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. Hover 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?
It sets the scene for war and shows how leadership can stir collective emotion before action begins.
What this verse means
Bhishma blows his conch loudly, and Duryodhana feels encouraged. It is a battle signal, not a teaching verse.
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, the two armies are already formed. Duryodhana has just ordered Bhishma to protect the Kaurava lines. Now Bhishma answers with a lion-like conch blast, lifting Kaurava morale and signaling that battle is about to begin.
Why this verse still matters
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)