Shloka 20

Droṇācārya’s Tapas and the Manifestation of Śiva: The Birth-Grant of Aśvatthāmā (अश्वत्थामा-अवतार-प्रसङ्गः)

Devanagari script

विनाश्य पाण्डवसुताञ्छिक्षितानपि यत्नतः । कृष्णादिभिर्महावीरैरनिवार्य्यबलः परैः

Transliteration

vināśya pāṇḍavasutāñchikṣitānapi yatnataḥ | kṛṣṇādibhirmahāvīrairanivāryyabalaḥ paraiḥ

Translation

Though the sons of the Pāṇḍavas were carefully trained, he slew them; and even by great heroes such as Kṛṣṇa and others, his superior force could not be checked.

Word by Word

• विनाश्य: having destroyed
• विनाश्य: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-नश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund), ‘having destroyed’

• पाण्डवसुतान्: the sons of the Pandavas
• पाण्डवसुतान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डव-सुत (प्रातिपदिक; पाण्डव + सुत)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; ‘पाण्डवानां सुताः’ (sons of the Pandavas)

• शिक्षितान्: trained
• शिक्षितान्: Karma-anvaya (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिक्षित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √शिक्ष्)
• Form: कर्मणि क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम् (qualifying पाण्डवसुतान्)

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), ‘even/also’

• यत्नतः: with effort
• यत्नतः: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (adverbial ablative), ‘with effort/earnestly’

• कृष्णादिभिः: by Krishna and others
• कृष्णादिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृष्णादि (प्रातिपदिक; कृष्ण + आदि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (instrumental), बहुवचनम्; ‘कृष्णः आदिः येषाम्’ (by Krishna and others)

• महावीरैः: by great heroes
• महावीरैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महावीर (प्रातिपदिक; महा+वीर)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; apposition to कृष्णादिभिः

• अनिवार्यबलः: of irresistible strength
• अनिवार्यबलः: Karta-anvaya (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनिवार्य-बल (प्रातिपदिक; नञ् + निवार्य + बल)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; बहुव्रीहिवत् अर्थः—‘यस्य बलम् अनिवार्यम्’ (whose strength is irresistible); विशेषणम् (of implied subject, i.e., अश्वत्थामा)

• परैः: by others / by foes
• परैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; ‘by others/enemies’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Mahākāleśvara

Sthala Purana: The unstoppable destructive force (anivārya-bala) resonates with Mahākāla/Bhairava theology—Śiva as the power that dissolves all protections; in kṣetra traditions, Bhairava is the kṣetrapāla whose fierce energy is ritually appeased and redirected.

Significance: Confronting and pacifying fierce karmic forces; seeking protection and restraint of destructive impulses through Śiva-Bhairava worship.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Durgā

Role: destructive

Characters & Entities

• Krishna
• Pandavas

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It underscores that worldly strength and even the protection of renowned heroes cannot ultimately override the ripening of karma; in Shaiva Siddhanta, Pati (Shiva) alone governs the final order of events, directing souls toward learning and liberation.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

By revealing the limits of human and heroic power, the verse turns the devotee toward refuge in Saguna Shiva—worshipped as the Linga—whose grace alone can loosen pāśa (bondage) and steady the mind amid inevitable outcomes.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Take refuge in Shiva through japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steady remembrance of Shiva’s lordship over fate; this cultivates detachment and devotion when faced with loss and uncertainty.