Shloka 11
Droṇācārya’s Tapas and the Manifestation of Śiva: The Birth-Grant of Aśvatthāmā (अश्वत्थामा-अवतार-प्रसङ्गः)
तच्छ्रुत्वा द्रोणवचनं शम्भुः प्रोचे तथास्त्विति । अभूदन्तर्हितस्तात कौतुकी सुखकृन्मुने
tacchrutvā droṇavacanaṃ śambhuḥ proce tathāstviti | abhūdantarhitastāta kautukī sukhakṛnmune
Setelah mendengar kata-kata Droṇa, Śambhu (Tuhan Śiva) bersabda, “Demikianlah jadinya.” Lalu, wahai yang dikasihi, Sang Penguasa yang bersifat lila—pemberi kebahagiaan, wahai resi—lenyap, tidak kelihatan lagi.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Mantra: tathāstu
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights Śiva’s sovereign freedom (svātantrya) and compassionate grace: He assents to the devotee’s request and then withdraws from ordinary perception, reminding seekers that the Lord is known through devotion and inner realization, not mere outward sight.
Śiva’s vanishing underscores that while Saguna forms appear for the devotee’s uplift, the stable focus for worship is the Linga—an abiding sign of His presence—through which devotees continue bhakti even when dramatic manifestations cease.
Cultivate steady remembrance (smaraṇa) and japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—so devotion remains firm whether the Lord is manifest or hidden; this steadiness is a practical takeaway for daily worship and Mahāśivarātri observance.