Shiva Purana — Satarudra Samhita, Shloka 15

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

Devanagari script

यो भारते रणे ख्यातः पितुराज्ञामवाप्य च । सहायकृद्बभूवात कौरवाणां महाबलः

Transliteration

yo bhārate raṇe khyātaḥ piturājñāmavāpya ca | sahāyakṛdbabhūvāta kauravāṇāṃ mahābalaḥ

Translation

他在婆罗多大战中声名显赫；又得父命之后，成为俱卢族（考罗婆）强大的助力与支柱。

Word by Word

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन, सम्बन्धवाचक सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• भारते: in the Bhārata (war/epic context)
• भारते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भारत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• रणे: in battle
• रणे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• ख्यातः: renowned
• ख्यातः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ख्या (धातु) → ख्यात (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (Past participle/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• पितुः: of (his) father
• पितुः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• आज्ञाम्: command, order
• आज्ञाम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अवाप्य: having obtained
• अवाप्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव + आप् (धातु) → अवाप्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/Absolutive), अव्ययभाव (indeclinable verbal), ‘having obtained’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• सहायकृत्: helper, one who renders assistance
• सहायकृत्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सहाय-कृत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समास: सहायं करोति इति (उपपद-तत्पुरुष)

• बभूव: became
• बभूव: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्षभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• आत: indeed (particle)
• आत: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आत् (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात/पादपूरण (particle; often emphatic/metrical)

• कौरवाणाम्: of the Kauravas
• कौरवाणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौरव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• महाबलः: very strong, mighty
• महाबलः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा-बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समास: महत् बलं यस्य/महद्बलः (विशेषण-विशेष्य)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Characters & Entities

• Kauravas
• Bhārata war
• Father's command

FAQs

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

The verse highlights how worldly fame and power arise from action in the field of dharma (battle/life), yet the deeper Shaiva lesson is to examine the intention behind duty—aligning action with righteousness and surrender to the Supreme Lord (Pati) rather than mere factional loyalty.

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

Though the verse is historical in tone, Shaiva Siddhanta reads such narratives as reminders that Saguna Shiva—the Lord who guides beings through dharma—should be the inner refuge; external roles (ally, warrior, supporter) become spiritually fruitful when offered to Shiva in devotion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is karma offered to Shiva: begin duties by mentally dedicating them to Lord Shiva and reciting the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” cultivating purity of intention before action.