Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

कृष्ण उवाच । वेत्थेदन्द्रोणपुत्रस्य ब्राह्ममस्त्रं महोल्बणम् । न ह्यस्यान्यतमं किञ्चिदस्त्रं प्रत्यवकर्शनम्

Transliteration

kṛṣṇa uvāca | vetthedandroṇaputrasya brāhmamastraṃ maholbaṇam | na hyasyānyatamaṃ kiñcidastraṃ pratyavakarśanam

Translation

Krishna said: “You know the exceedingly dreadful Brahmā-weapon (Brahmāstra) of Droṇa’s son. Indeed, there is no other weapon whatsoever that can draw it back or counteract its force.”

Word by Word

• कृष्णः: Kṛṣṇa
• कृष्णः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्ष), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• वेत्थ: you know
• वेत्थ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद; रूपम्—वेत्थ (irregular present of √विद्)

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• द्रोण-पुत्रस्य: of Droṇa’s son (Aśvatthāman)
• द्रोण-पुत्रस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रोण (प्रातिपदिक) + पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (द्रोणस्य पुत्रः)

• ब्राह्मम्: Brahmā-related
• ब्राह्मम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्राह्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• अस्त्रम्: weapon
• अस्त्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• महत्-उल्बणम्: very formidable
• महत्-उल्बणम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक) + उल्बण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (महच्च तदुल्बणम्)

• न: not
• न: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध-निपात (negation particle)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (emphasis/indeed)

• अस्य: of it/of him
• अस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), एकवचन

• अन्यतमम्: any other (even one)
• अन्यतमम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्यतम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (contextually with अस्त्रम्)

• किञ्चित्: anything
• किञ्चित्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; अनिश्चित-प्रयोग (indefinite)

• अस्त्रम्: weapon
• अस्त्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन

• प्रत्यवकर्शनम्: for counter-drawing/repelling (it)
• प्रत्यवकर्शनम्: Prayojana/Viśeṣaṇa (प्रयोजन/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रति + अव + कृश् (धातु) (कृदन्त-भाव)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; भाववाचक-नाम (action noun): 'drawing back/repulsion'

Speaker

Krishna

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Characters & Entities

• Krishna
• Droṇa
• Aśvatthāmā
• Brahmāstra

FAQs

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

The verse highlights dharmic restraint: certain powers, once unleashed, cannot be easily recalled. From a Shaiva ethical lens, mastery is shown not by destruction but by self-control and alignment with cosmic order under Pati (the Supreme Lord).

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

While the verse speaks of an irresistible weapon, its deeper implication is dependence on the Supreme governance of the Lord. In Saguna Shiva worship (Linga-upasana), devotees seek protection and right discernment so that power is used in dharma, not ego-driven harm.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of Shiva’s Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") for steadiness and restraint, along with sincere prayer for the purification of intention before undertaking any forceful act.