||    Frequently asked questions about SaaLagrAmam worship    ||

Q: How many SaaligrAmams should be kept at home for AarAdhanam as a minimum?

A: One is allowed. Two should not be there According to SaasthrAs, three and other odd numbers are not allowed. Some elders are of the opinion that only three is not allowed and all other odd numbers may be acceptable. From this, it appears that one should be happy with what one has. (It may be difficult to get a clear answer on this subject. There is a diversity of opinion).

If there are more than one SaaLigrAmams are there in a house, One should not perform AarAdhanam for two SaaLigrAmams. Odd number of SaaLigrAmams should not be worshipped. If there are 2 SaaLigrAmams, perform complete AarAdhanam for one and just NaivEdhyam for the other until you get two more. If there are three, perofrm AarAdhanam for one and naivEdhyam for the other two.

The Best way for those, who can not do AarAdhanam, it is good to get quaified. It is not recommended to remove the SaaLigrAmams from the house, where they have been worshipped by the elders for a long time. Removing these SaaLigrAmams may result in loss of fortune and even lead to bad things. Some people exchnage for some SaaLigrAmams, which are known to bring auspiciousness.

In case we can not do AarAdhanam, it is better to get some one in the house or outside to do the AarAdhanam. On those days, when there is asoucham , it is better to give the Moorthams to some one to perform AarAdhanam until the theettu or asoucham is gone. On busy days, atleast present Asanam and NaivEdhyam . NaivEdhAnam could be done by the same person performing AarAdhanam or by the Mother or wife or some one else in the house.When the ladies do NaivEdhyam , they should do it without touching the SaaLigrAmam.

A HOME SHOULD NOT BE WITHOUT SAALIGRAAMAM.

" GRAHAM SMASAANAM THAVA BHIMBHA VARJITHAM
BHoKTHAVYAMABAKSHYENA SAMAM HI THATH "

(Meaning): Do Not eat in the House, which does not have SaaLigrAma silA.

(It will be desirable to get dhAnam of the SaaLigrAmams. Paadhukaa aarAdhanam is another alternative).

SaasthrAs say that Bhagavath Saannidhyam is always there in SaaLigramam since it is Svayam Vyaktham (Self Manifested) in SaaLigramams.

"na prathishtA vidhAthavyA na cha samprOkshaNthikam
Saalagrama silAyAsthu poojAlOpO na dhUshanam "

(meaning): Since Bhagavath Saannidhyam is already there in SaaLigrAmam, there is no need for consecration after an accident (dhOsham). Also, if there is a break in the AarAdhanam, it is not a major consequence.

When SaaLigrAmam is damaged, one can still worship as long as the ChakrAs are still there. According to VarAha PurANam,

" SaalagrAma silA bagnA poojaneeyA sachakrakaa
kantithA spootithaa vaapi SaaLagrama silA subhaa:"

(Meaning): When it is slightly damaged, broken or cracked, as long as the chakra is there, that SaaLigrAmam can be worshipped and will continue to confer auspiciousness. If the chakrA(s) are damaged ,then that SaaLigrAmam can be discarded.

Q: Is vigraha AarAdhana allowed with SaaligrAma Moorthys? Is there a difference in AarAdhanam?

A. It is perfectly alright to perform AarAdhanam for both the Moorthys. Every temple and Mutt (where vigrahAs are worshipped), AarAdhanam is performed for SaaligrAmams along with VigrahAs. There is however a difference in their AarAdhanams. In the Vigraha poojA, there is aavAhanam of the deity. In the SaaLagrAma poojA, there is no aavahana manthrams except Saannidhya Yaachanam.

Q: Is it alright, if one does not perform daily AarAdhanam to the SaaLigrAma Moorthams?

A: It is not that there is no need for daily AarAdhanam for SaaLigrAmam. Without doing AarAdhanam One can not eat. SaaLigrAmam does not need PrANa prathishtai (Consecration) since it is divine by nature. In the case of VigrahAs , which have had Prthishtai , there is a need for prAyascchittham, if there is a break in AarAdhanam even for one day. In the case of SaaLigrAmam(s), there is no need for PrAyascchittham and one can continue the worship after asking for forgiveness (AparAdha KshAmaNam). That is what is taken as no need to do ThiruvArAdhanam. It is not acceptable to miss the daily AarAdhanam.

SaaLigrAma KshEthra nivAsAya , Sree MoorthayE Nama:
Daasan , Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri Sadagopan

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