Shloka 25
Droṇācārya’s Tapas and the Manifestation of Śiva: The Birth-Grant of Aśvatthāmā (अश्वत्थामा-अवतार-प्रसङ्गः)
नन्दीश्वर उवाच । श्रुत्वार्जुनवचश्चेदं स कृष्णश्शैवसत्तमः । दध्यौ शिवं सदारं च प्रत्याहार्जुनमादरात्
nandīśvara uvāca | śrutvārjunavacaścedaṃ sa kṛṣṇaśśaivasattamaḥ | dadhyau śivaṃ sadāraṃ ca pratyāhārjunamādarāt
Nandīśvara sprach: Als er diese Worte Arjunas vernommen hatte, meditierte Kṛṣṇa—der Vortrefflichste unter den Verehrern Śivas—über den Herrn Śiva zusammen mit Seiner göttlichen Gemahlin und antwortete Arjuna darauf ehrerbietig.
Nandishvara (Nandi)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Significance: Models Śiva-smaraṇa as the highest refuge; hearing/reciting this episode is framed in Purāṇic tradition as fear-removing and bhakti-enhancing.
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
FAQs
It shows the Shaiva ideal of beginning one’s response and action with reverent remembrance (dhyāna) of Pati—Lord Shiva—recognizing Shiva as the supreme refuge and inner guide; Krishna is praised as śaiva-sattamaḥ for this devotional orientation.
The verse highlights Saguna contemplation—meditating on Shiva ‘with His Consort’ (Umā-Parameśvara). This aligns with devotional worship where the Linga is revered as Shiva’s manifest presence and is approached with bhakti, purity of mind, and respectful intention.
A practical takeaway is to perform brief Shiva-dhyāna before speaking or undertaking important acts—mentally invoking Shiva with Umā, or reciting a short mantra such as the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with focused reverence.