.
One day a handsome young man came to him, gave him good remuneration, but went away without saying anything. Gandaki waited patiently for him and during this time she rejected all the offers she received. One day at midnight the young man returned again. Gandaki welcomed him and served him lovingly. While she was bathing him, she saw that the young man’s body was suffering from leprosy. Yet he served him with complete devotion, without any hatred or fear.
The leper came disguised as Narayan
When people refused her to do so, the courtesan said that he is my husband now and I am only following the religion of love, but the next day the young man died as soon as the sun rose. Then the courtesan decided that she would commit sati with her husband. As soon as she sat on the pyre, the young man’s body turned golden and his four hands appeared. He was Lord Vishnu himself. He said-
“I am Narayan, and I came to test you. You have succeeded in the test, now you can ask for three boons.”
Gandaki replied-
“I don’t want any groom, just that you never leave me.” Then Lord Vishnu said – “Due to a curse, I will have to become a stone, and you will become a river. I will always sit in your lap in the form of Shaligram Shila.” Thus the girl transformed into a river and came to be known as Gandaki River.
Mystery of Shaligram Shila
The place situated on the banks of river Gandaki is called Shalagram. According to Gautamiya Tantra, the stones coming out from here are called Shaligram Shila. According to Hindu belief, a small insect resides inside the Shaligram rock which is called Vajra-keet. The teeth of this insect are as hard as thunderbolts, which cut the stone and make holes inside it and reside there.
Many types of Shaligrams
The symbols or shapes made on each Shaligram stone give it special religious significance. These Shaligrams are available in different colours, black, dark black, red, blue, yellow and green. Shaligrams of all colors except red are considered extremely sacred, but yellow and golden Shaligrams are considered the most auspicious.
Red Shaligram is considered to remove serious and fatal diseases from the body. Apart from this, this Tantra and Viparit Tantra Sadhanas are also used in the prevention of negative energy and black magic. Different shapes of Shaligram rocks are associated with different incarnations of Lord Vishnu, like, Matsya Shaligram, Narasimha Shaligram, Kurma Shaligram, Sudarshan Shaligram etc.
Gandaki River is thus not just a water stream, but it is a symbol of devotion, loyalty and devotion to God. Every Shaligram stone flowing in its waters is a living memory of this story, where love, trials and the presence of God flow together.
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