Shloka 37
Ghuśmeśa-jyotirliṅga-māhātmya
The Greatness of the Ghuśmeśa Jyotirlinga
सूत उवाच । इत्येवं वारिता सा च स्वामातुः पुत्रिकां तदा । गृहमानीय भर्तारं वृणु त्वेनामिदं जगौ
sūta uvāca | ityevaṃ vāritā sā ca svāmātuḥ putrikāṃ tadā | gṛhamānīya bhartāraṃ vṛṇu tvenāmidaṃ jagau
Sūta said: Thus being restrained, she then brought that maiden—her own mother’s daughter—back home and said to her, “Choose a husband.”
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Jyotirlinga: Ghṛṣṇeśvara
Sthala Purana: In the Ghṛṣṇeśvara/Ghuśmeśvara narrative, the domestic dharma of Sudharmā–Sudehā leads to Ghuśmā’s later Śiva-bhakti and the manifestation of the Jyotirliṅga after a crisis involving her son; this verse sets up the marriage-choice that enables the later miracle.
Significance: Darśana and worship are held to remove obstacles to progeny and restore harmony in family life; the larger episode culminates in Śiva’s anugraha through the Jyotirliṅga.
FAQs
The verse highlights dharmic guidance within worldly life—right counsel and responsible choice—showing that orderly household conduct can support inner steadiness that ultimately ripens into devotion to Pati (Shiva) and liberation.
Though not directly mentioning the Liṅga, the Shiva Purana often frames social duties as part of a larger Shaiva path: fulfilling dharma with purity of intention prepares the mind for Saguna Shiva worship (puja, vrata, pilgrimage) and deeper surrender.
No specific rite is prescribed in this line; the practical takeaway is to make major life decisions with restraint and guidance, while maintaining regular Shaiva discipline such as japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) according to one’s station in life.