Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

धनुर्वेदे च वेदे च निष्णातं यं विदुर्बुधाः । वरिष्ठं चित्रकर्माणं द्रोणं स्वकुलवर्धनम्

Transliteration

dhanurvede ca vede ca niṣṇātaṃ yaṃ vidurbudhāḥ | variṣṭhaṃ citrakarmāṇaṃ droṇaṃ svakulavardhanam

Translation

The wise knew Droṇa to be profoundly accomplished both in the science of archery and in the Vedas—pre-eminent, skilled in wondrous arts, and a true enhancer of his lineage.

Word by Word

• धनुः-वेेदे: in the science of archery
• धनुः-वेेदे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनुस् (प्रातिपदिक) + वेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (धनुर्वेदः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• वेदे: in the Veda
• वेदे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• निष्णातम्: well-versed
• निष्णातम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निष्णात (कृदन्त; धातु √स्ना with नि- उपसर्ग)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; ‘यं’ इति कर्मपदस्य विशेषणम्

• यम्: whom
• यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक-सर्वनाम

• विदुः: know
• विदुः: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धातु √विद् (जानने)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/लिट्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• बुधाः: the wise (people)
• बुधाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• वरिष्ठम्: the most excellent
• वरिष्ठम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वरिष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक; श्रेष्ठतम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; अतिशय-विशेषण (superlative)

• चित्र-कर्माणम्: of wondrous deeds
• चित्र-कर्माणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित्र (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (चित्रं कर्म यस्य)

• द्रोणम्: Droṇa
• द्रोणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रोण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• स्व-कुल-वर्धनम्: enhancer of his own lineage
• स्व-कुल-वर्धनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + कुल (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्धन (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त from √वृध्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (स्वस्य कुलस्य वर्धनम्)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Droṇa

FAQs

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

It upholds the Shaiva ideal that true excellence is holistic—outer skill (action in the world) must be grounded in inner authority (Vedic wisdom), aligning one’s conduct with dharma under the Lordship of Śiva, the supreme Pati.

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

While not directly mentioning the Liṅga, the verse supports the Shiva Purana’s broader teaching: devotion to Saguna Śiva is strengthened when the devotee’s life is disciplined, truthful, and guided by śāstra—qualities represented by mastery of the Vedas.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The implied takeaway is śāstra-abhyāsa (regular study) and niyama (disciplined practice); a Shaiva practitioner may pair daily Vedic recitation with japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to unite knowledge and devotion.