Chapter1 Verse - 13

 

Verse 13

तत: शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखा: |
सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत् || 13||

Transliteration:

tataH shankAshca bheryashca paNavAnakagomukhAH.

sahasaivAbhyahanyanta sa shabdastumuloabhavat ..13..

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Word-by-word meaning:

तत: - following that;शङ्खाः – conch-shells ; च – and; भेर्यः – bulges; च -and; पणव-Drums;  आनक​ – Kettle drums; गोमुखा: - trumpets; सहसा एव – all together; अभ्यहन्यन्त – started suddenly ; स – that;शब्दः- sound- स्तुमुलः – tumultuous ;  अभवत्- was;

Meaning:

Following that, the sudden and combined sound of Conch-shells,Bulges, Drums, Kettle-drums,Trumpets became tumultuous and violently noisy.

Significance:

                        On hearing the sound of the conch-shell of Bhishma, the soldiers in the Kaurava army became happy. They gave their assurance to Duryodhana by blowing the various instruments with them. This verse beautifully picturises the war-scene. The usage of the instruments like – drums, kettle-drums, trumpets,bulges by ancient Indians is recorded in this verse.

                             The word ‘tumula’ – can be used here in two places. The sound created by the various instruments , when combined together , created a violent noise . It can also be seen as an adjective for the environment. The noise created by various instruments awakened the violent nature in the mindset of the warriors, including Duryodhana, as we saw he was confused, he lacked confidence. This violent nature is needed for the warriors who are standing in the warfield to do their duty.