Shloka 1

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

Devanagari script

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । सनत्कुमार सर्वज्ञ शिवस्य परमात्मनः । अवतारं शृणु विभोरश्वत्थामाह्वयं परम्

Transliteration

nandīśvara uvāca | sanatkumāra sarvajña śivasya paramātmanaḥ | avatāraṃ śṛṇu vibhoraśvatthāmāhvayaṃ param

Translation

నందీశ్వరుడు పలికెను—హే సర్వజ్ఞ సనత్కుమార! హే విభో! పరమాత్ముడైన శివుని ఆ పరమ అవతారమును వినుము; ఆయన ‘అశ్వత్థామా’ అనే మహోన్నత నామముతో ప్రసిద్ధుడు.

Word by Word

• nandīśvaraḥ: Nandīśvara
• nandīśvaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nandīśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—नन्दिनः ईश्वरः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• sanatkumāra: O Sanatkumāra
• sanatkumāra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sanatkumāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास

• sarvajña: O all-knowing one
• sarvajña: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarvajña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि; विशेषण of sanatkumāra

• śivasya: of Śiva
• śivasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• paramātmanaḥ: of the Supreme Self
• paramātmanaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paramātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; कर्मधारय

• avatāram: incarnation
• avatāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: avatāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• śṛṇu: hear
• śṛṇu: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śru (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन

• vibhoḥ: O mighty one
• vibhoḥ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vibhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• aśvatthāma-āhvayam: named Aśvatthāman
• aśvatthāma-āhvayam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aśvatthāman (प्रातिपदिक) + āhvaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—अश्वत्थामा आह्वयः यस्य/अश्वत्थामा-नामकः (नामवाचक-तत्पुरुष); विशेषण of avatāram

• param: supreme, excellent
• param: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण of avatāram

Speaker

Nandishvara (Nandi)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Introduces an avatāra-kathā (Aśvatthāmā as connected to Śiva’s descent/presence); not tied to a Jyotirliṅga origin legend in this verse.

Significance: Positions Śiva as Paramātman and Vibhu; hearing the avatāra narrative is framed as a means to receive Śiva’s grace and right understanding of divine immanence.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Nandishvara
• Sanatkumara
• Ashvatthama

FAQs

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

The verse introduces Śiva as Paramātmā (the Supreme Self) who compassionately manifests in a knowable form (avatāra) for the upliftment of beings—showing that transcendence (Nirguṇa) can also be approached through divine manifestation (Saguṇa) in Shaiva devotion.

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

By announcing a specific avatāra-name of Śiva, the text affirms Saguṇa worship—Śiva becomes accessible through form, name, and sacred narrative, just as He is worshipped through the Liṅga as a focused support for devotion and realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The direct instruction is “śṛṇu” (listen): śravaṇa—devotional listening/recitation of Śiva’s avatāra-kathā—supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) as a steady contemplative practice.