ततः शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखाः। सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत्।।1.13।।
Thereafter, conches, kettledrums, bugles, trumpets, and horns suddenly blared forth, and their combined sound was overwhelming.
Translation
At that moment, conchshells, large drums, small kettledrums, and horns all sounded together in unison, creating an overwhelming, tumultuous noise.
Word Meanings
tataḥ — thereafter śaṅkhāḥ — conchshells ca — also bheryaḥ — large drums ca — and paṇava-ānaka — small drums and kettledrums go-mukhāḥ — horns sahasā — all of a sudden eva — certainly abhyahanyanta — were simultaneously sounded saḥ — that śabdaḥ — combined sound tumulaḥ — tumultuous abhavat — became
Understanding the Verse
In this verse, the Kaurava army, upon hearing the mighty blow of Bhīṣma’s conch shell, responds with a deafening roar of their own. The conch shells that were blown marked the beginning of the war and were accompanied by various other musical instruments traditionally used in ancient warfare. These instruments included: Bheryaḥ — large drums Paṇava-ānaka — small drums and kettledrums Go-mukhāḥ — horns All of these instruments were sounded simultaneously, creating an immense cacophony. The word "tumultuous" describes the overpowering noise that filled the battlefield, signaling the full commencement of the war. The loud, chaotic noise created an atmosphere of intense anticipation, signaling both the readiness of the Kaurava forces and the start of the epic battle. This tumultuous sound is symbolic of the immense battle frenzy and the impending conflict that would soon unfold. It also reflects the emotional charge of the moment, with the warriors on both sides fully preparing for the confrontation ahead. Symbolism of the Instruments: Conch Shells: In Hindu tradition, the blowing of the conch shell marks the beginning of a significant event or battle. In this context, the conch shells symbolize the initiation of the war. Drums and Kettledrums: The sound of the drums and kettledrums is often associated with warfare, signifying readiness for battle and the call to arms. Horns and Bugles: The horns and bugles are also used to convey urgency, command, and to rally the troops. Together, these sounds formed a sonorous signal to both sides that the time for peace was over. The Tumultuous Sound: This combined, overwhelming sound embodies the chaos and intensity of the impending battle, as both sides brace for the ultimate confrontation that would determine the fate of the Kuru dynasty.
