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Chapter 1 · Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra · 46 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.

Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›

Questions & crisisChapter 1 · Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra

1.11 1.13

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 1.12

The armies gather; conches sound

Karma · Action

तस्य सञ्जनयन्हर्षं कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः ।

सिंहनादं विनद्योच्च‍ैः शङ्खं दध्मौ प्रतापवान् ॥ १२ ॥

tasya sañjanayan harṣaṁ

kuru-vṛddhaḥ pitāmahaḥ

siṁha-nādaṁ vinadyoccaiḥ

śaṅkhaṁ dadhmau pratāpavān

Translation

Then Bhīṣma, the great valiant grandsire of the Kuru dynasty, the grandfather of the fighters, blew his conchshell very loudly, making a sound like the roar of a lion, giving Duryodhana joy.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Bhīṣma Blows His Conchshell

1
Bhīṣma understood Duryodhana’s heart and compassionately blew his conchshell like a lion’s roar to cheer him, giving him joy.
2
The conchshell also indirectly signaled that Duryodhana had no chance of victory because the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa was on the other side.
3
Still, Bhīṣma had a duty to fight and would spare no effort.

Key points from the purport

Bhisma’s conchshell blown

Bhisma indicates the following things to Duryodhana by his conchshell:

Blown out of natural compassion for grandson, Duryodhana

To cheer the fearful heart of Duryodhana

Befitting his position as lion

To assure that no pains would be spared in his duty to fight

Indirectly by the symbolism of conchshell, he informed his depressed grandson that he has no chance of victory, because the Supreme Lord Krishna was on the other side.