Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1, Verse 12

English Translation

The valiant grandfather, the eldest of the Kurus, loudly sounding a lion-roar, blew the conch to raise his (Duryodhana's) spirits.

Detailed Commentary

।।1.12।। Commentary: 'tasyā saṁjanayan harṣam'— Although the joy in Duryodhana's heart is the effect of the conch sound, and the conch sound is its cause, the description of the conch sound should logically precede the description of the joy. That is, it should have been stated as 'blowing the conch, he gladdened Duryodhana.' However, instead of saying this, it is stated, 'Bhishma, gladdening Duryodhana, blew the conch.' The reason for this is that Sanjaya, by stating it this way, expresses the sentiment that merely by Pitāmaha Bhishma blowing the conch, joy would arise in Duryodhana's heart. To demonstrate this profound influence of Bhishma, Sanjaya subsequently uses the epithet 'Pratāpavān' (mighty/glorious). 'kuruvṛddhaḥ'— Although among the Kurus, Bāhlīka was older than Bhishma in terms of age (being the younger brother of Bhishma's father, Shantanu), yet among all the elders of the Kuru dynasty, Bhishma was exceptionally knowledgeable of Dharma and Īśvara. Thus, being elder in wisdom (Jñānavṛddha), Sanjaya uses the epithet 'kuruvṛddhaḥ' for Bhishma. 'pratāpavān'— Bhishma's renunciation had a great impact. He was a renunciate of wealth and women, meaning he neither accepted kingship nor married. Bhishma was skilled in wielding Astra-Shastra (weapons and arms) and was also deeply learned in Shastra (scriptures). Both these qualities of his had a great influence on people. When Bhishma alone was bringing the daughters of the King of Kashi after abducting them from their Svayaṁvara for his brother Vichitravirya, all the Kshatriyas gathered for the Svayaṁvara attacked him. But Bhishma alone defeated all of them. Even before his Guru, Parashurama, from whom he learned the art of weaponry, he did not accept defeat. In this way, he held great influence over the Kshatriyas in matters of weaponry. When Bhishma was lying on the bed of arrows (Sharashayyā), Lord Krishna told Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, 'If you have any doubts regarding Dharma, ask Bhishma; for the sun of scriptural knowledge is setting, meaning Bhishma is departing from this world.' In this way, he held great influence over others in matters of Shastra. 'pitāmahaḥ'— The import of this term suggests that Dronacharya did not respond to Duryodhana's cunning words. He understood that Duryodhana was trying to deceive him with cunning, and thus he remained silent. However, as a grandfather (Pitāmaha), Bhishma saw his childhood in Duryodhana's cunning. Therefore, Pitāmaha Bhishma, unlike Dronacharya, did not remain silent but, driven by paternal affection (Vātsalya-bhāva), blew the conch, bringing joy to Duryodhana. 'siṁhanādaṁ vinadyoccaiḥ śaṅkhaṁ dadhmau'— Just as big animals are terrified by a lion's roar, similarly, with the intention that everyone should be terrified by his mere roar and Duryodhana should be pleased, Bhishma roared like a lion and blew the conch loudly. Connection— Sanjay describes the result of Pitāmaha Bhishma blowing the conch in the next verse.