GITA 1.12

GITA 1.12

In the Gita sermoned by Sri Krishna, we are going to see today slokas 12 and 13. Duryodana saw both the armies arrayed in the battlefield and he was scared whether his army would be able to resist the opposing army. He expressed his fears to Dronacharya. Next, he addressed all his commanders and asked them to protect Bheeshma who was the lifeline of Duryodana's army. Bheeshma was noticing all these from his chariot. Already he was feeling that instead of expressing anxiety to Bheeshma, Duryodana was speaking to Drona. Unable to contain himself, Bheeshma took his conch and blew to dispel the fear of Duryodana. This is explained in sloka 12:

tasya sanjanayan harsam

kuru-vrddhah pitamahah

simha-nadam vinadyoccaih

sankham dadhmau pratapavan

Then Bhisma, the great valiant grandsire of the Kuru dynasty, the grandfather of the fighters, blew his conchshell very loudly like the sound of a lion, giving Duryodhana joy.

Pratapavan = very powerful, kuru-vrddham pitamahah = the grandfather of Kuru dynasty (Bheeshma), tasya = to him (Duryodana), harsam = happiness, samjanayan = caused, sankham = (his) conch, dadhmau = blew, simha-nadam - (like) the roaring of lion, vinadyoccaih = very loudly. When it is said that to cause happiness, Bheeshma blew his conch like the roar of a lion, it is clear that there was anxiety in the mind of Duryodana. To boost up the spirits of his grandson, Bheeshma blew the conch. Great fighters will thump their shoulders to show their readiness. Or make big noise. In the last sloka, Duryodana wanted to secure Bheeshma. In this sloka his valour, his vast experience and his seniority are mentioned. We know how he got his name Bheeshma and why he remained unmarried. Bheeshma was the son of King Santhanu and Ganga Devi. He was called Gangeya. Ganga in the form of a river brought glory to the country. It is said that where the Four 'G' s - Ganga, Gayatri, Gita and Govinda- are chanted, there was no fear of rebirth. Ganga emerged from the Divine Feet of Sriman Narayana when ho took the Sri Trivikrama avatar. Therefore, it has sanctity. River Ganga starts from Gangotri in a small way, but becomes forceful in Bindusaras. The son of such Ganga, undertook a vow. His father Santanu loved a fisher woman to marry. Bheeshma knowing this, went to the fisher woman and negotiated. She agreed to marry if only it was assured that her child only should reign the Kingdom after Santanu. Though Bheeshma agreed, she still had doubts. She was not sure that in the future, Bheeshma or his descendants would not claim the Kingdom. To dispel all her doubts, Bheeshma pledged that he would not get married so that there would not be any claimant for the Kingdom. For pledging a frightening oath, he was called Bheeshma. Having pledged so forcibly, he remained unmarried his entire life. Such a famous person, Bheeshma, was leading the Kaurava army. He was the commander-in-chief for the first ten days of the Mahabharata war. When he was wounded and fell down, Drona was the chief commander. Such a great Bheeshma blew his conch to encourage Duryodana. As soon as this sound came, all other sounders like trumpets, drums, etc., made noise. This is mentioned in sloka 13:

tatah sankhas ca bheryas ca

panavanaka-gomukhah

sahasaivabhyahanyanta

sa sabdas tumulo 'bhavat

After that, the conchshells, bugles, trumpets, drums and horns were all suddenly sounded, and the combined sound was tumultuous.

Tumulo = skywards (these sounds travelled). Tatah = after ( the noise made by Bheeshma's conch), sankhas = all (persons carrying) conchs (blew), bheryas ca = also the drums, panavanaka-gomukhah = trumpets, bugles, horns, sahasivabhyahanyanta = made simultaneously, sabdas = sound, That is soon after Bheeshma blew his conch, all the various sound instruments were blown to make noise simultaneously which filled the sky. Sound expresses our various feelings like joy, victory, mercy, sweetness, etc. In our classical  music specific ragas are played for specific functions or mood or time. These are practiced in the Lord's procession or in marriages. Sound is the manifestation of the mind. Unfortunately at present we do not have time to spare for listening to music. Early morning we could listen to the chirping of birds, blowing of wind or rustling of trees. These sounds boost up our spirits. But we are in great hurry! But if we can spare sometime for the Nature, we could be relieved of great stress. Doctors advice to reduce tension. Sounds like sweet music or the chiming of temple bells will all help in making our minds peaceful. Sri Andal in Her Tiruppavai, mentions in the 7th hymn, about churning sounds made by the women in their houses. While churning, the bangles on their arms also tinkle and make noise. They also sing while churning. It is requested that we should train our ears to listen to Nature and enjoy beauty of Nature. That will make our life happy and peaceful.  

The sounds from the battlefield were so great that, according to some interpretations, they foretold the start of victory of good over evil and destruction of adharma!

                                                                           (continued)