Shloka 18
Ghuśmeśa-jyotirliṅga-māhātmya
The Greatness of the Ghuśmeśa Jyotirlinga
द्विजपत्न्युवाच अपुत्रिणि कथं गर्वं कुरुषे पुत्रिणी ह्यहम् । मद्धनं भोक्ष्यते पुत्रो धनं ते कश्च भोक्ष्यते
dvijapatnyuvāca aputriṇi kathaṃ garvaṃ kuruṣe putriṇī hyaham | maddhanaṃ bhokṣyate putro dhanaṃ te kaśca bhokṣyate
The Brahmin’s wife said: “O childless woman, how can you be proud? I am blessed with a son. My son will inherit and enjoy my wealth—who, indeed, will enjoy yours?”
Dvija-patni (the Brahmin’s wife)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It exposes worldly pride rooted in progeny and wealth. From a Shaiva perspective, such ahaṅkāra and mamakāra (I-ness and mine-ness) bind the jīva in pāśa; humility and turning toward Pati (Shiva) is the antidote.
Linga-worship trains the mind to see Shiva as the true refuge beyond social status, fertility, and inheritance. Saguna Shiva devotion redirects identity from “my son, my wealth” to “Shiva is the Lord and protector,” weakening attachment and pride.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a vow of humility, along with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) remembrance of impermanence—reducing arrogance tied to body, family, and possessions.