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Bhagavad-gītā 1.15

పాఞ్చజన్యం హృషీకేశో దేవదత్తం ధనఞ్జయః । పౌణ్డ్రం దధ్మౌ మహాశఙ్ఖం భీమకర్మా వృకోదరః ॥ ౧౫ ॥
pāñcajanyaṁ hṛṣīkeśo
[paanchajanyam hrisheekesho]
devadattaṁ dhanañ-jayaḥ
[devadattam dhanan-jayah]
pauṇḍraṁ dadhmau mahā-śaṅkhaṁ
[paundram dadhmau mahaa-shankham]
bhīma-karmā vṛkodaraḥ
[bheema-karmaa vrikodarah]
Word-for-word
pāñcajanyam — the conchshell named Pāñcajanya hṛṣīka - īśaḥ — Hṛṣīkeśa (Kṛṣṇa, the Lord who directs the senses of the devotees) devadattam — the conchshell named Devadatta dhanam - jayaḥ — Dhanañjaya (Arjuna, the winner of wealth) pauṇḍram — the conch named Pauṇḍra dadhmau — blew mahā - śaṅkham — the terrific conchshell bhīma - karmā — one who performs herculean tasks vṛka - udaraḥ — the voracious eater (Bhīma) .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
pāñcajanyaṁ hṛṣīkeśo
pāñcajanyam
the conchshell named Pāñcajanya
hṛṣīka - īśaḥ
Hṛṣīkeśa (Kṛṣṇa, the Lord who directs the senses of the devotees)
devadattaṁ dhanañ-jayaḥ
devadattam
the conchshell named Devadatta
dhanam - jayaḥ
Dhanañjaya (Arjuna, the winner of wealth)
pauṇḍraṁ dadhmau mahā-śaṅkhaṁ
pauṇḍram
the conch named Pauṇḍra
dadhmau
blew
mahā - śaṅkham
the terrific conchshell
bhīma-karmā vṛkodaraḥ
bhīma - karmā
one who performs herculean tasks
vṛka - udaraḥ
the voracious eater (Bhīma) .
Important Words
  • pāñcajanyam — the conchshell named Pāñcajanya
    From the demon Pañcajana. The Lord's primary conch is a converted enemy — a doctrinal hint that surrender transforms the asura into an instrument of the Lord's voice. (See Bhāgavatam 10.45.)
  • hṛṣīka - īśaḥ — Hṛṣīkeśa, lord of the senses
    *Hṛṣīka* (the senses) + *īśa* (lord). One of Kṛṣṇa's most theologically loaded names — He is the *master of the senses*. The Gītā's whole teaching on *sense-control* is sealed in this epithet: only the One who owns the senses can teach how to discipline them.
  • devadattam — the conchshell named Devadatta
    *Deva* (god) + *datta* (given). Arjuna's conch was given by the gods. The contrast with the opposing side: their conches are theirs by purchase or inheritance; the devotee's conch is *deva-datta* — gifted from above. Even the instrument of service is grace.
  • dhanam - jayaḥ — Arjuna, winner of wealth
    *Dhanam* (wealth) + *jaya* (conqueror). Arjuna's epithet from the Rājasūya conquests — he gathered tribute from all the kings of Bhārata for Yudhiṣṭhira's sacrifice. The Gītā uses many epithets for Arjuna; each names a quality Kṛṣṇa is about to ask him to *redirect inward*. The winner of outer wealth must now win inner wealth.
  • bhīma - karmā — one who performs herculean tasks
    *Bhīma* (fearsome) + *karmā* (deeds). Bhīma's epithet — he of fearsome deeds. The same root as *bhīṣma* (terrible) and *bhayam* (fear). On the field face the same fear-root: *bhīṣma* the grandsire, *bhīma* the grandson-by-blood. Vyāsa is collecting the fear-words on both sides.
Lord Kṛṣṇa blew His conchshell, called Pāñcajanya; Arjuna blew his, the Devadatta; and Bhīma, the voracious eater and performer of herculean tasks, blew his terrific conchshell, called Pauṇḍra.
Purport

Lord Kṛṣṇa is referred to as Hṛṣīkeśa in this verse because He is the owner of all senses. The living entities are part and parcel of Him, and therefore the senses of the living entities are also part and parcel of His senses. The impersonalists cannot account for the senses of the living entities, and therefore they are always anxious to describe all living entities as senseless, or impersonal. The Lord, situated in the hearts of all living entities, directs their senses. But He directs in terms of the surrender of the living entity, and in the case of a pure devotee He directly controls the senses. Here on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra the Lord directly controls the transcendental senses of Arjuna, and thus His particular name of Hṛṣīkeśa. The Lord has different names according to His different activities. For example, His name is Madhusūdana because He killed the demon of the name Madhu; His name is Govinda because He gives pleasure to the cows and to the senses; His name is Vāsudeva because He appeared as the son of Vasudeva; His name is Devakī-nandana because He accepted Devakī as His mother; His name is Yaśodā-nandana because He awarded His childhood pastimes to Yaśodā at Vṛndāvana; His name is Pārtha-sārathi because He worked as charioteer of His friend Arjuna. Similarly, His name is Hṛṣīkeśa because He gave direction to Arjuna on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra. Arjuna is referred to as Dhanañjaya in this verse because he helped his elder brother in fetching wealth when it was required by the king to make expenditures for different sacrifices. Similarly, Bhīma is known as Vṛkodara because he could eat as voraciously as he could perform herculean tasks, such as killing the demon Hiḍimba. So the particular types of conchshell blown by the different personalities on the side of the Pāṇḍavas, beginning with the Lord’s, were all very encouraging to the fighting soldiers. On the other side there were no such credits, nor the presence of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the supreme director, nor that of the goddess of fortune. So they were predestined to lose the battle – and that was the message announced by the sounds of the conchshells.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
15-16. Kṛṣṇa blew Pāṣcajanya, Arjuna blew Devadatta, and Bhīma of fearful deeds blew the great conch Pauṇḍra. Yudhiṣṭhira, son of Kuntī, blew Anantavijaya, and Nakula and Sahadeva blew their conches Sughoṣa and Manipuṣpaka. 17-18. Then the king of Kāśī, the greatest archer, Śikhaṇḍī, a mahā-ratha, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Virāṭa and Sātyaki, who could not be defeated, Drupada, the sons of Draupadī, and mighty-armed Abhimanyu blew their conches one after the other.
Commentary

The names of the conch shells are listed here, starting with Kṛṣṇa’s Pāṣcajanya.

The word aparājitaḥ means unconquerable. However, it can be read cāpa rājitaḥ, by including the previous ca as part of the word instead a separate word meaning “and”, in which case it means “equipped with a bow.”

Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
15-16. Kṛṣṇa blew Paṣcajanya, Arjuna blew Devadatta, and Bhīma of fearful deeds blew the great conch Pauṇḍra. Yudhiṣṭhira, son of Kuntī, blew Anantavijaya, and Nakula and Sahadeva blew their conches Sughoṣa and Manipuṣpaka. 17-18. Then the king of Kāṣī, who was the greatest archer, the mahāratha Śikhaṇḍi, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Virāṭa and Sātyaki, who shone with his bow, Drupada, the sons of Draupadī, and mighty-armed Ahimanyu blew their conches one after the other, O lord of the earth.
Commentary

The names of the conches starting with Kṛṣṇa’s Paṅcajanya are listed. The word hṛṣikeśa (master of the senses) used in describing the Lord indicates that the Lord would help this army (He would help by directing their senses skilfully). Mentioning the names of the conches indicates that these persons had many conches of divine nature. The word rājā indicates that Yudhiṣṭhira had performed the rājāsūya sacrifice. [Note: He was not recognized as king until after the battle.] The word bhīma karma (man of ferocious actions) indicates that Bhīma had killed many demons such as Hiḍimbā. The word dhanaṣjaya indicates that Arjuna had gathered unlimited treasures when he went out to conquer the directions. Thus the outstanding nature of the Pāṇḍava army is indicated. The opposing army, not having these descriptive names, was therefore inferior. Kāśya indicates the king of Kāśi, who was a great archer (parameṣvāsaḥ). Sātyaki was shining with his bow (cāpa rājitaḥ). “O Dhṛtarāṣṭra, lord of the earth (pṛthivī pate), your bad advice has brought about this calamity in the form of the destruction of the dynasty.” That is the suggestion of addressing the king as “lord of the earth.”

Bhūrijana Dāsa Gauḍīya
Translation
Lord Krsna blew His conchshell, called Pancajanya; Arjuna blew his, the Devadatta; and Bhima, the voracious eater and performer of herculean tasks, blew his terrific conchshell, called Paundra. (cn/DS) Here the name used for Krsna is 'Hrsikesa' which means 'the Lord directs the senses of the living entities'. This is a very significant name for Krsna, which also indicates His victory because one only succeeds in anything by the use of the senses. Krsna was sitting there as the 'controller of the senses'. And when the devotee surrenders to Krsna, He personaly directs his senses. Arjuna was not there on his own prowess. Srila Prabhupada says in his Purport: "Lord Krsna is referred to as Hrsikesa in this verse because He is the owner of all senses. The living entities are part and parcel of Him, and therefore the senses of the living entities are also part and parcel of His senses. The impersonalists cannot account for the senses of the living entities, and therefore they are always anxious to describe all living entities as sense‑less, or impersonal. The Lord, situated in the hearts of all living entities, directs their senses. But He directs in terms of the surrender of the living entity, and in the case of a pure devotee He directly controls the senses. Here on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra the Lord directly controls the transcendental senses of Arjuna, and thus His particular name of Hrsikesa. The Lord has different names according to His different activities. For example, His name is Madhusudana because He killed the demon of the name Madhu; His name is Govinda because He gives pleasure to the cows and to the senses; His name is Vasudeva because He appeared as the son of Vasudeva; His name is Devaki‑nandana because He accepted Devaki as His mother; His na Yasoda‑nandana because He awarded His childhood pastimes to Yasoda at Vrndavana; His name is Partha‑sarathi because He worked as charioteer of His friend Arjuna. Similarly, His name is Hrsikesa because He gave direction to Arjuna on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra. Arjuna is referred to as Dhananjaya in this verse because he helped his elder brother in fetching wealth when it was re quired by the king to make expenditures for different sacrifices. Similarly, Bhima is known as Vrkodara because he could eat as voraciously as he could perform herculean tasks, such as killing the demon Hidimba. So the particular types of conchshell blown by the different personalities on the side of the Pandavas, beginning with the Lord's, were all encouraging to the fighting soldiers. On the other side there were no such credits, nor the presence of Lord Krsna, the supreme director, nor that of the goddess of fortune. So they were predestined to lose the battle‑‑and that was the message announced by the sounds of the conchshells." The sound of the conchshells announced the defeat of Dhrtarastra's sons since so many signs of victory were on the side of the Pandavas.
Study Notes — Gauranga Priya Dāsa
Gauranga Priya Dāsa Study
Bhakti-śāstrī Notes, ISKCON Chowpatty (2009)
Theme

COMMON THEME: All Pandavas blew conchshells and all other instruments that made a tumultuous sound

NAMES OF DIFFERENT CONCHSHELLS: S. No

Warriors

Conchshell

1.

Krishna

Panchajanya

2.

Arjuna

Devadatta

3.

Yudhishtara

Anantavijaya

4.

Bhima

Paundra

5.

Nakula

Sughosa

6.

Sahadeva

Manipushpaka

PLEASE NOTE: Text 1.13 has no purport. Text 1.14 purport is covered under the main theme ‘Signs of Victory of

Pandavas’ above. Purports for Texts 1.15 to 1.18 are presented in the ‘Focus of Learning’ sections below

Focus of Learning

(a) Sanjaya very tactfully informed King Dhrtarashtra of the following points through all the above

mentioned verses:

His unwise policy of deceiving the sons of Pandu and endeavoring to enthrone his own sons was not very laudable
All the signs indicate that the whole Kuru dynasty would be killed
From the grandsire Bhisma to the grandson Abhimanyu, and all the kings of all states were doomed
And Dhrtarashtra was the cause of the whole catastrophe because he encouraged the policy followed by his sons

(a) Message announced by conchshells – Blowing of conchshells announced the message that

Kauravas were predestined to lose the battle

(b) Importance of names

Hrsikesha
Owner of all senses / senses of living entities are part and parcels of His senses

▪ Impersonalists cannot account for the senses of the living entities and they are

always anxious to describe the living entities as sense-less or impersonal

Lord as Paramatma directs the senses according to the surrender of the living entity
Directly controls transcendental senses of a pure devotee like Arjuna
Govinda – Pleasure-giver to cows and senses
Dhananjaya – Arjuna helped elder brother to fetch wealth for different sacrifices
Vrkodara – Eat as voraciously as he could do herculean tasks (Bhima)
Few other names explained – Madhusudana / Vasudeva / Devaki-nandana / Yasoda-nandana / Partha-sarthy (Read 1.15 purport)
Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
1.15 Sri Sankaracharya did not comment on this sloka. The commentary starts from 2.10.
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
1.1 - 1.19 Dhrtarastra said - Sanjaya said Duryodhana, after viewing the forces of Pandavas protected by Bhima, and his own forces protected by Bhisma conveyed his views thus to Drona, his teacher, about the adeacy of Bhima's forces for conering the Kaurava forces and the inadeacy of his own forces for victory against the Pandava forces. He was grief-stricken within. Observing his (Duryodhana's) despondecny, Bhisma, in order to cheer him, roared like a lion, and then blowing his conch, made his side sound their conchs and kettle-drums, which made an uproar as a sign of victory. Then, having heard that great tumult, Arjuna and Sri Krsna the Lord of all lords, who was acting as the charioteer of Arjuna, sitting in their great chariot which was powerful enough to coner the three worlds; blew their divine conchs Srimad Pancajanya and Devadatta. Then, both Yudhisthira and Bhima blew their respective conchs separately. That tumult rent asunder the hearts of your sons, led by Duryodhana. The sons of Dhrtarastra then thought, 'Our cause is almost lost now itself.' So said Sanjaya to Dhrtarastra who was longing for their victory. Sanjaya said to Dhrtarastra: Then, seeing the Kauravas, who were ready for battle, Arjuna, who had Hanuman, noted for his exploit of burning Lanka, as the emblem on his flag on his chariot, directed his charioteer Sri Krsna, the Supreme Lord-who is overcome by parental love for those who take shelter in Him who is the treasure-house of knowledge, power, lordship, energy, potency and splendour, whose sportive delight brings about the origin, sustentation and dissolution of the entire cosmos at His will, who is the Lord of the senses, who controls in all ways the senses inner and outer of all, superior and inferior - by saying, 'Station my chariot in an appropriate place in order that I may see exactly my enemies who are eager for battle.'
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
1.12 1.29 Sri Abhinavgupta did not comment upon this sloka.
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
1.15. Hrishikesha blew the Panchajanya and Arjuna blew the Devadatta and Bhima (the wolf-bellied), the doer of terrible deeds, blew the great conch Paundra.
Commentary

1.15 पाञ्चजन्यम् (the conch named) Panchajanya? हृषीकेशः (the Lord of the senses) Krishna? देवदत्तम् (the conch named) Devadatta? धनञ्जयः (the victor of wealth) Arjuna? पौण्ड्रम् (the conch named) Poundra? दध्मौ blew? महाशङ्खम् great conch? भीमकर्मा doer of terrible dees? वृकोदरः (having the belly of a wolf) Bhima.No Commentary.

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
1.15 Hrsikesa (Krsna) (blew the conch) Pancajanya; Dhananjaya (Arjuna) (the conch) Devadatta; and Vrkodara (Bhima) of terrible deeds blew the great conch Paundra;
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
1.15 Lord Shri Krishna blew his Panchajanya and Arjuna his Devadatta, brave Bheema his renowned shell, Poundra.
Related values & verses
Related values
Tyaga (Renunciation / Letting Go)Karuna (Kindness / Compassion)Tapas (Austerity / Discipline)Atma Nigraha (Self-control)Daksya (Resourcefulness / Skill)Vairagya (Detachment / Dispassion)
Related verses
BG 18.47 BG 3.35 BG 1.14 SB 11.29.9 SB 7.11.32 SB 3.29.22 CC Madhya 22.72 CC Madhya 19.178 CC Madhya 8.204 BRS 1.2.296 Īśa Upaniṣad 2
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Each devotee blows a uniquely-named conch; your service has a specific shape no one else can replicate.
Practical Applications
  • Stop comparing your sādhana to that of others — your conch sounds in your voice, not theirs.
  • Identify your own particular service offering and commit to it more deeply.
  • Honor the diversity of Vaiṣṇava expression in your community.
Reflection Questions
  • What is the unique shape of the service I am called to render?
  • Where am I diluting my offering by trying to sound like someone else?
Analogy

Each conch on this chariot bears a personal name — Pāñcajanya, Devadatta, Pauṇḍra. The Lord does not blow an anonymous shell. Service has a name; devotion is named; the divine recognizes each instrument that is offered.

Stories
Pāñcajanya, the demon-conch

The conch Kṛṣṇa blows is Pāñcajanya — taken from the body of the demon Pañcajana, whom Kṛṣṇa slew in the depths of the sea when rescuing the dead son of His guru Sāndīpani. The demon had taken the form of a great conch-shell; Kṛṣṇa pulled him out of the ocean and used his shell ever after. (Bhāgavatam 10.45.40–48.)

So the very conch the Lord now sounds on the field of Kurukṣetra was earlier the body of a demon — transformed into the Lord's instrument through being defeated. There is a quiet doctrine here: what was once an obstacle, once it has surrendered, becomes the medium through which the Lord announces dharma.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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