Bhagavad Gita · Verse 1.13
Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (अर्जुनविषादयोगः)
(Sanjaya said)
ततः शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखाः । सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत् ॥१३॥
tataḥ śaṅkhāśca bheryaśca paṇavānakagomukhāḥ | sahasaivābhyahanyanta sa śabdastumulo'bhavat ||13||
Complete Shloka Translation
Then conches, kettledrums, smaller drums, large drums, and horns sounded together suddenly, producing a tremendous uproar.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ततः | tataḥ | thereafter / in response |
| शङ्खाः | śaṅkhāḥ | conch shells |
| च | ca | and |
| भेर्यः | bheryaḥ | kettledrums / large war-drums |
| च | ca | and |
| पणव | paṇava | small drums and tabors |
| आनक | ānaka | mridangas / war cymbals |
| गोमुखाः | gomukhāḥ | cow-horn war trumpets |
| सहसा एव | sahasā eva | simultaneously all at once |
| अभ्यहन्यन्त | abhyahanyanta | were sounded and struck |
| सः | saḥ | that |
| शब्दः | śabdaḥ | sound / uproar |
| तुमुलः | tumulaḥ | tremendous / deafening |
| अभवत् | abhavat | became |
thereafter / in response
conch shells
and
kettledrums / large war-drums
and
small drums and tabors
mridangas / war cymbals
cow-horn war trumpets
simultaneously all at once
were sounded and struck
that
sound / uproar
tremendous / deafening
became
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The Sanskrit names several kinds of war instruments rather than one continuous conch sound. Their combined noise establishes the intensity of the battlefield before the Pandava reply.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"The single signal becomes a collective declaration that the army is ready."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Can I notice when collective excitement is shaping my response?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Momentum and Group Synergy: The simultaneous sounding of countless drums and horns created an electrifying atmosphere. In launches and milestone events, collective synchronization fuels shared adrenaline and unified purpose.