Shloka 25
Droṇācārya’s Tapas and the Manifestation of Śiva: The Birth-Grant of Aśvatthāmā (अश्वत्थामा-अवतार-प्रसङ्गः)
नन्दीश्वर उवाच । श्रुत्वार्जुनवचश्चेदं स कृष्णश्शैवसत्तमः । दध्यौ शिवं सदारं च प्रत्याहार्जुनमादरात्
nandīśvara uvāca | śrutvārjunavacaścedaṃ sa kṛṣṇaśśaivasattamaḥ | dadhyau śivaṃ sadāraṃ ca pratyāhārjunamādarāt
നന്ദീശ്വരൻ പറഞ്ഞു—അർജുനന്റെ ഈ വചനങ്ങൾ കേട്ട്, ശൈവഭക്തന്മാരിൽ ശ്രേഷ്ഠനായ ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണൻ ദേവിയോടുകൂടിയ പരമശിവനെ ധ്യാനിച്ചു; പിന്നെ ആദരത്തോടെ അർജുനനോട് മറുപടി പറഞ്ഞു.
Nandishvara (Nandi)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Significance: Models Śiva-smaraṇa as the highest refuge; hearing/reciting this episode is framed in Purāṇic tradition as fear-removing and bhakti-enhancing.
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
FAQs
It shows the Shaiva ideal of beginning one’s response and action with reverent remembrance (dhyāna) of Pati—Lord Shiva—recognizing Shiva as the supreme refuge and inner guide; Krishna is praised as śaiva-sattamaḥ for this devotional orientation.
The verse highlights Saguna contemplation—meditating on Shiva ‘with His Consort’ (Umā-Parameśvara). This aligns with devotional worship where the Linga is revered as Shiva’s manifest presence and is approached with bhakti, purity of mind, and respectful intention.
A practical takeaway is to perform brief Shiva-dhyāna before speaking or undertaking important acts—mentally invoking Shiva with Umā, or reciting a short mantra such as the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with focused reverence.