Shloka 12
Ghuśmeśa-jyotirliṅga-māhātmya
The Greatness of the Ghuśmeśa Jyotirlinga
सोऽपि स्त्रियं तदा भर्त्स्य किं पुत्रश्च करिष्यति । का माता कः पिता पुत्रः को बंधुश्च प्रियश्च कः
so'pi striyaṃ tadā bhartsya kiṃ putraśca kariṣyati | kā mātā kaḥ pitā putraḥ ko baṃdhuśca priyaśca kaḥ
He too will then scold the woman; and what will the son be able to do? Who is truly “mother,” who “father,” who “son”? Who indeed is “kinsman,” and who is “dear”?
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
FAQs
The verse undermines absolute identification with social roles—mother, father, son, relative, beloved—pointing to their impermanence and urging vairagya (dispassion) so the seeker may take refuge in Shiva as the true, unchanging Pati (Lord) beyond worldly bonds.
By questioning worldly identities, the verse directs the mind from transient relationships to the stable support of devotion—worship of Shiva as Saguna through the Linga—where the devotee anchors love and dependence in the eternal Lord rather than shifting human ties.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a contemplative bhāvanā: ‘All roles change; Shiva alone is my refuge,’ optionally supported by wearing rudraksha and applying tripuṇḍra-bhasma as daily reminders of renunciation.