Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

साहाय्यार्थं कौरवाणां स तेपे विपुलन्तपः । शिवमुद्दिश्य पुत्रार्थं द्रोणाचार्य्यो द्विजोत्तमः

Transliteration

sāhāyyārthaṃ kauravāṇāṃ sa tepe vipulantapaḥ | śivamuddiśya putrārthaṃ droṇācāryyo dvijottamaḥ

Translation

To aid the Kauravas, the eminent Brahmin Droṇācārya undertook abundant austerities, fixing his intent on Lord Śiva and seeking the boon of a son.

Word by Word

• साहाय्यर्थम्: for the sake of help
• साहाय्यर्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: साहाय्य-अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् द्वितीया-एकवचन प्रयोगः (accusative of purpose); षष्ठी/तत्पुरुषार्थ-सम्बन्धः: साहाय्यस्य अर्थः

• कौरवाणाम्: of the Kauravas
• कौरवाणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौरव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तेपे: performed austerity; did penance
• तेपे: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √तप् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• विपुलतपः: great austerity
• विपुलतपः: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विपुल-तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः: विपुलं तपः

• शिवम्: Śiva
• शिवम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• उद्दिश्य: addressing; intending (Śiva)
• उद्दिश्य: Kriya-sambandha (क्रियासम्बन्ध/Converb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उद्दिश्य (अव्यय; √दिश् धातु, उपसर्ग उद्)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive): ‘उद्दिश्य’ = having aimed at/with reference to

• पुत्रार्थम्: for the sake of a son
• पुत्रार्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुत्र-अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् द्वितीया-एकवचन (purpose); तत्पुरुषः: पुत्रस्य अर्थः

• द्रोणाचार्यः: Droṇa, the teacher
• द्रोणाचार्यः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रोण-आचार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: द्रोणस्य आचार्यः (name/title)

• द्विजोत्तमः: the best of Brahmins
• द्विजोत्तमः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज-उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः: उत्तमः द्विजः

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Dronacharya
• Kauravas

FAQs

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

It highlights that disciplined tapas joined with clear intention toward Lord Shiva (Pati) can bear fruit in worldly aims, while also reinforcing Shiva as the supreme giver of grace (anugraha) in Shaiva Siddhanta.

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

The verse depicts Saguna-upasana—approaching Shiva as a personal Lord who hears prayers and bestows boons; such devotion is traditionally expressed through Linga worship, mantra-japa, and vrata with focused sankalpa.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The implied practice is Shiva-focused tapas: regular japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namah Shivaya”), simple Linga-puja with bilva leaves and water, and restraint/discipline undertaken with a specific vow (sankalpa).