Shloka 40
Ghuśmeśa-jyotirliṅga-māhātmya
The Greatness of the Ghuśmeśa Jyotirlinga
इत्येवं प्रार्थितस्सोऽपि सुधर्मा प्रियया तया । घुश्मां तां समुपायंस्त विवाहविधिना द्विजः
ityevaṃ prārthitasso'pi sudharmā priyayā tayā | ghuśmāṃ tāṃ samupāyaṃsta vivāhavidhinā dvijaḥ
एवं प्रार्थितः स सुधर्मापि तया प्रियया, द्विजः, घुश्मां तां समुपायंस्तां विवाहविधिना विवाहयामास॥
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Jyotirlinga: Ghṛṣṇeśvara
Sthala Purana: The lawful marriage of Ghuśmā is the narrative hinge: it establishes the conditions for her later exemplary Śiva-pūjā and the eventual manifestation of Ghṛṣṇeśvara after the son-related crisis.
Significance: Seen as affirming dharmic order (sthiti) preceding the later miracle; devotees seek stability in household life and blessings for progeny.
Offering: homa (implied)
FAQs
The verse upholds dharma in household life: even personal desires are to be aligned with righteous conduct. In Shaiva understanding, ordered living (dharma) becomes a supportive vessel for Shiva-bhakti and inner purity leading toward grace (anugraha).
By stressing marriage ‘according to rite,’ the text frames devotion to Saguna Shiva (often expressed through Linga-worship in the Kotirudra Samhita) as grounded in disciplined, sattvic living—where vows, purity, and right action strengthen worship and its fruit.
The takeaway is adherence to prescribed rites and vows. For a Shaiva householder, this naturally pairs with daily Linga-puja, japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and maintaining purity through customary observances (such as bhasma/tripundra and Rudraksha where appropriate).