Shloka 32

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

Devanagari script

अश्वत्थामा ततो ज्ञात्वा वृत्तमेतच्छिवांशजः । शैवन्न विव्यथे किञ्चिच्छिवेच्छातुष्टधीर्मुने

Transliteration

aśvatthāmā tato jñātvā vṛttametacchivāṃśajaḥ | śaivanna vivyathe kiñcicchivecchātuṣṭadhīrmune

Translation

Then Aśvatthāmā—born of a portion of Śiva—having understood what had occurred, did not waver in the least. O sage, truly devoted to Śiva, his mind remained satisfied with Śiva’s will.

Word by Word

• अश्वत्थामा: Ashvatthāmā
• अश्वत्थामा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्वत्थामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb) ‘then/thereafter’

• ज्ञात्वा: having known
• ज्ञात्वा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वकाल (prior action) ‘having known’

• वृत्तम्: the event/what happened
• वृत्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृत्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier) वृत्तम्

• शिव-अंश-जः: the one born of Śiva’s portion (Śiva’s descendant)
• शिव-अंश-जः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + अंश (प्रातिपदिक) + ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (genitive tatpuruṣa) ‘शिवस्य अंशः’ + तद्धित/कृदन्त-समासान्त ‘जः’ = ‘born of (an) aspect/portion of Śiva’

• शैवम्: Śaiva (devoted to Śiva)/pertaining to Śiva
• शैवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शैव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; कर्मप्रवचनीय/विशेषणरूपेण (as qualifier)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय (negative particle)

• विव्यथे: was distressed/trembled
• विव्यथे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: व्यथ् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• किञ्चित्: at all/anything
• किञ्चित्: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किञ्चित् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययवत्)
• Form: अव्ययीभावेन प्रयुक्तम्; परिमाण/अल्पार्थक (indefinite adverb) ‘at all/anything’

• शिव-इच्छा-तुष्ट-धीः: one whose mind was content with Śiva’s will
• शिव-इच्छा-तुष्ट-धीः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + इच्छा (प्रातिपदिक) + तुष्ट (प्रातिपदिक) + धी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (determinative): ‘शिवेच्छया तुष्टा धीः यस्य’ (sense: mind/intellect satisfied with Śiva’s will)

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Rudra

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Ashvatthama

FAQs

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

The verse highlights a key Shaiva virtue: inner steadiness born from devotion to Śiva, where one remains unshaken by events by accepting Śiva’s icchā (divine will) with a contented mind.

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

Linga/Saguna worship trains the devotee to see all happenings as arising under Śiva’s lordship (Pati). This verse reflects that devotional maturity—equanimity grounded in trust in Śiva’s governing will.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa with surrender—especially the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—combined with a daily sankalpa to accept outcomes as Śiva’s will, cultivating calmness and devotion.