How did the manifestation of the Ghushmeshwar Jyotirlinga occur? Learn why the place where this Jyotirlinga manifested is called a Shiv temple (pagoda).

Shri Ghushmeshwar, also known as Ghrasrneshwar or Ghushrneshwar, is a Jyotirlinga situated near the village of Verul, 12 miles from Daulatabad station in the Hyderabad state. Lord Shiva, pleased with the devotion of his beloved devotee Ghusma, manifested himself as the Ghushmeshwar Jyotirlinga, named after her.

The Story of the Origin of Ghusmeswar Jyotirlinga:

Once upon a time, in the southern direction, there was a massive mountain known as Devagiri. The beauty of this mountain was unparalleled, and it always radiated a divine aura. Near this mountain lived a Brahmin named Sudharma, a scholar of the Vedas, with his family. His wife, Sudeha, was an ideal wife and a devoted worshiper of Lord Shiva, excelling in all household duties. Sudharma worshiped the gods and guests and regularly performed Agnihotra, following the path described in the Vedas. They were not only wealthy but also very generous in charity. Their dedication to the worship of Shiva was unwavering, and they had a deep love for Shiva devotees.

Despite their prosperous life, there was one thing missing—they had no son. While Sudharma didn't mind this much, Sudeha was deeply saddened by it. Neighbors would taunt her, and she would repeatedly ask her husband to pray for a son. Sudharma would gently advise her to be patient. Eventually, the Brahmin made some efforts, but they were unsuccessful.

Distressed by this, Sudeha finally decided that her husband should marry again. She pleaded with her sister Ghushma, and after much insistence, she arranged for her husband to marry again. Before the marriage, Sudharma advised Sudeha, "Right now, you love your sister very much, but when she has a son, you will surely become jealous of her." However, Sudeha promised that she would never be jealous of her sister.

After the marriage, Ghushma served her elder sister Sudeha like an ideal sister. Sudeha also loved Ghushma. Every day, Ghushma would make 101 Parthiv Shivlings (small clay idols of Shiva) and worship them, then immerse them in a nearby pond. This was her daily routine. By the grace of Lord Shiva, Ghushma was blessed with a beautiful and virtuous son, which increased her respect in the household. Seeing Ghushma being more respected than herself made Sudeha jealous of her own sister.

As time passed, Ghushma's son reached marriageable age, and his marriage was arranged. With the arrival of the daughter-in-law, Ghushma's honor in the house increased even more, making it unbearable for Sudeha to witness. Her growing jealousy clouded her judgment, and one night, Sudeha killed her sister's son with a sharp weapon while he slept. She then disposed of the dismembered body parts in the same pond where Ghushma would immerse the Parthiv Shivlings.

In the morning, when the daughter-in-law saw her husband’s bed, it was covered in blood with pieces of a body on it. She was devastated by this sight. She immediately went to her mother-in-law, Ghushma, and said, "Mother! Where is your son? His bed is filled with blood, and there are pieces of a body on it. Oh God! Who could have done this?" She began to wail in grief.

Sudeha, Sudharma's first wife, also began to cry when she saw the daughter-in-law’s distress, as if she knew nothing about the incident. However, secretly, she felt a sense of satisfaction.

However, none of this affected Ghushma; she remained undisturbed in her daily Shiva worship. Neither she nor her husband was at all concerned about their son and stayed meditate in their prayers.

In the afternoon, when the worship was over, Ghushma saw the blood-soaked bed but felt no sadness. She thought, "The same divine grace that blessed me with this son will protect him. There is no point in worrying now." Trusting in Lord Shiva, she went to the pond to immerse the Parthiv Shivlings as usual, without feeling any sorrow. As she was returning after immersing the Shivlings, she saw her son standing by the pond.

Seeing her son alive, Ghushma was neither happy nor surprised. Lord Shiva, impressed by her devotion and unwavering faith, appeared before her in person. He said, "Sumukhi, your true devotion and patience have greatly pleased me. I wish to grant you a boon; you may ask for anything you desire." Then, Lord Shiva added that Sudeha had wronged her and that he would certainly punish her. However, Ghushma requested Lord Shiva to protect Sudeha.

With humility, Ghushma said, "O Lord! Sudeha should be given another chance. Her sins will be absolved by your divine vision."

Lord Shiva was deeply impressed by Ghushma’s pure nature and said, "Ghushma, I am greatly pleased with you. You may ask for another boon, and I will grant you a beneficial one." Upon hearing this, Ghushma humbly replied, "Lord, if you wish to grant me a boon, please reside here forever for the welfare of all, and let your Jyotirlinga be known by my name."

Impressed by Ghushma's devotion, Lord Shiva joyfully said, "I will be known by your name as 'Ghushmeshwar' and will reside here forever, being beneficial to all. My auspicious Jyotirlinga will be famous by the name 'Ghushmeshwar,' and this pond will become a sacred place for Shivlings, known throughout the world as a Shiva temple. Just by seeing this pond, all desires of a person will be fulfilled. There will be no doubt that in your lineage, for one hundred and one generations, there will be noble sons. These sons will be blessed with beautiful wives, ample wealth, and long life. They will be intelligent, learned, generous, and worthy of both enjoyment and liberation. The expansion of your lineage will be exceedingly glorious."

Having said this, Lord Shiva settled there as a Jyotirlinga and became known by the name 'Ghushmeshwar.' The pond located there became renowned as 'Shivalaya.'(pagoda) Sudharma, Ghushma, and Sudeha all circumambulated the Shivling one hundred and one times and performed worship with devotion. Sudeha atoned for her sins and found happiness and peace through the vision of Lord Shiva. Thus, worship and darshan (viewing) of the Ghushmeshwar Jyotirlinga destroy all sins and grant both enjoyment and liberation.

Verified from Puran.............

Writer :- krishna