A story moment · grounding in mood · easy to enter
“A single battle cry can turn fear into momentum.”
The elder of the Kuru clan, the powerful grandfather Bhishma, roared like a lion and blew his conch loudly, filling Duryodhana with joy.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallyhis · generating · joy · the elder of the Kuru clan · grandfather · lion-roar · having roared · loudly · conch · blew · the powerful one
Bhishma blows his conch loudly, and Duryodhana feels encouraged. It is a battle signal, not a teaching verse.
Sanjaya speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Arjuna Vishada Yoga" (The Yoga of Arjuna's Despair).
Verse 12 sits in Chapter 1 of the Bhagavad Gita — Arjuna Vishada Yoga, "The Yoga of Arjuna's Despair". The chapter has 47 verses in total.
A room goes silent before the announcement everyone has been dreading. One decisive sound, one firm gesture, and the whole atmosphere changes.
Did you like this verse?
Bhishma roars like a lion and blows his conch, and Duryodhana's mood lifts at once.
What this verse means
Bhishma blows his conch loudly, and Duryodhana feels encouraged. It is a battle signal, not a teaching verse.
Context & commentary
The two armies are already formed. Duryodhana has just ordered his commanders to protect Bhishma. Now Bhishma answers with a lion-like conch blast, lifting Kaurava morale and signaling that battle is about to begin.
What it looks like today
A room goes silent before the announcement everyone has been dreading. One decisive sound, one firm gesture, and the whole atmosphere changes.
“The moment before conflict can electrify a whole side.”
Explore related themes: kurukshetra (95 verses), duryodhana (12 verses)