Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 40
देवशरणागति-नारदप्रेषणम् | The Devas Take Refuge in Śiva; Nārada Is Sent
यस्य गेहे सुरत्नानि सर्वाणि हि जलंधर । जायारत्नं न चेत्तानि न शोभंते वृथा ध्रुवम्
yasya gehe suratnāni sarvāṇi hi jalaṃdhara | jāyāratnaṃ na cettāni na śobhaṃte vṛthā dhruvam
হে জলন্ধর, যার গৃহে সব উৎকৃষ্ট রত্নই থাকুক, কিন্তু যদি স্ত্রী-রত্ন না থাকে, তবে সেই ঐশ্বর্য নিশ্চয়ই বৃথা; তা সত্যিই শোভা পায় না।
Lord Śiva (in counsel to Jalandhara, within the Yuddhakhaṇḍa narrative as relayed by Sūta to the sages)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse teaches that outer prosperity is incomplete without dharmic companionship; a virtuous spouse is portrayed as a ‘ratna’ because household life becomes a support for dharma, devotion, and steadiness of mind—key conditions for progressing toward Śiva’s grace.
In Saguna Śiva worship, the home becomes a sacred space when dharma and mutual support prevail; a harmonious, righteous household better sustains daily pūjā, vrata, and remembrance of Śiva (including Linga-worship), turning material resources into offerings rather than mere possession.
The takeaway is to sanctify household life through shared dharma: regular Linga-pūjā, japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and simple disciplines like Tripuṇḍra/bhasma and Rudrākṣa (where customary), performed with mutual respect and purity of conduct.