Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

अश्वत्थामेति विख्यातस्तस्य बभूव क्षितौ मुने । प्रवीरः कंजपत्राक्षश्शत्रुपक्षक्षयङ्करः

Transliteration

aśvatthāmeti vikhyātastasya babhūva kṣitau mune | pravīraḥ kaṃjapatrākṣaśśatrupakṣakṣayaṅkaraḥ

Translation

聖仙よ、地上において彼には、アシュヴァッターマと名高い勇子が生まれた。蓮華のごとき眼を持ち、第一の勇士として、敵軍の陣列を滅ぼし恐れを起こさせる者であった。

Word by Word

• अश्वत्थामा: Aśvatthāmā
• अश्वत्थामा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्वत्थामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Nominative singular; proper noun)

• इति: thus/so called
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरण/नामनिर्देशसूचक (quotative particle)

• विख्यातः: renowned
• विख्यातः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि-√ख्या (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (renowned)

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक; षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Genitive singular: of him/of that)

• बभूव: became/was
• बभूव: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect); प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• क्षितौ: on earth
• क्षितौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षिति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Locative singular)

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Vocative singular)

• प्रवीरः: a great hero
• प्रवीरः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (प्रकृष्टः वीरः)

• कंजपत्राक्षः: lotus-petal-eyed
• कंजपत्राक्षः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कंज + पत्र + अक्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (कंजपत्रे इव अक्षिणी यस्य = lotus-petal-eyed)

• शत्रुपक्षक्षयङ्करः: causing the destruction of the enemy side
• शत्रुपक्षक्षयङ्करः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शत्रु + पक्ष + क्षय + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (शत्रूणां पक्षस्य क्षयं करोति)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Rudra

Characters & Entities

• Ashvatthama

FAQs

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

It highlights how extraordinary potency and fame arise in the world through divinely-ordained birth and destiny; in Shaiva thought, such power is ultimately under Pati (Shiva), and worldly heroism is meaningful when aligned with dharma and devotion.

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

By describing a formidable, renowned figure within Shiva’s narrative stream, it points to Saguna Shiva’s governance of creation and events; devotees worship the Linga as the stable, compassionate center beyond the turbulence of conflict and fame.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) for inner restraint and protection, supported by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha as aids to remembrance of Rudra’s disciplined power.