Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 13: Meaning and Special Explanation

Sloka (Verse):

ततः शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखाः ।
सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत् ॥१३॥

tataḥ śaṅkhāś ca bheryaś ca paṇavānaka-gomukhāḥ ।
sahasaivābhyahanyanta sa śabdas tumulo 'bhavat ॥13॥

Word-by-Word Meaning:

tataḥ — thereafter, then
śaṅkhāḥ — conchshells
ca — and
bheryaḥ — large drums
ca — and
paṇava — small drums
ānaka — kettledrums
gomukhāḥ — horns
sahasā — suddenly, all at once
eva — certainly
abhyahanyanta — were sounded
saḥ — that
śabdaḥ — sound, vibration
tumulaḥ — tumultuous, uproarious
abhavat — became

Translation:

Thereafter, conchshells, large drums, small drums, kettledrums and horns were suddenly sounded all together, and that combined sound became tumultuous and uproarious.

Purport

This verse describes the moment immediately following Grandfather Bhishma's conchshell blast on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Bhishma's conchshell sound was the signal for the beginning of war, and upon hearing it, all the warriors on the Kaurava side began to sound their various musical instruments simultaneously.

After Grandfather Bhishma blew his conch loudly, a kind of excitement and enthusiasm arose within the Kaurava army. His conchshell sound was meant to give courage to Duryodhana, but at the same time it was also the formal announcement of the commencement of war. Along with this announcement, all the commanders and warriors on the Kaurava side began to sound their conchshells, large drums, small drums, kettledrums and horns all together.

The conchshell is a type of seashell that produces a loud sound when blown. Large drums were massive instruments used on the battlefield to inspire the soldiers. Small drums were a kind of smaller percussion instrument, kettledrums were a type of war drum, and horns were trumpet-like instruments resembling cow horns. When all these musical instruments were sounded together, the combined vibration became extremely powerful and tumultuous.

This tremendous sound had multiple purposes. Firstly, it was a means to boost the morale of the Kaurava army. To further increase the enthusiasm created by Grandfather Bhishma's conchshell blast, all the commanders sounded their instruments. Secondly, this sound was a strategy to intimidate the enemy. The goal was to create fear and terror in the minds of the opposing side through the tremendous noise. Thirdly, it was the formal declaration of war—indicating that there was no turning back now, and war was inevitable.

However, within this massive sound lay a deep spiritual truth. No matter how much the Kauravas displayed their strength, no matter how much confidence they showed by sounding their instruments, the real truth was that they had no possibility of victory. Because on the side of the Pandavas stood Lord Sri Krishna Himself. Where the Lord is present, victory is inevitable.

From this incident we learn an important lesson. In life, we often think ourselves powerful by making external displays, showing strength, or creating commotion. But true strength never lies in noise or display, rather it resides in our relationship with the Lord. The person who has taken shelter of Lord Sri Krishna, in whose heart the Lord dwells, experiences true strength and peace in their life.

This massive sound of the Kauravas was an expression of their pride and false confidence. They thought that numerically they were powerful, their army was vast, and their heroic warriors were invincible. But they had forgotten that the Lord always stands on the side of justice and righteousness. No matter how much strength unrighteousness may have, ultimately the victory of dharma is inevitable.

Through this verse we understand that war was now unavoidable. Both sides were ready, both sides were determined. But the main purpose of this war was not merely kingdom or power, rather it was a final struggle between dharma and adharma. And with Lord Sri Krishna Himself present there, the victory of dharma was certain.

In our lives too, we often face various kinds of commotion, external pressures, and displays of injustice. But if we remain in the remembrance of Lord Sri Krishna, if we remain firm on the path of dharma, then no matter how great the commotion may be, we can remain calm and confident. Because the Lord is with us, and where the Lord is present, there is no place for fear.

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Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare।
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare॥