I Do Not Want to Popularise the Worship of Śālagrāma-śilā (10/02/01)
G___ Mahārāja carefully examined the śālagrāma-śilā that accompanied the mūrti of Śrī Narasiṁhadeva to Boston, and concluded that He is Śrī Gopāla as He has ardha-candra and calves hooves markings, and fits comfortably in the palm of my hand. Of course, I will await Your instruction on whether and when I should worship Śrī Gopāla. But at least now we know that He is indeed the all-merciful, self-manifested Form of the Lord, Who has come to Boston by His own will.
I do not want to popularise the worship of śālagrāma among the working devotees in our mission who are living in the USA. So please keep the śilā in a box, and we can bring it to Govindajī Gardens at some later date. If you want to worship a śilā, then I can bring you a govardhana-śilā. That is better, as the worship of govardhana-śilā depends on the affection of the heart and not on rules and regulations. I have given the sannyāsīs śālagrāma to worship because that is expected of those in the renounced order of life. That is especially true here in South India at our societies main centre.
I hope this meets you well.
Affectionately,
Swami B.G. Narasiṅgha
