तस्य संजनयन्हर्षं कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः। सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चैः शङ्खं दध्मौ प्रतापवान्।।1.12।।
Then, the grand old man of the Kuru dynasty, the glorious patriarch Bhīṣma, roared like a lion, and blew his conch shell very loudly, giving joy to Duryodhan.
Translation
Duryodhana’s spirits were lifted as Bhīṣma, the revered patriarch of the Kuru dynasty, roared like a lion and blew his conch shell loudly, signifying his readiness to fight.
Word Meanings
tasya — his sañjanayan — increasing harṣam — cheerfulness kuru-vṛddhaḥ — the grandsire of the Kuru dynasty (Bhīṣma) pitāmahaḥ — the grandfather siṁha-nādam — roaring sound, like that of a lion vinadya — vibrating uccaiḥ — very loudly śaṅkham — conchshell dadhmau — blew pratāpa-vān — the valiant
Understanding the Verse
In this verse, Bhīṣma, the elder statesman and commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army, attempts to lift the spirits of his grand-nephew Duryodhana. He was fully aware of the cosmic nature of the battle that was about to unfold, knowing that the Pandavas were not merely supported by their military might, but also by Lord Krishna, the Supreme Divine. Despite this, Bhīṣma had made a vow to protect the Kaurava side and fight for his grand-nephew, Duryodhana, who was deeply anxious about the outcome. To alleviate Duryodhana’s anxiety and boost his confidence, Bhīṣma decided to blow his conch shell with a mighty roar, akin to that of a lion. The sound of the conch shell in ancient times was a powerful symbol, signaling the commencement of battle. The loud, lion-like roar also symbolized Bhīṣma's valor and determination to fight fiercely and dutifully. Blowing the conch shell was not merely a ritual—it was a statement of readiness and a morale booster for the Kaurava army. For Duryodhana, hearing the conch shell and the roar of Bhīṣma was a powerful reminder that the Kaurava forces, under the leadership of their revered patriarch, were poised for action. Bhīṣma's act of blowing the conch shell thus brought joy and reassurance to Duryodhana, who was filled with fear and uncertainty about the battle. Symbolism of the Conch Shell: Victory and Resolve: The conch shell is often used as a symbol of victory and triumph in Hindu tradition, particularly in the context of war. By blowing the conch shell, Bhīṣma reaffirmed his commitment to fight with honor, strength, and resolve. Psychological Boost: The roar of the lion and the sound of the conch not only rallied the Kaurava soldiers but also had a psychological effect on Duryodhana, offering him confidence and a sense of security in his army’s capabilities. Bhīṣma’s Role: Despite his internal conflict about fighting against his family (the Pandavas), Bhīṣma’s loyalty to the throne of Hastinapur and his duty to the Kauravas was undeniable. This act of blowing the conch shell was symbolic of his unwavering duty as a warrior. Contrast with the Pandavas: The conch shell's sound on the Kaurava side marked the beginning of the battle. This contrasts with the Pandavas’ conch shells, which will also be sounded shortly, signaling the start of a cosmic battle between righteousness (Dharma) and unrighteousness (Adharma).
