Shloka 17
Ghuśmeśa-jyotirliṅga-māhātmya
The Greatness of the Ghuśmeśa Jyotirlinga
तत्पत्नी स्त्रीस्वभावाच्च भर्त्सिता सा तया तदा । उक्ता चेति दुरुक्त्या वै सुदेहा विप्रकामिनी
tatpatnī strīsvabhāvācca bhartsitā sā tayā tadā | uktā ceti duruktyā vai sudehā viprakāminī
Then that man’s wife, stirred by a woman’s nature (jealousy), harshly rebuked her at that time. With cutting words she spoke to Sudehā, who was enamored of the brāhmaṇa.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
The verse highlights how kāma (desire) and harsh speech disturb inner purity; Shaiva dharma emphasizes mastering impulses and cultivating restraint so the mind becomes fit for Shiva-bhakti and liberation.
Though narrative in tone, it supports the ethical foundation required for Linga-worship: devotion to Saguna Shiva is strengthened by sattvic conduct—truthful, non-hurtful speech and control of desire—so worship becomes transformative rather than merely ritual.
A practical takeaway is vāṅ-niyama (discipline of speech) alongside japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to cool agitation, reduce jealousy, and steady the mind for Shiva-upāsanā.