Shloka 44
Droṇācārya’s Tapas and the Manifestation of Śiva: The Birth-Grant of Aśvatthāmā (अश्वत्थामा-अवतार-प्रसङ्गः)
य इदं शृणुयाद्भक्त्या कीर्तयेद्वा समाहितः । स सिद्धिम्प्राप्नुयादिष्टामन्ते शिवपुरं व्रजेत्
ya idaṃ śṛṇuyādbhaktyā kīrtayedvā samāhitaḥ | sa siddhimprāpnuyādiṣṭāmante śivapuraṃ vrajet
Whoever listens to this with devotion, or recites it with a collected and focused mind, attains the desired siddhi; and in the end goes to Śivapura, the abode of Lord Śiva.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadashiva
Significance: Phalaśruti: śravaṇa/kīrtana of the avatāra narrative yields iṣṭa-siddhi and culminates in attainment of Śivapura (Śiva-loka), i.e., proximity to the Lord.
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It declares Śravaṇa (devout listening) and Kīrtana (devotional recitation) as direct means to siddhi and, ultimately, liberation-oriented attainment—reaching Śiva’s abode (Śivapura) through focused bhakti.
By emphasizing hearing and proclaiming Śiva’s glories, it supports Saguna-upāsanā—devotion to Śiva with attributes (including Liṅga worship)—as a practical path that ripens the soul toward Śiva’s grace and final union in His realm.
Regular śravaṇa of Śiva Purāṇa passages and kīrtana/recitation with samāhita-citta (steady attention); as a complementary Shaiva practice, one may recite with japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and a calm, disciplined mind.