Shloka 7
ज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्य-प्रस्तावना तथा सोमनाथ-प्रसङ्गः
Prologue to the Glory and Origin of the Jyotirliṅgas; Somnātha Episode Begins
हेम्ना चैव मणिर्भाति मणिना हेम चैव हि । एवं च समये तस्य यज्जातं श्रूयतामिति
hemnā caiva maṇirbhāti maṇinā hema caiva hi | evaṃ ca samaye tasya yajjātaṃ śrūyatāmiti
Just as a jewel shines because of gold, and gold likewise shines because of the jewel, so—at that very time—listen to what occurred in that matter.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
It highlights mutual illumination—like gold and a jewel—pointing to how divine grace (Shiva’s shakti) and receptive devotion (the listener’s shraddha) together make sacred truth shine; it also emphasizes śravaṇa (listening) as a primary doorway for bhakti and inner purification.
The verse functions as a narrative bridge: by inviting attentive listening, it prepares the mind for the forthcoming Jyotirlinga/Linga-centered account, where Saguna Shiva becomes experientially ‘radiant’ for the devotee through story, remembrance, and pilgrimage-oriented devotion.
Śravaṇa of Shiva-kathā with focused attention—ideally preceded by simple purity observances (like applying Tripuṇḍra/bhasma and mentally repeating the Pañcākṣarī, ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’)—so the teaching is received as sādhana, not mere information.