Bhagavad Gita 1.15 — Panchajanya, Devadatta, and Paundra Resound on the Battlefield
पाञ्चजन्यं हृषीकेशो देवदत्तं धनञ्जयः ।
पौण्ड्रं दध्मौ महाशङ्खं भीमकर्मा वृकोदरः ॥ १.१५ ॥
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Hrishikesha blew the Panchajanya, Dhananjaya blew the Devadatta, and Vrikodara, the doer of terrible deeds, blew the great conch Paundra.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| pāñchajanyam | the conch named Panchajanya |
| hṛṣhīkeśhaḥ | Hrishikesha (Krishna), the master of the senses |
| devadattam | the conch named Devadatta |
| dhanañjayaḥ | Dhananjaya (Arjuna), the winner of wealth |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| pauṇḍram | the conch named Paundra |
| dadhmau | blew |
| mahāśhaṅkham | the great conch |
| bhīmakarmā | the one of terrible deeds |
| vṛkodaraḥ | Vrikodara (Bhima), the wolf-bellied |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| pāñchajanyam | the conch named Panchajanya | pauṇḍram | the conch named Paundra |
| hṛṣhīkeśhaḥ | Hrishikesha (Krishna), the master of the senses | dadhmau | blew |
| devadattam | the conch named Devadatta | mahāśhaṅkham | the great conch |
| dhanañjayaḥ | Dhananjaya (Arjuna), the winner of wealth | bhīmakarmā | the one of terrible deeds |
| vṛkodaraḥ | Vrikodara (Bhima), the wolf-bellied | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
This verse names the conches blown by the three Pāṇḍava heroes: Lord Hṛṣīkeśa's Pāñcajanya, Arjuna's Devadatta, and the great conch Pauṇḍra of Bhīma, the doer of fearsome deeds. Each name carries meaning, and each reflects the character of the one who blows it.
Essence
In ancient warfare, the conch of a warrior was like his signature. Naming them gives us a glimpse of each person's nature.
A. Pāñcajanyaṁ hṛṣīkeśo (Hṛṣīkeśa blew Pāñcajanya)
Hṛṣīkeśa means the Lord of the senses (hṛṣīka = senses, īśa = master). It is a significant name to use here, for Krishna is about to become the guide who will teach Arjuna how to master his own senses and mind. His conch, Pāñcajanya, is traditionally said to have been taken from the demon Pañcajana, and it is associated with the call of dharma.
B. Devadattaṁ dhanañjayaḥ (Arjuna blew Devadatta)
Arjuna is called Dhanañjaya, the winner of wealth, a name he earned for gathering riches for his elder brother's sacrifice. His conch Devadatta means 'given by the gods'. It reflects Arjuna's noble background and the divine support that surrounds him.
C. Pauṇḍraṁ dadhmau mahāśaṅkhaṁ bhīmakarmā vṛkodaraḥ (Bhīma blew the great conch Pauṇḍra)
Bhīma is called Vṛkodara, 'wolf-bellied', a reference to his tremendous appetite and strength, and bhīmakarmā, 'one of terrifying deeds'. His great conch Pauṇḍra is large and powerful, as is Bhīma himself.
A subtle point is worth noticing: Krishna, the Lord, is named by what he governs, the senses; Arjuna, the seeker, by what he has won; and Bhīma by his strength. Each name tells us something about the role each plays in the unfolding drama.
Message for Everyday Life (Mastering the Senses)
The name Hṛṣīkeśa is a quiet teaching in itself. Our senses are constantly pulling us towards one thing or another, and most of us experience this as being driven by desires and impulses. The Gita's path is not to suppress the senses but to bring them under the guidance of wisdom. Each day we can practise this in small ways, for example by choosing when to look, when to listen and when to speak.
In ancient warfare, the conch of a warrior was like his signature. Naming them gives us a glimpse of each person's nature.
A. Pāñcajanyaṁ hṛṣīkeśo (Hṛṣīkeśa blew Pāñcajanya)
Hṛṣīkeśa means the Lord of the senses (hṛṣīka = senses, īśa = master). It is a significant name to use here, for Krishna is about to become the guide who will teach Arjuna how to master his own senses and mind. His conch, Pāñcajanya, is traditionally said to have been taken from the demon Pañcajana, and it is associated with the call of dharma.
B. Devadattaṁ dhanañjayaḥ (Arjuna blew Devadatta)
Arjuna is called Dhanañjaya, the winner of wealth, a name he earned for gathering riches for his elder brother's sacrifice. His conch Devadatta means 'given by the gods'. It reflects Arjuna's noble background and the divine support that surrounds him.
C. Pauṇḍraṁ dadhmau mahāśaṅkhaṁ bhīmakarmā vṛkodaraḥ (Bhīma blew the great conch Pauṇḍra)
Bhīma is called Vṛkodara, 'wolf-bellied', a reference to his tremendous appetite and strength, and bhīmakarmā, 'one of terrifying deeds'. His great conch Pauṇḍra is large and powerful, as is Bhīma himself.
A subtle point is worth noticing: Krishna, the Lord, is named by what he governs, the senses; Arjuna, the seeker, by what he has won; and Bhīma by his strength. Each name tells us something about the role each plays in the unfolding drama.
Message for Everyday Life (Mastering the Senses)
The name Hṛṣīkeśa is a quiet teaching in itself. Our senses are constantly pulling us towards one thing or another, and most of us experience this as being driven by desires and impulses. The Gita's path is not to suppress the senses but to bring them under the guidance of wisdom. Each day we can practise this in small ways, for example by choosing when to look, when to listen and when to speak.
Next Topic
The three Pāṇḍava heroes have sounded their conches. In the next verse, the eldest brother Yudhiṣṭhira and the twins Nakula and Sahadeva add their own conches to the sound, each with its own name.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Rule your senses and you rule your path.
Many voices, one purpose.
Courage is calm, clear, and ready.
Every name hides a lesson.
Discipline gives strength its direction.
Calm strength is the best answer to chaos.
Resolve rings clearer than noise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Krishna called 'hṛṣhīkeśhaḥ' (Hrishikesha, master of the senses) here?
Who is 'dhanañjayaḥ' (Dhananjaya)?
Who is 'vṛkodaraḥ' (Vrikodara)?
Why does each warrior have a named conch?
What is the symbolic importance of these conches?
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