Shloka 21
Droṇācārya’s Tapas and the Manifestation of Śiva: The Birth-Grant of Aśvatthāmā (अश्वत्थामा-अवतार-प्रसङ्गः)
पुत्रशोकेन विकलमापतन्तं तमर्जुनम् । रथेनाच्युतवंतं हि दृष्ट्वा स च पराद्रवत्
putraśokena vikalamāpatantaṃ tamarjunam | rathenācyutavaṃtaṃ hi dṛṣṭvā sa ca parādravat
Seeing Arjuna—overwhelmed and collapsing under grief for his son—mounted in a chariot driven by Acyuta (Śrī Kṛṣṇa), he too fled away in haste.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights how intense attachment-born sorrow (śoka) destabilizes even great heroes, while fear and flight arise in those who lack inner refuge; Shaiva Siddhanta reads this as a prompt to seek Pati (Shiva) as the steady ground beyond changing emotions.
In the face of grief and panic, the Shiva Purana repeatedly directs the devotee to Saguna Shiva—worshipped as the Linga—as an accessible support for the mind, leading it from agitation toward clarity and surrender.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to steady the mind in sorrow; if initiated, support it with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of Shiva as the inner protector.