Bhagavad Gita 1.16 — Yudhishthira, Nakula, and Sahadeva Sound Their Conches
अनन्तविजयं राजा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः ।
नकुलः सहदेवश्च सुघोषमणिपुष्पकौ ॥ १.१६ ॥
🔊 Listen to meaning of this shloka
Current voice: —
Ready
Text-to-speech is not supported by this browser.
King Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, blew the Anantavijaya, and Nakula and Sahadeva blew the Sughosha and the Manipushpaka.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| anantavijayam | the conch named Anantavijaya (endless victory) |
| rājā | the king |
| kuntīputraḥ | the son of Kunti |
| yudhiṣhṭhiraḥ | Yudhishthira |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| nakulaḥ | Nakula |
| sahadevaḥ | Sahadeva |
| cha | and |
| sughoṣhamaṇipuṣhpakau | the conches named Sughosha and Manipushpaka |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| anantavijayam | the conch named Anantavijaya (endless victory) | nakulaḥ | Nakula |
| rājā | the king | sahadevaḥ | Sahadeva |
| kuntīputraḥ | the son of Kunti | cha | and |
| yudhiṣhṭhiraḥ | Yudhishthira | sughoṣhamaṇipuṣhpakau | the conches named Sughosha and Manipushpaka |
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
The verse continues naming the conches of the Pāṇḍava side. King Yudhiṣṭhira blows Anantavijaya, while the twins Nakula and Sahadeva blow Sughoṣa and Maṇipuṣpaka. With this, all five Pāṇḍava brothers have now announced their presence.
Essence
This verse completes the picture of the five brothers standing together.
A. Anantavijayaṁ rājā kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
Yudhiṣṭhira is called rājā, king, and Kuntīputra, son of Kuntī. His conch is Anantavijaya, 'endless victory'. The name is meaningful because Yudhiṣṭhira is traditionally known as the embodiment of dharma, and the victory the name suggests is the victory of righteousness. It is not a victory won by force alone.
B. Nakulaḥ sahadevaś ca sughoṣamaṇipuṣpakau
The twins' conches are Sughoṣa, 'sweet-sounding', and Maṇipuṣpaka, 'jewel-flowered'. The names are gentle and graceful, in keeping with the younger brothers' characters. It is a reminder that a righteous army includes not only strength but also gentleness and beauty.
C. A family in unity
It is notable that the verse speaks of the five brothers one after another, each with an equal place. In the first verses we saw a king speaking of 'my' sons and 'my' army, with division in his words. Here, by contrast, we find a brotherhood that has stayed united through exile, insult and hardship. The Gita does not say this directly, but it is part of the contrast it draws between two ways of facing life.
Message for Everyday Life (The Strength of Togetherness)
Families, teams and communities are strongest when each person is valued for the quality he or she brings, whether it is leadership, strength, skill or gentleness. Yudhiṣṭhira's victory is not described as the victory of one person but of a whole group standing together. In our own lives, we can ask whether we are making space for the strengths of those around us, or whether we expect everyone to be the same.
This verse completes the picture of the five brothers standing together.
A. Anantavijayaṁ rājā kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
Yudhiṣṭhira is called rājā, king, and Kuntīputra, son of Kuntī. His conch is Anantavijaya, 'endless victory'. The name is meaningful because Yudhiṣṭhira is traditionally known as the embodiment of dharma, and the victory the name suggests is the victory of righteousness. It is not a victory won by force alone.
B. Nakulaḥ sahadevaś ca sughoṣamaṇipuṣpakau
The twins' conches are Sughoṣa, 'sweet-sounding', and Maṇipuṣpaka, 'jewel-flowered'. The names are gentle and graceful, in keeping with the younger brothers' characters. It is a reminder that a righteous army includes not only strength but also gentleness and beauty.
C. A family in unity
It is notable that the verse speaks of the five brothers one after another, each with an equal place. In the first verses we saw a king speaking of 'my' sons and 'my' army, with division in his words. Here, by contrast, we find a brotherhood that has stayed united through exile, insult and hardship. The Gita does not say this directly, but it is part of the contrast it draws between two ways of facing life.
Message for Everyday Life (The Strength of Togetherness)
Families, teams and communities are strongest when each person is valued for the quality he or she brings, whether it is leadership, strength, skill or gentleness. Yudhiṣṭhira's victory is not described as the victory of one person but of a whole group standing together. In our own lives, we can ask whether we are making space for the strengths of those around us, or whether we expect everyone to be the same.
Next Topic
All five Pāṇḍava brothers have sounded their conches. In the next two verses, Sañjaya continues with the great allies who stand with them: the king of Kāśī, Śikhaṇḍī, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Virāṭa, Sātyaki and others.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Leaders set the tone by acting first.
A team that sounds together stands together.
Naming a goal begins the journey toward it.
Quiet resolve outlasts loud bravado.
Responsibility is accepted, not assigned.
Those who share a cause share a strength.
Endless victory begins with inner clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'anantavijayam' (the conch of endless victory) signify?
Why is Yudhishthira called 'kuntīputraḥ' (the son of Kunti) and 'rājā' (the king)?
Who are Nakula and Sahadeva?
Why do the conches have names?
What can a modern reader learn from this verse?
Explore related topics
More shlokas on the themes this verse touches: