There could be a doubt in few devotees mind about carving of murties on shaligram shilas is a Satkarma (good deed) when shaligram Himself is a Narayana. Please note that there are several temples like Jaganath temple in Puri, Venkateshwara temple at Tirupati, Dwarkadheesh temple at Dwarka, Krishna, Rukmani temple at Bhet Dwarka in Gujarat and many many more where the main deities idols are made of Shaligram shilas. A shaligram is a Fossil Ammonite. Scientifically the fossil stone can only exist in a circular or rectangular or triangular or ovalish or a combination of above shapes depending upon in which environment they were present and were being formed as a fossil stone.
The Lord Krishna or Vishnu or any other God is FORMLESS, but we have given them a shape which pleases our eyes and also we can easily distinguish various Gods, depending upon their specific characteristic like a flute in Krishnas arm and a bow in Rams shoulder or parshu in Parshurams hand. The shaligrams have one side impressions and the other side is normally plain. The murti or idol is carved on the plain side so that there is no damage to any chakra or impression. At some time when the Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna thought of coming to Earth to bless mankind, they must have changed a normal shaligram into their form which is easily recognizable by mankind.
Significance of Carved Shaligram
Since the Shaligram stone was the most auspicious stone at that time God must have chosen to be in Shaligram stone form. So the shaligram was converted by the Lord himself so that the Mankind could recognize Him. He has bestowed us several metals, gases, solids, liquids, petroleum etc. which a man could use or change its form to have a better life. Similarly, He has given several rocks, gemstones, where in He could be carved by an artisan, people recognize him and He could be placed in the temples so that devotees could worship Him. The awareness about shaligrams among devotees is very less/ minimal. But when they see the carved shaligram they are attracted towards Him and become aware of which shaligram represents which particular form of Krishna. Then they try to do some research on shaligram shilas and thereby more and more devotees are getting aware about these mystic shilas.
How to Recognize a Carved Shaligram Shila
It is very easy to recognize a shaligram if there is a carving of the same form done on the back side of the shaligram. Also few devotees are confused as to which way they should keep the shilas, so the shila is carved they are clear about the placement of the Lord. I have felt the power of a carved shaligram and it is definitely higher. Please note that any idol or shaligram or Rudraksha or finished Gem stones or Yantra or any spiritual item is a SACRED Geometry and by virtue of their shape positivity comes in and negativity goes out. So worshipping a non carved or a carved shaligram both are very good for the worshiper. So going by above logic it is acceptable to carve the Murties on shaligrams. Actually carving on shaligrams is exceptionally difficult and after 18 years I was successful in carving the shaligrams.
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