Shloka 38
Droṇācārya’s Tapas and the Manifestation of Śiva: The Birth-Grant of Aśvatthāmā (अश्वत्थामा-अवतार-प्रसङ्गः)
स्वरूपं शंकरादेशात्कृतं शैववरेण ह । कृष्णेन चरितं ज्ञात्वा विमनस्कः शनैरभूत्
svarūpaṃ śaṃkarādeśātkṛtaṃ śaivavareṇa ha | kṛṣṇena caritaṃ jñātvā vimanaskaḥ śanairabhūt
That sacred form, fashioned by the foremost of Śaivas in accordance with Śaṅkara’s command—when Kṛṣṇa came to know its account, he gradually became inwardly unsettled and pensive.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Shiva
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights the supremacy of Śiva’s ājñā (command) and the transformative power of encountering Śiva’s manifested form—such contact humbles even great beings and turns the mind inward toward reverence and self-examination, aligning with the Shaiva view that Pati (Śiva) guides all toward grace.
The verse emphasizes a ‘svarūpa’ made according to Śaṅkara’s instruction, pointing to Saguna worship where form (including Liṅga as a sacred emblem) becomes a vessel of Śiva’s presence; knowing its ‘carita’ (glory) awakens awe and devotion that matures into steadiness in worship.
A practical takeaway is śravaṇa and manana—hearing the Śiva-carita and contemplating it—supported by daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and focused darśana/meditation on Śiva’s form (Saguna upāsanā) to turn mental disturbance into devotion.