Droṇācārya’s Tapas and the Manifestation of Śiva: The Birth-Grant of Aśvatthāmā (अश्वत्थामा-अवतार-प्रसङ्गः)
तच्छ्रुत्वा कृष्णवचनं पार्थस्स्मृत्वा शिवं हृदि । स्पृष्ट्वापस्तं । प्रणम्याशु चिक्षेपास्त्रन्ततो मुने
tacchrutvā kṛṣṇavacanaṃ pārthassmṛtvā śivaṃ hṛdi | spṛṣṭvāpastaṃ | praṇamyāśu cikṣepāstrantato mune
Mendengar kata-kata Kṛṣṇa, Pārtha (Arjuna) mengingati Dewa Śiva di dalam hati. Setelah menyentuh air untuk penyucian dan bersujud penuh hormat, dia pun segera melepaskan senjata itu—wahai muni.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Role: teaching
It teaches that right action becomes spiritually aligned when preceded by inner remembrance of Śiva (hṛdi smaraṇa), purification, and humble surrender—placing Pati (Śiva) at the center of one’s resolve.
Though no Liṅga is named here, the sequence mirrors Saguna-Śiva worship: mental recollection, ritual purity (touching water), and pranāma—showing that devotion to Śiva’s personal form supports dharmic action.
Practice hṛdaya-dhyāna (remembering Śiva in the heart), followed by simple śauca like ācamana (purifying with water) and pranāma before beginning any important japa, vrata, or duty.