Shloka 22
गृहस्थ-जीवनसंस्काराः तथा पुत्रजन्म-शुभलक्षणवर्णनम् / Household Saṃskāras and the Auspicious Portents of a Son’s Birth
महेन्द्रमुख्या गीर्वाणा नागाः पातालवासिनः । रत्नान्यादाय बहुशस्ससरित्का महाब्धयः
mahendramukhyā gīrvāṇā nāgāḥ pātālavāsinaḥ | ratnānyādāya bahuśassasaritkā mahābdhayaḥ
മഹേന്ദ്രാദി ദേവഗണങ്ങളും പാതാളവാസികളായ നാഗന്മാരും നദികളോടുകൂടിയ മഹാസമുദ്രങ്ങളും—വീണ്ടും വീണ്ടും അമൂല്യ രത്നങ്ങൾ കൊണ്ടുവന്ന് ഭക്ത്യാദരത്തോടെ അർപ്പിച്ചു।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga origin; depicts cosmic beings (devas, nāgas, oceans/rivers) bringing ratnas as offerings—an archetype of universal propitiation of Śiva in a grand assembly.
Significance: Models the ideal of ‘sarva-loka-ārādhana’: all realms contribute offerings; for pilgrims it implies that even nature (oceans/rivers) participates in Śiva-sevā, encouraging generous dāna and pūjā.
Role: creative
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It shows that all realms—heaven (Devas), netherworld (Nāgas), and the cosmic waters—turn toward Shiva with offerings, implying Shiva as Pati (the Supreme Lord) to whom even the greatest treasures are secondary to devotion and surrender.
The repeated bringing of gems reflects Saguna worship—approaching Shiva in a worshipful, offering-based relationship—yet the deeper intent is that the Linga signifies the all-pervading Lord who receives offerings as symbols of inner dedication.
Offerings should be made with bhakti: during Linga-pūjā one may offer water (abhisheka) and mentally offer one’s pride and attachments, while repeating the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” as the true ‘gem’ of worship.