SCHOOL OF BHAGAVAD GITA :

SALAGRAMAM ASHRAM :

Kundamonkadavu, 
 Thirumala, 
 Trivandrum - 695006
 Kerala, India
 Phone: +91 471 2367299


SALAGRAMAM Ashram, envisaged and founded by Swami Sandeepananda Giri, is  devoted to the understanding and spread of pure Knowledge.The School of Bhagavad Gita is the nucleus of the Ashram.


Salagramam, the sacred stone, is believed to be the manifestation of Vishnu, the One who pervades all - and it is believed that Vishnu or Hari shines forth from the salagramam - "Harihi vyaapi salagraame prakaashate"   


Inspired by the divine salagramam, Swami Sandeepananda Giri envisions Salagramam, the Temple of Knowledge to illumine the world with the crystalline light of Knowledge - clear and pure.


Salagramam Ashram is a microcosm of the universe around us. The universe is made up of the five elements of space, air, fire, water and earth and every particle is a reflection thereof. Salagramam ashram represents this principle and encompasses the harmonious confluence of the elements.


"Evam pindabrahmandayoraikyam sambhutam"


"Thus, there is identity between the microcosm and the macrocosm"


SALAGRAMAM Ashram, registered under the School of Bhagavad Gita Trust , is the umbrella organization supporting a wide range of initiatives committed to exploring Indian philosophy as a living tradition, faithful to its origins, yet compatible with the current world. The ashram’s purpose is to promote the assimilation of study and practice, and to understand tradition in a spirit of genuine inquiry. 


The doors of SALAGRAMAM are always open to any sincere seeker of knowledge,regardless of his religion, nationality or educational background. It offers the freedom and the facility to a person to discover himself. He will have the liberty to set the standards and goals at levels acceptable to himself. 


AIMS OF THE ASHRAM  :


The vision that the ashram engulfs is to nurture and nourish the true essence of spirituality, which in fact is the culture that exists in one’s inner spaces. The end of spiritual practice is to realize the inherent divinity in each of us and to revel in its glory and experience the fullness it lends to everyday life. Individual transformation thus, will bring about social transformation in natural course.


The values of the ashram are such that it makes spirituality a practicable way of life and within the reach of every human being irrespective of caste or country, intellectual or individual position. It suggests and encourages people to view and practice spirituality and detachment from a broader perspective, breaking out of the lop-sided and narrow mind set, to imbibe a spiritual culture that does away with aloofness and puts into practice in everyday life, the time-tested principles of the sages. It seeks to effect the complete unfolding of the human personality and open up the horizons of endless possibilities to man. 


The ashram strives to preserve the traditions and cultural heritage of our civilization, which is one of the oldest on earth. 


The ashram will play a pivotal role in increasing knowledge and awareness by providing for deeper understanding of Indian heritage at the highest academic level, as well as at levels within the reach of the common man. 


The ashram supports the study and propagation of scriptural texts, the Vedas and Upanishads with special emphasis on the Bhagavad Gita, the sublimation of the knowledge contained in these works. 


THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SALAGRAMAM : 


Saalagram are sacred stones found in the Himalayan stream of Gandaki and which are worshipped as a form of Vishnu. In fact, Saalagraman is one of the names of Vishnu. 


Salagrama shilayantu sakshat Sri Krishna sevanam 
Nityam sannihitas tatra Vasudevo Jagad Guruh. 


The worship of Salagram stone is the worship of Lord Sri Krishna directly. Jagat Guru, the spiritual master of the universe, Lord Vasudeva, eternally resides within Salagram Shila. 


The expression ''Saalayah” signifies lords or masters, and the word 'graamam' means a congregation or group and Salagramam therefore, represents a collection of gods or divinity in one place. 


The sacred Salagramam, bears the emblems of Vishnu, like the chakra. They also contain within them, beautiful colours and hues and sparkles of gold. To Swami Sandeepananda Giri, this symbolises the limitless potential that resides within every being.