The Jyotirlinga named Ghrushmeshwar, Ghurmeshwar or Ghushmeshwar is situated in a village called Verul which is 20 km away from Daulatabad and approximately 100 kms from Manmad station. The Shivpuran speaks of the emergence of the linga through the following story.
In the southern direction, on a mountain named Devagiri there lived a Brahmin named Brahmavetta SudharmAlong with his wife Sudeha. He was a scholar of the Vedas, the scriptures and used to teach many students. But they did not have a child of their own because of which Sudeha was sad. She would often pray for a child. She tried all the possible remedies but all efforts went in vain. She got her sister Ghushma married to her husband by forcing her purposely. She would serve Sudharm along with Ghushma her sister. On advice by her sister Ghushma used to make 101 lingas and worship them. She used to discharge the lingas in the lake, near by.
By the blessing of Lord Shiva she was blessed with a beautiful fortunate baby boy. Because of this, Ghushma became proud and Sudeha started feeling jealous towards her sister. Out of jealously, one night she took Ghushma's son and killed him and threw him in the lake where Ghushma used to discharge the lingas.
On the next Ghushmas got up and got involved in her daily ablutions. Sudharm also was involved in daily prayers etc. Alike other Sudeh also got up and started performing her daily choirs. When Ghushma's daughter-in-law saw stains of blood on her husband bed and parts of the body drenched in blood, she was horrified. She came to her mother-in-law Ghushma crying and told her everything. Ghushma was absorbed in worshipping Shiva. So she did not deter. Even her husband Sudharma did not move an inch. When Ghushma saw the bed drenched in blood she did not break down. She said, he who has given me this child shall protect him, and started reciting 'Shiva-Shiva' continuously. When she went to discharge the Shivalingas after prayers she saw her son coming. Seeing her son he was neither happy nor sad. At that time Lord Shiv appeared before her and said - I am pleased with your devotion. Your sister had killed your son.
Ghushma prostrated before Shiv and told Lord Shiva to forgive Sudeh and emancipate her. Lord Shiv asked her another boon. Ghushma said that if he was really happy with her devotion then he should reside her eternally for the benefit of the multitudes in form of a Jyotirling and may you be known by my name. On her severe request he manifested in form of a Jyotirling and assumed the name Ghushmeshwar and the kale was named as Shivalaya thereafter. |